We have been manufacturing and supplying stairlifts since 1975 and over the years we have regularly heard the same thing ‘why didn’t I do this before?’ At Stannah, we know that making a decision to buy a stairlift is often a decision that has been agonised over for months, sometimes even years.

No-one likes to think of themselves getting older and using mobility products is often wrongly seen as a sign of succumbing to old age. Our experience has shown us that this isn’t the case and often getting a stairlift re-energises our customers and enhances their independence. Rather than dreading any jobs that need them to climb the stairs, they can get on with those jobs without worry and still have energy to enjoy a little gardening, walk the dog or play with grandchildren. It is genuinely heart-warming to see what a positive impact installing a stairlift can have.

When you see how quickly people become comfortable using a stairlift it can be hard to imagine how difficult life was before. We take calls from, or on behalf of, people who are being helped up the stairs, who go up on all fours, on their bottom or simply are unable to go upstairs at all. Not only is there this very British attitude that we just need to carry on and not make a fuss, but also people in these situations feel they have lost their independence or dignity and so reject any discussion of the subject. Friends and family are often left frustrated because they can see a loved one struggling but feel they can’t intervene above and beyond a few encouraging and humorous remarks about how useful a stairlift would be.

Even once a discussion or thought process has started there are still a number of concerns that can serve to put off finding out more. Common issues raised include ‘my stairs are too narrow’, ‘the landing is awkward’, ‘the walls wouldn’t take the weight’ and so on. Lifts are fixed to stairs not walls, can cope with almost any curve, bend or landing and fit surprisingly narrow staircases. In fact, these days there are very few situations where we can’t find a solution to fit!

My advice to you if you are struggling with the stairs is to think about all you could do if dealing with the stairs was no longer something to contend with. Make some calls, look on the web, get some personal recommendations. Find a solution to fit you and get your new lease of life!

• In the spirit of taking a new lease of life why not apply to the Stannah Think Again Fund? The fund helps the over 50s realise lifelong ambitions to take part in amazing experiences they otherwise could not pursue. Visit www.thinkagainfund.co.uk for more information.

If you would like to learn more about Stannah’s range of products, please call 0800 715468 and speak to one of their Advisors or visit them at www.stannahstairlifts.co.uk.

 What did you do prior to working at Helping Hands?

I travelled the world, I lived in South Africa, a stint here in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Aussie before coming back here. Work wise I've done everything from owning my own tutoring business back home in South Africa, to running Event Management at a snazzy legal firm in Sydney, to being PA for the CEO of Auckland City Council ... and most recently did Marketing Management and Copywriting - oh and a short role in Customer Service before joining Helping Hands. 　Oh, how could I forget, I also managed a top level showjumping yard...what a mad combination!!!!

Where are you from?

South Africa origionally, though my passport is German (and I don’t speak a work of German) and I feel like a Sydneysider at heart.

How did you find about the job at Helping Hands?

I was looking to leave my job as I was getting burned out. I had for some time been really very tired of making the rich richer, and I wanted a job where I could make a real difference. I spoke with a few agencies, and was impressed with how Helping Hands did things and treated me, and figured I could work for people like that!

 What made you choose Care as a job?

　I had long thought of working in Care - a friend of mine who runs orphanages in Mozambique for five thousand children has a saying 'stop for the one' - I thought if I could just make a difference to one person at a time, I've done just as much as what she is doing.I wanted to make a difference day in and day out. I wanted to work with Downs Syndrome people - and my client IS a Down Syndrome and more amazing than I could ever have imagined!

What were your perceptions of Care before you became a Carer?

I had this picture in my head of looking after old people and doing a lot of continence care - thanks to a friend - and very strange relatives looking in. 　I couldn't have been more wrong. My service user is fabulous and she has a really fantastic family! 　I could not be happier!

 What do your friends and Family think of you as a carer?

Hmmmm, I think I shocked them! 　I was all set to fly high in the corporate world, and then I did this! 　Many think its fantastic and love that I love what I do!

What doyou enjoy most about your job?

I love that I can make the difference that I do make. I love (most of the time) that I just live a normal life. That I get to see the world through someone elses eyes, and walk in their shoes. I love the smile and hug my service user gives me in the morning when I wake her up, and how happy she is to come back home on a Sunday night after a weekend at her parents. It shows in so many ways how much she appreciates what I do for her.

What would you say to other people considering Care work?

It is harder emotionally than you expect, and it’s more rewarding than you expect. It’s not an easy ride, but its worthwhile. So worthwhile. If you are going to do it for the money, and only for the money, don't do it.　It’s not worth it. It’s a fabulous job for the right people, but remember, you give up, for a time, your own life to help someone live out theirs. So it has to be something you love and really want to do. If it is, there is nothing more rewarding. 　I love doing what I do, and I love working with the people I work with, and I adore my Service User - it took some time, which is normal, but we get on great and have a good time together. She teaches me new things every day.

Tell us about yourself

My friends say I’m crazy - though they swear it’s in a good way! 　I’m outgoing, bubbly - and a little unorganised at times! 　I give everything 110 percent, and am accepting of others. I’m quite a chilled out person and I love making new friends! 　I am just living life in the present, and loving every second of it!!!!

Sheila Pickworth has been receiving Live-in Care from Helping Hands since February 2010, due to having the condition MSA (Multiple System Atrophy, a progressive neurological disorder that affects adult men and women) which severely affects Sheila’s mobility. Prior to this, Sheila and her husband John received hourly care but this had to change when John needed to go into hospital for an operation. In order to recuperate from the operation, John and Sheila chose to go into residential respite care.

Despite the care home being competent and comfortable, Sheila and John wanted to return to their home of 40 years and regain their independence. Finding out about Live-in Care via a friend, John contacted Helping Hands:

"I was very impressed with the level of service we received right from the start; the assessor came to see us while we were in residential care and talked through the option of Live-in Care and how it could work for us. We loved the idea that this would allow us to regain control of our lives, that we would be able to choose when to get up or have dinner, that we would be able to do what we wanted when we wanted."

John and Sheila are cared for by Krista, John describes Krista as being not only very kind and thoughtful but also able to deal with care in an intelligent manner, she is enthusiastic and good company. Krista also shares the same sense of humour as Sheila which means they enjoy spending time together watching DVD’s. Krista prepares all the meals for John and Sheila, she has a good understanding of nutrition and prepares a variety of soups and stews.

Having Krista living with John and Sheila has made the world of difference to them both, not only are they able to rely on her but she gives them peace of mind.

John commented:

"I would recommend Live-in Care to anyone; we have been really surprised how un-intrusive the carers have been. Having Krista here has allowed Sheila and me to continue to stay in our family home with the support we need; we really enjoy having her here."

In this issue we are delighted to be introducing to you our client Stuart Reid who has just published his book Heart of the Patriot, and one of our star carers Rachael Zhanda, Rachael has been caring for Helping Hands since 2003.

Our Approved Supplier Scheme just keeps on growing. In this issue we are introducing the StairSteady, the low-cost, high quality handrail invented in Sheffield by Ruth Amos. And Janet Davis Managing Director of Symponia shares with us the financial case study story of Eric and Martha.

Also, find out who won our Mobility Plus Bathroom competition!

To download a copy of the newsletter click here.

Should you require copies of the newsletter or know somebody who would benefit from receiving an issue please contact us on 0808 180 9488 or email, enquiries@helpinghandshomecare.co.uk.

Click here to read the latest carer blog update.

Hello I'm John Donachie (pronounced Don-a-hay) and I am the Live-in Care Manager for Worcestershire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and South Birmingham.
 

Qualifications

I obtained my NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care in 2010. I also have an Honours Degree in Graphic Design. I have training in the following areas:

• Spinal Injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Acquired Brain Injury
• Intermittent Catheterisation
• Peristeen Irrigation
• Tracheostomy Care
• Autonomic Dysreflexia
• Bowel Care
• Ventilator and Humidification
• Moving and Handling
• Basic First Aid
• High Dependency Care
• Food Hygiene
• Adult and Child Protection
• Two month placement working in a Children's Intensive Care Unit
• Young Adult and Respite Care
  

At Helping Hands I have a number of younger clients who live independently through the support of our brilliant live-in carers. It has been particularly wonderful to see the relationships that have developed and the difference that live-in care can make to another person's life.

I have experience working for three years with a younger adult who has a spinal injury following an accident. It involved supporting and encouraging him to lead an independent life and helping to improve his life following this traumatic experience.

Older Clients

Since I joined Helping Hands, I have been working with clients who live with Dementia, Parkinsons and other varied conditions. It is so important that these service users have the right to stay in their own homes and retain their independent lifestyles through the help of one of our live-in carers.

I also worked with an older man living with Cerebral Palsy for three years, managing a team of carers who looked after him. This role was extremely rewarding as it enabled me to develop a relationship wiht someone who could not communicate verbally. This role was very fulfilling and challenging and enabled me to develop my management skills and ultimately help the service user to have a better quality of life, which was very rewarding.

Job Satisfaction

I enjoy working in a job where you can make such a difference and are able to develop close relationships with clients, families and carers. I also like the variety of the job that enables me to use my initiative on a daily basis. It is particulary rewarding and satisfying to me when I visit our clients and carers and see what a difference live-in care can make.

Our Carers

Our carers are brilliant and it is fantastic to see the relationships that they build with their service users. They play an integral part in enabling our service users to stay in their own homes and they always do this with respect, consideration and determination.

About Me

I am a very positive person with a good sense of humour. I am a calm and very caring person who enjoys a new challenge. I like to keep an open mind about life and love being around my friends and family.

I am a bit of a film fanatic and love a good comedy or any horror movies. I also enjoy listening to music and think of myself as a very creative person as I enjoy painting and design in my free time. I also like to keep fit and really enjoy socialising with friends.

I was an energetic, fit and active Police Officer, when at 42 years I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). I had started to trip over my foot from foot drop which resulted in two weeks in hospital being assessed with various tests, including MRI, EMG and muscle biopsy the result was MND. Initially I had a foot splint and managed to get around quite well, I even completed the police fitness test! However I started to lose a lot of weight so I had a PEG (feeding tube) fitted and In order to be released from hospital I had to have a care package in place. I had a care agency come in to assist me with personal care and PEG feeding. As the disease progressed I slowly lost the ability to walk at all and had weakness in my arms. Handling belt transfers became an issue and a hoist was fitted. I had gone from two visits per day to four but was not drinking due to not being able to get to the bathroom unaided. I was also very unwell with PEG infections and suffered with nausea.

At this time I was being very well supported by the local hospice and clinical nurse specialist who suggested Helping Hands and a full time live-in carer. I was initially resistant to this suggestion as I felt I would lose my independence. The most important aspect to receiving care is that I remain as independent as possible and am fully involved in decisions about my care as although my mobility is slowing down my mind is as active as ever and social stimulation is important to me.

I first met with Helping Hands when the registered nurse came out to visit me and do an assessment of my needs. I was able to work with Helping Hands and be involved in choosing a carer that would be right for me, I was sent a profile of Nora who on paper fitted my expectations.

Nora settled in quickly and established a routine, her infectious laugh soon warmed her to the very many friends that call in. This is evidenced with me always being asked to send　their love onto Nora. She has been readily accepted into my extended family of friends. All my friends, without exception have recognised that Nora has been good for me and given me my life back. I was quite depressed with the condition, the deteriation and the poor quality of life I had before Nora came here. I was very resistant to having a live in carer initially but without Nora my condition and quality of life would have deteriated to nothing.Without sounding dramatic I owe my life to Nora.

Nora has quickly adapted to the police sense of humour and is a real good sport (although she did draw a line at taking me out in the freezing cold to play snowballs!). Nora always gives me a choice as I am readily able to make decisions for myself. However, Nora encourages me to make sensible choices given my condition and state of health at that time. Entirely on Nora's own initiative we have established a good feeding protocol to make sure I have sufficient good calories with my feed.　

I was very poorly in September, October and November, requiring three hospice stays and emergency admittance to Hospital. I had a PEG infection that was making me very sick. Nora recognised my failing health and quickly called a couple of my friends out in the middle of the night to comfort me.　 Nora coped with my incontinence, vomit, agitation and pain very well, ensuring I stayed clean and as comfortable as possible at all times. I said earlier I owe my life to Nora. She saw me through this tough time and I feel so confident in her abilities that if I get ill again or the MND takes it final stages I know Nora will support me, look after me and be there till the end. I trust her to do the right thing at the right time and this knowledge is of great comfort to me so much so I am not so afraid of dying.

Nora has improved my quality of life. We share a Christian belief and she has attended a prayer meeting with me, accompanied me to birthday parties and an art exhibition. Nora has encouraged me to paint and made it possible by setting up my own bed studio. I couldn't draw a straight line with a ruler with my right hand but with encouragement from Nora I am painting with my left hand and now have a collection of paintings. We also share a lot of interests such as growing our own vegetables, music, shopping reading and discussing what is going on in the world.

Living with someone always presents its own challenges but we have a strong relationship to weather any storm. I would like to think it is a good working environment for Nora but that is down to her own commitment and enthusiasm to make it work also. Nora knows what is important to me and keeps the house and me spotless.　

Live-in care really has given me my life back and a purpose, I was very depressed before Nora came, I had no interest in anything and was just existing day to day it was easier, warmer and safer just to stay in bed. Now I have events to look forward to such as holidays and days out.

With regard to the care Managers at Helping Hands, I feel that I can make contact with the care manager concerning any issues, I prefer to communicate by email and have found my emails are always answered promptly. The carer managers frequently make contact with Nora ensuring she is happy too.

Making the move to Live-in care is a big step and not one to go into lightly. However all my concerns and fears were acknowledged by Helping Hands and my expectations and needs met as far as possible. Helping Hands is very professional in their approach to their business and I feel safe and secure with them looking after my care.

To help address this Helping Hands have produced a free and independent Care Fees Planning Handbook. As a care provider, we know it can be incredibly difficult to understand the best way to fund care, especially when going through the turmoil and anxiety of deciding the future for your loved one. That’s why this guide is simple, covering the public funding options and benefits available alongside the products now available for those families having to meet the full cost of care. There is also a section for those considering the residential care versus homecare debate , the part equity release can play as well as the misconception surrounding costs for a permanent live-in carer.

We all want what is best for our family, asking the right questions and understanding all of the options available is the best way to start.

To claim your free 50 page guide please call 0808 180 9488 or alternatively download online at www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk .

　*TNS Omnibus Research

Starting any new job can be hard but starting a career in care can bring more pressures than most.

That’s why this February we are delighted to announce the launch of the Helping Hands Area Mentor Scheme, a programme designed to give extra support to all our new hourly recruits in their first 8 weeks of work.

Mentors will accompany new carers on their shadowing and be there as a regular point of contact , encouraging completion of common induction training packs and checking that they remain confident with the work and their workload.

Also periodically throughout the year we will be holding a Carer’s Forum . This is a meeting between Area Mentors, office representatives and members of the Senior Management Team. Carers will decide the issues for debate in these forums so whether new recruit or long serving carer, please do take advantage of your mentors and use these opportunities to get your voice heard !

Identifiable by their sky blue uniforms our 14 mentors are: Julie Bunker, Chris Edwards, Anne Calder Bennett, Caroline Martin Tatli, Richard Woodward, Sarah Hands, Lorraine Johns, Maxine Rowley, Sharon Ward, Sally Harvey, Lynda Britton, Sarah Knight, Kath Creed and Mandy Baylis. Vickey Devlin remains our office based mentor who will contact all new carers at the start and end of their 12 week induction.

Operations Manager Alison Bond commented, "In interviewing the Mentors I was reminded of what fantastic carers we have at Helping Hands, I am confident that with their expertise and guidance we can develop more to follow in their footsteps."

Our 14 new Area Mentors

Helping Hands Scoop Award in Elderly Care Market

Warwickshire based Helping Hands – one of the leading providers of live-in care across the country has scooped Health Insurance Magazine’s Business Initiative of the Year 2009 Award. The award recognised the pioneering partnership with fellow Warwickshire firm, Symponia – a group specialising in care fees planning. The two companies teamed up in January to highlight the choices on offer to elderly people needing care in Britain, which include being looked after at home, a route that previously, most people believed was only for the wealthy.

Social care for elderly people has risen up the political agenda this year, following an eagerly awaited Government Green Paper launched in July. The UK’s aging population and an ongoing lack of Government funding for the care of older people means that a major shake up of the current system is imperative; a view emphatically shared by Symponia and Helping Hands Homecare.

Tim Lee, Managing Director of Helping Hands commented : "We are very pleased and proud to have won this award as an acknowledgement of our innovative approach to what is a complicated subject. When posed with the question of funding care it is imperative that people are aware as to their entitlements and options – being able to work so closely with financial specialists ensures that informed decisions can be made during very emotional times."

There is much synergy between Helping Hands Homecare and Symponia:

• Both are Warwickshire based, but with national representation
• Both are family run businesses that have shown rapid growth and become major employers
• Both insist on Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks; Symponia is the only financial advice group in the country to do this
• Both hand-pick staff for their caring approach and people skills, as well as their technical expertise and industry qualifications

The two companies have produced a free Guide to Care Fees Planning – for your free copy call 0808 180 9488 or claim online at www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk.

New research has provided hope that the drug rasagiline (Azilect) may improve Parkinson's disease care by slowing down the onset of symptoms.

Around one in 500 people in the UK have Parkinson's, the majority of whom started experiencing symptoms after the age of 50.

Scientists found that newly-diagnosed people who were given rasagiline performed better than those who waited six months before starting treatment.

Lead author Dr Robert Hauser, director of the University of South Florida Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Centre, commented: "Patients who received rasagiline right from the beginning rather than after a six-month delay experienced less progression of the clinical signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease that interfere with activities of daily living such as eating, walking and dressing."

The study, which is published in the journal Movement Disorders, involved more than 400 patients with early Parkinson's disease.

Some of the patients were given rasagiline for one year, while others were given a placebo (dummy pill) for six months, followed by rasagiline for the remainder of the year.

Researchers found that patients who took rasagiline from the start experienced less worsening of motor symptoms and fewer problems with daily activities.

More than 300 patients then continued to take rasagiline for up to 6.5 years and the researchers found that those who had been taking the drug from the start continued to fare better than those who had started on the placebo.

Carers should benefit from the increased flexibility and control provided by individual budgets, new research suggests.

A study by the Social Policy Research Unit, the University of York Personal Social Services Research Unit and the University of Kent concluded that individual budgets can improve carers' quality of life.

Carers found that they had a greater level of control and flexibility in their daily routines compared to looking after someone who used conventional social services.

In addition, some carers felt that individual budgets led to improvements in quality of life for the person they were caring for.

Hazel Hyde, whose husband Geoff needs Alzheimer's disease care, said that her stress levels had dropped since her husband was allocated an individual budget.

"It used to upset me that there were so many things I couldn't do," she revealed.

"It upset me and if I was upset, then Geoff was. The individual budget pays off because it means that both of us are happier."

Care services minister Phil Hope welcomed the report and said that individual budgets "can bring carers out of the shadows, improve their wellbeing and give them more control over their lives".

The Department of Health led a pilot programme of individual budgets from 2006 to 2007 which involved 13 local authorities.

Two Warwickshire-based companies are setting the standard in caring for the elderly and picking up business award nominations along the way.

Symponia, the care fees planning and financial advice specialist network for the over 65s has been shortlisted for a prestigious business award; Health Insurance Magazine’s Business Initiative of the Year 2009, for its partnership with fellow Warwickshire firm, Helping Hands Homecare, the market leader in Live-In Care.

The two caring companies teamed up in January to highlight the choices on offer to elderly people needing care in Britain, which includes being looked after at home, a route that previously, most people believed was only available to wealthy families and individuals.

Social care for elderly people has been high up the political agenda this year, following an eagerly awaited Government Green Paper launched in July. The UK’s aging population and an ongoing lack of Government funding for the care of older people means that a major shake up of the current system is imperative; a view emphatically shared by Symponia and Helping Hands Homecare.

There is much synergy between the two companies;

• Both are Warwickshire based, but with national representation
• Both are family run businesses that have shown rapid growth and become major employers
• Both insist on Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks; Symponia is the only financial advice group in the country to do this
• Both hand-pick staff for their caring outlook and people skills, as well as their technical expertise and industry qualifications

Janet Davies, joint founder and managing director of Symponia says: "We are naturally pleased and proud to be shortlisted for this award as an acknowledgement of our innovative approach to a growing and under-resourced market place. Our aim is to go on serving the community by offering the best quality financial advice for families undergoing the stress and upheaval that comes with seeking care for elderly family members and we will continue working closely with Helping Hands Homecare to this end."

Health Insurance Magazine will host its Gala Award Ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, on Thursday, October 22^nd.

Helping Hands Senior Registered Nurse; Melanie Dawson appearing on BBC Midlands today Friday 7th August

SYMPONIA RESPONDS;

Wednesday 15^th July 2009: In the House of Commons yesterday, Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health, unveiled the Government’s Green Paper for Adult Social Care and called for a "dignified debate" into the fate of Britain’s elderly.

Three proposals were put forward; the Partnership Service; a Voluntary Insurance Scheme and the "Comprehensive Model".

Janet Davies, joint founder and managing director of Symponia, the national umbrella group for care fees planning specialist advisers, comments on the Green Paper:

"We agree that the current system is unfair. We have worked with countless families who have gone through the trauma of dismantling the lives of elderly loved ones, eroding property and family treasures and watching hard-earned money literally disappear. Most of the people currently in care homes had high hopes sixty years ago when in 1948 the National Health Service was born.

Can Andy Burnham create a phoenix from the ashes of the current care system? Can The National Care Service really provide a level playing field for everyone, or will they realise that there just isn’t the money to keep the goals open at both ends?

The Big Care Debate sounds exciting. The thought of real people shaping the future may be seen as refreshing and pioneering by some. Others will see it as the public doing the groundwork for struggling ministers totally at a loss of where to go. Although the consultation period will finish in November, the White Paper isn’t going to materialise until next year, but when next year? There has to be a general election before the end of May; it is therefore extremely likely that the Government will campaign on the results from the Big Care Debate, making the views of the electorate difficult for the opposition parties to diss."

Commenting on the three proposals outlined by the Government, Janet Davies continues :

"None of these solutions removes any kind of lottery. Property prices will always be one step ahead on this one. The unpopular means testing will be scrapped but will be replaced by stealth, incorporating a different tier system dictated by the cost of the chosen care provider.

Partnership: There are merits. But the proposals state that the Government would fund between a third and a quarter of a person’s care bill, but which bill? Example; two identical people may both need care. One opts for care costing £650 whilst the other selects a care home with fees of £1,200. Surely the percentage paid has to be capped at the national average? Otherwise care home fees will rocket once again leaving those with low incomes without any real choice.

It is highly likely, that the contributions made by the Government (at whatever percentage) will simply replace two existing non means tested benefits, Attendance Allowance and Nursing Care Allowance.

Insurance: a good idea in principle, but which companies will offer the products and how will they be made available? Although pre-funded insurance plans were previously available, the take-up rate was woefully poor. It is vital that any product provider learns lessons from the past and makes future care plans both affordable and with realistic claims criteria.

Comprehensive: reverting to the objectives of a Cradle to Grave healthcare system is probably the least workable of all the proposals. It sounds great in principle, but the draft clearly says "everyone who can afford it"; who will decide this key point?

So, at what fee level will the state pay? Care costs can vary enormously, even within the same postcode. Whether the national limit is set at £650 or £1,200 per week will remain to be seen, but our instincts tells us it will be at the lower end.

What remains to be seen in the long term is whether or not Andy Burnham is the new Nye Bevan. Will he really go down in the history books as the guy who changed the lives of our elderly and vulnerable citizens or will he be remembered as a pawn in an elaborate chess game played by an increasingly weak and dying government?

If all goes to plan and Labour retains power next year, the new legislation will not be phased in until 2014. This means an awfully long wait for the people either in care now or those 400,000 who will face the need for care sometime before 2014. Sadly, many won’t see the "promised land" date arrive.

The one certain thing is that people paying their own care bills in the meantime should always seek the advice of a specialist financial adviser at the earliest opportunity. Money doesn’t have to drain away and appropriate steps can be put in place, which will mean that the families who can’t wait until 2014 can at least gain the peace of mind and reassurance that they have done their best to navigate the current system."

For further information on Symponia, please call 01789 774595 or visit www.symponia.co.uk

"Over the past three years I’ve become rather badly disabled due to my MS. A few months ago I wanted to prove that I’m not useless. I spotted the opportunity to do a parachute jump for the MS Trust. Everyone said ‘no way, you’re a nutter. You can’t do that!’ I decided to prove them wrong!

On the 4th July 2009 I did it, I really did it!

It was absolutely brilliant. The staff helped me into the jump suit, harnesses, helmet and goggles. I was lifted into the aeroplane from my wheelchair and then, at 13,000 feet, we jumped. It was so amazing and so exhilarating – everyone should try it. The parachute opened and we floated down; the views were fantastic. I don’t remember the landing as Geoff, my hunky instructor, made it so easy.

Wow, I did it and I’ve got the certificate to prove it.

Thanks to my instructor, Geoff, and all the staff at the Hinton Skydiving Centre. They were brilliant. I never felt scared. My family, my husband Mark and my lovely son Sam, and my friends were there to support me.

My thanks especially to all those lovely people who sponsored me!"

Click here to watch Katie's amazing achievement.

Four fifths of British adults believe social care to be as important as the NHS, a new survey has found.

The research, which was conducted on behalf of the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, also found that 86 per cent of people think more public money should be used to ensure that everyone has access to the social care they need.

However, figures show that over a quarter of disabled people of working age who applied for social care in England in 2006/07 did not receive the support they required.

John Knight, the charity's assistant director of policy and campaigns, commented: "Social care is so much more than just personal care, it's about living."

Mr Knight said that the current system is "failing" disabled people and that social care should be "as high on the government's agenda as the NHS".

A report from Demos recently claimed that the nation needs an NHS-style constitution to protect the millions of people who rely on social care.

With other Guest Speakers from Thames River and Partnership Assurance the event will cover the current economy as well as equity release and care annuities. Helping Hands will be there to discuss their live-in care service as an increasingly popular alternative to residential care.

The event will be held on the 2^nd July at The Pavilion, Branston Golf & Country Club in Burton-on-Trent. To book your place you can call Helping Hands directly on 0808 180 9488.

Keith Lamley is a member of Symponia, a group of IFA’a that specialise in care fees planning that form a unified, national umbrella body with the fundamental objective of enabling people to choose where they are cared

For more information on Symponia please call 01789 774595

A study by researchers at Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine involved 73,973 women. According to the Parkinson's Disease Society, men are slightly more likely to develop the progressive neurological condition. The team found that women who were fertile for more than 39 years had a 25 per cent lower risk of needing Parkinson's disease care than those who were fertile for less than 33 years. Women who had given birth to four or more children were found to be around a fifth more likely to develop Parkinson's than those who had three or fewer pregnancies.

Lead author Dr Rachel Saunders-Pullman, assistant professor of neurology at Einstein, commented: "These findings, involving nearly 74,000 women, suggest that longer exposure to the body's own, or endogenous, hormones, including oestrogen, may help protect the brain cells that are affected by Parkinson's disease."

You will find information on eligibility for local authority support, state benefits such as attendance allowance, pension credit and carers allowance . There is also a section on NHS Continuing Healthcare, a non means tested fund that will usually cover the full cost of care. Private funding options such as equity release as well as care annuities are covered too.

Anybody involved with financial affairs should also ensure that they are familiar with the section surrounding Lasting and Enduring Power of Attorney.

Sarah Battye, Head of Customer Advice commented " We are thrilled that we now are able to offer such a concise and easy to read guide on what can be a very complicated and technical subject, working alongside the experts at Symponia means that we are at the forefront of any changes that are likely to impact on the options available to those who need our service."

Covering the financial year April 2009 -2010 you can order your free guide here

Dr Joanna Collingwood spoke of the research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Chicago She said: "We have been able to investigate human tissue with such precision that metal ions, particularly iron levels, in and around individual cells can be mapped.The technique is pioneering in that it does not change the distribution or form of the metals in the tissue being studied." Dr Collingwood said that the research should eventually help to inform the development of new therapies and enable early detection and diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Around one in every 500 people in the UK has Parkinson's disease, the majority of whom are aged over 50 years.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised that the Swine Flu pandemic is now imminent. In response, the WHO has raised their pandemic alert to level five, just short of a ‘full pandemic outbreak’.

Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said today that most people affected by the virus would recover and the government had a “clear plan” to help prevent the virus spreading.

Given that the people whom we support with care will be one of the most vulnerable groups at risk from the imminent Swine Flu pandemic we want to ensure that the advice issued by the Department of Health is communicated to all clients and staff accordingly.

The Department of Health has issued some broad guidelines for anyone who may show flu-like symptoms:

• Those affected should stay at home and contact health services by phone.
• Good hygiene is particularly important. Washing your hands with soap and water is a good way to stop the spread of germs. It is important you cover your nose when sneezing, ideally using a disposable tissue which is immediately binned to avoid any transmission of the virus. • Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.
• If you think you or a member of your family has the virus, you can check your symptoms and get official advice from the NHS Direct symptom checker.

The government has issued the following advice for those who think they are a family member might be infected:

1. Stay at home and rest; take medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve symptoms (following the instructions with the medicines)
2. Children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready made flu remedies containing aspirin
3. Drink plenty of fluids
4. Contact your surgery for further advice
5. For advice and information visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk, go to NHSDirect Interactive on digital satellite TV by pressing the interactive button on the remote control, or telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 47

There are Department of Health briefings at www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/index.htm, including the Chief Medical Officer’s guide to pandemic flu.

The statement can be viewed at http://www.ukhca.co.uk/panorama20090409.aspx

The United Home Care Association found the Panorama programme deeply disturbing. As the representative association for homecare providers, UKHCA’s prime concern is the welfare and safety of people who receive homecare. We understand that all the companies involved in the programme have apologised and taken active steps to learn lessons and improve practice, and that Local Authorities and regulators will be investigating the issues raised.

While individual instances of poor practice may have been the focus of the programme the message must be put in a wider context of how Local Authorities purchase care services for older people and the much wider issue of the level of government funding for social care.

The low level of funding has a particularly acute impact on the recruitment and retention of care staff and the ability of providers to recompense them adequately for the job they do, often at unsocial hours and in difficult conditions. UKHCA has been lobbying for greater realism about levels of pay in the sector for a long time. It is a major theme in our position statement “A Fair Price for Care” and our recent Manifesto “From Rhetoric to Reality”.

UKHCA chair Mike Padgham said:

“We have worked tirelessly to raise this as an issue which local authority commissioners must take seriously if they are to achieve the levels of recruitment and professional training of staff to which we all aspire.”

“It is disingenuous of the programme makers to lay the levels of low pay at the door of providers themselves. As we have made clear in our publications and work with the media, homecare providers can only pay staff at levels which are allowed by the fees they receive.”

While independent sector providers are pilloried for the pay levels they are able to offer within a tightening financial environment there remains an unhelpful buck passing between local and central government about where responsibility for the issue rests - Local Authorities say they have insufficient funds to meet providers real costs and central government say that fee levels are a local responsibility. In the real world Local Authorities are using per minute billing and “e-auctions” to drive down prices. Unsurprisingly our own recent survey confirmed that few providers feel that commissioners are really interested in quality over price.

Mike Padgham continued:

“Providers would be delighted to be able to reward workers better and to raise the quality of service through more training and better retention of experienced staff, but regrettably this is often not possible under the current purchasing arrangements. Rather than a case of abuses by “big business”, this is a response to short sighted purchasing policies by Local Authorities, driven to make on-going efficiency savings set by central government.”

“The attention that the programme has drawn to the impact of these practices on real people must lead to positive changes in the way services are commissioned and funded. For our part we will continue to actively lobby for realistic funding for homecare services to ensure that high quality care can be provided.”

Independent and voluntary sector providers are acutely aware of the need to provide high quality services, and wish to do so. UKHCA will continue to work with providers and regulators on the issues raised by the programme.

Helping Hands Homecare is a specialist provider of live-in care.

The research, which was conducted on behalf of the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, also found that 86 per cent of people think more public money should be used to ensure that everyone has access to the social care they need.

However, figures show that over a quarter of disabled people of working age who applied for social care in England in 2006/07 did not receive the support they required.

John Knight, the charity's assistant director of policy and campaigns, commented: "Social care is so much more than just personal care, it's about living."

Mr Knight said that the current system is "failing" disabled people and that social care should be "as high on the government's agenda as the NHS".

A report from Demos recently claimed that the nation needs an NHS-style constitution to protect the millions of people who rely on social care.

Helping Hands Homecare is a specialist provider of Home Carers

A new study suggests that older people in the UK are less willing to be screened for dementia than those in the US because they are concerned about the stigma of diagnosis.

Previous research by the Alzheimer's Society has revealed that half of UK adults believe dementia to be a condition plagued by stigma.

Now, scientists have surveyed 120 older people in Kent and a further 125 in Indianapolis to discover their opinions on dementia screening.

The survey, which is reported in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, revealed that British people were more likely to be concerned about the stigma of diagnosis, their potential loss of independence and their chances of emotional suffering than Americans.

Dr Malaz Boustani, assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, commented: "From my prospective, it was a genuine surprise that having a universal healthcare system, which provides services and support to all those who need it, didn't protect from perceived stigma and negativity."

Chris Fox, who led the British arm of the research at the University of Kent, said that the study should help to develop improved pathways for dementia care.

He added: "We hope the United Kingdom's Dementia Strategy published in the next few months will consider some of this study's findings."

The government's new Change4life initiative has received the backing of Alzheimer's Society.

The campaign, which will be publicised through the use of adverts created by Aardman Animations, highlights the link between obesity and several life-threatening conditions and aims to improve the lifestyle habits of family members in the UK.

According to Neil Hunt, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, the scheme is a step in the right direction as failure to act will result in more people needing dementia care, with one million new cases tipped to present themselves over the next ten years.

"We hope this advert and the Change4Life campaign will help reduce the rising numbers of people living with this devastating condition in future," he commented.

"With the right investment, dementia can be defeated."

Change4Life will see a network of experts made available to offer advice to consumers on a range of subjects including exercise and diet.

Aardman Animations is the company behind Wallace and Gromit, the latest installment of which - A Matter of Loaf and Deaf - was the most-watched TV programme on Christmas Day 2008.

People will only be sure of receiving safe dementia care if poor commissioning practices are addressed, the UK's professional association for the homecare sector has said.

The United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) said that local commissioners need to recognise that people with dementia need extra homecare and flexibility.

Colin Angel, the association's head of policy and communication, said that an increasing number of local authorities are trying to save money by limiting the amount of time carers spend with service users.

"Councils are effectively shoehorning homecare into very short periods, sometimes 15 minutes or fewer," he claimed.

"But people with dementia must not be rushed. We need to see government being much more robust about stamping out such poor commissioning practice at a local level, otherwise the (National Dementia) Strategy will never deliver its national ambitions."

Dementia is an increasing problem in the UK - one in three over-65s will die with some form of dementia - and will continue to be so as the population ages.

According to the UKHCA, two thirds of people with dementia live in their own home rather than going into a care home.

Kishore Kuchibhotla, lead author of the Science article, commented:

"We've only begun to scratch the surface of how plaque deposition impacts astrocyte function. One key question will be how increased astrocyte signalling impacts neuronal function, and another will be whether astrocyte activity limits or intensifies plaque deposition."

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said that the development may prove to be a breakthrough. It's a new and exciting area of research for Alzheimer's, so these findings mark the beginning of the journey for the scientists involved, but it is a path that may someday lead to the treatment we desperately need.

An estimated 700,000 people in the UK have dementia and this figure is expected to rise over the coming years as the population ages.

Scientists at the Finnish Institute of Occupational health and University College London carried out a prospective study involving 2,214 middle-aged British civil servants, all of whom took cognitive tests between 1997/99, and again in 2002/04.The researchers found that those who worked for over 55 hours per week performed worse than those working for no more than 40 hours per week on the initial vocabulary test.At the follow-up test, people who worked overtime achieved poorer scores in their cognitive reasoning test than those who worked normal hours.The study is published in the American Journal of Epidemiology and Professor Mika Kivimaki said that the team will continue its research to examine whether long working hours predict more serious conditions such as dementia.

Harriet Millward, deputy chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, told the BBC: "We already know that dementia risk can be reduced by maintaining a balanced diet, regular social interactions and exercising both our bodies and minds."

Perhaps work-life balance should be accounted for too.

The expert noted "We've known for some time that smoking increases your risk of developing dementia. Now it seems that passive smoking could also have a harmful effect.One million people will develop dementia over the next ten years. It is important that smokers are supported to quit and the impact of second-hand smoke is reduced." A study in the British Medical Journal was conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge and found that second-hand smoke may increase a person's risk of cognitive impairment by as much as 44 per cent.

However, the researcher noted that it is not yet clear whether people with this gene and a parent with dementia will go on to develop Alzheimer's Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said that more research is needed to unpick the complex relationship between the gene, a person's memory in middle age and their family history of dementia. He noted: "Finding a way to identify people at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease before they develop symptoms could lead to the development of better treatments."

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, agreed with Sir Terry. Less than three per cent of the medical research budget is devoted to a condition that will cost 50 billion a year within a generation she claimed. Ms Wood also revealed that the author's campaigning has inspired around 200,000 worth of donations to the charity. Alzheimer's disease affects around 417,000 people in the UK, making it the most common form of dementia.

Obese people may not receive timely multiple sclerosis care because their weight may lead to delays in the diagnosis of their condition, it has been claimed.

According to Canadian researchers, people with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol may not be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as quickly as other patients because doctors may be inclined to attribute their symptoms to pre-existing conditions.

The team studied the medical records of 8,983 people with multiple sclerosis and found that it took between one and ten years longer for people who were obese, smokers, or had physical or mental health conditions to receive their diagnosis.

In addition, the researchers found that people with a number of medical problems tended to have more severe multiple sclerosis symptoms by the time they were diagnosed.

Symptoms may include balance difficulties, fatigue, mood changes, muscle spasms and tremors.

Study author Dr Ruth Ann Marrie, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, commented: "Our study suggests that doctors who treat people with chronic diseases should not attribute new neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling to existing conditions without careful consideration."

The findings are published in Neurology journal.

Scientists have highlighted the possibility that men and women may need to receive different kinds of multiple sclerosis (MS) care.

Experts were already aware of a gender difference as there are 3.2 women with MS to every one man with the disease.

They believe that genetic factors are not involved, so studies are now focussing on the environmental factors that may increase the risk of MS in women.

At the 'Multiple Sclerosis and Gender' conference this week, organised by the European Charcot Foundation, hundreds of scientists and doctors met to discuss the issue.

Professor OR Hommes, chairman of the European Charcot Foundation, told Medical News Today: "In due course the raised attention on gender related topics will undoubtedly lead to better results and questions regarding individualised MS treatment, both in women and men.

"This conference has raised the simple question whether females with MS should be treated differently than males."

Around 50 people in the UK are diagnosed with MS every week, making it the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults.

Scientists have shown that there is a direct link between vitamin D and a particular genetic variant which influences a person's risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

The researchers carried out laboratory experiments showing that the variant gene DRB1 can be switched on by vitamin D.

If vitamin D is in short supply, the gene may not function properly, raising the risk of MS.

Co-author Dr Julian Knight commented: "In people with the DRB1 variant associated with MS, it seems that vitamin D may play a critical role.

"If too little of the vitamin is available, the gene may not function properly."

Pam Macfarlane, chief executive of the MS Trust, said that the study in the journal PLoS Genetics is "interesting" and supports a link between vitamin D and the risk of developing MS.

She added: "A number of studies over the years have also suggested this connection and hopefully these results will encourage further investigation."

Youngsters are already bombarded with reasons for not smoking, such as lung cancer, bad skin and heart disease. However, the latest study from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine suggests that avoiding the unhealthy habit could also reduce a person's risk of MS. The team studied more than 30,000 people, including 87 with MS. They found that those who had smoked before the age of 17 were 2.7 times more likely to develop MS than non-smokers. In contrast, people who took up smoking above the age of 17 did not face an increased risk of the disease.

Study author Dr Joseph Finkelstein, who collaborated with researchers from the Veterans Affairs MS Centre for Excellence, commented:

"Studies show that environmental factors play a prominent role in multiple sclerosis. Early smoking is an environmental factor that can be avoided."

A recent study also found that passive smoking may increase a person's risk of dementia, providing yet another reason for avoiding cigarette smoke.

The findings are due to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Seattle and suggest that women may not benefit from choosing to restart their MS treatments again instead of breastfeeding. Study author Dr Annette Langer-Gould, from Stanford University, commented: "Our findings call into question the benefit of choosing not to breastfeed or stopping breastfeeding early in order to start taking MS therapies." Larger studies need to be done on whether women should delay taking MS medications in order to breastfeed. In general, women are advised by the Department of Health to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their baby's life.

Researchers recruited 301 adult MS patients in the US and Canada and gave them either the drug or a placebo (dummy pill) for 14 weeks.They found that 34.8 per cent of patients on the new drug experienced an improvement in the time it took to walk 25 feet.In contrast, just 8.3 per cent of people in the placebo group improved their walking speed.

Lead author and neurologist Dr Andrew Goodman, chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Centre at the University of Rochester Medical Centre, said: "This study indicates that fampridine could represent an important new way to treat multiple sclerosis and perhaps become the first drug to improve certain symptoms of the disease."

The data suggest that, for a subset of MS patients, nervous system function is partially restored while taking the drug. Dr Ron Cohen, president and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics, added that the results of this study indicate that fampridine-SR could potentially represent an important new treatment option in managing MS.

Youngsters are already bombarded with reasons for not smoking, such as lung cancer, bad skin and heart disease.

However, the latest study from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine suggests that avoiding the unhealthy habit could also reduce a person's risk of MS.

The team studied more than 30,000 people, including 87 with MS.

They found that those who had smoked before the age of 17 were 2.7 times more likely to develop MS than non-smokers.

In contrast, people who took up smoking above the age of 17 did not face an increased risk of the disease.

Study author Dr Joseph Finkelstein, who collaborated with researchers from the Veterans Affairs MS Centre for Excellence, commented: "Studies show that environmental factors play a prominent role in multiple sclerosis. Early smoking is an environmental factor that can be avoided."

A recent study also found that passive smoking may increase a person's risk of dementia, providing yet another reason for avoiding cigarette smoke.

Helping Hands Homecare is a specialist provider of MS care

Scientists who are studying slices of living brain tissue believe that their research could eventually lead to new stroke therapies.

A team at the Medical College of Georgia is using brain tissue to discover which drugs can block the after-effects of stroke, which occur when the brain is starved of blood and oxygen.

Around one fifth of the body's energy is required by the brain, and around half of that is used to help ensure that brain cells have the required levels of sodium and potassium.

After a stroke, however, these pumps need to start working again quickly to prevent brain cell death and researchers are looking for drugs that aid this process.

Neuroscientist Dr Sergei Kirov, who directs the college's Human Brain Laboratory, revealed: "We only have one approved drug therapy for stroke and new approaches are needed to improve treatment for the third leading cause of death in western countries."

He added that slices of human brain tissue can provide a "missing link" between animals and humans for research purposes, offering a "unique chance to identify and study potentially useful therapeutics".

Around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year, highlighting the need to find new drugs that will improve stroke care.

A study has found that the majority of stroke patients do not realise they are having a stroke, meaning that they often delay seeking stroke care until their condition has become much worse.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in the US studied 400 patients who were diagnosed with acute ischaemic stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or 'mini stroke').

They found that only 42 per cent of patients had realised they were having a stroke and the average patient did not go to hospital until they had been experiencing symptoms for over three-and-a-half hours in the hope that the symptoms would simply go away.

The findings, which are published in Emergency Medicine Journal, are concerning as time is "crucial" when treating stroke, according to Dr Latha Stead, emergency medicine specialist and lead author of the study.

"In general, the sooner a patient experiencing a stroke reaches emergency care, the more likely the stroke can be limited and the condition managed to prevent further damage and improve recovery," Dr Stead explained.

Only 20.8 per cent of the study participants were aware that immediate treatment could mean the difference between a slight injury and a major disability.

Stroke Association figures show that an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year.

A pioneering new stem cell treatment could help patients receiving stroke care, scientists believe.

Tests are to be carried out at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital to see whether stem cells can improve stroke survivors' quality of life.

The technique involves cells grown from an aborted human foetus but the doctors insist that the procedure is ethically sound.

Cells are injected into the brain of stroke patients, where they renew themselves and help to regenerate areas damaged by stroke.

Scientists hope that this will lead to improvements in patients' mental and physical abilities.

The trials have been approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Agency and will be funded by Surrey-based stem cell research company ReNeuron.

Lead researcher Dr Keith Muir claimed: "If it works, as it has done in animal model systems, it may allow new nerve cells to grow or regeneration of existing cells and actual recovery of function in patients who would not otherwise be able to regain function."

Around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year and more than 250,000 people are living with stroke-related disabilities.

Robot-assisted therapy can reduce the severity of a person's physical disability following a stroke, new research suggests. Scientists studied 15 patients who were experiencing partial paralysis on the right side of the body - the result of a stroke between four months and ten years previously. Participants trialled various robotic techniques which involved computer-aided grasping and releasing. The researchers found that after one month, patients were showing significant improvements, even if they had already been receiving standard stroke care. The findings were presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference by Dr Steven Cramer, director of the Stroke Centre at the University of California-Irvine. He said: "Robotic therapy may be useful in its own right. But it could also help rewire or reshape the brain in conjunction with other stroke therapies". Dr Cramer noted that it may be possible to use robots in different ways depending on the severity of an individual's stroke. According to the Stroke Association, a quarter of a million British people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke.

The drug was administered in small doses over a number of days following the patients' strokes. Normally, around 80 per cent of untreated ICH patients would be expected to die within 30 days, but researchers found that around 80 per cent survived after treatment with tPA. They also found that ten per cent of patients had no lingering disability after six months, while another 40 per cent had only mild to moderate problems. Even patients who experienced more severe disability were showing continuing improvements six months after their stroke. The findings were presented at the International Stroke Conference in San Diego and study leader Dr Daniel Hanley, professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said that the results paint a pretty good picture for quality of life after treatment with tPA. He concluded: "Our new treatment appears to greatly increase patients' chances for survival and quality of life similar to what they experienced before they had their stroke."

Dr Chris Streather, clinical stroke lead at Healthcare for London, said that people in the capital should have better access to life-saving treatment if they suffer a stroke.Clinical excellence in essential, but time is of the essence too.  Dr Streather pointed out many patients are treated in hospitals close to home, but the quality of clinical care they receive can be poor. The proposals would mean that no Londoner would be more than 30 minutes away from a specialist stroke unit.

David Sissling, programme director of Healthcare for London, said that all stroke patients would benefit from the plans.There must be radical changes in how stroke and major trauma services for adults are delivered in London he insisted "Our proposals will ensure investment, new services and world-class quality for all Londoners".

 An estimated 150,000 people are affected by stroke every year in the UK.

Lead study author Dr Jing Fang, who is an epidemiologist at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, commented: "We were really surprised to see people who have had a stroke were less aware of symptoms than those who had not had a stroke". The researcher added that people should be aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke so that suspected sufferers can be taken to hospital as swiftly as possible, giving them a better chance of survival and reducing their chances of needing long-term stroke care. Stroke affects around 150,000 people in the UK every year. Warning signs include sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg; a severe headache with no known cause; sudden vision disturbance; sudden confusion or speech problems; and sudden dizziness or loss of coordination.

They found that people who led unhealthy lifestyles were more than twice as likely to need a target as those who ate and drank sensibly, exercised regularly and did not smoke.The findings are published in the British Medical Journal and provide simple ways to reduce the risk of stroke. The researchers concluded that the combined impact of the four health behaviours, though relatively modest and potentially achievable across all ages, sex and social classes, was associated with an estimated 2.3-fold difference in risk of stroke. These results provide further incentive and support for the notion that small differences in lifestyle can have a substantial potential impact on risk. Writing in an accompanying editorial, Matthew Giles, from the Stroke Prevention Research Unit at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, said that the findings should help to inform individuals' and policymakers' decisions. However, he noted that few people lead such healthy lifestyles and that interventions would require a huge shiftin behaviour.

Lead researcher Dr Esther Lopez-Garcia told the Daily Telegraph that it is likely to be antioxidants rather than caffeine behind the 'modest' association. She said "Antioxidants in coffee can lower inflammation and improve blood vessel function. Around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year, a third of whom make a recovery within one month while another third are likely to need rehabilitation.

Elderly people who live in residential nursing homes face a higher risk of pneumonia than those who live in their own homes, new research suggests.

A study at the University of Lubeck in Germany analysed 2,647 patients, 1,349 of whom were aged over 65.

Nearly three quarters of the patients were hospitalised and the researchers found that a person's age had a significant effect on their likelihood of developing community-acquired pneumonia, as did living in a nursing home.

Overall, nursing home residents were found to face a fourfold increase in mortality rate when compared against people of a similar age who lived in the community.

The findings are published in the European Respiratory Journal and the researchers concluded that they are particularly important considering the ageing population and growing number of people in western countries requiring residential or live-in care.

Research suggests that elderly people account for around 50 per cent of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in western countries.

Relying solely on a family member for care can place a great strain on the relationship and lead to emotional tension and exhaustion, according to an article in the New Statesman.

Baroness Jane Campbell, who is commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, wrote that England's current approach to care is "little more than a safety net" and that an approach based on promoting equality and human rights must be adopted.

Projections for an extra three million unpaid carers are unlikely to be economically or socially sustainable, according to Baroness Campbell, who herself has a disability and relies on assistants to support her and take the pressure off her husband.

The baroness suggests that external support, such as an assistant or live-in carer, is advisable, noting: "Over-reliance on family members can seriously weaken the very family relationships we are going to need. People require support to maintain a strong family life."

She also pointed out that having a family member leave paid employment to provide support can lead to avoidable hardship and she believes that families "should be eligible for support".

A new report from the NHS Information Centre has revealed that councils are supporting more people so that they can remain in their own homes rather than live in a care home.

According to the report, the number of people receiving council funding to live in a residential or nursing home fell by four per cent over the past 12 months.

The emphasis has instead moved to enabling more people to stay in their own homes, the report reveals.

A government target to provide 34 per cent of people with intensive care at home by March 2008 was met by two thirds of councils, meaning that fewer people have had to give up their home in order to obtain the necessary care and support.

Robert Lake, interim director of social care at the NHS Information Centre, commented: "The report charts the growing emphasis local authorities are placing on enabling people to remain living independently within their own home.

"This is shown by the falling numbers of people they are paying for to live in a residential or nursing home as well as the increase in numbers they are supporting to stay in their own home."

A recent report by the United Kingdom Homecare Association warned that one of the main barriers to home and live-in care is fuel prices.

Nearly two thirds of homecare providers predicted that they would be forced to turn down jobs in the near future because the cost of travelling to the person's home would be uneconomic.

Vitalise, which helps provide services such as live in carers to disabled people, has joined forces with the Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) to support the action.

Carers Week takes place between June 8th and 14th and is supported by over 1,000 partners, including celebrities and politicians.

Steve Ford, chief executive of the PDS, highlighted the importance of supporting the Parkinson's care workforce.

Commenting on recent research by the charity, he noted that only one fifth of Parkinson's care staff receive advice on health and social services, while one third are "still unaware of their right to a carers' assessment"

"I hope our partnership will raise awareness and encourage carers to become more engaged in the support available to them," he added.

The PDS has welcomed the recently published health bill for its focus on improving patient care in the face of what the charity's director of policy described as "unacceptable" variations in quality.

Helping Hands Homecare is a specialist provider of live-in care