Study examines link between high blood pressure in mid life and brain damage in the elderly - Alzheimer’s Society comment

A new study, part-funded by Alzheimer’s Society, being published on Thursday 26 November in the European Heart Journal, looks at the link between high blood pressure and more extensive brain damage among the elderly.

alzheimers.org.uk

Covid: Newport care nurse returned to work but nearly died

"I've been called a pandemic actor. I reply: 'I must be a good one as I let a doctor cut a hole in my throat'."

Jamie Branagan, 52, returned to care home nursing when the coronavirus pandemic broke out - but it was a decision that nearly cost him his life.

Mr Branagan spent a month in a coma and suffered a cardiac arrest, kidney failure and collapsed lung, after contracting Covid-19 himself.

BBC

Care home owner 'overwhelmed' with Covid pressures took his own life

A care home owner from Wrexham who was “overwhelmed” and "afraid of spreading" coronavirus to the residents tragically took his own life outside a police station, an inquest heard earlier this week.

Vernon Hough. Credit: Facebook

Vernon Hough, 61, was a director at Gwastad Hall Nursing Home, in Wrexham, which he ran with his wife Helen caring for 40 residents.

At the inquest in Ruthin, Mrs Hough said running the care home during the pandemic was "having an impact" on her husband.

Carehome.co.uk

Care England boss submits evidence in favour of social care people plan

Care England has submitted evidence to the government in favour of sustainable funding and a long-term plan for the social care workforce.

The representative body for independent adult social care providers has responded to a call for evidence on good practice on in-work progression from the Department of Work and Pensions.

The submission calls for the creation of a 10-year people plan, akin to that in the NHS, to support those who work in adult social care with a fair wage and substantial training and development.

Carehomeprofessional.com

Coronavirus: Carer denied isolation help 'as she was just paid'

A carer on a zero-hour contract who caught coronavirus has said she was denied support while self-isolating.

Janice Simons contracted the virus at the start of November and applied for a support payment of £500.

Ms Simons, from Cosby, Leicestershire, said because she had just been paid, she was judged to have too much money in the bank.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it did not comment on individual cases.

BBC

Care home providers will be stretched with new visiting regime and vaccine, warn leaders

Care leaders are urging the government to provide greater financial support to help care homes cope as they face a mountain of work to enable visiting to resume and the vaccination programme to begin.

Earlier this week, the government pledged relatives of care home residents in England will be able to hug their loved ones if they test negative for coronavirus and wear protective equipment.

Carehome.co.uk