Man weighing 27 stone swims 80 miles for parents who died of dementia

“Somebody suggested it was too much for me”, says the man with a mission to swim just over 80 miles in memory of his parents who both died of vascular dementia.

Chris Larkin before he took up swimming. Credit: Chris Larkin

Fifty-nine year-old Chris Larkin had originally planned to swim 62 miles to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Research and lose 12 stone in weight “but then somebody suggested that it was maybe too much for me and that I shouldn’t be disappointed if I didn’t make it.

“That was like a red rag to a bull for me, so I decided to up my target to 130km [80.7 miles] and will be swimming 80 lengths twice a day, five days a week.”

The grandfather of three, who topped more than 36 stone two years ago, has been clocking up the miles in the Village Hotel pool since his swimming challenge began in May. For the final mile, he intends to swim in the sea from Boscombe Pier to Bournemouth Pier on 31 August.

Parents’ last years so ‘undignified’

Mr Larkin, who works as a lighting engineer, is happy to fundraise for a cause “that’s so close to my heart”.

“My dad died in 2013 and then not long after his funeral, my mum went downhill and we realised we were going through the same thing with her. She died last year. My mum and dad were wonderful people, but my memory of them is clouded by the last few years of their lives. It was so undignified.”

A knee injury prevented Mr Larkin from running in the dementia charity’s Running Down Dementia campaign, which challenges people to run 100km throughout the summer and so he decided to take to the water instead.

I started walking up and down the pool

“I saw Running Down Dementia on Facebook and I thought ‘damn, I’d love to do that’. My physio had suggested I do aquatherapy and then I thought maybe I could do the challenge in the pool.

“I started walking up and down the pool, then would swim one length in four. Within a month I was walking a length then swimming a length and by the next month I was just swimming.”

‘I was a very fit guy in my 20s and early 30s’

Mr Larkin began piling on the pounds in his mid-30s when his lifestyle became more sedentary after taking on a new job as a sales rep.

“I was a very fit guy in my 20s and early 30s. I ran a marathon, I used to run five miles every other day, I would cycle 25 miles at weekends and played squash regularly. But I never ate well, I’d eat whatever I wanted.

“I got a new job as a sales rep and was travelling around a lot and stopped exercising. I started to put on weight, around a pound a month. I didn’t notice it at first but over a long period the weight piled up.”

A back injury in 2015 set him back further because he “could barely walk” for eight months. “I reached my heaviest weight in June 2016 – 512lbs [36.5 stone]. At that weight I thought my life was over, it was awful.

“I’m now full of hope. The challenge has been great for getting me back on track with my weight loss.”

The avid swimmer now hopes his big swim will help him slim down to 15 stone.

Mr Larkin may not be able to run due to a knee injury but this summer, his swimming efforts mean he will join nearly 5,000 people fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research by taking part in Running Down Dementia campaign.

Mr Larkin will be joined on his pier to pier swim by four coaches from across the UK, who he has not met but who were inspired to join him after hearing about his story.

“We are in awe of Chris and his amazing weight-loss journey. It is brilliant that taking on the swimming challenge and fundraising for dementia research is helping him in his weight-loss mission”, said Julia Sobik, senior sporting events and partnerships manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“Chris and the thousands of people who are taking part in Running Down Dementia are striking a blow in the battle against dementia. The vital funds raised will power world-class dementia research projects and help bring an end to the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.”

Chris Larkin’s swim has so far raised £706. To sponsor him click here.

Leymar Healthcare provide Homecare Services in Ashfield and 24 Hour Live in Care in the UK to vulnerable adults in their community. Please contact our office on 01623 360 193 or email us at info@leymarltd.co.uk.

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84-year-old man who applies blind wife’s make-up films beauty tutorial

Scotland opens its first dementia friendly park!

Kings Park in Stirling, Scotland, has been transformed to allow those with dementia to have a stroll outdoors and still feel safe.

To create a welcoming outdoor space for people living with dementia, the park now has directional signage and more park benches. In addition, the park’s plants have been enhanced, the uneven paths have been repaired and there have been improvements to the visibility and the standard of the park facilities.

The dementia friendly park’s initiative is the result of efforts by Scotland’s walking charity Paths For All, which worked with the community to identify the best ways to make Kings Park dementia friendly.

“We want to create a welcoming environment to allow people with dementia and their carers to enjoy green space”, said a spokesman for the charity.

“There are many barriers for someone with dementia accessing the outdoors including a lack of information about accessible outdoor spaces, the services available (parking, paths, terrain, toilets, etc), required level of fitness, costs, safety concerns and transport issues.

“For someone living with dementia, getting out for a walk can reduce the feeling of isolation and help them maintain independence for longer.”

‘You forget any worries when you’re wandering’

It is estimated that Scotland has around 90,000 people with a dementia diagnosis who could benefit from more everyday walking opportunities.

People with dementia benefit from being outdoors and in contact with nature as it can help to relieve stress, increase self-esteem, produce vitamin D, and exercises the brain, helping with memory and cognitive functioning.

A leaflet with a map has also been created to assist with wayfinding and decision-making prior to visiting King’s Park.

Giant inflatable pig goes on tour to show social care crisis isn’t hogwash

#WhereIsPenny?

That’s the question being asked of people across the country, as Age UK resorts to sending a giant pig on a tour of UK cities to get the public talking about their experiences of social care.

Penny the Piggy Bank will be travelling all round the country from London to Liverpool, taking in the landmarks of England as she goes to highlight the care crisis facing the country.
In a statement, the charity Age UK said Penny ‘is highlighting how much the NHS could save if the government sorted out social care.
‘Because right now, the piggy bank is very nearly empty and it’s older people who are paying the price.’
The charity argues ‘Not enough funding for social care in England means older people are being kept in hospital longer than necessary. These delayed discharges cost the NHS £500 every minute.

‘Older people deserve better, and the government shouldn’t waste public money like this. So we’re asking them to address problems with the social care system. And you can help us spread the word.’
Fresh from a soaking on Brighton Beach due to rain showers on 10 August, Penny is heading to Telford on 23 August, with the charity urging all who see her to share their experiences of dealing with the social care system.

Members of the public are being encouraged to follow Penny’s progress across the country on Twitter and highlight sightings of her by using the hashtag #WhereIsPenny.

Robin Hood Festival 2018 – 27 August to 2 September 2018

27 August to 2 September 2018

The Robin Hood Festival returns for its 34th year in 2018 at Sherwood Forest.

For the first time, this year’s event is being organised by the RSPB; expect a fun filled week long festival that has something for everyone!

The Festival is free to enter, however there is a parking charge of £5 per car.

Daily Schedule

This year, old festival favourites like Medieval Maniax, musicians, storytellers and medieval magician Nathaniel Bagshot will be back along with brand new entertainment for 2018! The festival will be more interactive than ever before and will also include lots more nature based activities and crafts thanks to being run by the RSPB for the first time.

Throughout the week there will be archery (daily), nature connections (daily), pony rides (Tuesday-Sunday), along with daily music, magic, stalls, performers.

Find out the full daily schedule here.

*Performances are subject to change. Certain activities are subject to weather conditions.

Stay up to date

Get the latest news and updates about the festival:

Join in the conversation: #RobinHoodFestival

Visitor Information

What should I wear?

This is an outdoor event, so come ready for our unpredictable English climate! Consider bringing with you:

umbrella
waterproof coat
pair of wellies
suncream and sunhats

Comfortable shoes are advisable as paths are uneven in places and much of the action takes place in woodland and grassy areas.

Mobility Scooters

The Robin Hood Festival has teamed up with Professional Mobility for the hire of mobility scooters at the 2018 festival. Pre-booking secures a scooter and visitors can benefit from delivery of a scooter to the car park by Professional Mobility.

There is a charge of £25 per day and proof of ID is required on collection. To book, please call Freephone: 0800 633 5711, or mobile: 07989 680034.

Getting here

By bus

Sherwood Arrow (Nottingham to Worksop or Retford via New Ollerton) stops near to the end of the main drive.

Buses do not call at the Visitor Centre during the festival week because of a road closure. Passengers will be dropped in Edwinstowe Village, which is approximately a 10 minute walk from the Visitor Centre.

Plan a journey.

Coaches and tours

Coach parking is limited and allocated on a first come first served basis.

Men in Sheds has become ‘social lifeline’ for lonely male pensioners

The garden shed is no longer a man’s sacred refuge. Retired men across the UK are being encouraged to forge social connections and friendships while wood making – all in the welcoming space of a ‘shed’.

Men in Sheds is a service run by local Age UK community groups that brings together fellow DIYers who could otherwise be home alone.

The scheme has become a ‘social lifeline’ for Simon Farr and Neil Macdonald, who regularly attend Age UK Cheshire’s Men in Sheds project. Mr Macdonald has dementia but his confidence and sense of purpose has been helped ‘immeasurably’ by his friendship with Mr Farr, who despite being younger than most of the men, is recovering from a stroke.

“It’s helped me out so much with my rehabilitation,” said Mr Farr. “Neil and I both have memory problems…we both are one another’s bit of medicine and when you get the two of us together, you can imagine the fun we have.”

During his time at the shed, Mr Macdonald has made a large selection of bespoke pens that he has gifted to The Queen and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as a school for underprivileged children in New Zealand.

Lead researcher, Dr Jenny Fisher, said: “The number of older adults who live alone in the UK is increasing and while this is of concern for men and women, older men are particularly at risk of being lonely and socially isolated. Weak social connections, loneliness and social isolation are linked to poor health and wellbeing, especially for older men.

“We found that men often don’t have the same opportunities for social activities as women or older men are just less likely to join community groups. With the exception of Men in Sheds, there are limited opportunities for men to engage in community-based social activities.”

According to Age UK, men can often hide their feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. For more information visit:www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/men-in-sheds/

Pensioner escapes iTunes fraudster’s trap thanks to quick-thinking staff

A 65-year-old woman has been saved from giving £1,500 worth of iTunes vouchers to a fraudster who called her home, thanks to staff at her local Tesco store.

The woman was left shaking after being threatened with arrest and fines totalling £96,000 for unpaid taxes by a fraudster who telephoned her home pretending to work for the HMRC.

“I was absolutely terrified”, she told Grimsby Telegraph.

“He said that I owed the government money which I needed to pay immediately or I would be arrested.”

The pensioner agreed to pay the caller hundreds of thousands of pounds in iTunes vouchers.

“He warned me that if I didn’t do what he said, I could be fined £96,000 and we could lose our house or my husband’s car.

“He told me that if I spoke to anyone on the way, I would also be arrested.”

She was only stopped from making the large purchase by shop workers at a Tesco store in Grimsby.

Staff quickly realised the woman had fallen victim to a popular scam, after questioning her and called the police.

She said: “They asked me what the vouchers were for, and I told them it was for my grandchildren.

“When they asked again, I burst out crying and told them what was really happening.”

The store’s manager then telephoned the conman telling him to stop calling the woman.

‘My chest has been tight all day since it happened’

She said: “I have asthma, and my chest has been tight all day since it happened.

“If I’d had a heart condition, it could have been much, much worse.”

A statement from Humberside Police said: “We have received a number of recent reports of fraudsters contacting victims via telephone and demanding payment by way of gift card or iTunes vouchers.

“A recent victim gave away over £200 by purchasing iTunes vouchers and providing the codes to the suspect.”

Police advise anyone who receives a suspicious call to put the phone down straight away and contact Humberside Police on 101.

Sainsbury’s introduce ‘slow-moving’ checkout lanes for dementia shoppers

Sainsbury’s has begun rolling out ‘slow-moving’ checkout lanes throughout the UK, so people with dementia can shop at a “more relaxed pace”.

The supermarket giant has already been running the initiative at a store in Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, for nearly two years and has now introduced Slow Shopping at a branch in Prestwick in South Ayrshire. Staff at the store have been given training to help them support shoppers with dementia.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “Our aim is to be the most inclusive retailer and we want all of our customers to have a great shopping experience in our stores.
“There are many aspects of a visit to the supermarket which can be stressful for those with dementia, so by trialling a slow shopping option we hope we can make their lives easier.”
The idea of Slow Shopping came from Katherine Vero who lives in Newcastle and used to find it hard to go shopping with her mother who had dementia. Alzheimer’s Society revealed that eight out of ten of the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK list shopping as their favourite activity. However, since being diagnosed, one in four have given up shopping.
Katherine Vero, founder of Slow Shopping said: “My mum used to love shopping but as her dementia developed it became increasingly difficult and stressful for us both. But I didn’t want her to stop going out and become isolated. I wondered if there was a way to help us enjoy shopping.
“After she passed away I was inspired to come up with the idea of Slow Shopping and was delighted when Sainsbury’s agreed to help me trial it. I hope other retailers will follow.”

Paul Edwards, director of clinical services at Dementia UK, said: ‘We welcome all initiatives which show an understanding of the challenges that people with dementia live with on a day-to-day basis.

“Clashing noises, fast-paced environments and bright lights can be quite overwhelming for people with dementia.

“Sainsbury’s idea for a slower lane is exactly the type of patient, considerate move that helps people with dementia to continue living fulfilling lives.”

Healthier options takeaway reaches 150 outlet milestone

The 150^th food outlet has signed up to a healthy food scheme organised by Nottinghamshire County Council.

Working in partnership with district and borough councils across Nottinghamshire, the county council has given a warm welcome to JM’s fish diner in Bassetlaw which has signed up for the Healthier Options Takeaway (HOT) scheme.

Healthier options takeaways are committed to offering healthier ways of preparing, cooking and serving food and drink to customers to give them more nutritious choices.

JM’s fish diner, based in West Street, Retford, completed a recent audit with Bassetlaw District Council’s environmental health scheme in order to sign up to the scheme.

Managed by John Massey, the business has been trading for 16 years and has pledges on offering lower fat spread; offering a meal deal for smaller portion sizes and the introduction of a five hole salt shaker.

John said: “It is good to be able to tell customers that we have healthy options available. Fish and chips enjoyed in moderation, and giving people details of the calorific value, mean they can form part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

“We are proud to be the 150^th outlet to be signed up to the Healthy Options Takeaway scheme in Nottinghamshire.”

There are lots of simple steps businesses can take to make their food healthier without compromising on taste, for example:

• Offering to grill, bake, poach or steam food instead of frying
• Removing salt from tables and counters so customers don’t just add it automatically
• Switching to wholegrain pasta, brown rice or wholegrain bread
• Offering a vegetable side or salad as a part of a meal option
• Switching from double cream to single cream, yoghurt or half fat crème fraiche
• Promoting water or low sugar drinks, or
• Offering smaller portion options for adults.

The scheme forms part of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy which promotes healthy food and environments. It is part of the strategy aimed at delivering healthy and sustainable communities.

Businesses who sign up to HOT benefit from free marketing material to help promote the scheme as well.

Councillor Dr John Doddy, Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We are delighted to reach this milestone of 150 businesses signed up to Healthy Options Takeaway scheme across the county. Together with our district and borough council partners, we’re aiming to increase the amount and variety of healthier options in takeaways across Nottinghamshire to help consumers to maintain a more balanced diet.”

Councillor Sue Shaw, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and HOT Champion at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “I am really happy that the 150^th sign up to the HOT scheme is here in Bassetlaw and it’s great to see that healthy options are firmly on the menu. I’d like to commend John and his wife Susan, and all of the HOT outlets across Nottinghamshire for their approach. I hope this encourages other takeaways to sign up and think healthy.”

In order to proactively sign up, businesses need to have a food hygiene rating above 3 and want to make some changes. They need to contact their local Environmental Health Food team at their local district council.

To find a HOT approved takeaway near you visit http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/health-and-wellbeing/healthier-options-takeaways

Engineering job boost for Hucknall young man with autism

A Hucknall young man with autism has embarked on an engineering career thanks to a local business and support from Nottinghamshire County Council.

Scott Brown, 19, has been working for Miric Engineering Ltd, which produces hydraulic parts for earthmoving equipment, cranes, fork lift trucks and other uses, for the last 10 months.

He completed his college welding course last July and was looking for an apprentice position when his family found out about the Council’s i-Work service, which finds employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, autism and Asperger’s Syndrome and gives ongoing support.

His full-time engineering role in Miric’s production team involves monitoring and running machines which produce hydraulic fittings, using a forklift vehicle and assisting in its stores.

Scott said: “This role has given me a greater sense of importance and has improved my self-esteem. I find the work really engaging and I like the detailed work involving running two computer systems.

“I spent two years when I was at college trying to get an apprenticeship and I’m really grateful this company has given me a chance and is willing to invest in me.

“I love the people here and I can now afford a car which helps with my independence.”

David Yates, managing director of Miric, said: “I know how tough it can be for young people to get a job and unfortunately there are also a lot of prejudices about employing people like Scott.

“I’m delighted to invest in Scott as he is really hard working, thorough and has a great eye for detail, which means he spots production errors quickly.

“Although he sometimes needs a little more support than other workers, he’s never late, and is very respectful and well-liked by his colleagues.

“The support we have received from the Council is great and his support worker Joe is at the end of a phone if we have any problems and works closely with Scott if he struggles to grasp a task.”

Scott’s mum Karen Brown said: “This has been a whole family effort to make sure Scott is mentally ready for the world of work and we are so immensely proud of him.

“He’s truly broken down barriers and preconceived perceptions about people with autism and his job has really boosted his self-esteem.

“He often says he is proud to be supporting the British economy with his job. As his mother, I’m very grateful that Miric has seen his potential and has invested so much time and money into his training.”

The Council has so far supported 353 adults with a learning disability, autism or Asperger’s Syndrome into work and vocation-based training since the i-Work scheme was launched in 2008.

It is looking for other organisations in the county that can offer full or part-time paid work for adults with learning disabilities, Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.

It already works with a range of employers across the county including small businesses, Derbyshire Hotel, Boots, NHS Argos, Next, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

Councillor Stuart Wallace, Chair of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said: “Young people with additional needs find it more difficult to secure a job after leaving college and our i-Work project is designed to identify opportunities for them and give support to both the employee and their employer.

“There are many advantages to employing people with additional needs as research shows they are more likely to stay in one job for longer and they are often very reliable and punctual as Scott proves.”

Employers wanting to find out more should contact the Council on 0115 963 2638 or visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/jobs-and-working

Leymar Healthcare provide Homecare Services in Ashfield and 24 Hour Live in Care in the UK to vulnerable adults in their community. Please contact our office on 01623 360 193 or email us at info@ley

Vital lifeline for Notts carers looking after terminally ill loved ones

Nottinghamshire carers looking after a friend or relative with a terminal illness are being made aware of a free support service which includes emotional support and respite breaks.

The County Council is funding the Pathways Carer Support Service and offers carers looking after someone who is in the last six months of their life a range of support, including:-

• providing a listening ear, allowing carers to talk to someone about any worries and help identify copying strategies
• offering practical help with issues such as housing, financial and legal matters
• up to four hours a week respite breaks using professionally trained care workers.

The Council and health partners will be spending around £6.3m in 2018/19 supporting carers in the county, which includes short breaks, crisis support, personal budgets, and information and advice.

There are around 91,000 unpaid carers in the county according to the 2011 census, including 21,000 carers providing over 50 hours of care per week.

The largest group of carers in contact with the Council in the last year were female aged between 57 and 63, many of whom may be managing their caring role with other family or work commitments.

Glyn Owen, 87 from Worksop, is the main carer for his wife Jean, 84, who has multiple sclerosis and vascular dementia.
He receives support from the Council funded Nottinghamshire Carer’s Hub which helped him to access a personal budget for home care support, a grant for a new cooker and a cleaner once a week.

Glyn said: “I’ve been caring for Jean for thirty years but things got on top of me and I didn’t know where to turn.
“The Carer’s Hub has been marvellous and I attend their support groups with other carers and the companionship I’ve gained from this has been the best thing.

“The hub helped me fill out forms for things I’m entitled to such as a grant for a new cooker as my old one was dangerous.”

Councillor Stuart Wallace, the Council’s Chairman of Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said: “Understandably, carers looking after loved ones reaching the end of their life are often under much strain and the Pathways carer support service can be a vital lifeline during this difficult period.

“We also offer a wide range of support to other carers who play a vital role in helping people with care needs to live at home, so we encourage all carers to find out about the help that is available to them.”

Local carers can find out about the help and support available at a series of Nottinghamshire Carer’s Hub roadshows taking place until September.

The list of dates and venues are available by visitingwww.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/adult-social-care/carers/support-for-carers/roadshows

Alternatively, contact the Nottinghamshire Carers Hub on 0115 824 8824 or emailhub@carerstrustem.org

Driver training for older Derbyshire motorists

Older motorists in Derbyshire are being invited to take advantage of training sessions aimed at keeping them safer for longer behind the wheel.

Places are still available on upcoming sessions lasting 90 minutes, they cover:

eyesight
hearing
seatbelts
drink driving
hazard perception
vehicle adaptations
and driving assessments

Derbyshire’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Simon Spencer, said:

“Road safety remains a top priority for us and we are committed to investing in initiatives for all drivers, including for older motorists, to keep them safe on the roads for longer.”

Sessions are planned for:

Tuesday 26 June 2018, between 10.30am and noon, at Staveley Fire Station

Tuesday 10 July 2018, between 10.30am and noon, at Chesterfield Fire Station

Thursday 19 July 2018, between 10.30am and noon, at Bolsover Library

Tuesday 14 August 2018, between 11am and 12.30pm, at Swadlincote Adult Education Centre

Monday 3 September 2018, between 10.30am and noon, at Ashbourne Adult Education Centre

Saturday 15 September 2018, between 2pm and 3.30pm, at County Hall, Matlock

Monday 17 September 2018, between 10.30am and noon, at Chesterfield Library

To book a place email drivingsaferforlonger@derbyshire.gov.uk providing personal details, preferred training date and location or telephone 01629 538060.

Six out of ten Notts abuse reports affect older people

Almost six out of ten adult abuse reports to Nottinghamshire County Council relate to people aged over 65 according to 2017/18 figures.

There were 2,786 abuse reports relating to people aged over 65 in 2017/18, 1,575 warranted further enquiries with people by the Council, and examples of abuse include physical, sexual, financial and neglect.

The Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Adults Board carries out training with key professionals such as social workers, care home managers and police officers to help ensure they report safeguarding concerns effectively.

The district breakdown of abuse reports affecting residents aged over 65 are as follows:

District	Reports of Abuse	Leading to full enquiry
Ashfield	442	249
Bassetlaw	441	278
Broxtowe	307	164
Gedling	353	181
Mansfield	411	252
Newark and Sherwood	472	279
Rushcliffe	312	153
Out of area	48	19
Total	2,786	1,575

Councillor Stuart Wallace, Chairman of the County Council’s Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said: “We receive more reports about abuse affecting older people than any other age group and World Elder Abuse Day is shining a light on this important international issue.

“We should never tolerate any form of abuse so we encourage local people to keep an eye on older people they may know and report anything of concern to us, particularly if you believe they are being subjected to abuse or neglect.”

People who have concerns about an adult being abused should contact the County Council on 0300 500 80 80. For more information visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/abuse

95-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder of home care worker

A home care worker has died after suffering head injuries at the home of her home care client, prompting police to arrest an elderly man on suspicion of murder.

A 61-year-old woman was rushed to hospital with head injuries at 7.10am on 24 May but died the next day shortly before 11am.

The home care worker had been working in a first-floor flat in Islington, North London at the time of the incident.

Police were called to the North London flat, after a neighbour heard a scream in the early hours of the morning.

Police have arrested and bailed a 95-year-old man, who is believed to have dementia.

In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: “At this early stage, it is believed that her injuries were sustained at a residential address in Holloway where she was working as a carer. A 95 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder”

“He has been taken to hospital as a precaution due to a pre-existing condition where he will remain pending transfer to a location where his complex health and care needs can be managed.”

Police have confirmed they are not seeking any other persons in connection with the investigation.

Established in 2009, City and County Healthcare Group is one of the largest providers of community-based social care services in the UK. It is commissioned by Islington Council.

Max Wurr, senior spokesman at City and County Healthcare Group, told homecare.co.uk: “We were devastated that a member of our care team in Islington has died in hospital after paramedics were called to the home of one of our customers overnight.

“The cause of death has not yet been confirmed to us and we are assisting the police whilst their investigations are ongoing.

“Our thoughts are with the care worker’s family and friends as they deal with this tragic news.”

Anyone with information relating to this incident is requested to call police on 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

How loneliness can impact your physical health

The UK is in the midst of a loneliness epidemic.

Recent research from the Office for National Statistics has revealed a staggering 10 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds regularly feel lonely – three times the amount of Brits over 64.

Health professionals have even called for loneliness to be deemed a public health hazard as further studies have deemed it more dangerous than smoking and obesity on your health.

New research from Kings College London has looked at the detrimental effects of loneliness in young people and has found that not only can it impact your mental wellbeing, but your physical wellbeing too.

Published in Psychological Medicine, the paper “Lonely young adults in modern Britain: findings from an epidemiological cohort study” asked over 2,000 18 year olds about how lonely they feel and the impact this has on their lives.

The researchers found links between the loneliest respondents and physical health, with these participants less likely to be physically active, more likely to smoke and more likely to use technology compulsively – even favouring technology over other activities and obligations.

These respondents were also twice as likely to have anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

Studies like these are just touching the surface on the enormity of the UK’s loneliness epidemic. There’s a high chance people you know might be feeling this way, so make sure you check in with your loved ones, especially the young people in your life, to see if they need someone to talk to

What to do after a dementia diagnosis

Free guide to download – what to do after a dementia diagnosis helps you to understand clearly how to move on with life after this news…

There is no right or wrong reaction to a diagnosis of dementia. Your loved one is likely to experience a wide range of emotions.

This may vary from relief that there’s an explanation for what is happening to them to shock, fear, shame, despair, guilt, denial and anger. This will differ from one person to another. One individual may feel overwhelmed by their emotions; another face them calmly and as confirmation of what they already suspected. Still, others may undergo a crisis.
All these reactions are normal and part of the process of coming to terms with the situation and learning to cope. The diagnosis will also affect you, other family members, friends and any employer.

Free guide: What to do after a dementia diagnosis
Robin Dynes, an expert dementia author has written a guide on ‘What to do after a dementia diagnosis’. The guide includes:

– Immediately after diagnosis
– Learn about the condition
– Planning ahead
– Supporting your partner/parent/friend
– Dealing with your own emotions
– Tips to help improve communication
– Practical day-to-day tips
– Organisations and sources of useful information

We hope that you find this guide of help during this time Click here to download your FREE guide: What to do after a dementia diagnosis – https://www.carewatch.co.uk/media/10953234/carewatch-dementia-guide-what-to-do-after-a-dementia-diagnosis.pdf

Leymar Healthcare provide Homecare Services in Ashfield and 24 Hour Live in Care in the UK to vulnerable adults in their community. Please contact our office on 01623 360 193 or email us at info@leymarltd.co.uk.

Care for Carers

Being a carer requires a lot of physical and emotional energy. Here we have put together some coping techniques…

Working in care requires a lot of physical and emotional energy, not to mention unwavering patience and compassion. As rewarding as it is, care work can be incredibly draining and at times quite stressful. Like anyone else, carers need enough rest and recovery to be able to do their job well – physically, mentally and emotionally. Here are a few simple tools to aid carers in maintaining their own health and wellbeing, both at home and on the job.

Deep Breathing
Controlled breathing has been used to relieve stress and anxiety, and to encourage relaxation and clarity, for thousands of years. Just the simple act of bringing awareness to your breath can instantly calm and reassure. There are many different breathing techniques but generally speaking, the deeper and slower the breath, the more relaxed you will feel. Try counting in and out, gradually increasing the length of breath. This can prove particularly useful in stressful situations, or before going to bed.

Eating Properly
In order to function properly, our bodies and minds need to be fed, watered and rested. This can sometimes be a struggle for shift workers whose routines are inconsistent, and mealtimes and sleep disrupted. But neglecting our most basic needs can result in stress, exhaustion and poor health.

Drinking plenty of water and eating the right foods will go a long way to giving the body what it needs to keep going. Slow release energy foods are ideal for physically demanding jobs with infrequent breaks. Try to stay away from refined sugar hits and too much caffeine. As tempting as they are, their ups are short-lived and not good for your body, and you find yourself needing more and more.

Sleeping Properly
While many of us are not able to get a solid 8 hours of sleep each night, there are plenty of ways to improve the quality of the sleep you do get. If you are feeling at all stressed or anxious then sleep may not come too easily. Try to wind down before going to bed so you are not lying awake with a busy mind.

Warm baths are a great means of relaxation, as is listening to music and deep breathing. If you are working night shifts then use blackouts or an eye mask to allow you to sleep in darkness during the day.

Exercise
Exercising your body, outside of work, has many benefits. Exercise is a proven stress reliever and will improve all aspects of the body’s functioning – including sleep and vitality. It also comes in many forms, be it group classes or solo workouts, indoors or outdoors. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it is something you enjoy and not just an extra stress. Swimming and yoga are ideal for the evening so you can stretch your muscles and calm your nervous system.

Leisure Time
We all deserve some time out from our work and carers often end up neglecting themselves in favour of others. When your shift is over, try not to take all the stresses and worries of work home with you. This is your time now, so use it wisely. You will no doubt have your own list of jobs to do, but make sure that you are able to take a moment for yourself – even just sitting with a cup of tea for 10 minutes, before doing any chores. Get changed out of your uniform as soon as you are home too. This will help to separate work from leisure.

Support
When it all gets too much, it is important that you seek help and advice instead of going it alone. There are many support systems available to all carers, both professional and voluntary. If your health and wellbeing is suffering, talk to your GP. Friends and family may not always be able to understand your work, which is why there are various groups that enable carers to get together.

Breakthrough; A Migraine Drug that works – Trial Finds

A new migraine treatment, the first for 20 years, could halve the number of debilitating attacks suffered by patients who have exhausted all other treatments.

Last year a major clinical trial showed weekly injections of the drug, Erenumab, resulted in sufferers having three to four fewer “migraine days” per month.

The latest study looked at patients who were the most difficult to treat and have tried as many as four different types of preventative treatments to control their attacks.

Participants had nine migraines a month, on average, but after receiving the drug more than a third saw this number fall by half.

The drug works by targeting and blocking a pain-signalling molecule in the brain called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

The success of Erenumab, one of the first therapies designed to tackle migraines rather than being repurposed from an existing treatment, could be a lifeline for the 8.5 million migraine sufferers in the UK in future.

An estimated 200,000 people a day experience the neurological attacks, which can cause blinding headaches, nausea and even visual hallucinations, and cost the UK economy £2bn a year through absences.

“The people we included in our study were considered more difficult to treat, meaning that up to four other preventative treatments hadn’t worked for them,” said the trial leader Dr Uwe Reuter, from Charite-University Medicine Berlin in Germany.

“Our study found that erenumab reduced the average number of monthly migraine headaches by more than 50 per cent for nearly a third of study participants.

“That reduction in migraine headache frequency can greatly improve a person’s quality of life.”

Episodic migraine sufferers can experience as many as 14 attacks a month lasting from four hours to three days.

For the Phase III trial, 246 migraine sufferers were given injections of Erenumab or a dummy placebo drug once a month for three months.

Of the participants, 39 per cent had been treated unsuccessfully with two other medications, 38 per cent with three medications and 23 per cent with four medications.

The findings, presented on Tuesday at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting 2018, were only from a three month trial but add to evidence that the drug can help patients without other options.

This could help make the case for it one day being funded on the NHS, however erenumab, marketed by the global drug company Novartis under the brand name Aimovig, is not yet licensed for use in the UK.

Dr Mark Toms, chief scientific officer at Novartis UK, said: “There has been no real advancement in migraine treatment for the past 20 years and we’re proud to be breaking new ground in neurology for the millions of people in the UK living with the painful and disruptive symptoms of migraine.

“Whilst these data further reinforce Erenumab’s efficacy and safety profile it also highlights the clear unmet need that exists for targeted migraine prophylactic treatment and we are committed to working closely with the relevant regulatory bodies to make Erenumab available to those that need it as soon as possible.”