Home Care News
Design Council launches five innovative products to help people with dementia.
27 Apr 2012
The Design Council has launched five innovative concepts to help improve the lives of people with dementia. ‘Thinking dogs for dementia’ and an appetite-stimulating ‘scent clock’ are just two of the products and services, which.....
Local councils call for radical reform of elderly and disabled care
27 Apr 2012
The Local Government Association has written a letter to the three main political parties calling for radical reform in elderly and disabled care. Sir Merrick Cockell, the chairman of the Local Government Association, which.....
NICE recommends first ever pill-based medicine for people with Multiple Sclerosis
26 Apr 2012
The healthcare guidance body, NICE, has recommended that the NHS offer, the first ever pill-based medicine fingolimod, for patients with highly active relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Professor Carole Longson, director.....
Dementia friendly cities, towns and villages to "lead a revolution"
26 Apr 2012
The Department of Health has released the details of its Dementia Friendly Communities Champion Group, which demonstrates support from an extensive range of public figures, care charities and business leaders keen to support the Prime.....
Arrest of CQC inspector confirmed after care regulator refers gross misconduct to police
26 Apr 2012
The City of London police have confirmed the arrest of a former Care Quality Commission (CQC) employee, on suspicion of bribery and money laundering, relating to allegations that care home proprietors have been offered better inspection.....
CQC to carry out special programme of 250 unannounced inspections of homecare services
26 Apr 2012
The Care Quality Commission is to carry out a special programme of 250 unannounced inspections of home care services. Over the next three months, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be carrying out inspections to test ways.....
Louis Theroux examines the sad world of dementia in TV documentary Extreme Love
26 Apr 2012
Documentary maker, Louis Theroux, will be examining the challenging world of dementia tonight in his BBC series Extreme Love. The second episode of his series will air on BBC Two at 9pm. The first episode looked at a school.....
Quality care regulation a "priority" for Scotland's First Minister and Care Inspectorate
25 Apr 2012
Holyrood Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has attended a ceremony in Dundee to recognise 40 Care Inspectorate staff who have achieved the pioneering Regulation of Care Award (RoCA), the first professional qualification in regulation.....
MPs gather for final two evidence sessions on social care White Paper
24 Apr 2012
Today sees the first of two remaining All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) evidence sessions taking place, organised to allow MPs to hear from experts in the social care sector and from local authorities, before Parliament itself.....
Labour wants to end means testing of end of life care so more people can die in their own home
24 Apr 2012
Labour wants to end means testing of end of life care, giving everyone the opportunity, to die in their own home. Shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham revealed Labour’s plans to transform end of life care at Unison’s annual.....
Charity to hold Multiple Sclerosis awareness week
24 Apr 2012
The MS Trust is holding a Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week to raise awareness of the condition. A spokeswoman for the MS Trust said: "The week provides a great opportunity to help people across the UK understand what it means.....
Ninety-nine per cent of Britons, would rather live at home or in a retirement village, than a care home
24 Apr 2012
Ninety-nine per cent of people in the UK would rather live at home or in a retirement village, than a care home, according to a new survey. The research commissioned by Audley Retirement, found people would prefer to downsize.....
Get help planning events for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2012
23 Apr 2012
Older people’s charity Action on Elder Abuse are working hard to inspire fundraising efforts for this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2012, on June 15. Operating within the UK and Ireland, Action on Elder Abuse consist.....
Independent living adaptations to older people's homes remain a priority in Wales
20 Apr 2012
Wales minister for housing, regeneration and heritage, Huw Lewis, has confirmed the Welsh Government’s commitment to making safety improvement in older people’s homes, with the aim of avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and their.....
Subsidised home repairs allow Somerset residents to achieve reablement
20 Apr 2012
Somerset councillors and NHS leaders have welcomed the contribution of the Handihelp service over the last twelve months, which is dedicated to helping older people across the county achieve free home repairs and adaptations in order.....
Day centre revamp in West Sussex reaches out to adults with complex needs
20 Apr 2012
West Sussex County Council has today held its first day centre open day, as part of a drive to connect with vulnerable people in the wider community and showcase what contribution is available to them from the region’s eight day services. The.....
£17.7m contract awarded to NHS trust to provide wellbeing service
19 Apr 2012
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a £17.7m contract for the provision of an innovative service promoting wellbeing and helping people to safeguard their mental health. Launching on 30 July,.....
Ken Livingstone wants a dedicated Minister for Older People
19 Apr 2012
London mayoral candidate, Ken Livingstone, has pledged his support for Anchor’s Grey Pride campaign, which is calling on the Government to appoint a dedicated Minister for Older People. On the day of the Commons debate of the so-called.....
Changes to health and social care across North Somerset
18 Apr 2012
Integrating health and social care services is on the agenda in North Somerset as the health and wellbeing organisations identify ways of closer working. Plans are being developed for work to be carried out by a new.....
New ADASS president speaks out on social care funding
18 Apr 2012
Adult social care could be: "frozen like rabbits in the headlights" warns incoming ADASS president Sarah Pickup, "with no chance of an emergency stop, the results would not be pretty." The Association of Directors of.....
Innovative designs to improve quality of life for people with dementia
18 Apr 2012
The Design Council in partnership with the Department of Health has supported and funded five innovative solutions for improving the quality of life for people living with dementia and also aid the development of dementia friendly.....
Disabled people given a voice at mayoral hustings
18 Apr 2012
London’s disabled community had the opportunity to speak to mayoral candidates Boris Johnson, Ken Livingstone, Brian Paddick and Jenny Jones at a hustings organised by four major disability charities. Leonard Cheshire.....
Young spinal cord patients depressed and isolated in elderly care homes
17 Apr 2012
Young spinal cord injured patients are spending up to two years living in care homes for the elderly, leaving them feeling depressed and isolated, according to a new study. Up to one in five of the 1,200 people in the UK paralysed.....
New guide to help people with learning disabilities get the best from the NHS
17 Apr 2012
A learning disability charity has launched a new easier-read resource about what to expect from the NHS. The booklet produced by The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities provides practical hints and tips for people.....
New chief executive after carers’ charities merge
17 Apr 2012
Carers Trust has announced that Thea Stein will be the chief executive for the new charity, Carers Trust, formed from the merger of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care on 1 April 2012. Thea is currently.....
Welsh Government funding home care scheme for the elderly
16 Apr 2012
Elderly people in Wales may be able to stay living in their own homes for longer, after £4.67m in funding has been awarded to Care & Repair services across Wales by the Welsh Government. The Care & Repair service.....
“Failing system of social care” warn two leading organisations for the elderly
16 Apr 2012
There are grave consequences ahead for the health and wellbeing of older people warn Age UK and the British Geriatrics Society. They say a failing system of social care will also lead to increased costs to the NHS in England and that.....
Home Instead Senior Care continues to grow to meet demand
13 Apr 2012
The Newcastle-under-Lyme branch of Home Instead Senior Care has announced a fresh recruitment drive for 40 new carers, as the business looks to expand to meet a growing need for skilled social care. Home Instead Senior Care.....
Cumbria County Council confirms care home closure but outlines commitment to modernisation
13 Apr 2012
Important care developments have been announced by Cumbria County Council that include the closure of Woodlands care home, in Distington, but promise an overall commitment to regeneration and high-level care. Although the community.....
World leaders challenged to address the global fight against dementia
11 Apr 2012
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International have published a report on the challenges that dementia onset presents worldwide, hoping to convince world leaders to support research and investment in appropriate.....
Older people's housing pledges offered to MPs ahead of May local elections
11 Apr 2012
The Housing and Ageing Alliance have challenged all political parties to confirm their commitment to five older people’s housing pledges, as politicians look to woo voters in time for the May 3rd local elections. The five pledges.....
"Army of invisible carers" failing to access available respite care
11 Apr 2012
A study by care sector charity Vitalise has estimated there to be millions of family carers in the UK who are entitled to source respite care services but are failing to do so. Collated from the findings of several organisations.....
ADASS President stands down with call for Government and care sector to support Dilnot Commission
11 Apr 2012
Peter Hay, the outgoing President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), has used his final presidential blog to confirm his support for the recommendations of the Dilnot Commission – the Commission on the.....
Coalition faces growing pressure from National Pensioners Convention
10 Apr 2012
The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) are to lobby MPs as Parliament debates the Finance Bill, feeling incensed on a wide range of issues and policies that affect the lives of older people. While looking to fight the freeze.....
Care Quality Commission outlines commitment to equality and human rights
10 Apr 2012
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the body that regulates care provision throughout both residential and domiciliary settings in England, has published its own ‘equality objectives’ after a period of consultation with staff and key.....
Meeting the dementia care challenge in Warwickshire
05 Apr 2012
Warwickshire councillors have reported on a positive response from social care professionals, at a two-day event organised by the council to address the growing concerns over dementia care provision. Among the key points noted.....
Carers' Card scheme designed to support unpaid carers in East Sussex
04 Apr 2012
East Sussex County Council have launched a Carers’ Card scheme in Eastbourne, that the adult social care department will look to roll out across the county if found to be of benefit to service users and businesses. In collaboration.....
Law Commissions' report proposes Government targets rogue traders in new Consumer Bill of Rights
04 Apr 2012
Both the Law Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission have acknowledged that high-pressured doorstep selling is a bigger problem amongst older and housebound people than the rest of the population. The.....
Northampton NASHiCS event and awards embraces quality health and safety in social care
03 Apr 2012
Taking place on the 27th & 28th June, this year’s NASHiCS (National Association for Safety and Health in Care Services) event will look to recognise excellence in social care, hosting the second Safety in Care Awards and welcoming.....
Age UK predict worsening crisis if Government fails to show leadership on social care
03 Apr 2012
Older people’s charity Age UK have called on the Government to act quickly on care reform, claiming the system is already in crisis due to the effects of spiralling costs and demand. The charity estimates the number of individuals.....
New National Association of Care Catering publication offers professional guidance on nutrition standards
02 Apr 2012
A definitive practice guide has been published by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC); ‘How to Comply with CQC’s Outcome 5: Meeting Nutritional Needs’. Produced in collaboration with the English Community Care.....