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The Reality of Continuing Care
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booklets and leaflets Keeping Well After Your Stroke by Ann Kent and published by The Stroke Association, Stroke House, Whitecross Street, London EC1 Y 8JJ. 1997.38pages. Single copies free. 10 for f 9 .
The first question tackled by this booklet for patients is what the chances are of having a second stroke (answer: higher than for people who have never had a stroke, but you are still more likely not to have another than t o have one). The attractively laid out and illustrated text describes the two main types of stroke, and assures readers that a great deal can be done to avoid further episodes. Medical treatments and drugs are explained, and the booklet ends with encouragement t o adopt a healthier lifestyle, with sections on exercise, diet and so on. Research by The Stroke Association shows a discrepancy between the advice general practitioners claim to have given and the amount recalled by stroke patients; perhaps the availability of a booklet will make it easier t o transmit information.
When Caring Becomes a Crisis When the Person You Care for Has Died Both published by the Carers National Association, 20-25 Glasshouse Yard, London EClA 4JS. 1998. Free.
The Carers National Association joined with The Samaritans to produce these two booklets. When Caring Becomes a Crisis looks at the emotional stresses faced by carers. I t addresses the wide spectrum of different and often conflicting feelings. The combination of stress and the physical demands on a carer can be overwhelming and may lead to a crisis. The booklet emphasises the importance of recognising signs of stress and ways of coping. I t also offers advice on taking a break and how to get financial, practical and emotional support - including counselling. When the Person You Care for Has
Physiotherapy, March 1998, vol84, no 3
Died offers support and practical advice to bereaved carers. It looks at the intense and turbulent emotions of grief and encourages carers to look after themselves. It also covers the practical and legal matters of bereavement and signposts carers to useful agencies.
Standards of Healthcare for People with MS by Jenny Freeman et al and published by the Multiple Sclerosis Research Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Neurorehabilitationand Therapy Services Directorate of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. 11 pages. 1997. Available from the MS Society, 25 Effie Road, London SW6 1EE.
A fundamental problem for the 85,000 people with multiple sclerosis throughout the UK is the inadequacy of current service provision, with a general lack of understanding of their needs. These standards result from a brainstorming workshop and are related to progressive phases of the disease. They have been the subject of extensive consultation with patients, families and healthcare volunteers and professionals. They incorporate recommendations which should help those professionals who work with people with MS, their families and carers, t o identify their needs for high quality and equally available services.
Lymphoedema Published by Marie Curie Cancer Care, 17 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7XZ. Triptych. 1997. Free on receipt of SAE.
A straightforward leaflet about a previously neglected condition, this publication explains the nature and possible causes of lymphoedema. The reader is encouraged to make a self-assessment in answer to the question ‘Do I have lymphoedema?’ and four methods of self-treatment are outlined. The second side of the leaflet gives sources of help with contact names, and describes the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The Reality of Continuing Care Published by CONCAH (Continuing Care at Home Association) c/o Jill Fardell Associates, 35 Ferringham Lane, Ferring, West Sussex BN12 5NB. 1997. 20 pages. f4.50.
Resulting from concern a t the lack of factual evidence about the standard of care and its accessibility for dependent people and their seven million family carers in the UK, a multi-professional workshop was organised to explore the situation. A case study was used as an example. This booklet records that participants concluded that the patients in the case study did not live up t o the plans which professionals considered desirable; some professionals are pessimistic about their ability t o change the system; and many professionals find it difficult to work with others from different disciplines. Participants proposed as a result of the workshop t h a t members of the caring professions should undertake a percentage of formal accredited continuing education in a multi-professional setting.
Managing Parkinson’s Published by the Health Services Management Unit, University of Manchester, Devonshire House, University Precinct Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 SPL, 1997 (ISBN 0 946250 32 4). 24 pages.
This is the report of a workshop for many types of health care professionals whose work involves patients with Parkinson’s disease. The consensus was that care for people with this disease could be improved by better communication between professionals and with patients, co-ordinated care, and developing effective multi-disciplinary teams spanning primary and secondary care. Parkinson’s disease affects one person in 50 over 80 years; the number will obviously rise as the elderly population increases. The findings of the workshop are encouraging in so far as some of the improvements would not require vast additional funds, but mainly re-allocation of resources.
booklets and leaflets Keeping Well After Your Stroke by Ann Kent and published by The Stroke Association, Stroke House, Whitecross Street, London EC1 Y 8JJ. 1997.38pages. Single copies free. 10 for f 9 .
The first question tackled by this booklet for patients is what the chances are of having a second stroke (answer: higher than for people who have never had a stroke, but you are still more likely not to have another than t o have one). The attractively laid out and illustrated text describes the two main types of stroke, and assures readers that a great deal can be done to avoid further episodes. Medical treatments and drugs are explained, and the booklet ends with encouragement t o adopt a healthier lifestyle, with sections on exercise, diet and so on. Research by The Stroke Association shows a discrepancy between the advice general practitioners claim to have given and the amount recalled by stroke patients; perhaps the availability of a booklet will make it easier t o transmit information.
When Caring Becomes a Crisis When the Person You Care for Has Died Both published by the Carers National Association, 20-25 Glasshouse Yard, London EClA 4JS. 1998. Free.
The Carers National Association joined with The Samaritans to produce these two booklets. When Caring Becomes a Crisis looks at the emotional stresses faced by carers. I t addresses the wide spectrum of different and often conflicting feelings. The combination of stress and the physical demands on a carer can be overwhelming and may lead to a crisis. The booklet emphasises the importance of recognising signs of stress and ways of coping. I t also offers advice on taking a break and how to get financial, practical and emotional support - including counselling. When the Person You Care for Has
Physiotherapy, March 1998, vol84, no 3
Died offers support and practical advice to bereaved carers. It looks at the intense and turbulent emotions of grief and encourages carers to look after themselves. It also covers the practical and legal matters of bereavement and signposts carers to useful agencies.
Standards of Healthcare for People with MS by Jenny Freeman et al and published by the Multiple Sclerosis Research Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Neurorehabilitationand Therapy Services Directorate of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. 11 pages. 1997. Available from the MS Society, 25 Effie Road, London SW6 1EE.
A fundamental problem for the 85,000 people with multiple sclerosis throughout the UK is the inadequacy of current service provision, with a general lack of understanding of their needs. These standards result from a brainstorming workshop and are related to progressive phases of the disease. They have been the subject of extensive consultation with patients, families and healthcare volunteers and professionals. They incorporate recommendations which should help those professionals who work with people with MS, their families and carers, t o identify their needs for high quality and equally available services.
Lymphoedema Published by Marie Curie Cancer Care, 17 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7XZ. Triptych. 1997. Free on receipt of SAE.
A straightforward leaflet about a previously neglected condition, this publication explains the nature and possible causes of lymphoedema. The reader is encouraged to make a self-assessment in answer to the question ‘Do I have lymphoedema?’ and four methods of self-treatment are outlined. The second side of the leaflet gives sources of help with contact names, and describes the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The Reality of Continuing Care Published by CONCAH (Continuing Care at Home Association) c/o Jill Fardell Associates, 35 Ferringham Lane, Ferring, West Sussex BN12 5NB. 1997. 20 pages. f4.50.
Resulting from concern a t the lack of factual evidence about the standard of care and its accessibility for dependent people and their seven million family carers in the UK, a multi-professional workshop was organised to explore the situation. A case study was used as an example. This booklet records that participants concluded that the patients in the case study did not live up t o the plans which professionals considered desirable; some professionals are pessimistic about their ability t o change the system; and many professionals find it difficult to work with others from different disciplines. Participants proposed as a result of the workshop t h a t members of the caring professions should undertake a percentage of formal accredited continuing education in a multi-professional setting.
Managing Parkinson’s Published by the Health Services Management Unit, University of Manchester, Devonshire House, University Precinct Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 SPL, 1997 (ISBN 0 946250 32 4). 24 pages.
This is the report of a workshop for many types of health care professionals whose work involves patients with Parkinson’s disease. The consensus was that care for people with this disease could be improved by better communication between professionals and with patients, co-ordinated care, and developing effective multi-disciplinary teams spanning primary and secondary care. Parkinson’s disease affects one person in 50 over 80 years; the number will obviously rise as the elderly population increases. The findings of the workshop are encouraging in so far as some of the improvements would not require vast additional funds, but mainly re-allocation of resources.