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Elderly care

Thinking again about assisted dying

This week Parliament entered the debate on assisted dying, with many MPs arguing for a change in the current law. IN Editor Mike Shallcross explains why he believes it's time for a rethink

Dental care – a fundamental human right?

Good oral health should be seen as a fundamental human right; it is inseparable from a person’s general health and wellbeing. Nurses are ideally placed in making every contact count, particularly with regards to oral health, argues Ian Peate

Pressure ulcer prevention: what’s missing?

Despite substantial efforts to eradicate them, an estimated 200,000 pressure ulcers are experienced by patients each year at an estimated cost to the NHS of £1.4 million each day, not to mention the human impact they have on patients.

Shining a light on Post-Polio Syndrome

Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) affects lots of people, with an estimate of 120,000 sufferers in the UK. Those who previously contracted polio may be at risk of some of the devastating symptoms

NHS must evolve for an ageing population

For the first time in UK history, the population of people over 65 is greater than that of those under 16. This is a cause for celebration: more of us are living longer lives. However, with this new demographic profile, policy changes are urgently required.

Community nurses will be integral to NHS sustainability

The recently published NHS England Five Year Forward View provides a great opportunity for nurses working in community and primary care services to become involved, if not to take the lead in the provision of new models of care.

A good life with dementia

There has been much focus on the issue of dementia in the last five years from policy to front line practice.

Focus on providing quality elderly care

The care and health of the elderly, now Jeremy Hunt's focus for the next year, has received a fair amount of media coverage lately. In among all this, a tweet recently caught my attention.

A named clinician for every frail older person

On the 65th birthday of the NHS, the Secretary of State announced a new initiative for the support of the frail, older person to remain in their own homes and to avoid hospital admissions.

Talking changes everything in dementia

There are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK and the numbers are on the rise. Our research shows by 2021 there will be more than 1 million people living with the condition. Yet despite dementia affecting so many people, there is still a reluctance to

Imagine living with Parkinson's disease

Imagine being arrested for not smiling at an event. Mark Worsfold who attended the recent London Olympics, last year was. Mr Worsfold, who has Parkinson's, was arrested while watching a cycling event as his lack of movement and facial expressions

Signpost help to armed force veterans

Last autumn, charity Blind Veterans UK launched the 'No One Alone' campaign to raise public awareness of the fact that there are more than 68,000 national service and armed forces veterans in the UK, battling blindness and sight problems.

Care homes must not be 'islands of the old'

In late October, ministers announced a £300million pot of money to allow people to grow old in their own homes, receiving care and practical help, reducing the need for them to go into care homes and hospitals.

Making a difference to dementia patients

Caring for someone with dementia is a huge challenge. It is hard on families, spouses and friends to support someone when the 'real' person seems to be slipping away, and their personality changes beyond recognition.

NHS redesign must not ignore dementia

The Health Select Committee's review of how health and social care systems are coping in the tough economic climate, published in January, highlights the need for a radical shake up of how we fund health and social care.

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