The timing of the announcement of Britain's first Minister for Loneliness means that I was unable to include it as a hot piece of news in last week's issue.

But even so, I think it still deserves comment – loneliness appears to be our number one fixable health scourge, and appointing someone to take responsibility shows that the government does at least recognise the need to tackle it. 

Read more here

 

I was shocked to read about the general failure of once-promising drug therapies for treating dementia.  Pfizer, one of the large pharmaceutical companies involved, actually announced that they are pulling out of this area of research altogether.

I'm definitely not qualified to speculate about what has gone wrong, but it does mean that we are still totally dependent on managing dementia, rather than treating/curing it. And the one therapeutic aid that comes up trumps time after time? Music!

Find out more here

 

"...people who are eligible for the package of care either don’t know about it, find it too complicated to access, or are waiting too long for a decision, in which time their health may have significantly worsened."

NHS continuing care should be supporting people with serious health conditions outside hospital. The latest Public Accounts Committee report highlights its failings.

Read more here

 

Once again, disabled parking permits are in the news, as the government is consulting on eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge.

This could mean extending the scheme to people with nonphysical conditions. If you'd like to contribute your thoughts to the process, you have until 18 March.

Find out more here.

  

I must admit that I am a big fan of showering, but many people prefer a soak, and children are particularly fond of playing in the bath. Which makes it difficult for parents with a disabled child, who believe they can only have a wetroom installed.

Actually, a Disabled Facilities Grant can be used to fund a shower or an assistive bath – or both.

Abacus Healthcare have produced some handy guides to help with requesting a bath as part of a DFG application.

You can access 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

 

A couple of Changing Places updates.

Guidance about fully accessible toilets has just been updated in British Standards – details here; and this rather fabulous art deco building in Chester is the latest addition to Closomat's roster of totally inclusive public spaces... see more here.

 

It isn't often that MPs give us something to laugh about in a good way, but the annual Rehab Pancake Race is one such occasion.

Find out when, where and why, and groan over some shameless egg-related punnery here! 

 

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances