Author Archives: Maureen
Does dementia screening do more harm than good?
Alzheimer’s disease health centre
10th September 2013 – Around two-thirds of people over 80 could be diagnosed with dementia because doctors are being encouraged to carry out unnecessary investigations and prescribe potentially harmful treatments, experts are warning.
A group of geriatric, dementia and public health specialists from Australia and the UK say the growing trend towards more screening amounts to a “war against dementia” with the risk of considerable over-diagnosis.
However, one UK dementia charity disputes the claims and says doctors should be supported for helping people with the condition to access early treatment.
Advisers to visit hospital patients
Advisers to visit hospital patients
9th September 2013
Older hospital patients in Norwich will be visited by advisers to help alleviate worries which may arise during their stay.
It is hoped that by removing any stress created by their spell in hospital, the patient can concentrate on getting better.
The Hospital And Home project sees Age UK Norfolk and Age UK Norwich working with Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Advisers will visit Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital hospital three times a week, offering support at the bedside.
Dr Peter Forster, chairman of Age UK Norfolk, said: “We hope that the combination of acute hospital expertise with charitable sector knowledge of working in the community will prove a powerful force in improving the experience of older people in acute hospitals and facilitating their prompt return to their communities and homes.
Million more elderly outside care system than before financial crash
Million more elderly outside care system than before financial crash
The full impact of rationing of elderly care is exposed in new figures showing that the number of older people outside the system has surged by more than one million since the onset of the financial crisis.
At a time when the number of people past retirement age has been growing faster than at any point in history, the numbers receiving any help from the state for their everyday care needs has dropped sharply.
According to figures collated by the charity Age UK, the proportion of the retired population of England receiving care has fallen by a third in the last five years.
It provides a stark illustration of how, despite efforts by councils to shield care for the elderly and disabled from the full impact of austerity cuts, existing services are being rationed to all but those with the most severe needs.
