Home Care News
New legislation for Disclosure and Barring Service certificate (DBS) changes application criteria for home carers
30 May 2013
The DBS check, formerly the Criminal Records Background (CRB) has introduced new filtering rules this week. Legislation has been passed which will allow some old and minor offences to stop appearing on DBS certificates. Applicants.....
The College of Social Workers to define skilled tasks reserved only for social workers
29 May 2013
The college has this week launched a consultation to ensure that employers make appropriate use of social workers’ skills. The College of Social Work (TCSW) has started work to clearly define the range of skilled tasks that.....
Government to give dementia training to over 100,000 NHS staff within the next 12 months
28 May 2013
The Government is to give over 100,000 NHS staff foundation level dementia training by March 2014. The dementia training is part of a commitment by the Government to spend £5bn on a wide ranging series of.....
Adult social services praised for the improved satisfaction of personal budgets
28 May 2013
The success of personal budgets has been praised by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) president after a new survey reveals satisfaction from users. The ADASS president, Sandie Keene has described.....
SweetTree Home Care Services to double its workforce due to increasing demand
24 May 2013
A London-based homecare provider needs to almost double its workforce in order to meet increasing demand for its domiciliary care services. SweetTree Home Care Services, which currently employs just under.....
Alzheimer's Society wins gold at Chelsea Flower Show
23 May 2013
The prestigious Chelsea Flower Show has awarded their top prize to the Homebase Garden ‘Sowing seeds of Change’, which is in association with Alzheimer’s Society. The garden attracted crowds of visitors on Monday when it was officially.....
College of Optometrists encourages regular eye checks to prevent falls in older people
22 May 2013
Carers are being urged to ensure older people have regular eye examinations in an attempt to prevent them from falling. The College of Optometrists made the plea today when it published research revealing.....
Don't stay silent about dementia, urge Awareness Week campaigners
22 May 2013
Dementia Awareness Week 19-25 May, was used by campaigners to highlight the importance of discussing mental health-related concerns with loved ones and health professionals. Promoting their theme of 'worrying.....
Tailored storytelling sessions help people with dementia interact
22 May 2013
An Edinburgh day centre is hosting tailored storytelling sessions for people with dementia to help stimulate their minds and socialise with others. Canalside Day Centre, run by Bield, Scotland’s leading.....
NHS Innovation Challenge prize for Dementia enters the second stage of the competition
22 May 2013
Stage two of the NHS Innovation Challenge Prize for Dementia has opened, and has invited social care professionals to send in their applications. Janssen Healthcare Innovation has joined with the NHS.....
The Alzheimer’s Society wants more people to talk about dementia
21 May 2013
The Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging more people to talk about dementia after a poll revealed that almost half of UK adults would find it hard to tell their family if they thought they had the condition. The.....
Breakthrough by scientists discovers the early trigger that can lead to dementia
21 May 2013
Research from Cambridge University’s Department of Chemistry has established the nature of malfunction in protein molecules that triggers Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have discovered a catalytic trigger, which causes the death.....
New respite care-hotel offers nursing care in a luxury hotel
21 May 2013
Lifestyles - Choices Housing Association is taking an innovative approach to respite care and opening a luxury hotel offering hotel accommodation coupled with nursing care. “The Cambrian Care-Hotel allows carers to take a break.....
London Fire Brigade can remain world class despite need to make savings
20 May 2013
Londoners are being invited to have their say on fire safety issues, after a public consultation was launched by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. The Draft Fifth London Safety Plan includes.....
Managers benefit from new dementia support guide from Skills for Care
20 May 2013
The Department of Health has commissioned a new managers’ guide, in order to drive up the learning and development of the social care workforce that supports people with dementia. Skills for Care has created the guide, which.....
Volunteering efforts praised by Give & Gain Day organisers
17 May 2013
Employees from businesses all over the country have been getting active outside of their workplaces today, as part of Business in the Community’s (BITC) ‘Give & Gain Day’. BITC estimate there to be some.....
SweetTree Home Care Services receives ‘Outstanding’ CQC report
16 May 2013
SweetTree Home Care Services has received an 'Outstanding' report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), for the high standard of care and support it provides. SweetTree, which has offices in central London,.....
Report advises carers how to prevent malnutrition in older people
15 May 2013
A group of health and social care experts, as well as local government members, has published a report advising carers how to deal with malnutrition in older people. The Malnutrition Task Force compiled.....
Government pledges to tackle ‘shockingly low’ dementia diagnosis rates
15 May 2013
For the first time, the Government has set a target to improve dementia diagnosis rates, after a report into the progress of the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge, found they were “shockingly low”. The.....
UK to use G8 to spearhead new international approach on dementia research
15 May 2013
The UK will use its presidency of the G8 to identify and agree a new international approach on dementia research, according to the Government. The G8 is a forum for the governments of the world's eight wealthiest.....
Health and social care to be fully joined-up by 2018
14 May 2013
Later today Norman Lamb, the care and support minister, is to reveal plans for health and social care to be fully joined-up up by 2018. Joined-up health and community care is not currently the norm, instead.....
Archers actor, Arnold Peters, who played the part of someone living with dementia has died
14 May 2013
Archers actor, Arnold Peters, who played the part of someone living with dementia has died. Arnold Peters, who had Alzheimer’s disease and also played the part of someone with dementia, as Jack Woolley.....
Government's new legislation will provide greater financial protection for people in care
13 May 2013
The Government’s new Care Bill will ensure people are treated more compassionately and will provide greater financial protection for those who require care either in their own homes or in a residential setting. The.....
Local authorities criticised for failing 'to give a higher priority to older people'
10 May 2013
Adults social services directors need to be answerable to their own ‘bleak picture’ outlook, according to the Registered Nursing Home Association (RNHA). The annual survey of ADASS (the Association of Directors.....
Learning disability housing draws corporate interest
09 May 2013
The investment appeal in homes for adults with a learning disability seems to be stronger than ever, highlighted by the success of a £10m charity bond from Golden Lane Housing (GLH). The housing arm of care provider Mencap, GLH.....
No end in sight for social care funding trauma
08 May 2013
A review of social care budgets produces a ‘bleak outlook’ for the sector, according to the president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. Having already been faced with a £2.68bn funding shortfall since the.....
What the Queen's Speech means for the care sector
08 May 2013
Two major social care announcements were contained in the Queen’s Speech; the first reconfirming the Government’s commitment to a cap on individual care costs, the second establishing the right of members of the public to receive.....
CQC staff to receive dementia awareness training from Alzheimer's Society
03 May 2013
Staff working for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will for the first time receive dementia awareness training. Through a partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, staff from the body that regulates health.....
Video games slow cognitive decline in older people, according to University of Iowa study
03 May 2013
Public health researchers in Iowa claim their studies show proof that the playing of video games can slow the natural ageing process of our minds. A paper published this week by the UI College of Public Health claims that just.....
Mears Care group joins with Local Government Information Unit to boost prevention and early intervention in new project
02 May 2013
Home care provider Mears Care Ltd group has joined forces with the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) to analyse how local authorities spend money on preventative measures for adult social care services. The.....
Should GPS tagging devices be used on dementia patients?
01 May 2013
Suzie Mitchell, police sergeant at Sussex Police
Yes – it stops family carers worrying and keeps patients safe
Sussex Police has joined a number of local authorities in investing in GPS tagging devices for dementia patients that can be worn around their neck, clipped to a belt...
Dot Gibson, general secretary for National Pensioners ConventionNo – using tags on dementia patients is treating like criminals
The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has condemned the move as “just about saving money rather than treating people with dignity”.
Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary........
Police plans to use GPS tags on dementia patients has led to an outcry over civil liberties
01 May 2013
The Alzheimer’s Society has said there needs to be a balance in the benefits to patients and protecting their civil liberties, after Sussex Police revealed it has bought 15 GPS tagging devices to put on dementia patients so they can.....
Home care provider Carefound launches free Understanding Dementia Event
01 May 2013
A home care provider will be offering a regular service to help people in the community to understand more about dementia. Carefound Home Care (Harrogate) home care group has announced that its team of specialist home care providers will be.....