Monthly Archives: April 2013

NHS ‘ring fence’ threatened by plan to help social care

More than £1bn likely to be transferred from health budget to local authorities

The Government has decided to act amid fears that hospitals are admitting elderly patients who could be better cared for at home.

The plans – being drawn up as part of the Government’s spending review – are likely to see at least £1bn transferred from the Department of Health to local authorities to keep people out of hospital.

Ground breaking online resource to help meet the challenge of dementia care

Ground breaking online resource to help meet the challenge of dementia care

23rd April 2013
The Norfolk & Suffolk Dementia Alliance launches ‘Learning Location’ to help individuals and organisations who provide care for people with dementia gain access to essential information and most appropriate training in a single place.

London, UK – Tuesday 23 April 2013 – Norfolk & Suffolk Dementia Alliance announces a new free online resource to meet the challenge of delivering excellent care and support to people with dementia. The website called The Learning Location is open to individual carers, families, professional staff and organisations looking for relevant information, guides and training support. This initiative was developed as a result of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia, which was launched last year.

By 2030, there will be 15 million people over the age of 65 in the UK. After a century of advances in medical science, sanitation and nutrition, people today are living longer than ever before. One in three people over the age of 65 will develop Dementia.

Caring For Carers: The Pressures of Caring For A Loved One With Dementia

Guest Blog  Jason Tucker

Dementia is a debilitating illness, and sadly one that currently lacks a positive long-term prognosis. It’s natural that when someone is diagnosed with any of the many forms of dementia that the focus is on their well-being. In the early stages family members may well take on care roles, helping their loved one cope with the condition as far as possible. Many relatives, particularly spouses, will move to being full-time carers. This can be an excellent option, as the familiarity of home and family can make things easier for the person suffering with dementia, at least in the early stages of the disease.

Caring for someone with dementia is an all-consuming job, especially as the person’s condition deteriorates and they become increasingly disorientated and unable to carry out simple tasks. It’s not uncommon for carers to pour everything into their efforts, which is only natural. However, many carers lose sight of their own needs which results in stress, fatigue and burnout, none of which are good for the carer or their relative.