Despite the fact that the painful condition of arthritis is so prevalent, affecting more than 10 million people, it is not an issue that tends to hit the headlines, or receive the attention it deserves from government or the health service.

During Arthritis Awareness Week, this is a good time to think about what we can all do to help protect ourselves from the most common form of the disease, osteoarthritis.

Shockingly, it can take up to three years to get diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a situation that has become worse over the past decade or so. Access to treatments, from drugs to physiotherapy and joint replacement surgery, can also involve long waits, and vary depending on whereabouts you live.

There is more about self-help here

 

Fear of dementia has overtaken cancer, according to a new study, which shows that 43% of us fear developing dementia more than any other illness. Heart disease – actually the number one killer in Britain – and stroke, which can have devastating long-term consequences, both generate very little concern in comparison.

Women are more concerned about developing dementia than men, and perhaps unsurprisingly, as people are increasingly exposed to the condition with the population ageing and dementia becoming more prevalent, their fear grows.

You can read more here, including – just possibly – some reasons why we shouldn't be quite so fearful

 

I wrote a while back about the engineering charity Remap working with motor industry apprentices to great effect – now I am really pleased to be able to share the ongoing story of collaboration between Remap in Portsmouth and occupational therapy students at the University of Southampton, championed by OT lecturer Maggie Bracher.

Two recent projects have benefited pupils at The Elizabeth Foundation, an education charity in Hampshire for children with hearing loss. And one of them – a set of footplates conceived by third year student Hannah Elliot - has been shortlisted for a national Remap award.

There is more information here

 

No apologies for revisiting the PIP mobility debate, because there have been developments since I wrote about it in last week's newsletter.

The urgent talks between government and disability user groups which Baroness Thomas of Winchester called for in the Lords debate actually took place yesterday. 

According to one of the people at the talks, they were "robust", and the idea of recording assessments was discussed: something which I know many claimants would welcome. There is to be an independent review of PIP, which will be published next April, and work will need to start on that soon. I will keep you updated as I have more news, and in the meantime, please carry on sending me your accounts of unfair reassessments so that these can be added to the body of evidence for review. Email editor@independentliving.co.uk

 

You probably know The Ramp People for their popular ranges of access ramps, which make it easier to get in and out of buildings and over thresholds in a wheelchair or on a mobility scooter.

They have just added something new to their range: wheelchair vehicle lifts. Designed for adapting vehicles to make them wheelchair accessible, the double arm lifts are completely automatic and are installed inside the rear or side door. They are controlled by a cabled handset.  You can see more about them 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

 

In case you missed your invitation, we have just set up an Independent Living Facebook Group! The idea is to have a safe place where anyone who is interested can discuss any issues that are raised in the newsletter; ask questions and get the benefit of the considerable know-how and experience which we have between us. I know that some of you don't "do" Facebook, but for those that do, I would be very pleased if you join the group – here is the link for you to request membership (it is a closed group)

Regular readers will know that we are fans of Men's Sheds, which provide a welcoming hangout for men (and women!) who feel under-occupied, or otherwise out-of-touch with people. The extra good news is that there is now a national grant fund which can provide modest amounts of money to get a new Shed started or support it in the early days. More details about the Men's Sheds movement and the new fund, here.

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances