Recently in Sensory impairment Category

Following the launch of an investigation into the immigration caps' effect on social care staffing, here's another project which is helping migrant workers in the sector.

Care staff in Wimbledon are learning about residents' life stories as a way of overcoming cultural barriers and providing better care.

Full press release after the jump.

The Local Government Association (LGA) estimates that telecare could save up to £270m a year if adopted nationwide.

The prediction follows an assessment of the technology by Kent County Council which showed it could save £7.5m annually in the county across social care and health, based on a pilot for heart and lung disease patients.

Telecare systems vary from personal alarms to buzzers to remind people to take their keys when leaving the house and personal GPS tracking systems.

David Rogers, chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said: "This saves taxpayers' money in the long term at a time when the demand for adult care is rising and funding is falling.
 
"But it's not just about saving cash, telecare and telehealth gives older people and those living with long-term conditions years more of independence. It boosts their confidence and self-respect, helps them remain healthy and happy and keeps them at the heart of the communities they love."

We get sent a lot of stuff about new tools or assessments that have been developed. Many of them, unfortunately, don't make it onto the news agenda. But, they may make the life of a social worker or social care worker a touch easier.

1. Where's the money going to come from?

by Adam McCulloch

We recently reported on the Alzheimer's Society report into delayed discharge from hospital of people with dementia. I have witnessed this at first hand and found that delays occurred because: the hospital social workers aren't always available to assess; there is often a long wait before home adaptions can make the discharge safe, and finally, relatives are left to their own devices to find suitable care homes, a task for which they are often totally unprepared.

The RNID has paid tribute to its vice president and former chair Lady Winifred Tumim, who died earlier this month. She chaired the organisation from 1985 and 1992 before becoming vice president and was also chair of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations for six years.