Everyone has the capacity to care. So why are only one in seven carers male?

In this country the vast majority of care-givers are women. They make up as many as 84% of carers across the sector and this figure has remained static since 2012.

It’s time to change our prejudices. After all we no longer assume that doctors are male and nurses are female: as a society we need to recognise that excellent care can be provided by both men and women.

Dr Jamie Wilson, former NHS medic and founder of the HomeTouch care agency, has written a guest blog on the subject, which you can read here

 

As promised, we now have Mary Farmer's second article on wind published.

This one is looking at indigestion, and the associated burping and belching which can be so embarrassing.

What can you do to improve the situation? Is it a good idea to take antacids? What is the latest thinking on the role of gut bacteria? And why should women be particularly on their guard if they suddenly develop symptoms of indigestion?

Lots of questions, and some interesting answers – you can find out more by reading her Nutrition Blogspot article here

  

We hear a lot about the negative impact of the eye-watering sums of money paid to premiership football clubs by way of television rights. So, to redress the balance, I have a story about some of the good this investment can achieve!

Crystal Palace FC Foundation powerchair football team was set up three years ago and plays in the Wheelchair Football Association’s south-east league. Despite donations from Crystal Palace FC players, the powerchair team was struggling: specialist chairs cost around £6000 each, in addition to all the other expenses of keeping a team going. But the Foundation has successfully bid for funding from from the Premier League and BT Disability Programme, which will not only secure the future of the powerchair team, but also enable them to set up a new amputee football team.

There are more details here

 

Whenever I write about accessible housing, I know that I can expect an inbox full of stories of people stuck in unsuitable accommodation; waiting years for somewhere to live; spending more than they can afford on trying to make their home livable.

There is a chronic shortage of accessible housing: according to the latest English Housing Survey, only 7% of the current housing stock meets the four basic access features that someone with mobility needs would require. These are level entrance; flush threshold; wide doorways and room to move; and a downstairs toilet.

Disability Horizons has produced a helpful new guide to finding your way around the accessible housing market, and with luck and application, identifying a home that actually does meet your needs (or could be made to do so, without bankrupting you).

You can download the guide here

 

I have some more interesting technology to share with you – this time, what is known in the jargon as "wearables". Designed for people who are visually impaired, two new products called MyEye and MyReader will help by reading pretty much any printed text, and in the case of MyEye, also providing product identification and face recognition. You wear the device fitted to almost any pair of glasses.

Being able to wander around the supermarket, point at products on the shelves, and immediately hear what they are, would certainly make shopping easier for those with little vision. At the checkout, no more worrying about the value of banknotes, or which credit/debit card you are handing over – just point at it, and find out! 

You can read more details here

 

If you provide high quality products and services, and you would like to reach our site visitors and newsletter readers, please email derek@independentliving.co.uk

 

I am not sure how surprised I am to hear that pensioners are the happiest generation in Britain, generally. Quite a turnaround from a similar survey a couple of years ago, when they were feeling financially insecure. Apparently, acceptance of one's lot and self-confidence are key to the greater contentment to be found in retirement. And possibly a triple lock on retirement benefits!

You can read more about the survey results here.

 

As Stoptober draws to an end, I wonder how it went for you, if you were one of the people who have been trying to quit smoking this month? One response I didn't expect to get, when I wrote on the subject, was a spirited defence of the habit – but here it is. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances