Buurtzorg: Neighbourhood care that is going global

May 12, 2017

  Care Teams are the way forward The image above is one of my “Blue Sky Thinking” presentation slides, where I champion small care teams. Source: Buurtzorg: the Dutch model of neighbourhood care that is going global | Social Care Network | The Guardian I wanted to share this incredibly interesting article with you. I […]

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Giving up Driving

May 10, 2017

Giving up driving Most of us rely on our cars and don’t want to think about the day we may have to consider giving up driving. One of my clients gave up his car this month after 80 years of driving. This was not an easy choice and has involved much consideration and planning. Simple […]

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High Blood Pressure

May 8, 2017

  High Blood Pressure High Blood pressure increases your risk not only of a stroke or heart attack but also developing kidney disease and dementia. Simplified, blood pressure is the pressure of your blood in your arteries. If it is too high and left untreated it increases the risk of you having a stroke or […]

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In praise of the NHS

May 6, 2017

In praise of the NHS Nowadays all we seem to hear about is how the NHS is failing our elderly, certain treatments refused on the grounds of age, poor standards of care in overstretched and understaffed hospitals, I could continue…. However, I was delighted to see that the system still offers an amazing standard of […]

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Stair lifts

May 4, 2017

Stairlifts change lives I was contacted by Jennifer Isles of Acorn Stair lifts with this case study proving what an amazing difference they can make to someone’s’ life. An 81-year-old great-grandmother has spoken out about how a stairlift has changed her life  “I didn’t want the family home that I’ve lived in for 50 years […]

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Does exercise slow ageing

May 2, 2017

Does exercise slow ageing? We all know that exercise is good for controlling pain, weight, sleeping and just simply feeling better. Studies show it can help prevent diseases associated with ageing such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and dementia, but can exercise actually slow the ageing process? Researchers at King’s College London, believe […]

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Recognising elder abuse.

April 30, 2017

Recognising Elder Abuse Elder Abuse is not acceptable – Would you recognise some of the less obvious signs ?  We all have the right to feel and be safe, regardless of our age or circumstances and it important that we are vigilant to ensure our elderly loved ones are safe and treated with the dignity and […]

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When should someone stop driving

April 28, 2017

When should someone stop driving? When do you think elderly people should stop driving? Should there be a stated age, or re-test ? For many elderly drivers their car means independence to them, they can drive to the supermarket to shop and get out and about to visit friends.They can also visit partners or friends in […]

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Hospital Bag

April 26, 2017

  Pack your bag! Make sure you have a hospital bag packed for someone elderly you care for especially if they are not in the best of health.Such a simple idea that can really prevent someone elderly from having an even worse time if admitted to hospital in an emergency. A hospital bag should contain […]

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Free First Aid Courses

April 24, 2017

  NCC Home Learning are offering the public 1000 free courses in order to raise awareness of how to deal with diabetes, as well as general first aid awareness Following an incident where a member of NCC Home Learning staff had to be given first aid in a McDonald’s Drive-thru, managers at NCC Home Learning […]

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Social Care Alliance

April 21, 2017

Social Care Alliance Over the course of the past 5 years, I have found myself mutate from reporter, using Caron Cares as a useful depository for information to a campaigner The fact that we need campaigners for better social care speaks volumes itself, and there are many of us. Each of us fighting for change, […]

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5th Birthday

April 17, 2017

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY TO CARON CARES Today I am celebrating a milestone. Caron Cares has reached it’s 5th Birthday. Most Bloggers get bored and give up after one year, but I am still going strong. I am probably even more committed to helping people caring for the elderly as the care sector continues to collapse around […]

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TIA’s

April 15, 2017

Transient Ischaemic Attacks – T.I.A’s A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is in essence a mini stroke. It is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. This disruption causes a lack of oxygen to the brain,which can in turn cause sudden symptoms similar to a stroke. Speech and visual disturbance, […]

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People not Problems

April 13, 2017

“People, not Problems” As a blogger and social media nightmare of the eldercare sector, I see it as my duty to keep up to date with media and in particular the online press coverage of “the elderly”. That’s it though, isn’t it?  “THE ELDERLY” clumped thoughtlessly together in a homogenous characterless group. “THE ELDERLY” clumped thoughtlessly […]

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GP Shortage starts to bite.

April 7, 2017

GP Shortage starts to bite. Patients will lose their “automatic right” to a same-day doctor’s appointment under new plans to cope with the shortage of GPs. My thoughts -I can see this leading to patients not either seeking medical treatment at all or needing to call an ambulance. Either way, it will lead to more […]

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GB Care Awards, Finals

April 7, 2017

GB Care Awards – National Finals Friday the 31st of March saw thousands of people who work in the social care sector gather at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham for a glittering night of celebration. Everyone was dressed to the nines and ready to party! This was a positive occasion to celebrate all that […]

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Tiredness

April 5, 2017

  Tiredness in later life Many people say they feel they are slowing down as they get older. Even my bionic Mother admits to needing to take things a little easier now she is over 70. Following a stroke, however many people feel a real increase in tiredness and find they lack energy as they […]

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Smart phone, smart ideas

April 3, 2017

Smart Phone, Smart Ideas The New amplicomms M9500 is the first Smartphone that turns into a remotely controlled device so Care Givers can support operation of the Phone or help in an Emergency •     Unique HELP Function for Relatives to remotely operate the phone •     Care Giver Function – remote Call […]

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In praise of excellence

April 1, 2017

Manchester care-home judged one of the very best in the country Dystlegh Grange receives “Outstanding” rating from C.Q.C. Care Home in the Country’s top *0.5% A Greater Manchester care home has been judged one of the very best in the country after receiving an “Outstanding” rating from the Care Quality Commission. This status – the […]

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Speech loss

March 30, 2017

Speech loss For someone who is rarely short of words, the prospect of not being able to effectively communicate would devastate me. Imagine feeling “devastated” and not being able to communicate that? How would someone potentially react? They may cry uncontrollably or they may refuse to get out of bed. Someone may even use the […]

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Who to inform of a death

March 28, 2017

  Who do you tell in the event of a death? You have just lost a loved one and your world has lost its sense of reality. You are in a bubble and feel like the only person who has ever been bereaved. You then have the practical demands forced upon you by society, and […]

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Telecare, problem or solution?

March 26, 2017

This is what I never want to see – care home residents – monitored on screens from behind a desk “Is remote health monitoring technology the future for health care?” This is what I never want to see – care home residents – monitored on screens from behind a desk. I am known for my […]

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Excellent Care

March 24, 2017

  Excellent Care needs to be applauded Carole Anne Langmead, from Barnstaple, in Devon, is a Health & Social Care apprentice who scooped a prestigious national award. Coming in 4th place, she was highly commended by the judges at the World Skills competition. I was delighted to learn of Carole’s achievement, so often my focus […]

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Mother’s Day, when Mum has passed

March 22, 2017

Making Mother’s Day less painful if you no longer have your Mum with you. Thoughtful and sensitive advice from Cruse. Please share this with someone who may appreciate it.

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Marmalade

March 22, 2017

Loneliness is bad for your health – Fact. I have just stumbled across the wonderful work of Amy Perrin who is an occupational therapist. She started working to combat loneliness for elderly people on Christmas Day. The History of Marmalade. Amy had worked as a health professional and volunteered for over 20 years and had […]

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Over Prescribing

March 20, 2017

Over prescribing for the elderly is dangerous Having visited my doctors recently and jokingly been told they just “give you pills” – I left with a whole list of them myself! GTN spray, aspirin, a statin and beta blockers. I am 48 and do have high blood pressure currently and have had some chest discomfort […]

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Equity Release & State Benefits

March 18, 2017

Equity Release and State Benefits More and more people are choosing to stay in their own homes and pay for home care as opposed to move to residential care when they get older. Many people in their 60’s are also fairly heavily in debt and need a way of raising money. Equity release is becoming […]

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White Coat Syndrome

March 14, 2017

White Coat Syndrome Have you heard of this syndrome? Until yesterday I hadn’t, so I decided I had better write an article on it as I think this affects me! I visited my GP following a health check in a supermarket pharmacy when my blood pressure reading was dangerously high. I was advised not to […]

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Planning ahead

March 14, 2017

Planning Ahead – Why local planners need to speak to the elderly. Local planners need to consult with the elderly now to design for the elderly in the future. Simply issues to someone younger, become major ones to someone older. Call me controversial, call me outspoken, call me a pain in the proverbial…..call me what […]

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The Big Knit

March 10, 2017

The Big Knit – Fundraising for Age UK. The Big Knit, how have I missed writing about this for so long, especially as I have been sending out room thermometers on behalf of Age UK for four years? Keeping elderly people warm and well in the cold prevents needless deaths is something I am passionate […]

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Point to Sheets

March 6, 2017

Point to Sheets!     I love what I do with such a passion. I write here on my blog and elsewhere and also   have a slightly unhealthy, overactive association with social media. This new “project” is one of the reasons I am always so happy and excited to do what I do. Someone […]

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Diverse diets in care

March 4, 2017

Diversity diets in Care Catering for special diets is an area of increasing concern in social care, but some charities and nutritionists are stepping up to the plate This is a very interesting and slightly different article I wanted to share with you from the Guardian. Source: Halal meat, vegan feasts: how care caterers meet […]

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NHS Continuing Care

March 2, 2017

NHS continuing healthcare This is an incredible minefield of postcode lottery, form filling and a little bit of bureaucracy thrown in for good measure. I have tried to write in easy to follow terms and would urge you to at least apply. Continuing healthcare funding offers care, arranged and funded by the NHS, for individuals […]

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Erectile dysfunction

February 28, 2017

Let’s talk about Erectile Dysfunction! That’s part of the problem, isn’t it? No-one does want to talk about erectile dysfunction, though, do they? It’s understandable how important sex and physical intimacy can be and that erection problems are difficult to talk about. The good news is that there are things that can help. What causes […]

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Football & Dementia

February 26, 2017

Former Liverpool striker Ian St John calls on football’s leaders to look after former professionals who have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. I ask, “With the likes of Wayne Rooney being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds a week should there not be a fund to support those former players living with football related brain injured […]

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Reflexology in homes

February 24, 2017

Gina Awad has recently been honoured at the Alzheimer’s Society National Dementia Friendly Awards with the accolade of “Dementia Champion of the Year 2016”. Gina lives very near me and I am delighted to share her story. I am meeting her soon to interview her about her success and the motivation behind what she does. […]

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PR

February 23, 2017

  When I created Caron Cares, I needed to let people know about it. I lost track of the number of times I begged the media to give me some column space. Nothing, or very little was the result. Now nearly 5 years later I write for the Huffington Post, Devon Life and have PR […]

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