Are You Aware ????????

[jimbo 111]

Are You Aware ????????

Recently I checked the posts on ‘New Posts ‘ and 27 out of 40 of those were from members who give their reason for membership as caring for a mother or father
This does indicate that their parent/s will in all probability be ’senior citizens’
I often wonder if members are also aware of many helpful sites that give advice on matters related to both dementia and the care of the elderly
I have recently come across the following website that gives advice on subject that will be of interest if you care to log on

Issues facing family carers of elderly

Top tips on how to complain about care

Care options to enable the right choices


http://www.myageingparent.com/

 

[Sunbell]

Hello jimbo 111'

Thanks for the info., it is very interesting. I also see it as realising that an awful lot of carers who care for their parents are 'senior citizens' themselves (myself included). My mum is 84, I am 63 and don't have very good health and my hubby is also retired and in ill health - there is no hope for us is there

I think a lot of people are now living much longer lives and the AD/dementia can be an ageing illness and therefore the adult children who are carers are in retirement themselves.

I cope by keeping a smile and doing what I can to the best of my ability, you can't do anymore. No good being miserable.

Take care, Sunbell

 

[jimbo 111]

Article in today’s Daily Express

HOSPITAL patients with dementia are dying at a much higher rate than others, according to a damning official report.

Scandal of elderly patients’ death rate


http://www.express.co.uk/news/health/383546/Scandal-of-elderly-patients-death-rate

 

[krissymc]

thanks jimbo

I just checked out the website u recommended there is some really good information on there.

 

[flowerpot]

Thanks Jimbo some good information I will look at it all properly later.

 

[jimbo 111]

How thoroughly are hospitals inspected?

Interesting article by BBC News (Health)
The BBC was given exclusive access to a hospital inspection carried out by the regulators for health and social care in England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).


Expert by experience
The visitor is part of an inspection team, which turned up at this hospital unexpectedly yesterday morning. His name is Brynley and he is clearly distressed by what he has been told

The BBC is not naming the hospital so we do not pre-empt the findings of the CQC's actual report. We have also agreed only to use the first names of members of the inspection team and patients.
You can hear Jon's full report on the inspection report on BBC Radio 4's PM Programme at 1700 GMT on Tuesday 12 March


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21744061

 

[jimbo 111]

My cure for sick NHS

Article in today’s Daily Telegraph


My cure for sick NHS, by David Cameron's new health tsar Don Berwick

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...vid-Camerons-new-health-tsar-Don-Berwick.html

James Nesbitt: 'We need a dementia breakthrough'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...-Nesbitt-We-need-a-dementia-breakthrough.html

 

[jimbo 111]

Over 2 million quit work to Care



*Research reveals over 2 million quit work to care

http://www.carersuk.org/newsroom/item/3033-research-reveals-over-2-million-quit-work-to-care

**Carers UK disappointed that breaks money is still not getting through

A study by Carers Trust has found that 28% of the PCTs surveyed had failed to publish plans and budgets on their spending on carers breaks in order to meet the Government’s targets for increased transparency and accountability. Previous work showed that woefully little of the £400 million was being spent on carers – as little as 19%.

http://www.carersuk.org/newsroom/la...hat-breaks-money-is-still-not-getting-through

 

[jimbo 111]

Is this what we have to look forward to?

Mature Times


http://www.maturetimes.co.uk/campai...-is-this-what-we-have-to-look-forward-to.html

 

[jimbo 111]

The Care Quality Commission - Care update Issue 2 -March 2013
Full Report
http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/documents/cqc_care_update_issue_2.pdf

The impact of dementia
Building on its findings on the impact of dementia in its State of
Care report, this Care Update finds that the health and social care
system is struggling to care adequately for people with dementia.
This is having an impact on hospital capacity and resources. In more
than half of PCT areas in the country, people with dementia living in
a care home are more likely to go into hospital with avoidable
conditions (such as urinary infections, dehydration and pressure
sores) than similar people without dementia. Once in hospital, people
with dementia are more likely to stay there longer, to be readmitted,
and to die there.

 

[jimbo 111]

Public Service and Demographic Change Select Committee Report

Care & Repair England Friday 15th March 2013
http://www.housingnet.co.uk/housing...ect_Committee_Report_A_Curates_Egg_25096.html




Developing new specialist and supported housing options for older people who wish to move - currently around 6% of older people live in sheltered or retirement housing.

90% of older people live in ordinary housing in the community and many want to stay there for as long as possible, hence would be helped by the first two measures. The third would increase the range of choice available to people who are interested in alternative housing options.

In its evidence the Care & Repair England noted the critical role of housing conditions to the health of older people. It noted that low income home owners now outnumber poor tenants and nearly a million older people live in private homes which are in a state of disrepair, calling for review of the state’s role in tackling this issue in the light of the impact on health services. The Lords' report notes the evidence that poor housing in England is costing the National Health Service in excess of £600 million a year.

 

[jimbo 111]

Royal College of Nursing -Best practices in dealing with dementia


Members may be interested in the attached article produced by the
Royal College of Nursing about the best practices in dealing with dementia
I wonder if any hospitals in your area use similar practices ???
If not why not ??????
jimbo 111

1. Staff need to be informed, skilled and have enough time to care

2. Family carers and friends are seen as partners in care, unless indicated otherwise by the person living with dementia

3. A dementia assessment will be offered to all those at risk, to support early identification and appropriate care

4. Care plans will be person-centred, responsive to individual needs and support nutrition, dignity, comfort, continence, rehabilitation, activity and palliative care

5. Environments will be dementia friendly and support independence and well-being


http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/practice/dementia/best_practice_examples

 

[jimbo 111]

Putting the Patient at the Heart of Care
Thursday, 14 March 2013 10:06
The Bombay Hospital motto is something on which to reflect.
It has been adapted from a quotation made by Mahatma Gandhi.

A patient is the most important person in our hospital. He is not an interruption to our work, he is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our hospital, he is a part of it. We are not doing a favour by serving him, he is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so
[
Does your hospital pass the Gandhi challenge?


http://dignifiedrevolution.org.uk/i...art-of-care&catid=7:our-blog-content&Itemid=8

 

[jimbo 111]

"Our real national treasure":

"Our real national treasure": How the NHS is standing up for my dementia-stricken dad

The opportunity to raise awareness of a good story about the NHS and Dementia is very rare
I think this man’s experience is worth reading
I am sure we would like to read more
jimbo 111

My 83-year-old, dementia-suffering dad, has been in hospital for three weeks, and for the past two weeks he’s effectively been a bed-blocker

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brian-reade-column-my-dementia-stricken-dad-826128

 

[SWMBO1950]

Hi Jimbo

I am 62 (almost 63) and look after my 98 year old mother and I have a friend who is 10 years older than me who cares for her mother who is 101 next month! It is beginning to be the norm.

Science is able to keep people alive for longer - in body - but often not in mind. I can remember when I was a child and a neighbour would die and there would be astonishment that they had reached maybe 75 or similar.

There seems to be two main types of older person (IMO) ones who loose their minds or those who suffer bodily. Bottom line is we don't seem to be able to win either way!!

 

[jimbo 111]

Clinical commissioning groups (CCG’s )

Are you aware that in two weeks time local NHS Trusts will be
replaced by new authorities Known as

Clinical commissioning groups (CCG’s )

The CCG’s have a statement of their commitment to the public

It is a statement we should all be aware of and to ensure that their promises are met
Now could be a good time to log on to your local CCG and be familiar with their membership , constitution ,etc
We should hope for more accountability at a local and national level than has been evident in recent times

imbo 111







GP-led groups ready to take charge of NHS budgets in every community in England

http://www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/2013/03/14/wave4-auth/



Our commitment to you
The NHS is changing and from April 2013, local doctors, and other medical professionals and patients can have a much stronger say in how and what the NHS spends its money on.
CCG is a new and different commissioner of local health services, building on the work already achieved, to truly put patients at the heart of the local NHS. We aim to achieve this by:
Always acting in the best interests of the patient
Ensuring you have a say and a choice in your healthcare in discussion with your GP
Providing you with the facts and information to help

you make decisions that are best for you
Spending time to make sure you understand
what options that are available to you and
what this means
Taking any questions or concerns you have
seriously and addressing these

as fast as possible
Having a commitment that any GP you see will
take what you want into account when
advising on the best treatment for you
Ensuring a range of opportunities for patients
to be involved and have your say about local
services
Treat patients with dignity and respect at all times

 

[jimbo 111]

Yesterdays post referred to the stated aims of the new Clinical commissioning groups (CCG’s ) .Looks like some will have a job to justify those claims
jimbo 111


More hospitals are failing to treat their patients with dignity: Fifth don't meet national standards

.]Report found staff filled in 'Do Not Resuscitate' forms without consent


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nt-meet-national-standards.html#ixzz2NyXw6xTX

Snap inspections expose scandal of 'institutionalised abuse' in care homes and hospitals

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/e...alised-abuse-in-care-homes-and-hospitals.html

Fifth of hospitals failing to treat older patients with dignity, says review
Care Quality Commission says it found that fewer hospitals were respecting people's privacy compared with previous year

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/19/hospitals-older-patients-dignity

 

[jimbo 111]

Dementia sufferers in Wales 3,000 will be forced into care because of lack of support

According to new figures released today by the Alzheimer’s Society, 3,000 people living in Wales with a form of dementia will have to leave the comfort of their own homes because of a lack of support and awareness of where to seek help.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/h...lack-of-support-91466-33015503/#ixzz2Nz5RdtAG

 

[beech mount]

Thanks for these threads jimbo, re the hospital ones, who will fix the hospitals? Sir David Nicholson? I have my doubts that he is capable or interested given his track record. There was a piece in the paper today in which he states that "I have to travel
first class on the train", well, thats costing us £41.000 per year! but i can understsnd him not wanting to meet ordinary members of the public......
John.

 

[jimbo 111]

Many people find that at some stage of their life they may need to become a carer to either friends, neighbours or family. This can occur at any time, but there are a large proportion of carers aged over 60 who are looking after older relatives. If you are in this situation, there are a number of entitlements and benefits you could receive. This guide explains further about these entitlements and benefits and the support services that are available to help.

http://www.independentage.org/media/231475/10_carers_what_support_is_available.pdf