Last week, we published the latest Carer's Voice article on Independent Living, and I asked you to share your thoughts on the very poor care Laura Graham's mother received while she was in a post stroke rehabilitation unit.

Sadly, a number of people got in touch with their own stories of loved ones whose sojourns on hospital wards were tales of endurance rather than compassionate care. A few were prepared to go public – you can read those accounts in the comments section

I hope that there are many patients who receive exemplary care, to redress the balance. Inevitably, it tends to be those who are angry or upset who get in touch. Nevertheless, there are clearly more than enough so-called "never events" occurring, and many particularly elderly patients not receiving the dignified care they deserve.

 

A project has been undertaken at Brunel University, to develop guidance on measuring the home environment prior to supplying assistive devices.

Surprisingly, this is the first time that evidence-based guidance has been produced, and now that they have reached the final stage of the five-step project, the researchers are looking for feedback from care professionals, equipment specifiers and members of the public, on their draft leaflet.

The College of Occupational Therapists (COT) funded the work with an award through their Research Foundation. You can see more about the project, with links to view the leaflet and provide feedback online, here

 

We think of eating ideally as a social activity – whether it’s making sure everyone in the family gets a good breakfast before heading off to work and school, or relaxing together over an evening meal, catching up with each other’s news. Weekends with friends and family gathered around the lunch or dining table. 

Sadly, this ideal is the exception for most people. A study commissioned by The Big Lunch shows that nearly half of all meals are eaten alone, and a third of adults can go a whole week without sharing a meal.

The Big Lunch is a lottery-funded project which has been running since 2009, encouraging people to get together with their neighbours on one day a year, to share food and sociability. This year's date is 12th of June, and you can find out more about getting involved, and the solitary state of our daily eating habits, here

 

The Mobility Roadshow and Get Going Live! is taking place this year from the 26th to the 28th May at the historic Silverstone Circuit. The Roadshow aims to encourage individuals with mobility impairments to get back in the driving seat, and to start young disabled people driving. 

As well as test driving adapted and accessible vehicles on the iconic Formula One circuit, visitors can compare the biggest range of adaptive driving controls available.

Alex Tait, pictured here, is an ambassador for the event: the 17-year-old racing driver has myotonic dystrophy, which he reckons spurs him on to achieve his ambitions. His first steps into motorsport came from attending Get Going Live! in 2013, and he is keen to encourage other young people to have a go at driving.

You can read more here

I would say that it's a statement of the obvious – comfort is important, and people are much more likely to use something like a chair if they actually feel comfortable sitting in it!

Happily,  a new piece of research carried out by the University of Salford for seating specialist CareFlex shows that effective pressure relief and comfort can go hand in hand.

As assistive equipment providers battle with the widespread problem of "abandonment", where people simply don't use the aids that are supposed to help with their posture, pressure relief, mobility and so forth, it's as well to concentrate on the basics, and make sure that every aid is designed for comfort and enjoyment, not just function...

You can read more here

 

It has been a while since I've written about VAT exemption on disability equipment and services, and we have recently had a number of enquiries about it. To clarify the situation, you need to meet two criteria in order to claim exemption. Firstly, you must be buying for your own, domestic use (or on behalf of someone such as a partner or child who is disabled or has a long-term illness). And the item must be “designed for use solely by disabled people”. This means that even though you may find it useful to have, for example, an automatic door opener for your garage, it can't be provided free of VAT, because it isn't designed specifically to assist with a disability.

You can read more details here, including how to claim exemption. If you are over 60, and don't qualify as disabled, you can still get aids such as stairlifts and walk-in baths installed at a reduced (5%) rate of VAT – more 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

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances