October 29, 2009
Care News
The Department of Health has urged councils to save cash through reduced care home use. Cutting spending on residential care has been cited by the Department as key to councils making best use of resources in adult social care.
Councils have to come up with ideas to generate £250m in efficiency savings, the amount required to fulfil the government's pledge to introduce free personal care at home for people with critical care needs next year.
Greater use of telecare and innovative products are to be encouraged and already such ideas are reaping dividends. Examples that are either emerging or already in place are:
- Robopets that offer companionship whilst doubling up as fire, gas and flood alarms and as intruder detectors
- Clever coffee tables that can dispense medicines and give computerised reminders to people
- Kitchen worktop and fridge screens that monitor the larder contents, suggest recipes and produce automatic shopping lists
- Talking walking frames that remind people where they are going
- Worn exo-skeleton suits which help infirm people move around and climb stairs
- Smart beds that can help people to turn over and to get up, whilst alerting carers if they are unwell or need help
- Set-top boxes that can allow people to consult nurses, doctors, social workers or friends and relatives using 3-D video technology, surround-sound and virtual presence.
Research carried out by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in conjunction with Crossroads Care has revealed that £40m of the £50m allocated by the government for carers support is failing to reach the carers.
80% of the money given to Primary Care Trusts has not been used as was intended i.e. to increase support for carers.
The Sunday Mirror reports that care homes are struggling to survive as "tens of thousands of foreign workers quit recession-hit Britain".
The article predicts the exodus could mean "soaring fees" for the elderly and leave homes facing the threat of closure. Council leaders are set to warn in a report this week that care homes and the farming industry will be the hardest hit by the huge number of migrant workers, mostly from Eastern European countries such as Poland, heading home.
In-House News
Prospective clients have been visited in Surrey, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Essex.MH training has taken place in the office in Norfolk.
Susan Charles (Recruitment) has attended workshops on: Supporting Social Care Providers in the Eastern Region, Common Induction Standards, Recruitment and Selection of Staff and Providing Effective Supervision.
Care reviews have taken place in London and Lincolnshire.
The number of subscribers to this Newsflash increased by 4 last week.
Interesting Information / Statistics
Question of the Week"I have been told that if you have poor mobility and wish to fly to a holiday destination that there is a central body that you register with to ensure that you have any help that you may need, such as seating that is suitable, help to get on the plane, etc. Where can I find this organisation please?"
Answer : I think you mean the service titled Passenger with Reduced Mobility Team, which is a team of agents responsible for boarding and seating air passengers with special needs. The PRM team is situated at airports and paid for by the airlines. You therefore need to contact the team at the airport you are flying from. The services are mainly provided by a private company called OCS and they say on their website:
"Our teams at each airport receive regular and advanced training in all aspects of customer care to ensure that this key group of passengers receive the highest levels of service. In doing so we help ensure airports and airlines meet their commitment to disability codes of practice and government legislation in this area."
Only 10% of people are left-handed.
A humans heart weighs 12-14 oz. The heart of a horse weighs about 10lb.
Humans have more facial muscles than any other animal on earth – 22 on each side of the face.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this and "see you next week".
Best Wishes,
Angela Gifford, Proprietor
Able Community Care.
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Able Community Care
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