What are the symptoms?

The word dementia describes a group of symptoms that may include memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become bad enough to affect daily life.

Dementia isn’t a natural part of ageing. It occurs when the brain is affected by a disease.

There are many known causes of dementia – probably more than 100. The most common types are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular. Some people have a combination of these, known as mixed dementia.

• It is predicted there will be around 850,000 people in the UK with the disease in 2018.
• The chance of developing  the disease increases significantly with age. One in 14 people over 65 years of age, and one in six people over 80, have it. It is more common among women than men.
• More than 40,000 younger people (under the age of 65) in the UK have the disease. This is called early-onset or young-onset dementia.

• Dementia is an umbrella term. It describes the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by certain diseases or conditions. There are many different types, although some are far more common than others. They are often named according to the condition that has caused the disease. Some of the more common types are outlined below.

Alzheimer’s disease

• This is the most common cause. During the course of the disease, the chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of brain cells.
• Factsheet: What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Vascular dementia

• If the oxygen supply to the brain fails, brain cells may die. The symptoms of vascular dementia can occur either suddenly, following a stroke, or over time, through a series of small strokes.
• Factsheet: What is vascular dementia?

Dementia with Lewy bodies

• This form of the disease gets its name from tiny spherical structures that develop inside nerve cells. Their presence in the brain leads to the degeneration of brain tissue.
• Factsheet: What is dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)?

Fronto-temporal dementia

• In fronto-temporal dementia, damage is usually focused in the front part of the brain. Personality and behaviour are initially more affected than memory.
• Factsheet: What is fronto-temporal dementia (including Pick’s disease)?

Rarer causes of dementia

• There are many other rarer causes, including progressive supranuclear palsy and Binswanger’s disease. People with multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease can also be at an increased risk of developing the disease.
• Factsheet: Rarer causes of dementia

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

• Prions are infectious agents that attack the central nervous system and then invade the brain, causing dementia. The best-known prion disease is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or CJD.
• Factsheet: Rarer causes of dementia

Korsakoff’s syndrome

• Korsakoff’s syndrome is a brain disorder that is usually associated with heavy drinking over a long period. Although it is not strictly speaking a type of the disease, people with the condition experience loss of short term memory.
• Factsheet: What is Korsakoff’s syndrome?

HIV-related cognitive impairment

• People with HIV and AIDS sometimes develop cognitive impairment, particularly in the later stages of their illness.
• Factsheet: What is HIV-related cognitive impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a relatively recent term, used to describe people who have some problems with their memory but do not actually have  the disease.
• Factsheet: Mild cognitive impairment

Not sure about something?

You may have a question and can’t find the answer here – don’t wait – phone us now on 01279 434444 for an instant answer. Alternatively, use our contact page at your leisure.

The article The Alzheimer’s Society’s Guide To Dementia appeared first on Violet Care.

However, if you employ a personal assistant, you will then have the legal responsibility of an employer. This will include arranging cover for their illness and holidays.

If you employ a live in carer privately, you will not be obliged to use the DBS scheme, but you can use it if you choose to. You need to ask social services or the police to make the checks on your behalf. The care worker must have already applied to be vetted, and must consent to the check.

If you have concerns about the suitability of someone you employ privately to work with a vulnerable adult or child, you can ask social services to investigate the matter. They can refer the worker to the ISA on your behalf.

GOV.UK has more information on becoming an employer, whilst Which? Elderly Care also has advice on employing private individuals.

Homecare from charities

Charities such as Age UK and Carers Trust can provide home help and live in carer services. The Carers Trust supports carers by giving them a break from their caring responsibilities through homecare services.

Marie Curie Nurses can provide practical and emotional support for people near the end of their lives in their own homes.

Violet Care’s top tips

Becoming an employer of a live in carer can be a successful arrangement, but as an employer there are certain legal obligations that must be complied with:

• Insurance, both Employers Liability Insurance and Public Liability Insurance, will need to be taken out.
• You must have a written job description and a contract of employment for your live in carer.
• References should always be obtained and checked upon receipt.
• Have a back-up plan for your live-in worker who is familiar with your care needs in case of absence for sickness.
• It is likely that you will need to deduct tax and National Insurance contributions and forward them to HM Revenue and Customs.
• You must pay the Minimum Wage Rate and be aware of the maximum number of hours per week that your worker may work. Rest breaks must be given and hours of work agreed.
• Holiday pay is a legal obligation and it is likely that you will be responsible for sick pay. Employers must also contribute to pensions by 2016.
• Information about disciplinary and grievance procedures must be given.
• Training should be given in your own needs as well as Health and safety.

The alternative to employing your own live in carer

At Violet Care Agency LTD, we can help you to find the right live in carer to suit you and your care needs. We have a team of carers managed by a highly experienced live in carer manager. Our live in carers are vetted, trained and supported weekly whilst on placement. See our services page to choose your package.

Call our office for further information and advice 01279 434444.

The article Employing A Live In Carer appeared first on Violet Care.

As medical technology and intervention evolves, more patients are faced with temporary and long-term tracheotomy/ventilation as a part of recovery. A tracheotomy is where an incision is made to a person’s windpipe in order to help them breathe. A tracheotomy is usually done for one of three reasons: to bypass an obstructed upper airway; to clean and remove secretions from the airway; to more easily, and usually more safely, deliver oxygen to the lungs.

Conditions that can lead to respiratory failure and the need for a tracheostomy include:

• being unconscious or in a coma as a result of a severe head injury or stroke
• paralysis (an inability to move one or more muscles) after a serious spinal cord injury
• a condition that damages the lungs, such as pneumonia or cystic fibrosis
• a condition that damages the nervous system, such as motor neurone disease or Guillain-Barré syndrome

If a service user has a trachestomy tube, a carer will be required to understand the basic functionality of the device and may be required to assist service users to manage the tube, especially during swallowing and oral communication.

While the respiratory therapist sets up the ventilator and usually makes major changes as per the doctor’s orders, there are basic principles that apply to all ventilators that every carer should be familiar with when working with any ventilator.

Required skills for carers who look after ventilator dependant service users include:

• understanding the illness which causes the patient to require a ventilator;
• interpretation of the basic principles of blood gases in relation to ventilator settings;
• knowing and demonstrating the appropriate times to notify a doctor in regards to the status of a patient;
• knowing the signs, symptoms and treatment of a pneumothorax;
• demonstrating how to check breath sounds and observe for dislocation of the tracheostomy tube;
• demonstrating how to change a tracheostomy tube;
• demonstrating how to use an ambu bag;
• demonstrating proper suctioning techniques;
• knowing the reasons for weaning appropriately and how to wean, as well as the need for increasing ventilator settings;
• being familiar with the ventilator, its tubings, heater and various alarms;
• being familiar with the humidification systems;
• demonstrating how to troubleshoot some ventilator problems;
• demonstrating basic care such as bathing, turning, positioning, ambulation and current procedural terminology when the patient is on a ventilator; and
• knowing and demonstrating basic life support for healthcare providers.

Understanding the proper functioning and the adverse effects that can occur to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems (such as respiratory acidosis, hypoxemia, and pulmonary hypertension), are just a few examples of the knowledge nurses should have.

It also is important to be aware of potential complications of mechanical ventilation. In short these include, but are not limited to; the development of acidosis, blocked airways, bronchospasm, infections, damage to tracheal tissues and oxygen toxicity.

Ventilator Weaning

There are several ways in which patients can be weaned off a ventilator. To begin the process, a patient might go from the assist-control setting to a synchronized intermittent mandatory- ventilation setting. The breathing effort can be more negative to exercise the respiratory muscles and the diaphragm to generate negative pressure in the chest and lungs to draw fresh air into the lungs. The breath rate can also be gradually decreased and PEEP can be gradually reduced to zero. A trial of CPAP might also be given. Some doctors will also order increasing times off the ventilator once the settings are low, such as 5 minutes off the ventilator, 5 minutes on, and gradually increase the time off as tolerated by the patient.

The goal in caring for patients at home is to assist them in participating in the most normal life as possible and fulfilling their goals for the best quality of life they can attain.

For more information about ventilator dependency, we recommend looking at The NHS’ guide to Tracheostomy.

Not sure about something?

You may have a question and can’t find the answer here – don’t wait – phone us now on 01279 434444 for an instant answer. Alternatively we are very happy to take enquiries on our contact page.

The article Ventilator Dependency appeared first on Violet Care.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney enables someone else to manage your affairs on your behalf when you are no longer able to or no longer want to.

The variety of Power of Attorney include:

• Property and Financial Affairs Power of Attorney
• Heath & Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
• Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)
• Ordinary Power of Attorney (OPA)

An LPA is a legal document which allows you to choose someone to make decisions for you when you no longer want to or are no longer able to. LPA replaced the previous system of Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) in 2007, and gives your representative the right to manage your affairs and make decisions on your behalf. There are two types of LPA – one for Property and Financial Affairs and for Health and Welfare.

Property and Financial Affairs Power of Attorney

A Property and Financial Affairs LPA enables you to give an attorney the power to make any decisions as if they were you (acting in your best interests of course).

The LPA needs to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) in England and Wales before the person can act on your behalf.

Health and Welfare Lasting Power or Attorney

A Health and Welfare LPA enables someone of your choice to make decision about some or all of your health and welfare matters. Your appointed attorney(s) will only be able to make decisions after the LPA is registered with the OPG.

Enduring Power of Attorney

Although LPA replaced Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) in 2007, EPAs that were made before 1 October 2007 can still be used. EPAs must be registered with the OPG (Office of the Public Guardian) if the donor is losing mental capacity. EPA only covers property and finances.

Ordinary Power of Attorney

Another type of PoA is known as Ordinary Power of Attorney which only covers property and finances and ceases if the donor loses mental capacity. Ordinary PoA never needs to be registered with any authorities.

When to set up an Lasting Power of Attorney

Anyone aged 18 or over can make an LPA appointing one or more attorneys to act on their behalf. It is important to make the LPA while you are still capable of making decisions about who to appoint as your attorneys and what powers you want to give them. The LPA cannot be used until it is registered with the OPG, which you can do at any point after it has been made. Even after it has been registered, your attorneys will have to act within any restrictions or conditions you have set out in the LPA form.

For more information on this subject, we recommend reading the Citizen’s Advice guide to POA, which can be found here.

Not sure about something?

You may have a question and can’t find the answer here – don’t wait – phone us now on 01279 434444 for an instant answer. Alternatively we are very happy to take enquiries via e-mail office@violet.care. See our contact page for more.

The article Power Of Attorney appeared first on Violet Care.

What is respite care?

Respite care comes in different forms. It may be wise to discuss with a professional (e.g. social worker) what the best option is for your situation. We are also happy to provide you with free information about what may be available in your area if you are unable to look this up yourselves.

• day centres
• care at home
• a short stay in a care home
• Shared Lives
• holidays or short breaks
• carers’ emergency replacement care schemes.

When considering respite care, it’s important to think about the type of care the service user needs. Full-time nursing care is expensive and may not always be necessary. When arranging care with a homecare agency or care home, a care plan should be written that meets the individual needs of the service user. Similarly, if the service user has a needs assessment, this should help identify their care needs.

Respite care for children and young people

Respite care allows disabled children and young people to participate in and enjoy a diverse range of activities and their families to have a rest from their routine caring responsibilities.

Violet Care Agency supports children and young people with various disabilities, including those with moving and handling needs, with very severe, complex and/or challenging needs who may or may not have medical or nursing needs, disabled children on the autistic spectrum with additional impairments and older disabled children.

How is replacement care provided?

It is the local authority’s responsibility to help carers take breaks. The service user and their carers have a needs assessment which helps social services to identify what a person’s care needs are. If the criteria is met, it can be discussed with the local authority about how you want the needs to be met. A needs/carer assessment is available to anyone in England who appears to have support needs and can be requested by themselves or a professional like a GP or hospital consultant.

Contact your local authority here.

Some service users and carers may want to arrange and pay for replacement care outside of any arrangements awarded by the local authority. If someone chooses to do this, it is their responsibility to find and arrange the replacement care either with an individual, a care agency or a care home.

Types of replacement care

Care at home

Replacement care can be provided in the home of the service user. Many people may prefer this because they can stay in a familiar environment and maintain daily routines. Replacement care at home can involve a personal assistant, support worker or paid carer visiting the home. They may do any of the following:

• come in during the day to give the carer a break, with the carer using the time to do something they want to do (eg go to the shops, visit friends or pursue education or a hobby)
• spend time with the person and engage them in social activities both inside and outside of the home
• come in to the home to care for the person during the night to give the carer a chance to sleep
• stay with the person or make regular visits over a certain period of time so that the carer can go on holiday or have an extended break away from the home.

Replacement care at home can be arranged through the local authority, or privately, directly with a homecare agency. A carer from a homecare agency may be able to provide replacement care for a few hours a day, regular visits (eg three times a day) or 24-hour support for the person at home, depending on their needs. Some care agencies (like Violet Care) specialise in providing 24-hour live-in care. This is usually more expensive than a place in a care home. If the local authority is funding replacement care there may be a limit on what they will fund. If they can meet the person’s needs in a cheaper way, for example in a care home, then they will do so. However, these decisions cannot be based on cost alone and the local authority must discuss the arrangements with the person and their carer.

Another option is to employ a personal assistant to provide care. If the carer or service user is receiving a direct payment, they may want to use this to employ a personal assistant directly.

Friends and family

If the service user wants to stay at home, family and friends may be able to spend some time with the person to give the main carer a break. Alternatively, family and friends could have the service user stay with them, if the carer wants to have a break at home.

The service user and their carer may be more comfortable with this arrangement because the person will be spending time with someone familiar. Relatives may also be more familiar with the person’s routine and preferences.

However, family members and friends may not be able or willing to take on this responsibility. It can help to talk to them and try to find solutions that work for everyone.

Care away from home

Day centres

Day centres can provide a range of support for a service user, including activities and social interaction. It may take the service user a while to adjust to attending a day centre, and initially they may need support and encouragement to go. Some carers find accompanying the person for the first few visits helps. It’s important for staff at the day centre to get to know the person and treat them as an individual. This will mean they can help the person settle in and make sure that activities meet their needs.

Holidays and short breaks

Replacement care can also take the form of a short break or a holiday. Some organisations provide specialist package holidays for service users and their carers. They include support with caring tasks, and facilities that are accessible and disability friendly. This means the carer can have a break from their caring role and focus on spending quality time with the person they care for. Taking a holiday together may require a lot of planning. It’s important that arrangements are made with the provider in advance, if possible, so that the service user and their carer both know what to expect. The service user may need extra support when coping with the new environment or changes to their routine.

Care homes

The service user can stay in a care home for replacement care. There are different types of care home, providing different levels of care in addition to accommodation.

• Some care homes provide assistance with personal care (eg washing and bathing). These are often referred to as residential care homes.
• Some care homes provide nursing care as well as personal care. They provide care with a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day. These are often known as nursing homes.
• Some care homes are registered as dementia care homes. These specialise in caring for and supporting service users.

Some care homes have beds set aside for people requiring replacement care. However, it can be difficult to get replacement care in a care home when it is wanted or needed because it depends on a room being available. If possible it can help to plan ahead for when replacement care will be needed.

Other options

Shared Lives

Shared Lives is an alternative to homecare and care home arrangements. It is a national scheme where the service user can spend time in the home of another carer and give their own carer a break. Availability may depend on the local area. The local authority or local Shared Lives organisation can provide more information.

Carers’ emergency replacement care scheme

Some local authorities or carers’ organisations will provide replacement care to the service user in an emergency (usually between 48 and 72 hours depending on the situation). The local authority or local carers’ centre can provide more information and say what is available in a certain area.

How is replacement care funded?

Replacement care services can sometimes be provided free but are usually means-tested. The Care Act 2014 means that replacement care is now recognised as a service to the service user, who may have to pay, and that the carer should not be charged. However, if the service user has a needs assessment but is found not to have eligible support needs, the carer can be asked to pay for replacement care, subject to a financial assessment that the local authority will carry out.

There are a range of options that may be appropriate when it comes to funding replacement care.

Some replacement care services may be provided free of charge by the local authority. Many are means-tested, which means the service user may have to contribute towards the cost. The local authority will calculate the cost of the services to be provided and then financially assess the person, to see how much the person should contribute to the cost of these services.

If a service user is funding the replacement care themselves, they should contact the organisation providing the replacement care directly to ask about availability and to sort out the financial arrangements. It is important to gain a thorough understanding of what is included in any contract to provide care and support. This will help to avoid misunderstandings or unexpected costs.

Funding arrangements

Care homes

The local authority can charge the service user for short-term stays in care homes (under eight weeks) in one of two ways. They can assess the amount they should pay based on their income and capital and according to national rules. Alternatively, they can charge what they think is a ‘reasonable’ amount, although this should take account of individual circumstances and leave the person with enough money to run their household. There are national rules about how much the person should be left to live on. A financial assessment may be carried out to establish how much the person should pay.

Care in the community

If care is provided in the person’s own home, the local authority can ask the service user to pay a ‘reasonable’ amount toward the cost. As with temporary replacement stays in care homes, the person must be left with enough money to run their home and to live.

Vouchers

Instead of organising services directly, some local authorities may give people vouchers that can be used with local services. For more information contact the local authority or local carers centre.

Direct payments

After a needs assessment, the amount of money identified as being necessary to meet the person’s needs is called a personal budget. A service user may decide to receive their personal budget allocation in the form of a direct payment. A direct payment is paid directly to the person, to pay for their care and support. They aim to give people greater flexibility and choice over how their needs are met. They can be used in a number of ways, such as employing a personal assistant, taking a break with a carer, or replacement care in a care home for up to four weeks in any 12-month period. However, the direct payment can only be spent as agreed in the person’s support plan and it will be agreed in advance how it will be used to meet their needs.

Carers may also be entitled to a direct payment depending on their need for support. Again, it must be used to meet the needs and achieve the goals identified in their support plan. A carer may hire a paid carer from an agency, for example to help with shopping trips, or they may use the direct payment to pay for a supported holiday or for education. The local authority can give information on personal budgets and eligibility.

Other funding

A person may be able to get help with the cost of funding replacement care or taking a break from a charity, grant-making trust or benevolent fund. Ex-service organisations, as well as those that support retired people in a particular type of work, may also help. The local carers centre or Alzheimer’s Society can advise on what is available locally.

There may also be national organisations that can help.

Carer’s allowance

For someone receiving Carer’s allowance, their entitlement continues for a period of up to 12 weeks inside a 26-week time span, or until Disability living allowance (DLA), Personal independence payment (PIP) or Attendance allowance entitlement for the person they care for, stops. Consequently, a short period of replacement care, within these limits, should not affect their entitlement to Carer’s allowance.

Giving information to replacement care providers

It is helpful for carers to give information to those providing replacement care. This can support them while they care for the service user. It may help to use a tool such as The Violet care all about me manual, which service users and their carers can use to tell staff about their needs, preferences, likes, dislikes and interests.

It will be helpful to write things down for the carers, including information on:

• what the service user likes and dislikes; this could range from food preferences to a favourite jumper
• details of their routine: what time they get up, what time they like to eat, any activities they enjoy doing throughout the day
• specific ways to support the person if they become upset or distressed
• any medicines they need to take
• any sensory or physical difficulties they may have
• dietary, religious and cultural needs
• any hobbies and interests the person has
• if the person is being looked after at home, details about the running of the home, eg which key locks which door, how the washing machine works, which day the bins are collected
• important phone numbers, eg the person’s GP
• emergency contact details, eg the carer or another family member or friend.

Replacement care: tips for carers

If you care for a service user and are thinking of arranging replacement care for them, there are some things it can help to do and think about.

• Plan ahead – New environments can be challenging for a service user. It can help to set up a regular replacement care routine, to help both you and the person adjust. Some people find it helpful to use replacement care in the early stages of a progressive condition, or before they feel it is needed, rather than at the later stages or if a crisis or emergency situation arises. This can give you a feel for replacement care, as well as a chance to try different types.
• Consider short breaks or short visits to start with – This will mean you, the person and those providing replacement care can get to know each other. It may help to build confidence before a longer visit.
• Arrange a needs assessment – If both you and the person have an assessment of your needs, it will help you both to know what you need and the options you have.
• Talk about replacement care – Some people find openly talking about replacement care helpful. It will give both you and the service user a chance to discuss your options and your feelings. You know the person best, so will know the best way to talk to them.
• Talk to paid carers – It’s important for a paid carer to get to know the person and what works for them. Talking to them about their needs and their routine can help. For care at home, it can help for the person and the new carer to spend time together (possibly with you to start with) so they get to know each other and build a relationship before the replacement care starts.
• Visit the care home or day centre – Ask carers about their training and experience, and what care and support they can provide. The quality of care the person will receive is important. You may feel more confident with the replacement care arrangement if you know what training and skills the staff have.
• Talk to others – Talking to other carers about your feelings can help. They may be able to give tips and suggestions. However, it’s important to remember what works for one person may not work for another. You may also want to talk to a professional (eg support worker) about how you’re feeling.
• Focus on the benefits – You may be worried that a replacement care arrangement won’t provide the same level of care as you can, or that the person will become unsettled. It is natural to be concerned, but try to focus on how the break will support you in your caring role.
• Keep trying – Replacement care is an adjustment for everyone. If something doesn’t work or doesn’t go to plan, try not to give up. Another type of replacement care or another location may be more successful. You may need to try different options to find what works best for you and the person.

Adapting to replacement care

When carers and service users access replacement care they may experience difficulties. The carer may also have some worries, for example about how the person is settling in, whether they are being well cared for, or if their routine is being disrupted.

The carer should find out if there are certain things worrying the person. If they know what they’re worried about they will be better able to support and reassure them. It may also mean carers can look at ways to address the worry. For example, if the person is concerned about being in an unfamiliar environment, the carer could ensure they take a few favourite items and some photographs with them. Following some of the tips mentioned earlier in this factsheet might help to address some concerns. Experiencing difficulties is not unusual, and it is normal for a carer to be nervous about the experience. However, these feelings shouldn’t discourage them from taking a break.

Caring for a service user is a complex and challenging job. There are positive and negative aspects, and each carer will cope with their situation in different ways.

Taking a break is not always an easy decision to make, and carers may feel worried or guilty. They may feel that replacement care will create more stress and that the quality of the care will not be up to their standards. It’s important to know that having a break will do both the service user and the carer good in the long term. It may ultimately mean that the carer can carry on caring for longer.

Other useful organisations

Care Quality Commission

CQC National Customer Service Centre
Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PA

T 0300 061 6161
E enquiries@cqc.org.uk
W www.cqc.org.uk

Regulates, inspects and reviews all adult social care services in the public, private and voluntary sectors in England.

Carers UK

20 Great Dover Street
London SE1 4LX

T 0808 808 7777
E adviceline@carersuk.org
W www.carersuk.org

Provides information and advice about caring, alongside practical and emotional support for carers.

Carers Trust

32-36 Loman Street
London SE1 0EH

T 0844 800 4361
E info@carers.org
W www.carers.org

Works to improve support services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.

Shared Lives

G04 The Cotton Exchange
Old Hall Street
Liverpool L3 9JR

T 0151 227 3499
W www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk

UK network for family-based and small-scale ways of supporting adults through Shared Lives carers.

Turn2us

T 0808 802 2000 (helpline, 9am-8pm weekdays)
E info@turn2us.org.uk
W www.turn2us.org.uk

Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help.

They also provide information on grants that may be able to support people to access help and support.

Interested in this service?

You may have a question and can’t find the answer here – don’t wait – phone us now on 01279 434444 for an instant answer. Alternatively, contact us.

The article Full Guide To Respite Care appeared first on Violet Care.

How do you identify whether someone is having a stroke?

The most common signs of stroke are:

• Numbness. This may be felt in the face, arm, leg or possibly around the mouth. Most commonly the weakness occurs on one side of the body.
• Speech problems. Speech may be slurred, and the affected individual may be unable to speak at all.
• Confusion. You may become confused and have trouble understanding what people are saying to you.
• Vision problems.  Double vision may be experienced or difficulty to see out of one eye or both eyes.
• Dizziness. Feeling dizzy and difficultly with coordination and balance may be experienced.
• Head pain.  A severe headache may suddenly come and possible vomiting.

The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the…

FAST: Face-Arms-Speech-Time.

• Face – Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms – Can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech – Is their speech slurred?
• Time – Time to call 999 for emergency help if you see any single one of these signs.

Violet Care provides Violet High Dependency carers, who have a depth of experience caring for those who have suffered a stroke; we understand the right support that is needed, and ensure it is tailored to the client’s needs.

For more information, we recommend looking at The Stroke Association’s website.

The article Stroke appeared first on Violet Care.

The most common symptoms of Parkinson’s are:

• Tremor (shaking)
• Slowness of movement
• Rigidity (stiffness)
• Bladder and bowel problems
• Eye problems
• Falls and dizziness
• Freezing
• Pain
• Restless legs syndrome
• Skin, scalp and sweating problems
• Problems with sleep
• Speech and communication problems
• Problems with swallowing

The symptoms of Parkinson’s can be treated with medication, however there is no cure.

Violet Care provides Violet High Dependency Carers, who have a depth of experience caring for those with Parkinson’s; we understand the right support that is needed, and ensure it is tailored to the client’s needs.

For more information on this condition we recommend visiting https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/ 

The article Parkinson’s Disease – What Is It? appeared first on Violet Care.

Please contact us if you have any others you’d like us to include.

Age UK

0800 107 8977 – UK
0845 125 9732 – Scotland
029 2043 1555 – Wales
028 9024 5729 – Northern Ireland
Email: contact@ageuk.org.uk

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Social Care Institute for Excellence

Telephone: 020 7089 6840
E-mail: info@scie.org.uk

http://www.scie.org.uk/

General Social Care Code of Practice

Telephone: 0845 070 0630

http://www.gscc.org.uk/

Department for Work and Pensions

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/

Direct Gov

http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Citizens Advice Bureau

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

RNIB – Royal National Institute of Blind People

Tel: 0303 123 9999
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

http://www.rnib.org.uk/

Department for Education

Telephone: 0370 000 2288
Fax: 0161 600 1332

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education

Alzheimer’s Society

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7423 3500
Email: enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

UKHCA

Telephone: 020 8288 5291
E-mail: helpline@ukhca.co.uk

http://www.ukhca.co.uk/

The article Helpful Links appeared first on Violet Care.

Whether for fun, travel or accommodation there are many apps that can make our carer’s lives just a little bit easier.

Here’s our list of the top apps for our live-in carers:

If I’ve missed out your favourite ‘must have’ app, then visit our Violet Care Facebook page or log on to Violet Care Connect an­­d share it with our other carers.

			Journey Pro ( iOs: £1.99 Android: £1.73 ) As a live-in carer, travelling around the UK is part of the job. You could load up your phone with 10 different apps but that makes planning a journey frustrating and time-consuming. Journey Pro is a great app (free version available with ads: iOs Android) which has everything you need to plan a journey anywhere in the country. Particularly good for navigating the London Underground, it provides up-to-the-minute journey options. It also provides maps and journey planning across the entire national rail system, as well as allowing searches by bus route, or giving you the quickest option postcode-to-postcode. It’s the kind of app, that, once you have it, you’ll wonder what you did without it.
			AroundMe ( iOs: £free Android: £free ) Your clients can be anywhere in the UK so you’ll want to know where everything is! AroundMe identifies your GPS position and will help you discover the nearest bank, bar, petrol station station, hospital, hotel, movie theatre, restaurant, supermarket, theatre and taxi.
			National Trust ( iOs: £free Android: £free ) Discover the beauty of Britain’s countryside from the comfort of your phone, highlighting many of the must-see places. From coastlines to countryside and everything in-between. You can search by postcode or location and browse the interactive “favourites” list with hi-res images.
			Touchnote ( iOs: £free Android: £free ) A great app that turns you photos into postcards. Let evryone back home see where you’ve been. Cost starts at £1.99 to the UK  including postage. You can even GPS tag it and use a photo of yourself as the stamp!
		Angry Birds ( iOs: £free Android: £free ) Or any of the multitude of free, casual games. For when you just need to escape for a few minutes!
		Skype: ( iOs: £free Android: £free ) When a postcard just isn’t enough, stay in touch with Skype. With free messaging, voice or video calls to other Skype users and international voice calls to non-skype users much cheaper than normal mobile costs.
		OverDrive – Library eBooks and Audiobooks ( iOs: £free Android: £free ) With all the travelling you do, actual books can be very weighty. In addition to iBooks, Kindle, etc. you can borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video from the library using OverDrive.  A valid account with a participating library is required.
		The Photo Cookbook ( iOs: £2.49 Android: Not yet available ) Whether cooking for yourself or a client this is like a private cooking course in your own kitchen. Beautiful photography illustrates every step, clearly explained without any jargon or difficult technical terms. What you see in the photograph is what you should expect to see in front of you. Reassuring for those new to the delights of British food!
	St John Ambulance First Aid ( iOs: £free Android: £free ) This app includes the latest first aid advice and protocols for dealing with emergency situations. It is simple to follow with illustrated guides and voiced instructions. It doesn’t replace the benefits of our specifically-designed first aid course, but  it will help you to know what to do in situations when basic knowledge of first aid can make the difference.
	Relax Melodies ( iOs: £free Android: £free ) You’ve worked hard all day and now you deserve a good night’s sleep. This is a very popular sleep aid app. Drift off to any of this app’s 50 sounds. Perfect for just relaxation and de-stressing too. Just remember to wake up!

The article Helpful Apps appeared first on Violet Care.

Avoiding Scams – There are many ways that you can protect yourself from cold calls.

• You can contact your phone provider and they should be able to inform you of what privacy and even call blocking services they have available. Be aware though that these services are not always free of charge.

• You can register with the Telephone Preference Service. This is a free service and they allow you to opt out of unsolicited live telesales calls.

• Never give any financial information out on the telephone. Your bank or building society would never ask for you to provide these details.

• Your local mobile phone shop would also be able to provide you with some information on the type of mobile phone you have and what type of call blocking is available.

There are many different ways that you or a loved one can be conned out of money. Two examples of recent scams are a caller advising that your current bank account is not safe and has been compromised. They then offer to transfer the money to a protected bank account. The caller will sound official but urgent to make you feel like your current bank account is being targeted right at that moment. BEWARE even when you hang up and call your bank to check if the call was legitimate these people may still be on the line. If at all possible take down all of the details and pass them to a relative to call and check.

The second scam involves a person acting like a courier. They will claim your bank cards have fraudulently been used and will be taken with your pin to the police. Once again they will catch you unawares and pressure you with urgency. People will even knock on your door and try to convince you that there is a problem with your roof or sell you a service that is expensive and you do not require. It can be a good idea to have a No Cold Caller sign located near the front door. You could fit a spy hole and always ask who is calling, request ID and if you haven’t booked a pre arranged repair do not open the door. Most gas or electric suppliers will even give their elderly customers a password that only their engineer will have.

Here are some free ‘no cold caller’ signs for you to print off and affix to your doors/windows:

The article Avoiding Scams appeared first on Violet Care.