Monthly Archives: October 2012
‘Slow routes’ and ‘safe haven’ shops – how cities could become dementia friendly
“Slow routes” for elderly walkers, a mass clear-out of street signs and special training for taxi-drivers and shop staff could help make transform Britain’s cities for growing numbers of people with dementia, a report suggests.
By John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor
6:00AM BST 04 Oct 2012
Meanwhile leisure centres should introduce new sport sessions which are easier for people with dementia to join and bus timetables could be simplified, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
The proposals are among a string of recommendations emerging from a landmark project to turn York, where the Foundation is based, into Britain’s first “dementia friendly” city.
Andy Burnham calls for better integration of health and social care services
Andy Burnham calls for better integration of health and social care services
Published 3 October 2012
Older people are falling through the gaps of separate and fragmented health and care systems according to Andy Burnham MP.
The Shadow Health Secretary, addressing the Labour Conference in Manchester, called for a whole-person care system with mental health being at the heart of the NHS. He also highlighted the need to relieve the worry from carers by providing one point of contact.
Energy postcode lottery hits poorest hardest
A freezing spell is looming
- By Sarah Coles, Oct 1, 2012
Phil Noble/PA Archive/Press Association Images
A freezing spell is looming, the cheapest energy tariffs are turning to dust, and we can all expect our energy bills to reach horrifying levels over the winter. However, some people will be hit far harder than others – and new research reveals that it’s those who are already worst-off who will face the biggest shocks.
So how can this be right, and what can people do?
Most expensive
Energyhelpline.com studied average energy prices across the UK, and revealed some startling differences. Those in the most expensive parts of the country pay an average of £82 more a year than those in the cheapest areas of the country.
The most expensive area emerged as Wales: North Wales coming in at number one and South and Central at number two. A typical annual bill for gas and electricity for families in Wales is a hefty £1,373. They were followed by Southern England at £1,351, North Scotland at £1,350 and the West Midlands, where consumers pay £1,333.
