1. Improving life with dysphagia

More than half of people living with swallowing difficulties - also known as dysphagia - are at risk of malnutrition. The physical and psychological consequences of the condition can lead to challenges in maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration. 

Today (as long as you're reading this on publication day!) is Swallowing Awareness Day, and we have an interesting piece from Sophia Cornelius, Development Dietitian for Wiltshire Farm Foods, about improving life for people living with dysphagia.

You can read it here

2. New approach to pressure care

Independent Living site subscriber, Ambre-Stone, has recently introduced an innovative pressure care solution to the UK.

Pressure ulcers present a significant challenge in healthcare settings, leading to patient discomfort, extended hospital stays, and increased medical costs. Traditional preventive measures often involve manual repositioning, which is both labour-intensive and disruptive to patients' rest. 

Tidewave is a self-moving mattress designed to both prevent and treat pressure ulcers, including severe grade IV cases.

Find out more about it here

3. Disproportionate impact

Poverty and inequality has a disproportionate impact on disabled people.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty and Inequality is calling for evidence, which will inform discussions around the Green Paper published this week.

They are interested in pre-existing evidence, rather than newly commissioned research, and submissions should be made by Monday April 7th.

More details here

4. Adaptations and exemptions

Last week, I highlighted a useful exemption from Building Control fees on adaptation work to make a home more accessible for a disabled resident.

This seems like a good moment to mention other ways in which money can be saved at home, as regular enquiries we receive suggest that people aren't necessarily aware of them.

VAT exemption on disability equipment and adaptations.

Reduced rate VAT on adaptations for older people.

Council tax exemptions and reductions.

Let me know of any other helpful money savers that I can share with Independent Living readers and visitors!

5. Early Day Motion

Anyone who has been through the stressful business of claiming disability benefits won't need to be told about the shortcomings of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

John McDonnell MP has tabled an Early Day Motion calling for a Parliamentary debate on the use of the fatally flawed WCA, adopted by the DWP to limit the access of disabled people to long-term disability benefits.

Please note: The Government has just announced that the WCA will be scrapped. It's very important that whatever replaces it does not simply continue the harms of the current system.

Find out more here

6. Sign the Parky Charter

A diagnosis of Parkinson's brings with it a surprising lack of support from the NHS. Not only does the diagnosis itself frequently take a long time, but subsequent appointments are infrequent, information scanty and access to support inadequate.

The "Parky Charter" is a list of five things people with Parkinson's need from the government, but aren't getting. A Parliamentary petition has recently been launched asking for improved support. If it gets to 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for parliamentary debate.

Read more about the campaign here - and please sign!