Author Archives: Maureen

One in three Alzheimer’s cases preventable, says research

July 14, 2014   Alzheimer’s, dementia, Featured Article

A healthier, fitter population could be the key to reducing cases of Alzheimer’s disease

14 July 2014 Last updated at 01:54

One in three cases of Alzheimer’s disease worldwide is preventable, according to research from the University of Cambridge.

The main risk factors for the disease are a lack of exercise, smoking, depression and poor education, it says.

Previous research from 2011 put the estimate at one in two cases, but this new study takes into account overlapping risk factors.

Alzheimer’s Research UK said age was still the biggest risk factor.

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NHS chief announces plan to give patients cash to fund their own care

July 8, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, Social care

Simon Stevens says giving patients financial control will force health and social care systems to provide better services

The scheme will give vulnerable patients individual pots of money to spend as they see fit on services such as carers or physiotherapy – GP and hospital care would still be free. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Billions of pounds of health service and town hall budgets are to be handed over to the most vulnerable patients to purchase health and social care services in the community, in a dramatic change of policy being unveiled by the NHS‘s new boss.

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Care Act 2014: the public needs to get involved in the consultation

July 8, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, Social care

People with care needs should dictate how generous the social care system is and who it supports

 

  • Andy Kaye Guardian Professional,
  • The Department of Health consultation is nearly 1000 pages long – but is still vitally important.
  • Unless a high-speed railway is about to be directed through your garden, why would a member of the public take the time to respond to a government consultation? Take the consultation from the Department of Health on the rules affecting who qualifies for care and support, which was published in June. All a bit boring, isn’t it? It’s hundreds of pages long and full of legalese.
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