People living with dementia are being invited to join a new panel to help shape policy and delivery.
The national, independent group will also be open to unpaid carers to be sure that Scottish Government is fully considering the impact of policy and funding decisions on those who experience them first hand.
Work will begin with the development of an application and assessment process, with the expectation that it would be established before the end of the year.
Speaking at the beginning of Dementia Awareness Week, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart said: “The voice of experience is a crucial part of our policy making process, and making sure that it is factored in as early as possible in making important decisions is key to improving services across the country. Only someone living with dementia, their loved ones and carers fully know the complexities and nuances of dealing with it.
“We already have a very active lived experience voice in dementia support and this panel will help to amplify it. Dementia activists across the world us the motto ‘Nothing about us, without us’ and this group will put this into practise.”
Dementia Awareness Week takes place annually in Scotland on the first week of June. This year’s event will run from Monday 30 May to Sunday 5 June and the aim of the week is to raise awareness of dementia and help improve the lives of people with dementia, their families and carers. This year’s theme is ‘Prevent, Care, Cure’ .
To apply to be part of the lived experience panel or for more information, contact dementiapolicy@gov.scot.
Whilst playing games, whether it’s a board game or a video game or team sport can be a great way to spend your time, there are numerous benefits that games can have on our mental health.
Neal from SudokuCraze outlines five of the biggest benefits that playing games can have on our mental health:
Reduces stress
Games have been shown to slow our breathing, our heart rate and our blood pressure and can result in giving us a calming effect, therefore reducing stress. By engaging in a gaming activity, whether it be a physical sport, a board game or an online game on a regular basis, can leave us feeling more relaxed and better able to cope with stressors around us from work and home.
Keeps your brain active and healthy
Games and activities that require problem solving and critical thinking are fantastic ways of stimulating our brain to keep it healthy. Grey matter in the brain decreases as we age – a part that is directly responsible for memory, emotions, and cognitive ability. Studies have shown that the more mentally active we are throughout life and into our later years, the more grey matter that we retain and therefore the more healthy and active our brains are as we age. Board games, video games and puzzles are all excellent ways to stimulate our minds and stay sharp, whether we are young or old.
Boosts your mood
Not only are playing games fun, they also work wonders in boosting our mood. When we engage in an enjoyable group activity, our body begins releasing feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. These chemicals reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, boost our mood, increasing feelings of happiness.
Increases self-esteem
Often when faced with a new challenge or situation, we may question if we are capable of pushing through and succeeding but through regular games, teamwork activities or sports, we are better able to build our trust in ourselves. Although it may feel scary, or place us out of our comfort zone, consistently working with others on a team can help us to feel more confident both in and out of the team environment.
Increases attention span
Having a longer attention span means that we are able to focus on a single task, for a longer period of time, without becoming distracted. Attention span and focus is a skill that can be improved upon and can benefit us in all areas of our life, from focusing on lectures and schoolwork to sitting through meetings and staying focused on a project at work.
Playing any type of game that requires concentration, whether it be a board game like monopoly or chess, or a video game, can help to increase our attention span and therefore improve both the length of time and the quality of our focus.
Inspired by our recently received Walking Collection, we are starting a monthly mindful walking group to practice walking meditation.
The walk will be led mostly by our staff member Zina, who has been practising mindful walking and meditation for many years herself, though sometimes by other staff members.
We’ll walk every third Saturday of the month starting 18 June – 11:30am – 12:30pm.
Everyone is welcome!
To register, please ask at the reception, call us on 0131 529 5665 or email:
Dementia series kick starts with industry expert event at Edinburgh home
A SCOTTISH care home is bringing together some of the country’s leading dementia care experts to launch its bumper calendar of activities to raise awareness of the disease.
With an estimated 90,000 people living with Dementia in Scotland1, Cramond Residence is launching ‘Let’s talk about…Dementia’ to build support and connections within the community while sharing important knowledge.
The home will open its doors to members of the public on 18 June to host the informal event with experts from Alzheimer’s Scotland and Home Help Me Care in attendance, alongside the Dementia care team from Cramond Residence.
Informative stalls will be set up in the garden for the duration of the afternoon event with three expert presentations covering what the world looks like for those with dementia, how to care for someone living with Dementia at home and when it’s the right time to consider residential care.
Rickie Tank, Registered Manager with local support service, Home Help Me Care which specialises in at-home care, said: “We believe that bringing dementia support services that support people in the community enables them a greater chance of experiencing quality care in later years.
“Every day we hear the stressful experiences of people trying to secure the right support for loved ones but no one really guides them through the process or explains the timescales involved and this often means people have to get to a crisis stage before they secure care.
“By coming together with like-minded community support groups and companies like Cramond Residence we want to share our knowledge to make the journey easier.”
The event hopes to raise awareness through educational sessions and discussions for those living or caring for someone with the condition or generally worried about dementia.
Ross Bijak, General Manager at Cramond Residence with more than 10 years of expertise in the healthcare sector and recently completed a master’s degree in Dementia studies, said: “I have lived with a passion for making tiny changes to people’s lives since I started my career in care and in particular for people living with Dementia.
“I aspire to support and educate people who are affected by the condition and have provided 97% of the 123 members of staff at Cramond with some level of dementia training.
“Being part of such an event as the General Manager at the home is a privilege to which I hope to lead by example in explaining how Cramond Residence helps people living with the condition to enjoy a fulfilling and dignified life.”
Alzheimer’s Scotland will also be in attended to provide information and support to make sure nobody faces dementia alone with the charity hosting an interactive session on its isolation prevention initiative, Dementia Friends.
The event starts at 12:30 and refreshments will be provided. To book a seat for the expert presentations, please contact enquiries@cramondresidence.co.uk (please note spaces are limited).
Cramond Residence strives to ensure that those living with dementia live a fulfilled life. The home offers a dedicated dementia floor, specially designed for those living with dementia to allowing them to live a richer and more satisfying life with specialist facilities and trained staff on hand to provide support and relief.
Dementia training sits at the top of the care home’s agenda with 90% of their staff being provided with vital dementia training.
From hot flushes to bloating, sleep disturbance to night sweats, it’s estimated that 8 in 10 peri-menopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal women experience symptoms that significantly impact their daily lives.
But with increasing shortages of hormone replacement therapies across the UK, with many women having to move away from their usual treatments to ones that are available, attention is shifting to find ways to manage difficult symptoms at home that can work in synergy with prescribed treatments.
Nutritionist and 44 Foods partner Emma Ellice-Flint specialises in helping women through the menopause through their diet, creating recipes that nourish, heal and help to balance hormones, which can help to ease some of the most common symptoms. We caught up with Emma to find out more about some of her top menopause friendly foods that could not only help to make you feel happier and healthier but they’re delicious too!
Vitamin C
“There’s a reason that the humble vitamin C is known to be great for everything from skin health to hormone health. That’s because it benefits so many different actions in our bodies.
“But importantly it doesn’t work in isolation. In nature Vitamin C is found in all plant based foods that also contain phytonutrients, which can help to boost your immune system – something that can take a bit of a knock once we start menopause. Some of the best sources are red peppers, pomegranate, plum, brussels sprouts, kiwi fruit, blackcurrants/blueberries, cabbage, broccoli and oranges.”
Fermented foods
“Regularly eating live fermented foods such as kefir and sauerkraut, can help to improve your gut health and its microbiota. From my experience in the clinic, adding fermented foods into your diet can help to reduce bloating and improve your digestion which can both be impacted when we hit the menopause.
“Every fermented food has its own set of healthy bacteria so it’s all about finding ones that suit you. For me, I love mixing a couple of heaped tablespoons of kefir into my breakfast or adding a dollop of sauerkraut to my evening meal to make it easy to integrate it into my diet. However, fermented foods aren’t for everyone, and should be avoided by those with an intolerance to histamines”
Magnesium rich foods
“Magnesium plays a part in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body contributing to everything from bone health to energy. It is an important mineral to maintain at healthy levels since it can affect mood, sleep and vitality. Plus it is used more in the body during times of stress.
“It is naturally found in foods such as whole grains, green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale as well as muesli, nuts, nuts, legumes and pulses. The NHS recommends an adult woman have 270mg of elemental magnesium per day but it can be tricky to get this amount from food alone so I’d also recommend investing in a high quality magnesium supplement to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.”
Oily fish
“Omega 3, found in oily fish like sardines, salmon and mackerel, is a type of fat that is essential to our bodies. In perimenopause and menopause, these benefits are especially important – supporting gut health, reducing inflammation, and helping with mood and anxiety.
“And, since the body cannot produce its own Omega 3 fats, it has to get them from what we eat so adding some form of oily fish, nuts, seeds or soy into your diet is a great way to keep your Omega 3 levels up.” Pre-biotics“Pre-biotics are a fermentable fibre found in plants. While our digestive system struggles to digest them, our intestinal microbiota thrives, making them a vital to maintain a healthy gut.
“Examples of my favourite prebiotic-rich foods include: Jerusalem artichokes, rocket, garlic, onion, leek, spring onion, asparagus, beetroot, green peas, mange tout, sweetcorn, cabbage, pulses, nuts, seeds, whole grains, apples and dark berries. Even if you’re not looking to fully overhaul your diet, many common ingredients like onions and garlic can still contribute to your overall gut health which is particularly important during the menopause.”
Emma has recently launched her own range of recipe bundles with ethical online food retailer 44 Foods to make it simpler than ever to recreate some of her most popular recipes. From her zingy ginger stir fry with prawns to a nutrient packed avocado, basil and borlotti beans, each bundle gives you all of the ingredients you need, plus a recipe card.
For more information on Emma or to view her full 44 Foods range, visit www.44foods.com
As bunting goes out in towns and villages across Scotland to celebrate the holidays and Jubilee weekend, NHS 24 is reminding people of the health advice and information that’s available via NHS inform.
The national health information service has advice on everything from hay fever to heartburn, safety in the sun to how to deal with insect bites.
Maria Docherty, NHS 24’s Director of Nursing and Care explained: “Many people will be planning trips away, or days out and celebrations over the May holiday and Jubilee Holiday weekends.
“These holidays may impact on local GP and pharmacy opening times. If people take regular medication, they should ensure they have enough to see them through, or order what they need and in plenty of time.”
Scotland’s Service Directory is also kept up to date with information on services available across the country and is accessed through www.nhsinform.scot
Maria added: ‘We’re hoping for sunny weather for the celebrations ahead but if you do need support for seasonal illness, or advice of how to stay safe in the sun, NHS inform and community pharmacies can help.
“NHS 24 staff will also be working to support the public over the coming weeks’.
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this summer can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/spring
More than 10,000 young mothers and their children have been helped by a decade-long programme since it began as a pilot in NHS Lothian.
An analysis report on the Family Nurse Partnership shows positive results for mothers and babies in areas such as breastfeeding rates and stopping smoking, with most children meeting all their milestones, and 95% receiving all their immunisations.
The Family Nurse Partnership supports young, first-time mothers to prepare for motherhood and throughout the first two years of their child’s life.
Women’s Health Minister Maree Todd met mothers and staff who have taken part. She said: “Over 10,000 young women have now received support through this programme since it started, which is a fantastic milestone.
“Family nurses help mothers to think about the future, what kind of parent they want to be and their goals and aspirations for other areas of their lives like education and employment.
“Earlier this year we committed to expanding the programme to all young first time mothers aged 21 and under by the end of 2024. Where possible, we will also target first time mothers under the age of 25 who are care experienced or from the most deprived communities. This expansion will mean we can support up to an additional 500 families per year by 2025.”
Val Alexander, service manager of the Family Nurse Partnership, who has been with the programme since it began, said: “We are so proud of the Family Nurse Partnership and everything our clients have achieved.
“The Family Nurse Partnership programme works to support young, first-time mothers to prepare for motherhood and continues that support for them and their child through the first two years.
“FNP was first delivered in NHS Lothian and to see it extended across Scotland to reach thousands more families is something very special for all of us.
“This 10-year analysis of the delivery of the service across Scotland will help us to see how far we have come and map out our goals and ambitions for the future of the programme and young families.”
A major review of Scotland’s breast screening programme which makes 17 recommendations to strengthen and improve it has been published.
The report recommends ways to make the breast screening programme more accessible, resilient and sustainable, to drive improvements and build upon successful delivery of services.
These include developing a single programme-wide workforce plan that focuses on role development and redesign, training capacity, leadership for major developments which will help to automate aspects of activity, and benchmarked staffing levels.
It also recommends digital initiatives, including exploring the potential for adoption of Artificial Intelligence in breast screening mammography.
A new Breast Screening Modernisation Programme Board, chaired by Dr Marzi Davies, will take forward the recommendations from the report as well as considering additional ways to modernise the service.
Separate to the modernisation work, the Scottish Breast Screening Programme will see those aged 71 years and over being able to opt to self-refer for appointments once again from autumn 2022, in a phased way which won’t impact on the main screening programme.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome this report and I am very grateful for the work that went into it while our NHS faced immense pressures in responding to the pandemic.
“We accept all of the recommendations, many of which are already being progressed, such as reinstating self-referral services for those aged 71 years and over, and others that will require careful consideration and planning.
“It sets out a number of key learning points and opportunities for improving how we do things, and while it was commissioned pre-COVID-19, it’s important to note that the breast screening programme is still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.
“Among our immediate priorities is ensuring that there is sufficient capacity for women aged between 50-70, the recommended screening population, to be invited for screening every three years.
“I’m pleased Dr Davies has agreed to chair the breast screening modernisation programme to drive forward key ambitions.”
Breast Screening Modernisation Programme chair Dr Marzi Davies said: “The publication of this review and the establishment of the Breast Screening Modernisation Board represent an exciting opportunity to ensure resilience and deliver a sustainable, more person-centred breast screening programme in Scotland.
“I’m privileged to have been asked to lead this work, which will drive improvements in a number of areas and build upon an already high-quality and effective service.”
A coalition of trade unions, covid safety groups and the Independent SAGE have launched a new ‘Covid-19 Safety Pledge’, designed to ensure workplaces adopt measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 infections.
The Pledge, aimed at workplaces in both the public and private sectors, asks employers to sign up to three key commitments: protect workers and customers from Covid-19, risk assess their premises and practices to safeguard against infection and specifically ask any workers who test positive for Covid to stay at home while infectious and to provide the support necessary for them to do so.
Employers who sign up for the scheme will be presented as a covid safe workplace, with their name displayed on the Pledge website (covidpledge.co.uk) in addition to being able to display the Pledge sign within their premises.
The move has been backed by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) in addition to covid support groups such as Covid Families for Justice and Clinically Vulnerable Families.
The STUC warned that employers in Scotland should not roll back on health and safety and support for staff. Supermarket giant Sainsbury recently introduced a policy that allows staff to attend work if infected with covid and punishes them for covid related absence.
Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “It’s vitally important that the legacy of COVID-19 isn’t a rollback on workers’ safety or rights. The Covid-19 Safety Pledge allows employers to stand by their workers, ensuring the highest levels of protection against infection are taken, in addition to supporting staff and consumer wellbeing whilst on their premises.
“For people across Scotland – especially those who are clinically vulnerable – this Pledge can act as a clear indicator of responsibility and support for employers wanting to do right by their staff, customers and service users.
“We are also calling on the Scottish Government to support the pledge. Our joint COVID-19 Fair Work Statement should be updated for the new circumstances but also to continue to commit to the fair treatment of workers and the control of the virus.”
