Could our love for the NHS actually be bad for our health?
Dan Wellings, Senior Fellow (Policy) at The King’s Fund, offers his insight into the public’s expectations of the NHS… In the run-up to the 70th anniversary of the NHS, we’ve been talking with the public to better understand their relationship with and expectations of the service and their views on who is responsible for keeping people healthy. It almost goes without saying that there is huge support for the NHS, with the vast majority of people supporting the founding principles of a service free at the point of delivery, available to all and funded largely by taxation. As one participant at our recent discussion events said, “I do have a love for the NHS, it’s part of our heritage.” We hear views like this so often that it’s easy to take public support for the NHS for granted, but our findings throw up interesting questions about what the relationship between the public and the NHS means for our wider health. Could our love for the NHS actually be bad for our health? There are signs that this may indeed be the case. First, there’s an argument that our attachment to the NHS means that we don’t demand enough of the NHS and that we sometimes tolerate a level of service that would be unacceptable in other areas of our lives. Although ‘rising patient expectations’ is often cited as one of the pressures currently facing the service, there is little solid evidence to back this up. The premise is that in other areas of our lives we have become a ‘right here, right now’ society and we bring these increasing demands to bear on what we expect from the NHS, but this work raises serious questions over how true this is. People we spoke to were aware that they moderate their demands because NHS staff are under intense pressure and because their expectations are largely rooted in their previous experiences of the NHS. Some people also felt that because the NHS is so well liked, people were less critical of it even when their experience was not as good as it could be: “We give private companies much more of a hard time because they make so much more profit and have more money to play with.” This begs the question: should we ask more of the NHS and does our affection for it limit our ability to be sufficiently critical of the service we receive? Second, there is an argument that if government funding follows popular support, then other areas that don’t top the polls are left struggling with the NHS crowding out the case for increased spending in other areas. Sarah Wollaston, chair of the Health and Care Select Committee, speaking at a recent King’s Fund event, was asked what led to the government’s seeming about-turn on NHS funding and the answer was telling: they had listened to the polling over the past year showing rising concern for the future of the NHS, with increasing numbers of people willing to pay more tax to fund it. Does the public and subsequent political support for the NHS blind us to the need for greater investment in other areas – such as social care and public health – that would arguably have a greater impact on our health and wellbeing? In work undertaken in partnership with the Health Foundation, we asked the public about its views on the future funding of social care. The contrast with the NHS was stark – most people were unclear what social care is and even less clear on how it is funded, which goes a long way to explaining why there has not been the public clamour to fix what is an increasingly broken system and why politicians have managed to avoid dealing with it. When the current system was explained to them they were shocked and understood the case for change. At our event, Paul Burstow, former minister of state for care services, said that this year is also the 70th birthday of social care but it is not clear whether there will be a cake, what the recipe is or indeed who will be paying for the ingredients. On public health, a recent poll conducted by Ipsos MORI asked people which areas they would prioritise if the government were to devote more money to health and health care services. Number one was urgent and emergency care, followed by spending on mental health – a considerable achievement for all those who have been making the case for increased spending to improve parity of esteem. Bottom of the list was spending on prevention, arguably the area that would have the biggest effect on the overall health of the nation. Spending on public health has endured significant cuts in recent years and Jacqui Smith, former home secretary, argued at our event that the government needs to step up to the mark. People we spoke to at our events clearly understood the case for greater investment in prevention but it was not top of mind in the same way the NHS is. There is no doubt that public support and concern for the NHS has been a significant driver behind the recent offer of more money to the system. However, once the birthday celebrations have died down it is time for the debate to shift to greater investment in public health and social care. If not, our support for the NHS will come at a price and one that could ultimately impact directly on the object of our affections. • Dan works in the policy team at the Fund, where his particular areas of interest include patient and staff experience and public perceptions of the NHS and social care system. Before joining The King’s Fund in April 2017, Dan was Head of Insight and Feedback at NHS England. The Insight and Feedback team is responsible for the commissioning and running of a number of national surveys including the GP Patient Survey, the Cancer Patient Experience Survey
CQC launches ‘Learning from safety incidents’ guides
The independent quality regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has published a new series of resources – ‘Learning from safety incidents’ – to help those in charge of running health and care organisations ensure the safety and well-being of people using their services. Developed to share common critical issues initially identified from CQC’s criminal prosecution work against nine health and care providers that have failed to provide care and treatment in a safe way; each of the resources describe the issue – what happened, what CQC and the provider did about it and the steps that can be taken to prevent similar serious incidents from happening again in the future. The key themes include: 1. Problems with the quality and use of risk assessments One care home had no proper system for assessing the risk to the health and safety of the people living there. This meant the provider failed to prevent a person with visual impairments from repeatedly falling in their bedroom. 2. Issues with documentation CQC has found evidence of wide-ranging documentation failures – including medication dosages and strengths, allergy information and medication administration times not being accurately recorded – as well as poor systems of stock managements leading to services running out of essential medicines. 3. Issues with equipment One service failed to have adequate radiator covers in place which led to a case where a person living with dementia suffered burns after falling onto it. The provider had failed to provide radiator covers and pressure sensor mats to alert staff to a person getting out of bed. 4. Staff training A person fell out of a shower commode chair because staff supporting them had not been informed about safety procedures and a related national safety alert. This could have been avoided if the provider had ensured staff were adequately trained. Commenting on the new resources, Andrea Sutcliffe, CQC’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, said: “When something goes terribly wrong in health and social care, the people affected, their families and carers often tell us, “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else”. And we know that’s how staff and managers feel too. “Of course, it is important that CQC uses criminal enforcement powers to hold providers and managers to account when their failure to provide safe care and treatment has such tragic consequences. But we also need to make sure we share the insight into what went wrong so that others can take practical action to avoid it happening to anyone else. “That’s what these new resources are designed to do. They are short, to the point and describe simply what happened and what can be done differently. I hope that they will be used by managers and staff across the country to improve the care they provide and make sure that the oft-repeated phrase that “lessons have been learned” is truly meaningful and does make a difference.” The first five ‘Learning from safety incidents’ resources are available to view online at: www.cqc.org.uk/learningfromsafetyincidents
The NHS at 70
By editor Victoria Galligan As the NHS turns 70, we take a look at a round-up of news, views and events which are taking place across the country to celebrate the world’s greatest health service. Our nation became the envy of the world when, on 5 July 1948, the NHS was launched by Health Secretary Aneurin “Nye” Bevan, at Park Hospital in Manchester (now Trafford General Hospital). This was the first time that hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists had been brought together under one umbrella to provide services for free at the point of delivery. NHS70 and The Big7Tea NHS England has a calendar of events here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs70/ and its NHS70 team have worked with a raft of organisations from the British Medical Association to Unison to plan events. From May to July, local NHS bodies have been encouraged to host local events including open days and exhibitions. And on the Big Day itself, 5th July, The Big 7Tea will take place. This is a huge tea party where venues can invite guests for refreshments, and to raise funds for NHS charities. Downloadable packs are available to decorate your party. Also on July 5th, there will be church services for NHS staff at Westminster Abbey and York Minster. ‘Are we expecting too much from the NHS?’ To mark the BBC’s coverage of the NHS’s 70th birthday, researchers from the Health Foundation, Institute for Fiscal Studies, The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust have joined forces for the first time, using combined expertise to shed light on some of the big questions on the NHS. The report, ‘Are we expecting too much from the NHS?’ was authored by Helen McKenna (The King’s Fund), with contributions from Emma Spencelayh and Peter Stilwell (the Health Foundation), Mark Dayan (The Nuffield Trust), Elaine Kelly (Institute for Fiscal Studies), and David Buck, Dan Wellings and Leo Ewbank (The King’s Fund). The report questioned the public and found that 62% of UK adults (15+) support the soft drinks levy, while 70% support limiting fast food outlets in areas near schools. Helen Mckenna, Senior Policy Adviser at The King’s Fund, said: “It is essential that national and local government use all the means at their disposal to improve the public’s health. This should include being bolder in using tax and regulation where this can be effective. Although politicians may balk at the idea of the ‘nanny state’, our research suggests these types of intervention may enjoy stronger public support than they often assume. “As it approaches its 70th birthday, the NHS still enjoys overwhelming public support but funding pressures are beginning to take a toll and there are signs that people are becoming less satisfied with NHS services.” The Story of Our Lives The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, is creating the first shared social history of the National Health Service, ‘From Cradle to Grave: The NHS at 70’. A major component of the project is the creation of an innovative new website which allows the public to submit their stories of the NHS by uploading recordings, photos and documents. The website acts as a hub for existing and previous histories of the NHS. A University spokesperson said, “We urgently need to capture the stories of the first generations who worked and were cared for by this unique institution as they are now in their eighties and nineties. We also need to capture the experiences of many communities of patients and workers that have barely featured in NHS histories to date. This includes disabled people, people with mental health illnesses, workers from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups, support staff, trade unions, campaigners and the thousands of volunteers who work in the NHS.” The digital archive can be accessed here: https://www.nhs70.org.uk/story/nhs-70-launch-digital-archive Tune in to catch the action on TV There are a plethora of TV specials planned in upcoming weeks, or which have recently aired and can be seen on catch-up TV, including: Life on the Ward – BBC1 Matron, Medicine and Me – BBC1 Songs of Praise NHS Special – BBC1 How the NHS Changed Our World – BBC1 NHS Live Event programme – BBC2 Hospitals that Changed the World – BBC2 The British Buyers Club – BBC2 Hospital – BBC2 Britain’s Best Junior Doctors – BBC2 The People Vs The NHS: Who Gets the Drugs? – BBC2 NHS At 70: Live – BBC2 A&E Live – ITV Love Your Garden: NHS Special – ITV The Big NHS Singalong Live – ITV The People’s History of the NH – BBC Four To Provide All People – BBC Wales Healing Minds – Channel 5 Tag us in on your celebrations on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! @carenursingmag Video: https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week27/big-nhs-singalong-live Photo Credits: Helen Mckenna, credit King’s Fund Jo Brand, credit BBC How the NHS Changed Our World, credit BBC (slider image)
Alzheimers, dementia & arts therapies books
Jessica Kingsley Publishers’ dedicated Alzheimer’s and dementia team have kindly given four books for one lucky Care & Nursing Essentials reader to win. The package consists of the following titles: The Economics of Therapy: Caring for Clients, Colleagues, Commissioners and Cash-Flow in the Creative Arts Therapies Edited by Daniel Thomas and Vicky Abad, Foreword by Brynjulf Stige Arts therapy training does not generally cover building a professional practice, even though business skills are essential for success in the field. This book provides the economic fundamentals along with business strategies to develop an effective arts therapy practice that is profitable while affording ethical care to those who need it most. The Dementia Diaries: A Novel in Cartoons Matthew Snyman and Social Innovation Lab Kent. Foreword by Angela Rippon OBE Brie, Fred, Sarah, and Sam tell you what it’s really like to care for a relative who has dementia. Funny, moving and honest, their illustrated diary entries will completely alter your understanding of dementia. The book also contains practical tips and activities for young people who have a relative with the illness. Can I tell you about Dementia? A guide for family, friends and carers Jude Welton, illustrated by Jane Telford Meet Jack – an older man with dementia. Jack invites readers to learn about dementia from his perspective, helping them to understand the challenges faced by someone with dementia and the changes it causes to memory, communication and behaviour. This illustrated book is an ideal way to introduce dementia to children and aid family discussions. My Book about Brains, Change and Dementia: What is Dementia and What Does it Do? Lynda Moore, illustrated by George Haddon Explains the complex concepts of dementia, such as brain function, disease progression and death to pre-school aged children in a direct and age-appropriate way, as well as exploring children’s feelings about these issues. This book caters for children aged 4+ who have a loved one at any stage of dementia. Please be aware this competition is now closed.
‘At Chroma we provide a multidisciplinary approach’
Company director and arts therapist Daniel Thomas tells Care and Nursing Essentials about the work Chroma does with families, as well as neurology patients… Tell us about Chroma and what you do… We are the UK’s leading national provider of arts therapies services working across a range of sectors to improve the lives of every person who works with us. Our 70+ team of experienced therapists provide a national service covering the education and health and social care sectors. We provide art psychotherapy, music therapy, neurologic music therapy and dramatherapy. We work with social care partners and local authorities supporting adopted children and their families, in healthcare for people who need rehabilitation from brain injuries but also those with dementia or other neurological diseases. A lot of our time is spent in the education sector, providing arts therapy sessions to pupils in SEN schools as well as mainstream schools but also within early years to help children’s development. Currently one of our main focuses is around neurologic music therapy and how this can be used to improve the outcomes for those living with acquired brain injuries. How can neurologic music therapy help those living with acquired brain injury? Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) offers an effective rehabilitation treatment that is backed by a wealth of clinical evidence and has been shown to have a profound influence on the brain. NMT is used as a method of rehabilitation for those living with acquired brain injuries such as a Stroke or injuries from a car crash. Music can bypass damaged areas of the brain, providing a scaffold to do the part of the work the brain is not doing in coordinating movement. But there is also the basic ‘use it or lose it principle’. When you exercise something, it gets stronger and the more you exercise, the better it becomes. There is strong neurological evidence that music activates many different areas across the brain. The motor system is very sensitive to picking up cues from the auditory system so when we hear music, particularly pulse or rhythm, it kicks straight into the motor system going around the brain. Is neurologic music therapy readily available in the UK? Currently NMT isn’t available as a standard NHS practice however there are a number of private hospitals and rehabilitation centres across the UK that we work with who provide NMT to their patients. We have partnered with STEPS rehabilitation centre in Sheffield as well as Hobbs rehabilitation which has 10 centres across the south of England. We also work with HCA healthcare at the Wellington and Portland hospitals in London. Recently we have secured a number of other pilot programmes across the UK which we are excited about launching so NMT is slowly becoming more readily available in the UK. We hope our work in taking music therapy into the mainstream will help ensure that at some point music therapy is available as standard in healthcare. As proof of our commitment to this, we have begun working with 3 NHS hospitals, Charing Cross, York General and the Great North Children’s Hospital. We also have pilot projects under consideration with 3 more NHS brain injury services. Where does the pioneering research on neurologic music therapy come from? The benefits of music therapy have been recognised for more than 70 years and, in the UK, it is a recognised Allied Health Profession however Dr Michael Thaut is widely acknowledged as the “Creator of Neurologic Music Therapy”. Dr Thaut’s work in this area is renowned as having brought a new clinical and systematic approach to its use in neurology. His research in brain function and music has focused on neurologic rehabilitation of key cognitive and motor functions, frequently enabling those affected by issues such as strokes and brain injuries to make significant strides towards recovery. Dr Thaut’s work over the last few decades has had a dramatic impact and influence on the growth in stature of NMT within clinical environments. There are 100s of studies highlighting the efficacy of NMT across brain injuries; for example a Randomised Control Trial in 1997 found that NMT was more effective that physiotherapy alone in gait rehabilitation. More recent studies have concluded that by increasing walking speed by only 10cm per second, a 7% reduction in the risk of falling can be made. Put these two finding together, and you see why NMT is such a breakthrough treatment. Tell us about Chroma’s work with children and young people. We work with a range of children and young people whose needs and requirements vary dramatically and so our approach in therapy is to ensure we provide each child/group with the right therapy to maximise their development and/or progress. Our early years development is in the form of ‘Sing and Grow’, a programme we have been running since 2010. The programme supports families with young children by strengthening their relationships, enhancing parent-child attachment and encouraging the use of music to support educational attainment. Our experienced team also work with primary school students with a range of challenges including autism, learning difficulties and troubled backgrounds. We work with the staff, carers and pupils to strive for shared goals for each child. We also work with secondary school students through our “Drumpower” programme. The intervention supports students in the constructive handling of aggression as an individual, develops their sense of community and their levels of co-operation, as well as growing their confidence in their own voice and to communicate with others more effectively. We also work with special schools and alternative provision partners throughout the UK, slotting in easily with established MDT’s. Is neurologic music therapy a cost-effective approach to rehabilitation? There have been a number of studies completed recently that have concluded neurologic music therapy is a cost effective method of co-ordinated rehabilitation services. Residential cognitive behaviour programmes have been shown to result in a £1.3 million saving per patient treated in the first year after a traumatic brain injury. This saving was made due to the ability to
Royal College of Physicians – ‘Patient safety compromised by NHS understaffing’
Senior doctors have raised new concerns for patient safety in the NHS across the UK in a new report released today. The fears are highlighted in “Focus on Physicians 2017 – 18”, the annual census of consultant physicians and higher speciality trainees (HST) workforce across the UK. The report has been jointly published by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and the Royal College of Physicians of London. The survey reveals that more than half of all consultants and two thirds of trainees reported frequent gaps in trainees’ rotas, with one in five respondents saying these are causing significant problems for patient safety in hospitals , while three quarters of respondents have highlighted the workaround solutions they are regularly having to find. Other high-level findings include: • almost half of advertised consultant posts remain unfilled because of a lack of suitable applicants • consultants and trainees are working around 10 per cent more than their contracted hours. This equates to trainees working an extra six weeks and consultants an extra month unpaid a year • thirty-three per cent of the current consultant workforce are predicted to reach their intended retirement age in the next decade. Medical student places need doubling now to fill this and the gap left generally by doctors leaving the profession • satisfaction among consultants and trainees with working in general internal medicine remains significantly lower than with specialty-working Commenting on the findings of the census Professor David Galloway, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow said: “I’m glad that the three Royal Colleges have once again joined together to produce this important piece of work. It’s vital that everyone involved in the NHS now reflects on these findings and takes all the action necessary to replicate best practice and address the challenges that this document has highlighted. “What’s of particular concern is the finding that almost one in five consultants across the UK reported that rota gaps cause significant problems for patient safety in their hospital. This is an unsustainable situation which must be addressed as a matter of urgency. “While we welcome short term actions being taken by governments across the UK to tackle workforce issues, such as the lifting of the cap on tier 2 visas for NHS staff, we need consistent and sustained action if we’re to address this situation in the longer term. “Government, patients and the medical profession must work hand in hand if we’re to deliver the best possible NHS for all.” Professor Derek Bell OBE, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said: “As one of the three Royal Colleges that commissioned this report, we believe that Focus on Physicians provides an important snapshot of the state of play within the medical profession. We welcome, in particular, that 88% of consultants enjoy working in their chosen speciality. This indicates a high level of job satisfaction for consultant specialists. “Our report also highlights some challenges which must be tackled head on, and we support any actions which allow doctors time to care, time to train and time to research. We believe that these conditions are essential for job satisfaction, and ultimately for enhancing the care that our patients receive.” The full census findings are available from https://www.rcpsg.ac.uk, http://www.rcpe.ac.uk/ and https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/. For further information or comment on the contents of this report, please contact: John Fellows, Public Affairs Manager, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow on 01412216072 or john.fellows@rcpsg.ac.uk Paul Gillen, Public Affairs and Policy Officer, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on 0131 225 7324 or p.gillen@rcpe.ac.uk
New guide to improve care of ex-service men and women
A new guide has been launched to help care homes provide better support for the hundreds of thousands* of ex-service men and women in assisted living in the UK. Produced by Demos think tank, in partnership with the Forces in Mind Trust and the Care Cluster of Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities), the guide will be sent to all UK care homes and care home provider headquarters. Polly Mackenzie, Director of Demos says: “We created this guide in response to our 2015 report Under-Served. The report found that veterans can face a range of challenges while living in residential care, yet managers and staff lack the information and resources they needed to know how best to support them. The aim of the guide is to fill that gap.” ‘Supporting Military Veterans in Residential Care – a practical guide’, provides five practical steps to help care home managers, staff and local authority commissioners to understand more about how to support ex-service men and women living in residential care. It draws on best practice and offers tips and resources to make it easier to deliver bespoke care. Ray Lock Chief Executive of the Forces in Mind Trust says: “’Dignity’ and ‘respect’ should be the watch words when it comes to the care of those who served in the Armed Forces. For many, it is central to their identity. Getting it right for veterans means being aware of the service they served in, their rank and the sort of service and deployments they saw. The message is clear: do your homework, and shape support plans to fit.” Andy Cole, Chair, Care Cluster of Cobseo, says: “By the end of the decade, a quarter of a million veterans and their dependents will need residential or nursing care, with over 40,000 veterans living with dementia. This guide offers practical support and advice to care homes across the country about how a growing population of veterans can be even better supported.” For more information on caring for ex-service men and women, see www.fim-trust.org *From the Demos Guide: There is no official register of veterans in the UK, or any way of knowing precisely how many live in residential care settings. We think there are around 2.8 million veterans (around 1.1 million of whom are aged 16–65 and 1.7 million over 65) in the UK, with up to around 300,000 veterans living in “community settings” (which includes residential care). Although we don’t know exactly how many veterans live in care homes, it is very likely that residents over 70 will include a large proportion of those who were called to National Service, and therefore have a military background and first-hand service experience. About Demos: Demos is the UK’s leading cross-party think tank, with a 25-year heritage of championing people, ideas, and democracy. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events. About the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT): FiMT came about from a partnership between the Big Lottery Fund (‘the Fund’), Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities) and other charities and organisations. FiMT continues the Fund’s long-standing legacy of support for veterans across the UK with an endowment of £35 million awarded in 2012. The mission of FiMT is to enable ex-Service personnel and their families make a successful and sustainable transition to civilian life, and it delivers this mission by generating an evidence base that influences and underpins policy making and service delivery. Useful links Website: www.fim-trust.org Reports: www.fim-trust.org/reports/ Who we have helped: www.fim-trust.org/who-we-have-helped/ Twitter: @FiMTrust About the Mental Health Research Programme: www.fim-trust.org/mental-health/research-programme/
The Alzheimer’s Show returns to Olympia London this week!
The Alzheimer’s Show is returning for its sixth year in 2018 and will be at Olympia London on Friday June 8 and Saturday June 9. The UK’s leading event for people living with Alzheimer’s, dementia or memory loss, The Alzheimer’s Show brings help and hope to families and carers and welcomes the public and professionals. The Alzheimer’s Show is invaluable for anyone concerned about memory loss or dementia. Dementia is now the leading cause of death in England and Wales and research from Saga Healthcare revealed that more people feared getting dementia than cancer. A survey of 9,000 people over 50 showed that 43% feared developing dementia, with women (often the main carers), 20% more likely to be worried about developing the condition than males. There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK and 650,000 carers looking after loved ones. The practical responsibility and emotional distress can be overwhelming but help is at hand at The Alzheimer’s Show with a vast range of experts and exhibitors, speakers and advisers sharing their expertise on living with Alzheimer’s. Who should visit Anyone who is experiencing memory loss, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or is living with dementia should come along to access a wealth of support and guidance on planning for their future. Families affected by Alzheimer’s, carers and professional support service providers should attend to find the latest advice, services and products to help those in their care. About the Show Dementia care has come a long way recently: The Alzheimer’s Show brings all the latest thinking, support, advice, practical tools and experts under one roof to help families, carers and professionals access the support and help they need. The two-day event offers advice and insight from expert speakers, the latest products and services from care exhibitors and insight and empathy from people living with dementia. Highlights include: Hundreds of practical ideas and new solutions – businesses and organisations offering a range of products and services including care at home, care homes, living aids, reminiscence therapy, furniture, funding, training, telecare, assistive technology, charity support, latest research, legal services, education and financial guidance. Four Seasons Healthcare Dementia Experience – an interactive session designed to give participants a sense of what living with dementia is like. Families with loved ones with dementia, care professionals and business & community groups working towards becoming dementia friendly would all benefit from understanding the sensory and cognitive impairments experienced by those with dementia. Alzheimer’s Research A Walk Through Dementia – This app was developed by Alzheimer’s Research UK, guided by people living with different forms of dementia. They were all keen to help you understand what everyday life can be like for them. They will have headsets on their stand for visitors to try this virtual reality experience. The Alzheimer’s Matters Theatre – hosting in-depth talks from leading dementia and care experts on key topics of interest for carers, relatives and professionals including those living with dementia sharing their personal experiences. The Talks & Topics Theatre – hosting carers sharing their unique and invaluable experiences of caring for a person with dementia alongside professionals providing practical advice. Dementia UK Admiral Nurses – free, confidential consultations with specialist dementia nurses. Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Advisors – free, confidential sessions with Dementia Advisors who can help you find exactly what local support is best for you. 91% of people affected by dementia say having a Dementia Adviser makes their life better. Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, says: ‘Alzheimer’s Society is delighted to be partnering with The Alzheimer’s Show for the sixth year. It’s a great opportunity to unite experts, professionals and people affected by the condition under one roof to share knowledge and provide support. We’d encourage anyone affected by dementia to join the Show to listen to talks, visit Alzheimer’s Society’s stand, have one-to-one sessions with our dementia advisers and learn from leading experts.’ Times and tickets The Alzheimer’s Show takes place at the Olympia London: Friday 8 June 9.30am – 5pm Saturday 9 June 9.30am – 4.30pm Tickets booked in advance cost £15 each (£10 concession). On the door tickets cost £20 each (£15 concession). For more information and to book tickets for The Alzheimer’s Show visit the website. Related articles: Tania Plahay on her book: Yoga for Dementia Care & Nursing Essentials’ Naidex 2018 highlights Misconceptions about dementia are putting lives at risk Dementia research programme investigates the power of music
Viewpoint introduces hi-tech dementia aid Tovertafel
During Dementia Awareness Week, an Edinburgh-based housing and care provider launches its ground-breaking new dementia strategy Tovertafel, harnessing the power of technology and innovation to revolutionise the way it cares for residents with dementia. In 2017, an estimated 90,000 people in Scotland were living with dementia. It’s an illness that can leave older people feeling lonely and isolated. With the help of the latest technology, Viewpoint’s pioneering strategy aims to combat these feelings and ensure its residents and tenants with dementia remain part of their community. As part of its innovative new approach, Viewpoint has installed Tovertafel, also known as ‘magic table’, into all four of its care homes in Edinburgh. Tovertafel is a playful, interactive light projector that has been specially designed to meet the needs of those with dementia by enticing them to get moving and have fun together. Tovertafel is about light, movement and vibrant colours, all of which are proven to have a positive effect at engaging those with dementia. This, combined with the ability to play games, helps to encourage communication and contributes to health and quality of life. So far, Tovertafel is known to have made a significant impact on its users as it can be a way for them to reconnect with their past. In one instance, a gentleman with dementia stunned his family after recognising one of the flowers in a Tovertafel game to be the same as the flowers that he had at his wedding nearly 50 years ago. In another, a gentleman with a past love of painting was able to perform his hobby via Tovertafel, using the creative games, like the jigsaw, to produce his latest masterpieces. Lyn Jardine, Head of Innovation and Development, said: “Technology is probably the last thing you think of when you think of care homes but this is proof that digital disruption is everywhere, even in the care sector. “When developing our latest dementia strategy, we wanted to focus on what we could do to make our homes more dementia friendly. Tovertafel has been a great success and we have seen a huge difference in many of our residents. They are stimulating interest and encouraging communication, something that can be difficult for those with dementia.” Keen to free up time for its most valuable resource – its care staff – Viewpoint will also introduce technology to improve several of its time-consuming administrative tasks, giving staff the opportunity to focus on doing what they do best – caring for residents. Lyn continued: “Our top priority is to make sure that our residents and tenants living with dementia continue to feel part of their community. By enhancing our administrative care processes with technology, we can create more time for our care staff to have that all important face-to-face interaction and engagement with our residents.” This is Viewpoint’s third dementia strategy and has also outlined several important environmental changes to its care homes and housing stock to make them more suitable for residents with dementia. This includes changes to its outdoor spaces by introducing different colours, smells and textures to create a positive sensory experience for residents. Viewpoint will also be making dementia friendly improvements to its care homes and sheltered housing where possible, including maximising light levels to ensure there’s enough natural light, something that those with dementia are particularly responsive to. The launch of the new strategy coincides with Dementia Awareness Week (4th – 10th June), an initiative spearheaded by Alzheimer’s Scotland that aims to educate people about dementia and change how people talk about and respond to the illness. Click on the links for more information on Viewpoint and Tovertafel.
