The Social Work Blog: mental health Archives

There's dementia and there's dementia

By Adam McCulloch on September 18, 2009 4:16 PM | 3 Comments

By Adam McCulloch

We need to get much sharper in matching the needs of people with dementia with the care homes where they will be placed

When someone leaves a hospital destined for a care home because they have been (vaguely) diagnosed with dementia their relatives are not given a thorough briefing of what sort of home is suitable and what isn't.
In our case we were handed a photocopied list of homes and told to get on with finding one because the hospital bed was needed. There was no attempt to advise, match needs or discuss preferences.

Continue reading There's dementia and there's dementia.

Can curry and curcumin beat dementia?

By Adam McCulloch on June 5, 2009 12:55 PM | 2 Comments

by Adam McCulloch

I love the idea that eating curry can ward off dementia - although apparently the quantities needed may leave one somewhat bloated. There's a substance in tumeric called curcumin that can combat the changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The annals of the Indian Academy of Neurology spell out the details.
There is no mention of the effects of the two pints of lager us Brits like to consume with our curry. Hopefully, they won't completely counter the curcumin benefits.

Continue reading Can curry and curcumin beat dementia?.

Dementia, NHS, elderly people, bed blocking: Judith's story

By Adam McCulloch on March 17, 2009 5:11 PM | 11 Comments

by Adam McCulloch

Here's a very perplexing case history for those of you in older people's services. I'd really like some comments, especially if you have ideas how things could have been handled differently or have any suggestions to make. You might even have had a similar experience. I really want to know how typical this is.
One thing I want to make clear is that the client involved here is definitely at the more 'awkward' end of the spectrum. She scores very highly in mental health tests and has convinced several occupational therapists and, apparently, psychiatrists of her ability to cope at home. She is lucid and persuasive:

Continue reading Dementia, NHS, elderly people, bed blocking: Judith's story.

BT, dementia, elderly people, amazing reverse charge call rates!

By Adam McCulloch on February 17, 2009 11:40 AM | 5 Comments

By Adam McCulloch

Here is the most boring picture ever.
But look closer. Reverse charges? Phone 100? Bit old hat, eh? Everyone has mobiles now don't they?
And, anyway, where is this phone that encourages its users to reverse the charges?
It's in an NHS dementia assessment centre near London.

Continue reading BT, dementia, elderly people, amazing reverse charge call rates!.

A feelgood account of social work from the US

By Simeon Brody, community editor, on November 25, 2008 1:19 PM | No Comments

by Simeon Brody

It's not been an easy time for social work over the past few weeks.

Continue reading A feelgood account of social work from the US.

Would you give mental health first aid to Alastair Campbell?

By Daniel Lombard, workforce editor, on November 6, 2008 12:12 PM | No Comments

by Daniel Lombard

Mental health first aid provides the cornerstone for the Welsh assembly's suicide prevention strategy, announced this month.

Training in how to recognise various mental health problems, signpost people to professional help, and deal with crises, will be provided, with £1.7m in funding, for police, nurses, teachers and youth workers.

But the concept of mental health first aid itself lays down a challenge to us all.

Continue reading Would you give mental health first aid to Alastair Campbell?.

'Behaviours'? What's wrong with 'behaviour'?

By Adam McCulloch on September 3, 2008 11:33 AM | 1 Comment

By Adam McCulloch

Look, I'm a sub editor so I'm bound to get a bit fussy about words sometimes. I try not to as there's usually a reason why people are having to 'access' services, and 'evidence' various social work principles. But pardon my pedantic tendencies, I continue to have a problem with reading about people's 'behaviours'.

Continue reading 'Behaviours'? What's wrong with 'behaviour'?.

Children's Society well being, mental health poll: should we be worried?

By Adam McCulloch on April 24, 2008 4:01 PM | No Comments

by Adam McCulloch

The Children’s Society new poll, charting the misery of children in the UK will induce quiet sighs of despair in thousands of households. But are kids really fed up in this country? How should we measure that?

Continue reading Children's Society well being, mental health poll: should we be worried?.

Channel 4's The Doctor Who Hears Voices

By Adam McCulloch on April 22, 2008 11:05 AM | No Comments

by Adam McCulloch

Extraordinary Channel 4 drama-documentary last night – The Doctor Who Hears Voices – about a doctor diagnosed with schizophrenia who wants to continue practising despite voices in her head telling her to kill herself.

Continue reading Channel 4's The Doctor Who Hears Voices.

Recently in mental health Category

There's dementia and there's dementia

Can curry and curcumin beat dementia?

Dementia, NHS, elderly people, bed blocking: Judith's story

BT, dementia, elderly people, amazing reverse charge call rates!

A feelgood account of social work from the US

Would you give mental health first aid to Alastair Campbell?

'Behaviours'? What's wrong with 'behaviour'?

Children's Society well being, mental health poll: should we be worried?

Channel 4's The Doctor Who Hears Voices

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	The Social Work blog covers the challenges facing Britain’s 2m-strong social care workforce: everything from pay and working conditions to stress and the latest social work conduct cases.