Author Archives: Maureen

Mystery benefactor funds new dementia support workers at N&N

January 17, 2014   Carers, dementia, Norfolk

A mystery benefactor has helped fund three new support workers at Norfolk’s biggest hospital to provide more support to patients with dementia, their families and carers.

Dementia support at the N&N. Support worker Adele McCrory with Ann Saunders and the 'This is Me' book about her father John Goldie. Photo: Bill Smith Dementia support at the N&N. Support worker Adele McCrory with Ann Saunders and the ‘This is Me’ book about her father John Goldie. Photo: Bill Smith

Adam Gretton Health correspondent adam.gretton@archant.co.uk
Friday, January 17, 2014
6:30 AM

The dementia support workers have begun working on inpatient wards at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with the aim of enhancing the experience of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia

The three new roles, which also offer specialist advice and support to the relatives and carers of people with dementia, have been funded by a local charity who have asked to remain anonymous.

Officials from the N&N said the donation would fund the dementia support workers for five years and the hospital would look to extend the roles to outpatient services in the future.

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Dying patients should be exempt from social care charges

January 15, 2014   Cancer, Carers, dementia, Social care, ukcuts
We need to talk about end-of-life care so fewer people face a lonely death in hospital. Free social care would be a start

theguardian.com,

 

A massage therapist works on the feet of a terminally ill hospice resident.

This week the care bill committee is debating who should be eligible for social care. MPs will also consider whether to add a clause that would enable exemption from social care charges for those at the end of their lives.

The amendment would also establish the need for better forward planning about where we would like to die. Most of us would prefer to be at home surrounded by the people we love, yet fewer than one in three are currently able to do so.

Why is it that 89% of those who die in hospital do so following an unplanned admission? In many cases it is because of the sheer exhaustion that comes with providing around-the-clock care. At the end of life there may be a period of days, but sometimes far longer, of complete dependency. Families go to enormous lengths to cope but, especially where there is only one person in a position to provide care, the elastic can only stretch so far.

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Disabled shoppers deterred by difficult high street experience

January 14, 2014   Carers, disability
Survey respondents say staff attitudes and poor access increasingly push them to shop online

 

Empty … a survey shows that many disabled people prefer to shop online rather than tackle the high street.

Disabled people are being forced to shop online because of poor access in and around UK town centres and difficulties using basic but essential facilities such as changing rooms or toilets, a report has claimed.

Many disabled customers are struggling to access shops, cafes and restaurants, with some shoppers even saying they felt “invisible” after being ignored by rude and insensitive staff who addressed their companions or carers instead of them directly.

The report, Short-changed, compiled by the muscular dystrophy campaign group Trailblazers, was based on the experiences of a 100-strong group of disabled 16-30-year-olds.

They gave examples of retailers misusing changing areas, toilets and lifts – intended for use by the disabled – as storage space, breaching health and safety regulations by piling them high with boxes.

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