Your Health Stay Well and choose the right NHS services in Norfolk and Waveney Feel free to browse through this magazine or take it with you
Published by the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups in Norfolk and Waveney
Your Health has been produced to help you stay well and choose the right NHS services in Norfolk and Waveney. This magazine has been produced by the five NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) for Norfolk and Waveney and Public Health at Norfolk County Council. It contains some help and advice on how to stay well throughout the year. Please see the centre-page spread for some really important advice on staying well during the colder months, including: • Have a flu jab – it’s free on the NHS if you are eligible • Have the pneumococcal vaccination if you are eligible • Keep your home warm enough when it is cold, particularly if you suffer from breathing problems • Be a good neighbour and check on older people you know, to make sure they are keeping warm
There is also a section on Be Ready for It, a campaign that helps people to talk openly about dying and encourages you to plan ahead so you can make the right choices about end of life care.
• Don’t spread norovirus (tummy upsets).
• Keep your medicine cabinet well-stocked. Ask your pharmacist for advice There are also some top tips on how to quit smoking, how to help your GP Practice and it explains how you can help us save up to £4.7million a year by ‘opening the bag’ at your pharmacy and making sure that you only take away medicines that you are going to use.
This booklet was produced in January 2017 and while we have made every effort to ensure that the information was correct at time of publication, we cannot accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies. Disclaimer This publication has been paid for by advertising and is produced at no cost to the five Norfolk and Waveney CCGs and Norfolk County Council. We value the support of the advertisers in enabling this brochure to be produced and distributed but we do not specifically endorse any product, service or supplier advertising within it.
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• Seek medical advice if an existing (long term) condition suddenly gets worse – to prevent admission to hospital
What is Healthwatch? Healthwatch is the independent consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public. We play a role at both local and national level to make sure that your experiences of health and social care are taken into account by the service providers.
What we are responsible for: Enabling people to share their views and concerns about health and social care services in Norfolk and Waveney Helping to build a picture of where services are doing well and where they can be improved Providing authoritative, evidence-based feedback to organisations responsible for commissioning or delivering local health and social care services Working with clinical commissioning groups and social care providers amongst others to help make sure that services are designed to meet local people’s needs
Norfolk For more information please go to our website: www.healthwatchnorfolk.co.uk To get in touch, please email: enquiries@healthwatchnorfolk.co.uk or call us on 01953 856 029.
Help your NHS help you! Top tips – things every one of us can do
Your GP or practice nurse want to give you the best possible service. They’re all really busy – everyone knows that – so here’s what we can all do to help them help us:
Suffolk For more information please go to our website: www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk To get in touch, please email: Info@healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk
• Think before you make an appointment – Self care is often an option, and consider whether the advice and medicines you need are available from a community pharmacy. You can also try www.nhs.uk for advice. Or ring 111.
• Tell your GP surgery if you need to cancel an appointment – By doing so, they can give the time to someone else.
• Help yourself – You can buy over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen from pharmacies, and this is not only cheaper for the NHS; it’s easier and quicker than asking your GP.
• When it’s urgent – If you cannot see your GP, please call NHS 111 or use one of the local walk-in units – the Walk-in Centre in Rouen Road, Norwich, or the Cromer Minor Injuries Unit. Remember, your pharmacy may be able to help too.
Thank you! Your doctor really appreciates your help.
The Self Care Forum, a charity that seeks to improve the population’s health, is urging us to choose to self care for life and to make it a lifelong habit. Self care is simply about feeling in control of our health and making choices that improve our lives, and those of our family. Most of us self care every single day without realising it. Every time we brush our teeth, eat an apple or walk the dog, for instance; that’s self care. Self care helps us invest in our long-term health by living the healthiest life we can, both mentally and physically. Reducing anxiety and stress is important, and making small changes to the way we live our lives can really make a difference. We can also practice self care when we are unwell. Most of us experience common ailments, such as backache, coughs or headaches, as part of normal daily living. We know that by taking over-thecounter remedies, we can ease those troublesome symptoms. However, it’s also important to know how long the symptoms of these common ailments normally last, and when we might need to seek advice from a health professional, such as a pharmacist.
Let’s swap bad health habits for good ones! The Self Care Forum has produced factsheets on many common conditions and these are available online at www.selfcareforum/factsheets For more health information on how to make self care part of your daily life, go to the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk) or speak to a local pharmacist for advice on lifestyle changes.
There is only One You – make small changes now…. Modern life makes it hard to be healthy. Without knowing it, by the time we reach our 40s and 50s many of us will have dramatically increased our chances of becoming ill later in life. Whether we are eating the wrong things, drinking more alcohol than we should, continuing to smoke, or just not being active enough, all of these things add up. Such habits can increase the risk of you developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease in the future. One You is here to remind you that your health matters.
A good way to start the fight for a healthier you is to take our free One You health quiz, ‘How are you’. Simply search one you online now or go to www.nhs.uk/oneyou/hay
Need to make some changes? Taking action now, making those simple changes, can double your chances of being healthy at 70 and beyond. You can do it! Have a look at the suggestions from your health quiz and use some of the support below. All of the apps mentioned can be downloaded free at www.nhs.uk/oneyou/apps
Eating well For healthy eating ideas have a look at the One You easy meals app where you’ll find delicious, easy meal ideas…..
Eating healthily doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and in fact in can be cheaper! For tips to help you eat a healthy diet and save money on your weekly food shopping bill see www.nhs.uk/Livewell/eat4cheap If you live in Norfolk Joy of Food cookery courses help you to produce day-to-day, cheap and healthy home-cooked meals from scratch. You can sign up for free classes in Norfolk regardless of age or ability.
To find out more or to book onto a course, email The Joy of Food on joyoffood@norfolk.gov.uk or phone 01603 638485.
Moving more Being active is really good for your body, mind and health – and there are lots of ways you and your family can get moving. Take a look at all the great opportunities available in Norfolk at www.activenorfolk.org
Or try the very popular Couch to 5K app which you can download to your phone – grab your trainers, download the app and follow the stepby-step instructions.
Drinking less alcohol It’s easy to let drink sneak up on you and you may be drinking more alcohol than you realise. Reduce the risks by keeping close tabs on how much alcohol you are drinking and stay within the guidelines for men and women, which is no more than 14 units of alcohol a week. To find out more, use the Drinks Tracker app.
Becoming smoke free If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you’ll ever do for your health. Have a look at the free smoking services available to you on the smoke free pages in this booklet or download the Smokefree app. This app can help you stop smoking by providing daily support and motivation. Did you know that more than 80% of smoke is invisible and odourless? Cigarette smoke could linger in your home for up to two and half hours, even with a window open. There is no doubt that secondhand cigarette smoke harms children. Making small changes to reduce or prevent the harm caused by secondhand smoke, such as taking 7 steps out of your home before smoking, can make all the difference. If you are unable to take 7 steps out, incorporating your smoking into a walk to the shops is better than smoking in the home. To find out more about protecting your children by keeping your home smoke free, visit www.take7stepsout.co.uk
Wellbeing service for stress, anxiety and depression Did you know that Norfolk and Waveney has a new improved wellbeing service which is supporting an additional 3,500 people locally every year? Wellbeing is important to us all. We want to feel good about ourselves, to get the most out of our lives and feel connected to other people. ‘Wellbeing’ means feeling more than just happy and confident; it means feeling able to cope when things get tough in our lives or when our physical health suffers. Wellbeing Norfolk and Waveney provides a range of support for people with common mental health and emotional issues, such as low mood, depression or stress. This service will work with you to help you make the necessary changes to improve your wellbeing and quality of life.
Wellbeing Norfolk and Waveney is a partnership between: • Norwich and Central Norfolk MIND, West Norfolk MIND and Great Yarmouth & Waveney MIND • Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust • Relate
Services provided include: • Walk-in centres • One-to-one support • Self-help advice • Specialist services for young people (16 to 25) • Relationship counselling for couples, individuals and families • Courses to help achieve a better sense of wellbeing, and to manage issues such as stress, worry, insomnia and IBS • Peer support and access to social groups in your area • Helping you find other support for issues affecting your wellbeing such as debt, housing, employment
Case study John suffered from anxiety and depression from an early age, his mother died when he was 12 years old and he found it hard to cope with the stress of school. “After my initial assessment with the wellbeing service I was offered six sessions of guided selfhelp with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) named Richard.
You can access the wellbeing service yourself
Without any pressure we put together a few simple goals that I felt I would be able to manage. From the start I felt anxious and worried that I couldn’t achieve the goals that were set. Throughout the sessions we worked around these feelings by completing the weekly diary together and I was guided through the process.
The service is free for people aged 16 and over, living in Norfolk and Waveney. You can access support through your GP or any other health or social care professional, or you can self-refer by calling 0300 123 1503 or via the website: www.wellbeingnandw.co.uk
Richard listened to me, and I was allowed to work at my own pace with no pressure. This meant I could achieve what I set out to do. I was offered encouragement to reach my aims without feeling it was hard work. Since getting this help I have gone onto to put my life back on track.”
Lowering stress and sleeping better There are many causes of stress, including work, relationships and money problems. Stress can affect the way you think or behave and can affect how your body works, as well as your sleep. There is no quick fix for this but relaxing, getting some exercise, eating a healthy diet and talking to someone can help. Having a regular bedtime routine can help you get good quality sleep which helps you stay healthy. If you need further support, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression or take a look at the wide range of services provided by the local Wellbeing service – see the section in this brochure or visit www.wellbeingnandw.co.uk
Checking ourselves A free NHS Health Check is available for those aged 40 to 74. You should be eligible if: • You have not already been diagnosed with one of the following: • Cardiovascular disease – i.e. previous heart attack, coronary heart disease, stroke, angina, transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or heart failure • Diabetes • Kidney disease (stages 3, 4 or 5) • Hypertension (high blood pressure) • You have not been prescribed statins by your GP • You live in Norfolk and/or are registered with a Norfolk GP • You have not had an NHS Health Check in the last five years (you will become eligible again five years after your last one) If you live in Norfolk, you should expect to receive a letter from your GP inviting or advising you where to go for a free check. It only takes 20 to 30 minutes and involves simple tests including measuring your height, weight and blood pressure, a cholesterol test and, for some people, a glucose test.
You can then receive tailored health advice to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, having a stroke and dementia in the future. NHS Health Checks are available in most GP surgeries and at more than 50 pharmacies across Norfolk. Find out more at www.mynhshealthcheck.com If you are not eligible for an NHS health Check or in between checks and want to take control and monitor your health, see https://www.nhs.uk/ oneyou If you want to keep updated with health matters from Norfolk County Council, sign up at www.norfolk.gov.uk
Do you smoke? Are you a smoker?
Lungs
Smoking is the cause of 300 deaths every day in the UK. That’s 100,000 deaths a year. Don’t let it be you. Stopping smoking can lead to real improvements to your lifestyle and health – in ways you might not expect. Once you stop smoking some of the benefits are immediate and some longer-term.
Coughs, colds, wheezing and asthma are just the start. Smoking can cause fatal diseases such as pneumonia, emphysema and lung cancer. Smoking causes 84% of deaths from lung cancer and 83% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The good news is that once you stop smoking, your health improves and your body will begin to recover
Find out how quickly you’ll notice the benefits of stopping After 20 minutes Pulse rate returns to normal.
After 8 hours Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by more than half and oxygen levels return to normal.
After 48 hours Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
After 48 hours There is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is improved.
After 72 hours Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
After 2-12 weeks Your circulation improves.
After 3-9 months Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.
After 1 year Risk of heart disease is about half compared with a person who is still smoking.
After 10 years Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
After 15 years Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked. Did you know that five years after you stop smoking the risk of a heart attack falls to about half, compared with a person who is still smoking?
Each cigarette contains: More than 4,000 chemicals 250 known toxins More than 70 carcinogens
Would you like help to quit? Get expert help to quit – you’re more likely to be successful • 70% of smokers attempt a quit each year • Only 3% succeed by ‘going cold turkey’ over the year • 25% succeed with support and medication through the stop smoking services • Seeking professional help to quit can double your chances of success If you live in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, your stop smoking service is run by East Coast Community Healthcare. Call 0800 652 3477 or text QUIT to 65000 If you live elsewhere in Norfolk, your stop smoking service is run by Norfolk Community Health and Care (NCH&C). Call 0800 0854 113 or text bfree and your name to 65000. There is a lot more information at http://www.nhs.uk/smokefree
It is Never TOO Late to Stop! Smoking and pregnancy Smoking during and after pregnancy can seriously affect your baby. It increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, cot death, congenital heart defects and underdevelopment. But pregnant women have one of the best incentives to give up and up to 40 per cent of all pregnant women who smoked have successfully quit their habit. Stopping isn’t as simple as crumpling up your last packet and throwing it away, but we can help you plan the best way for you to stop. Cravings only last between two and five minutes on average. So find something to distract you for a few minutes. Do anything but simply sit there and wait for the craving to pass. If you are pregnant and you smoke, make an appointment to see a specialist stop smoking advisor. For friendly advice on how to help stop smoking call: NCH&C - 0800 0854 113 ECCH - 0800 652 3477 (Great Yarmouth and Waveney)
Delivering compassionate personal care in the home to adults of all ages who need help with: • Bathing • Dressing • Meals • Shopping • Laundry • Socialising We specialise in helping you with your mobility, and can provide any level of service up to round the clock support if needed, including 24 hour live in care. Our teams work across Norwich and North Norfolk.
We are currently recruiting full and part time staff; please contact us for more information.
Room 6, 17 – 19 St John Maddermarket, Norwich, Norfolk NR21DN Tel: 01603 762318 Fax: 01603 764302 E-mail: admin@compkeyhealthcare.co.uk www.compkeyhealthcare.co.uk
A grant giving organisation
Norfolk Community Foundation is an independent charity for the county that offers a range of funding opportunities on behalf of local people, public, private and voluntary sector bodies and other donors who wish to support good causes in Norfolk. In the last 12 months alone, we have delivered through our donors almost £3 million of grant giving to support a wide range of community groups.
Leaving a legacy to help make Norfolk a better place
If you love Norfolk, you may be thinking of leaving a gift in your will to support local charities, good causes or community groups in their work to meet need in the county. It’s a great way to leave a positive mark on the community long after you are gone. By simply naming Norfolk Community Foundation as a beneficiary in your will we can continue to address emerging needs, meet pockets of deprivation and invest in key areas in the future through our Love Norfolk Fund, which pools donations of all sizes to provide grants to Norfolk organisations. We will ensure your legacy is money well spent. Alternatively, if you have a particular cause e.g. mental health, or a specific area e.g. North Norfolk, in which you are interested in, you can leave a specific instruction with your legacy to ensure targeted grant making to the causes you care about. We work in partnership with solicitors and accountants to ensure that your wishes are carried out when leaving a gift or legacy in a will.
Support the causes you care about through a named fund
Your own Named Fund at Norfolk Community Foundation works just like your own charitable trust but is a lot easier for you to manage. We handle the investment, correspondence, compliance and governance. This leaves you free to focus on building your fund, perhaps over a number of years, and working with us to decide which applications should receive a grant from your fund. Our staff would be more than happy to help guide you through the process of leaving a charitable legacy or explore the possibility of setting up your own named fund. For more information please contact Claire Cullens, Director of Development on
01603 623958
We would be pleased to advise you, in confidence and without you feeling committed. Norfolk Community Foundation offers a range of ways to give, and donations of any size can help to make a difference to local good causes.
www.norfolkfoundation.com/give
For more general information please go to our website:
www.norfolkfoundation.com
Registered Charity Number 1110817 • Company Registration Number 05234236
Winter conditions can be seriously bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 or older, and people with long-term conditions. The cold and damp weather, ice, snow and high winds can all aggravate any existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to illnesses that are more common in winter. Being cold can raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. But there are lots of things you can do to stay well this winter. Five things we recommend you do over winter: • Make sure you get your flu jab. • Keep your home at least 18°C (65°F) if you can. • Take advantage of financial schemes and discounts to help you pay for heating. • Visit your local pharmacist as soon as you start to feel unwell. • Look out for other people who may need a bit of extra help over the winter.
Flu Flu is an unpredictable virus that can cause mild or unpleasant illness in most people. But it can cause severe illness and even death among vulnerable groups including older people, pregnant women and people with an underlying health condition. These people are advised to have a flu jab each year. The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to ensure they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications.
You are eligible to receive a free flu jab if you:
• are 65 years of age or over
• are pregnant
• have certain medical conditions
• are very overweight
• are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
• receive a carer’s allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
• are a front-line health and social care worker. It is your employer’s responsibility to arrange vaccination for you
Children’s flu vaccination The flu vaccine is recommended for:
• children over the age of six months with a long-term health condition
• children aged two, three and four plus children in school years one, two and three
Children aged between six months and two years of age who are eligible for the flu vaccine should have the flu jab.
Pneumococcal vaccination People with serious health conditions, adults aged 65 or over, pregnant women, some carers and healthy children aged between 2 and 4, plus children in primary school years one and two, all qualify for a free pneumococcal vaccination. While getting your flu jab at the GP don’t forget to ask for yours. This jab will offer lifetime protection against pneumococcal infections, which can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia, and meningitis. For more information go to: www.nhs.uk
Keep warm It is important to keep warm in winter – both inside and outdoors. Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
Here are some ‘top tips’ for keeping warm in winter: Heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F) – You might prefer your main living room to be slightly warmer.
Keep your bedroom window closed on winter nights – Because breathing cold air can be bad for your health as it increases the risk of chest infections.
Keep active when you’re indoors – Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Wear several layers of light clothes – Because they trap warm air better than one bulky layer. Make sure you’re receiving all the help that you’re entitled to – Learn how to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating and keep up with your energy bills at www.gov.uk/phe/keep-warm
And check your heating and cooking appliances are safe – Contact a Gas Safe registered
engineer to make sure they’re operating properly.
Is your medicine cabinet ready for the winter? Most common winter ailments, such as a cold, sore throat, cough, sinusitis or painful middle ear infection (earache), can’t be treated with antibiotics. The best thing to do is: • Rest • Drink plenty of fluids • Have at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up • Talk to your pharmacist for advice on getting any pain relief you need such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Your pharmacist can advise you on which medicines you should have in your cabinet, to help get you and your family through the winter season.
Have you still not had your flu jab? If you’re 65 or over or you have a long-term health condition, flu can be serious. That’s why you’re eligible for a free flu jab. Don’t put it off. Get your flu jab straight away.
nhs.uk/staywell
Cheril Sowell, Nurse
Providing Services for Adults and Children with Learning Disabilities Merle Boddy House
RESIDENTIAL SERVICE
• 10 bed residential home for adults with learning disabilities • Based in a central location in Dereham
CLUBS AND GROUPS
• Dereham Drop In • Saturday Club • Gateway Club • Cromer drop In • Arts and Crafts Holiday Club • Stepping Out Club • Family Carers
OUTREACH SUPPORT
• Easy access to busses and local facilities • Person centred care
• A happy and friendly environment highly Mid trained professional staff Norfolk Mencap aims to • Open visiting for family empower individuals to make and friends informed choices, and to encourage them to take responsibility for these choices. Supporting individuals when they are confronted with difficulties and building upon their positive experiences, to be involved members in their local community and to have access to the same opportunities as all members of society. Our committed staff pride themselves on giving quality and reliability to the people we support, their families/carers and professionals. For more information contact the office or visit our Website and look in Services Registered Office: 1a Tavern Lane, Dereham, Norfolk NR19 1PX Tel: (01362) 693013 www.midnorfolkmencap.org Email: info@midnorfolkmencap.org • Reg. Charity No.: 1049364
Getting help If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Ask your pharmacist Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Ask your GP practice You may be offered advice over the phone or offered a consultation with a GP or Practice Nurse. GP practices provide treatments for a wide range of illnesses or health conditions, offer advice, vaccinations and some offer surgical procedures. They can also refer you to see specialists should you need it.
Visit an urgent care service Visit a walk-in centre, minor injuries unit or urgent care centre if you have a minor illness or injury (infections, vomiting and stomach aches) and it can’t wait until your GP surgery is open. These urgent care services are often managed by nurses and some also have doctors. You don’t need an appointment and they are open outside office hours.
Accident and Emergency A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
OPEN THE BAG
Before you leave the pharmacy.
An estimated £4.7m of unused medicines are wasted every year in Norfolk and Waveney. Once an unwanted medicine has left the pharmacy, it cannot be used even if hasn’t been opened. By reducing the amount of medicines wasted each year, we could increase the funding available for other vital health services.
Please OPEN THE BAG – if you don’t need all the medicine please hand it back at the counter or to the delivery driver. For more information visit: http://tiny.cc/YourMedicines_YourNHS
Breastfeeding – good for baby, good for mums Life-lasting benefits Giving nothing but breastmilk is recommended for about the first six months of a baby’s life. After this time, giving a baby breastmilk alongside other foods will help them grow and develop, and protect them from illness.
It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to feed your baby. In the UK, more than 73% of mothers start breastfeeding.
These are some of the reasons why: • your breast milk is perfectly designed for your baby • breast milk protects your baby from infections and diseases • breastfeeding provides health benefits for you, greater protection from breast and ovarian cancer • breast milk is available for your baby whenever your baby needs it • breastfeeding can build a strong emotional bond between you and your baby Families also benefit by saving money – infant formula and feeding equipment can cost well over £450 a year. Fathers can feel closer to their baby by providing skin-to-skin contact, particularly in the early days and weeks. They play a vital role in supporting successful breastfeeding. Mothers are more likely to breastfeed for longer if they have a supportive partner and family. For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/benefits-breastfeeding.aspx
Anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, about one in 79 people currently have dementia and one million people will be living with dementia by 2025. If you have concerns about yourself or a loved one, asking your GP for advice might be a good first step.
Dementia Friendly Norfolk
To find your nearest Dementia Friend awareness session, visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk You can also become a Dementia Friends Champion – a volunteer who encourages others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their community. They do this by providing information about the personal impact of dementia, and showing others what they can do to help. You can get involved in becoming a champion by registering here: https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk
If you are living with, or caring for someone, with dementia, the Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance is an excellent source of information and advice. Its Dementia Friendly Norfolk website provides answers to many questions about the condition. Many organisations, professionals, charities and people with experience of dementia from across Norfolk have contributed their knowledge and experience to create this valuable and helpful online resource. Its aim is to provide information and support, to help anyone whose life is affected by dementia. For more information, visit http://www.dementiafriendlynorfolk.com/
Living with Dementia Being diagnosed with dementia can come as a shock. Even if you have been half expecting it, this will be a worrying and upsetting time. It can also be hard for those close to you. You will all need a great deal of reassurance and support. However, there are many things you can do in the early stages that can help to make life easier and more enjoyable, now and in the future. Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK Norfolk run a number of ‘dementia cafés’ across Norfolk. These provide supportive environments for people with dementia and their carers, and offer information, refreshments, stimulating chat and friendly faces. To search for cafés and support in your area, visit: http://www.dementiafriendlynorfolk.com/ search/place
Dementia Friends Anyone can take part in local ‘Dementia Friends’ awareness sessions and training. A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action. Dementia Friends information sessions are run by volunteer Dementia Friends Champions, who are trained and supported by Alzheimer’s Society.
Delivering compassionate personal care in the home to adults of all ages who need help with: • Bathing • Dressing • Meals • Shopping • Laundry • Socialising We specialise in helping you with your mobility, and can provide any level of service up to round the clock support if needed, including 24 hour live in care. Our teams work across Norwich and North Norfolk.
We are currently recruiting full and part time staff; please contact us for more information.
Room 6, 17 – 19 St John Maddermarket, Norwich, Norfolk NR21DN Tel: 01603 762318 Fax: 01603 764302 E-mail: admin@compkeyhealthcare.co.uk www.compkeyhealthcare.co.uk
Love your teeth! Not everyone likes going to the dentist, so developing good habits helps everyone. Probably the most important advice is to start going to the dentist on a regular basis. This is crucial if you have young children and you haven’t taken them to the dentist yet. Dentists can give advice on how to clean children’s teeth and what they should eat and drink to avoid getting holes. We are seeing an unacceptably high number of young children having to have several teeth extracted under a general anaesthetic because of tooth decay. Tooth decay is preventable if the correct advice is received by the parents and acted upon.
Question: How do you go about finding a dentist? Answer: Word of mouth! It’s true – asking your friends who they would recommend can often be useful to find a dentist if you have not yet discovered one. You can phone a practice to arrange an appointment. If they can’t fit you in, and many practices are very busy, then visit the website www.nhs.uk which will show practices in your area that might be accepting new patients. If you are on a low income, you might be entitled to some assistance towards your dental costs. Just ask the dental practice for a form to fill in which should help to indicate whether you are entitled to assistance. You can collect a form, known as an HC1, from any Post Office if you would rather check on potential financial help before starting dental treatment. Dentistry these days shouldn’t be a scary experience, so let’s work together to improve oral health in Norfolk. Nick Stolls - Secretary, Norfolk Local Dental Committee
Tummy bugs – what to do and what not to do!
Please don’t spread it! You may be infectious (and a risk to other people) for up to 48 hours after your symptoms disappear. So for 48 hours: • Avoid preparing food for other people • Stay away from schools, visiting someone in hospital, public transport etc You wouldn’t want to catch it. So protect others and stop the spread!
No-one wants a tummy bug. Sickness and diarrhoea are no fun for anyone. So how can you protect yourself and your family? • wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water • don’t share towels and flannels • disinfect surfaces that an infected person has touched
Be ready for it will help you think about all the options, such as where you would prefer to die, and will also help you to get support if you are on your own.
Be ready for it is a campaign designed to help you to talk openly about dying and plan ahead so that you can make the right choices about end of life care. Many people find it hard to talk about death and dying. This could be because death may feel a long way off, or you may feel too young to talk about it. But we do need to talk about it and be prepared, and share our plans so that the people around us know how we want to be cared for.
In Norfolk and Waveney, we have developed ‘Thinking Ahead Yellow Folders’. Your GP or district nurse will be able to supply you with a yellow folder. Many people find it helpful to discuss their Advance Care Plan with their family and share it with their health and social care team. You can also make an appointment to talk through the issues with your GP, district nurse, care home manager or social worker. The Thinking Ahead Yellow Folders provide the support you need to complete your Advance Care Plan.
You don’t have to be ill or dying to make plans for your future, but it is important to start thinking about your wishes. By making these choices clear to your family, carers or friends, they can ensure your preferences are followed when you reach the end of your life.
Safeguarding adults and children If anyone is worried about their own or someone else’s safety and feels they may be at risk of abuse or harm, they can discuss this with Norfolk County Council’s adult and children’s safeguarding team by ringing 0344 800 8020. In an emergency, you should always ring 999.
We are very grateful to the businesses whose advertisements appear in this publication. As a mark of our gratitude we would like to draw the attention of the readers to their details and announcements. We are required to make it clear however that neither Excellmedia nor the distributor can accept responsibility for any services or workmanship that they may undertake.
Telephone: 08450 707040 www.excell-media.co.uk admin@excell-media.co.uk This brochure was produced by excellmedia The Barn at Westwinds, Bank Lane, Warton Preston PR4 1AT
#IWalkedAway when friends made me realise my kids were being affected. #NoToDomesticAbuse
Anyone can be affected by domestic abuse. It may be you, or a friend or a member of your family. Don’t sit on it or keep it quiet – please seek help. There are agencies you can go to for help in turning your life around.
Help aabuse friend or family Standing together against domestic
member access support to walk away safely from domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone and takes all kinds of forms – physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or sexual. Much of it goes unreported. This campaign aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse and increase reporting and referrals to agencies that can help In March 2016, there were 1,115 domestic abuse crimes and incidents reported to Norfolk police, of which 407 were crimes and 72 deemed of significant risk. For more information about domestic abuse and the campaign, visit www.iwalkedaway and look out for the hashtags #IWalkedAway and #IsItYou? Anyone can call the confidential 24-hour
You can also call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 hours). national helpline on(24 0808 2000 247 or visit
www.iwalkedaway.co.uk
Here to help you stay well Call 111. If you need medical help fast, but it’s not life
threatening or you’re not sure where to go. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free.
Ask a pharmacist. They’re highly trained healthcare
experts, on everything from colds to long-term conditions.
Norwich Walk-in Centre, Rouen House, Rouen Road,
Norwich. 01603 677500. Open 7am-9pm, seven days a week.
Cromer Minor Injuries Unit, Mill Road, Cromer. 01603
646200. Open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
Contact your GP practice. Many practices can offer
advice over the phone and decide if you need to see a GP or nurse in person Hospital emergency departments are for life-threatening emergencies only. If you’re not sure whether it is an emergency, call 111.