Wheeling someone in a chair into and out of a lift brings its challenges and decisions. Do you go in forwards or backwards? Forwards can be a bit unnerving for the passenger if the doors start to close soon, as many of them do. A wheelchair passenger's feet go first; they are vulnerable. Backwards g...

Wow, Bowlingbun, that's a good one! I've been using this forum for a while and thought I knew my way round, but I have ignored quick links up to now, thinking it was a link to external sites in which I had no interest. It all goes to show how different people view web sites in different ways. This i...

It is interesting how threads suddenly come to life again after over a year. Yes, Specsavers is NHS approved and has a branch in every large town. There may be other NHS approved shops. Yes, Emily, it is always best to refer hearing problems initially to your GP, who will refer you if necessary. Som...

This thread was marginal in its connection with caring from the outset, and it has become more a consumer affairs matter than a caring one. I have said plenty and have reached the point where it is time for me to bow out. My prediction is that those who opt out of the cheap-rate variable tariffs ava...

I often watch tv programs on subjects I'm hardly likely to do, cakes I'm not going to bake. I climb Mount Everest from my armchair! . . . Mightn't the choice of what's on the tv depend on the likes and dislikes of the healthcare workers who have the remote control? . . . Thanks, Rosemary. Maybe I w...

Hello Lesley. Quite simply, your mum needs to be in a care home, where she will be under the constant care of staff trained to deal with conditions like this. You need to give your own health a chance; the more you let it deteriorate the less help you will be to her or anyone else. I presume mum's h...

My Mum has her own tv in her own room. Don't most? The home has several common areas, people chose which to sit in, only one has a tv on. They don't have to stay in that area if they don't wish. Yes, most private bedrooms have a TV, but that is not always a good solution. My mother spent too much t...

I have been thinking about posting this for a while. I did not get round to it, but a current news story prompted me. In the various care homes I visit, the television is almost constantly on in the communal day room. It can sometimes be a distracting nuisance when I am trying to talk to a resident,...

My concern with these smaller companies is small fish in a big pond. They do well for a year or two building up a customer base and good reputation then next thing you know they either fail to meet government targets or attract the attention of someone else and end up getting taken over/sold off, a...

Never a good move but ... as austerity works it way up the income scale , little option for many ... short of downsizing and / or moving into another area. I wonder how many students are financed by equity release loans ? Or , first time buyers making a move into the property market. The real fun w...