Home Care News
Flu vaccine encouraged among vulnerable groups and care workers as figures reveal overall effectiveness
29 Sep 2015
Vulnerable groups, including care workers, older people, pregnant women and children are being encouraged to have the latest flu vaccination after figures published revealed the overall effectiveness of the 2014-2015 vaccine. The.....
People with high blood pressure sixty per cent more likely to develop diabetes
29 Sep 2015
People with high blood pressure have an almost 60 per cent greater chance of developing diabetes, according to a new global study. Study author, Professor Kazem Rahimi, deputy director of the George Institute.....
Stem cell treatment used on first UK patient to cure Macular Degeneration
29 Sep 2015
A pioneering trial of a new stem cell treatment for people with ‘wet’ Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) has commenced at Moorfields Eye Hospital following a successful operation on a patient. The 60-year-old woman, is one.....
Older people dance their cares away
28 Sep 2015
London-based arts charity, Create has held nearly six thousand creative arts workshops in the decade since it was founded, so has unparalleled experience of motivating and encouraging people to express themselves creatively through.....
Aspirin could 'double' Gastrointestinal cancer life expectancy
28 Sep 2015
New research has found that a daily dose of aspirin could ‘double’ survival chances of patients with cancers affecting the gastrointestinal tract (GI). The Netherlands study, published by Leiden University.....
Home care worker named 'Extreme Fundraiser of the Year' by Midlands' Air Ambulance
28 Sep 2015
A home care coordinator, for has won the ‘Extreme Fundraiser of the Year Award’ after raising £5,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance charity. Hannah Palmer, aged 26 from Hereford, was inspired to fundraise for the.....
NHS Trust explores the benefits of robotic baby seal as innovative therapy for people with dementia
25 Sep 2015
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is working with the University of Brighton to explore the therapeutic benefits that PARO, the robotic baby seal has to people living with dementia in hospitals and care homes. PARO is a baby.....
Millions of pensioners supported by Winter Fuel Payments
24 Sep 2015
More than 12 million older people across the UK benefitted from a Winter Fuel Payment last winter, the latest figures have revealed. The Winter Fuel benefit help older people to remain warm in their own homes during the coldest.....
Home care visits should be 30 minutes or longer, says industry watchdog
23 Sep 2015
Home care workers should spend at least thirty minutes with each client during home visits, focusing on what they can do during this time, not what they can’t, according to the National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE). The.....
Fewer people are taking the NHS bowel cancer screening test
22 Sep 2015
More than half of people invited to take a new bowel cancer screening test have not taken up the opportunity, according to a report published in the journal of ‘Medical Screening’. Cancer Research UK studies have indicated that.....
Ancient Chinese exercises aid older people suffering from 'chronic conditions'
22 Sep 2015
Tai chi may help relieve some of the symptoms of disabling conditions suffered by older people such as osteoarthritis, heart disease and chronic breathing problems, a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals......
Man took his own life after being found 'fit to work' during benefits assessment
22 Sep 2015
A coroner has ruled that a man with mental health problems took his own life as the result of Work Capability Assessment (WCA) finding him ‘fit to work’. Michael O’Sullivan, a 60 year old father from north London was found hanged.....
Man detained under Mental Health Act for killing mother with dementia
22 Sep 2015
David Powell, a 74-year-old man from Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent has been detained under the Mental Health Act after he admitted killing his 95-year-old mother who had dementia after she expressed ‘a wish to die.’ Mr Powell admitted.....
Arthritis drug could treat Alzheimer's disease
22 Sep 2015
A drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis has been found to reverse the symptoms of dementia, according to research published in the journal ‘Nature Medicine’. Scientists from the Gladstone Institutes in.....
Funding cuts to the care sector put older people’s health at risk
21 Sep 2015
The health and well-being of older people and those living with disabilities are at an increased risk if Government funding is cut further, local authorities and care providers warn. In a joint submission to the Treasury ahead.....
One in three people born in 2015 'will develop dementia', claims research
21 Sep 2015
This bleak forecast of a looming health crisis has prompted calls to the Government to improve investment into dementia research as a matter of urgency. The study, which was commissioned by Alzheimer’s Research.....
Labour Party shows 'clear commitment' to mental health by appointing dedicated shadow minister
18 Sep 2015
The Labour Party has created a dedicated shadow minister for mental health for the first time, appointing Luciana Berger in the role. Jeremy Corbyn named Liverpool Wavertree MP Ms Berger as the first dedicated.....
Changes to Lasting Powers of Attorney
17 Sep 2015
A Lasting Power of Attorney is where someone gives a person they trust, the legal authority to make decisions about their health and welfare or financial affairs on their behalf, if they lack mental capacity at some time in the future.....
Nearly half of carers spend over a hundred hours a week caring for loved ones
17 Sep 2015
Almost half of carers spend over a hundred hours a week caring for loved ones, with three-quarters of carers saying they don't have enough control over their daily lives. The new figures from the Health.....
Health leaders urged to ensure NHS savings don't limit innovation and prevention
17 Sep 2015
The UK is founder and home to some of the world’s greatest healthcare innovations, however, there is room for improvement and the opportunity to learn from other successful nations, reports the International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK). Health.....
Physical needs of people with dementia can get 'mistaken for behaviour classed as challenging'
16 Sep 2015
The physical needs of people with dementia often get missed, not noticed or even mistaken for behaviours that are inappropriate and often will be classed as challenging, according to a nurse and social care trainer. Peter.....
Father-of-three undergoes leg amputation after NHS fails to spot infection following hip surgery
16 Sep 2015
A father-of-three who has been told he will never walk again, has received an undisclosed settlement from North Bristol NHS Trust to help with his ongoing care needs and specialist equipment, after it admitted it made mistakes in.....
Cancer diagnosis: Charity says 'we must still do better'
15 Sep 2015
Findings revealed at this year’s Public Health England (PHE) Conference show the proportion of cancers diagnosed as a result of emergency presentation at hospital has decreased by several per cent. At the same time, the proportion.....
England’s average life expectancy rises, though many are living with long-term health conditions
15 Sep 2015
People in England are reportedly living on average, eight years longer than before, though one of the main challenges faced by the UK is due to people living with long-term health conditions. The new study on The Global Burden.....
Robotic arm enables paralysed man to 'feel' again
14 Sep 2015
A prosthetic arm has been directly connected to the brain of a paralysed man, enabling him to ‘feel’ physical sensations and even identify which mechanical finger is being gently touched. The 28-year-old.....
Jeremy Corbyn appoints Heidi Alexander as shadow health secretary
14 Sep 2015
Jeremy Corbyn, the new leader of the Labour Party, has appointed Heidi Alexander as Shadow Secretary of State for Health. In response, Ms Alexander, the Labour MP for Lewisham East, tweeted ‘Humbled to serve.....
A wish come true: Centenarian celebrates birthday with a hot air balloon experience
11 Sep 2015
Chrissie Miller has become a high flying hundred-year-old after fulfilling a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel in a hot air balloon. Ms Miller and her main carer, Jacqui Malarkey, enjoyed an hour long flight, 1000ft over.....
Landmark ruling on travel time could see boost in pay for home care workers
11 Sep 2015
Unison, a public service union, has welcomed the ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that time spent travelling to and from first and last appointments by workers, without a fixed office, can be regarded as working time. The.....
Heavy doors, cobbled streets and high pavements a problem at ‘Wheelchair Friendly’ Edinburgh Festival Fringe
11 Sep 2015
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe claimed this year’s event would be its most wheelchair-accessible yet, however heavy doors, cobbled streets and high pavements continue to be a problem, according to a disabled volunteer who put the festival.....
Hopping could reduce fracture risk for older men
11 Sep 2015
Just two minutes of hopping a day can strengthen hip bones in older men and reduce the risk of fracture after a fall, a Loughborough University study has found. The ‘Hip Hop’ study, which measured the effect of daily hopping exercises.....
Harrogate home care company rated 'Outstanding' in recent CQC inspection
10 Sep 2015
A specialist home care provider in Harrogate has been one of the first to be awarded an outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), putting it in the top one per cent in the UK. The CQC has found the quality of care.....
Alzheimer's disease associated with transmission of protein found in growth hormone injections
10 Sep 2015
Fragments of proteins found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease could be spread to others via injections of a human growth hormone and contaminated surgical instruments, finds a study published in journal ‘Nature’. The.....
Ex-PGA golfer regains independence through pioneering folding mobility scooter
09 Sep 2015
Despite living with severe walking difficulties, ex- Professional Golf Association (PGA) golfer Steve Thomson, aged 52, has been able to regain freedom with the help of a new type of folding Maximo mobility scooter from TGA, a national.....
UK ranked tenth best country to grow old in
09 Sep 2015
The UK has been ranked tenth out of 96 countries for the best place to live as an older person, but older women are becoming increasingly disadvantaged, according to a global study published by Age International. The annual Global.....
Family carers invited to share personal experiences at the National Dementia Carers Day 2015
08 Sep 2015
Family carers of people who are living with dementia are being encouraged to share their insights and experiences as part of National Dementia Carers’ Day on Sunday 13 September 2015. The National Dementia Carers Day (NDCD) has.....
Hospital patients admitted on weekends 'have a higher risk of death'
08 Sep 2015
A recent study, published in The British Medical Journal (BMJ), found that patients admitted to hospital at the weekend are more likely to be sick and have a higher risk of death, compared with those admitted during the week. Researchers.....
New test reveals biological age and could predict onset of Alzheimer's
07 Sep 2015
A new molecular test can indicate how well a person is ageing and could help predict if a person is at risk of dementia years in advance, according to research published in the journal ‘Genome Biology’. Researchers at King’s College.....
Aspirin could boost the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy treatment
04 Sep 2015
Giving cancer patients aspirin at the same time as immunotherapy could boost the effectiveness of the treatment, according to new research published in the journal Cell. Researchers found that combining immunotherapy with aspirin.....
Alzheimer's disease accelerated by abnormal fat in the brain
04 Sep 2015
People with Alzheimer's disease have fat deposits in the brain, a new study published in the Journal Cell has revealed. Researchers have suggested that this breakthrough could open up a new avenue in the search for a medication.....
People with intellectual disabilities inappropriately prescribed antipsychotics
03 Sep 2015
Large numbers of people with intellectual disabilities are being inappropriately prescribed antipsychotic drugs, according to new research. The University College of London (UCL) study, published in the BMJ, found that antipsychotics.....
Exercise can help reduce risk of developing dementia
03 Sep 2015
Almost eight in ten people are not exercising enough, despite evidence that regular exercise can reduce a person's risk of dementia, according to a survey conducted by Alzheimer's Society. Research has suggested that regular exercise.....
Should assisted dying be legalised in the UK?
03 Sep 2015
Richy Thompson, Campaigns manager for the British Humanist Association
YES, The British Humanist Association (BHA) is a national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity.
BHA has long supported...
Mark Atkinson, Interim chief executive at disability charity ScopeNO, Scope, a national disability charity, is opposed to a change in the law on assisted dying. The charity has suggested that the safeguards in the Assisted Dying Bill are inadequate and the definition of who could........
Tips for reducing risk of age-related macular degeneration
01 Sep 2015
In 2012, actress Judi Dench revealed she has age-related macular degeneration and can no longer read her film scripts, relying on friends and family to help her learn her lines. She is one of around 600,000.....
Daughter of locked-in syndrome sufferer backs Assisted Dying Bill
01 Sep 2015
Lauren Nicklinson, the daughter of Tony Nicklinson, who had locked-in syndrome and died in 2012 after fighting for the right to end his life, is backing the Assisted Dying Bill. Assisted dying is when a terminally ill person who.....
Preview: Care & Dementia Show and International Dementia Conference
01 Sep 2015
The newly renamed Care & Dementia Show – formerly known as Care Show Birmingham and the biggest trade event of its type in the UK – will take place from 3 to 4 November this year and will run alongside the International Dementia Conference......