New analysis of health data in the USA has indicated a strong correlation between type 2 diabetes and the onset of dementia. This evidence supports a growing consensus that such a link exists. As Doctor Laura Phipps of Alzheimer's Research UK says:

"Evidence suggests we can lower our risk of dementia by keeping healthy: eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure and weight in check."

The authors of the study say their research proves, "that to have a healthy brain when you're 70, you need to eat right when you're 50”.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/diabetes-ages-the-mind-and-can-bring-on-earlier-dementia-9896358.html

Embrace-learning and #CarersUK have launched a suite of e-learning courses designed to support carers and people working with carers. The package includes four titles - About Me: Building Resilience for Caring; Carer Awareness: Supporting Frontline Practice; Supporting Carers at Work; and The #CareAct Unpacked. To find out more, please visit http://goo.gl/SPczN0

Former care and support minister Paul Burstow, has published his Key to Care report. Amongst its key findings are:

- Some service users have been treated by 50 different carers in a single year

- There have been significant cuts in funding at a time when the number of people needing care has risen

- The shrinkage in council budgets has led to framework contracts that offer little predictability of work and revenue

- The system is facing a recruitment crisis. "More people need care and there is less money to pay for it and not enough people willing to do the work."

The home care system is "nearing crisis point" and "appears designed to keep caring professional relationships from forming between workers and those they care for”.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/dec/02/home-care-system-crisis-point-paul-burstow-report

Are you looking to learn or develop skills, and gain nationally-recognised qualifications, which will open opportunities for you to work and/or advance further in the health and social sector? Please visit: http://www.embrace-learning.co.uk or give us a call on 0161 928 9987. Our team of advisors look forward to hearing from you.

An in-depth look at how the #CareAct will affect homecare providers. The 'traditional' council-defined services will be replaced by systems which assess and provide for people's needs. The Act's statutory guidance includes:-

- the involvement of service users in deciding their care and support plans

- the greater use of low level services to help people remain at home

- homecare providers to encourage family carers to gain additional council support

- councils to be responsible for 'market-shaping' the local market comprehensively

- councils now must make decisions on purchasing homecare based on value for money and not on economies alone.

http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2014/dec/01/care-act-2014-uk-homecare-providers

A moving and thought-provoking account of a son who works full-time 'shifts' caring for his mother who has advanced dementia.

He now appreciates the tasks he was once dreading. It took a simple mental readjustment he describes as "[disengaging] my overactive, self-obsessed, 21st-century brain and [allowing] it to happen."

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/28/caring-mother-alzheimers-love-self-obsessed

According to a report by Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Alzheimer’s Society, people with dementia are lacking the quality care they need. The findings cite a failure to recognise the condition as a terminal illness as one of the main reasons for this distressing situation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30272239