Home Care News

EU-funded robots to be tested by care group to aid UK staff

30 Jan 2017

UK academics are developing robots to care for older people in care homes, hospitals and their own homes - and Advinia Healthcare will be the first care provider to test them in a bid to ease pressure on care staff and the sector. Researchers.....

Not just for women: Men urged to pursue a 'fulfilling and satisfying' career in the care sector

27 Jan 2017

It is no secret that the care sector is dominated by women, with men making up just 15.3 per cent of the workforce, according to the last UK census. One of the problems is that with men living longer, more.....

Alzheimer's Society reveals new branding which 'shouts louder' and makes dementia 'impossible to ignore'

26 Jan 2017

The Alzheimer’s Society has revealed its engaging new branding and strapline after in-depth consultation with those affected by dementia. The charity hopes its new image will give a stronger voice to everyone.....

David Cameron appointed president of Alzheimer's Research UK

25 Jan 2017

Former Prime Minister David Cameron has been announced as the new president of Alzheimer’s Research UK, having supported the cause throughout his time in office. Dementia was one of Mr Cameron’s priorities.....

Older people urged to take up dancing and tai chi to improve balance and reduce falls

25 Jan 2017

People over the age of 65 need to improve their strength and balance by doing more activities such as carrying shopping and doing the gardening as well as exercise like dance and tai chi, according to the Centre for Ageing Better. Research.....

Earlier diagnosis of dementia in people with learning disabilities urgently needed

24 Jan 2017

A group of voluntary sector organisations has called for earlier diagnosis of dementia for people with learning disabilities, so they can receive better support. VODG (Voluntary Organisations Disability Group).....

Old and disabled may go to care homes against their wishes under cost-cutting plans

24 Jan 2017

Older people and the disabled may not get the choice of receiving care in their own home and may instead be forced to enter care homes, because of plans to limit home care funding. Some 37 Clinical Commissioning.....

Celebrities back 'mighty' fundraising quiz for Alzheimer's Research UK

23 Jan 2017

Countdown’s Rachel Riley and actress Ashley Jensen are calling on the public to host their own ‘Mighty Quiz’ and raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Budding quizmasters will unite teams on 27 April.....

Noise sensor used in aeroplanes could detect arthritis, say academics

23 Jan 2017

A sensor, typically used to spot damage to aeroplane wings, could help identify the early signs of arthritis via an easy-to-wear patch. Engineers at Cardiff University believe noise sensors used in aerospace.....

Dementia research scientist and marathon enthusiast runs in memory of grandfather

20 Jan 2017

A medicinal chemist and dementia researcher for Alzheimer’s Research UK is raising money for the charity and paying tribute to his grandfather by taking part in the Surrey half marathon. Dr Stephen Wren,.....

Charity calls for HIV training for care workers after they showed 'unacceptable' prejudice

19 Jan 2017

The Terrence Higgins Trust is calling for a 'major shift' in awareness and training of care workers to support older people with HIV, after it revealed a care home made a woman with HIV sit on the same chair and used antibacterial.....

Sitting for ten hours each day can age women by eight years, study finds

19 Jan 2017

Sitting down for long periods of time without participating in regular exercise can accelerate biological ageing in women, according to new research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The.....

Health chiefs ban routine prescriptions and urge people to buy their own medicines

18 Jan 2017

GPs are facing a ban on routinely prescribing a range of products, including gluten-free foods, in a bid to save money. The NHS North Kirklees and NHS Greater Huddersfield clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).....

Supreme Court rules buses must prioritise wheelchair users over mums with buggies

18 Jan 2017

Bus companies must end ‘first come, first served’ policies and give priority to wheelchair users after a landmark Supreme Court ruling today. Backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the case.....

'Don't keep quiet and carry on': Prince William urges people to speak out about mental health

17 Jan 2017

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry united at a Heads Together conference to urge people to end the stigma and silence around mental health. Speaking at the Heads Together conference on 17.....

Great-grandmother with dementia achieves lifelong dream of becoming a children's author

17 Jan 2017

A great-grandmother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2012 has become a published author of two children’s books. Joan Porter, aged 85, who lives in sheltered accommodation in Bearsden, Glasgow,.....

Premier League football clubs may face legal action over lack of accessibility for disabled fans

16 Jan 2017

Premier League football clubs have been highlighted as having inadequate facilities for fans with disabilities and could face legal action if they fail to change. A new report by the Culture, Media and Sport.....

Local communities inspired to tackle loneliness with £2.7m lottery fund

13 Jan 2017

A pioneering UK-wide project to tackle loneliness through community collaboration has received £2.7m from the Big Lottery Fund. People living in Wales, Glasgow, Northern Ireland and Cambridgeshire are being.....

Emotionally intelligent robot plays games with elderly and keeps them active

12 Jan 2017

An emotionally intelligent robot has been created to help older people stay connected with their family and friends and to help them maintain a healthy level of cognitive and social activity. ElliQ, an advanced.....

'Undignified' 15 minute home care visits: still the norm for 34 councils

11 Jan 2017

Thousands of disabled and older people are still receiving 15 minute homecare visits in England because almost a quarter of councils (22 per cent) – 34 - are ignoring Care Act guidance to stop the practice. While.....

HC-One buys Helen McArdle's 20 care homes and home care business

10 Jan 2017

Care provider HC-One has acquired 20 care homes in the North East of England from Helen McArdle Care and its ‘At Home’ business. The acquisition on 10 January involves 1,343 beds from 19 existing care.....

Alzheimer's drug can encourage tooth regrowth and repair cavities, say scientists

09 Jan 2017

A drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease has been found to naturally encourage tooth regrowth and repair cavities, significantly reducing the need for fillings, according to new research published in the journal Scientific Reports. Scientists.....

PM pledges mental health support to fight 'hidden injustice'

09 Jan 2017

Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to find people with mental health issues more community-based alternatives to going to A&E or seeing a GP, in a package of measures announced today. Seeing a GP or.....

MPs call on Theresa May to create cross party review for social care

06 Jan 2017

Prime Minister Theresa May is being urged to invite all parties to engage in a cross-party review with the aim of finding a sustainable funding solution for social care before 2020. The request was made in.....

Inventors battle it out with wheelchair that goes up and down steps and phone controlled by winking

06 Jan 2017

Inventors working to improve the lives of people with disabilities are battling it out in a Dragons’ Den style global competition. Entries for the contest which pushes the boundaries of technology to benefit.....

Age UK loneliness programme helps older people feel 'happier and less nervous'

06 Jan 2017

Age UK is calling on the Government to put the issue of loneliness firmly on its agenda, following promising results of a pilot programme to combat loneliness. The charity created its programme ‘Testing.....

Mediterranean diet reduces risk of learning and memory loss in older people

05 Jan 2017

Eating a Mediterranean diet can slow down natural brain shrinkage in older people, which is commonly linked to decreased learning and memory ability, a new study has found. Researchers at the University of.....

Living near a busy road increases risk of dementia, study reveals

05 Jan 2017

New research published in the journal The Lancet has revealed that people living in close proximity to a main road have an increased risk of developing dementia, a condition currently affecting 850,000 people in the UK. According.....

Grandparents who help with childcare are living longer

05 Jan 2017

Those who help out with childcare or provide support to others in their community tend to live longer than older people who do not care for other people, new research has revealed. A study called 'Caregiving.....

Loneliness: 'Robbing people of the moments that make life meaningful'

04 Jan 2017

Most people know someone who has experienced loneliness. But loneliness is no longer thought to be just an older person's problem - it affects young people too. In March last year, the Office for National.....

Angela Rippon joins other adult social care heroes on New Year's Honours list

03 Jan 2017

TV presenter Angela Rippon joins adult social care heroes on the New Year’s Honours list for her services to dementia care. She has received the title Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for.....

Red Cross volunteer enables people in crisis to regain independence

03 Jan 2017

When Tricia Lodge, 71, retired and moved to the North Yorkshire Dales, she was keen to do something that would help others and also get her out of the house. A friend showed her a newspaper article about.....