Category Archives: family
Thousands of dementia sufferers rarely see loved ones
Tens of thousands of elderly people with dementia see friends or family just once a week according to a landmark report warning of an “epidemic of loneliness” among Britain’s most vulnerable.
The study by the Alzheimer’s Society says that 250,000 people – almost one third of those suffering from dementia – are now living alone in their own homes.
Of those, 29 per cent only see friends or family once a week, while 23 per cent can only expect one weekly phone call.
Jeremy Hughes, the charity’s chief executive said: “This report reveals the stark truth that too many people with dementia, especially the thousands who live alone, are truly isolated.
“We need to put a stop to this epidemic of loneliness, not only to improve quality of life but also to save thousands from reaching crisis point and being admitted to hospital unnecessarily or care homes early.”
Wonderful volunteers helping the sick and carers stuck in the snow
Volunteers help nurses reach critically ill patients
22 March 2013
Snow response in north Wales
As heavy weather causes disruption across the UK, our volunteers are helping nurses reach critically ill patients and delivering vital medication through the snow.
Following a call-out from health officials in North Wales, Red Cross emergency response teams are currently using Land Rover 4×4 vehicles to provide help in very challenging circumstances.
One team is battling through the blustery conditions to ensure nurses can continue to reach – and treat – the critically ill in their own homes. Another Land Rover is being used to run vital insulin supplies to the homes of patients.
Telehealth costs more than conventional treatment
Budget for NHS cost-cutting scheme to triple
A cost-cutting government scheme to monitor millions of NHS patients remotely in their homes is three times more expensive than expected, and is unlikely to save the predicted £1.2 billion a year, a study has found.
By Melanie Hall
One of the Coalition’s key health ambitions — to treat three million people with long-term conditions remotely — would cost £92,000 per patient, way above the £30,000 threshold set by the medical regulator, according to research published in the British Medical Journal.
The Department of Health has promoted the “telehealth” scheme, which would involve installing machines in patients’ homes to monitor their conditions and send results electronically to doctors, as a money-saving measure that also improves quality of life and reduces emergency hospital admissions, GP appointments and visits to accident and emergency departments.
However, a trial study of almost 1,000 patients already monitored in this way found that telehealth costs more than conventional treatment.
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