A technology innovator called Music Health has launched “Vera”, a music app designed for people with dementia. Users of the Vera app can access the catalogue of the Universal Music Group (UMG), a leading music entertainment company, to create their own personalised music stations. The charity Music for Dementia has welcomed the launch. According to…
Poor heart health is a better predictor of dementia risk for individuals than their genetic profile, researchers led by Oxford and Exeter Universities have discovered. Someone with multiple health conditions affecting the heart was three times more likely to develop dementia than someone with a high genetic risk, they found. The study, published by the…
The annual Margaret Butterworth Award has been given a new lease of life by NAPA (National Activity Providers Association), which is taking over the Award for front line staff in health and social care. Butterworth died in 2002 but colleagues established the Award in her memory to recognise the work of health care assistants, activity…
Tributes have been pouring in for Baroness Sally Greengross, a former director general of Age Concern and a tireless champion for older people, who died on 23 June. Baroness Greengross chaired the all party parliamentary group (APPG) on dementia, doing much to raise the profile of dementia and put it on the political agenda. “It’s…
Vacancy rates in social care have almost doubled in a year, data from Skills for Care show. In May vacancy rates were 10.3%, compared with 5.8% in May 2021. “Following the peak of the pandemic, vacancy rates have been rising and are now higher than they were pre-covid,” Skills for Care said. “An increase in…
The Dementia and Housing Working Group (DHWG) has launched the new “dementia information hub”, which provides a forum for sharing information and ideas. The DHWG says it will be a “go to resource” offering the best information, advice and support for people with dementia, their families and carers as well as policymakers, practitioners and academics. …
Social care must be fully represented when collaborative arrangements for local services are implemented under plans set out in the government’s social care white paper, a leading figure has argued. In a speech to the NHS Confederation Expo making the case for new models of community care, National Care Forum chief executive Vic Rayner called…
Team members at Hallmark Care Homes raised more than £8,900 with a 26-mile charity walk for Alzheimer’s Society. Hallmark managing director Aneurin Brown led his staff on the Trek26 walk, a wider challenge mounted by the Society to bring in much needed funds for the services it provides. “I’m incredibly proud of my team for…
Care home volunteers disappeared during the pandemic but are now re-establishing their position as an “important part of life,” Royal Star & Garter said marking Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June). The charity has three care homes for military veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. Christine Mitchell, pictured (right) with resident Lillian, was a…
An illustrated book of real-life stories of people with dementia as told by their carers has been written by Gina Awad. The stories in the book, United: Caring for our loved ones living with dementia, described as “humorous, heart-warming and often heart-breaking”, reflect on situations like receiving a diagnosis, meaningful engagement and peer support. Illustrated…