What is SELF-CARE and why does it matter?

Better self care is good practice, and makes time for consultations with people who need them…Help the NHS to help YOU!

Self-Care is very important for ALL patients, but also for those who are informal carers looking after family, friends or neighbours.

GP consultations that are currently taken up for minor ailments could be used for people with more serious or long-term conditions and those recovering from illnesses and injuries. There are estimated to be around 15 million in England with a long term health condition and this figure is likely to increase with the growing ageing population.

Self-Care is about looking after yourself in a healthy way. It can be anything from eating healthily, doing some exercise, managing common conditions (like headaches, colds and flu) or living with a long-term health problem, such as asthma or diabetes.

Please find below various fact sheets and self-care guidance leaflets for you to refer to, should you have any concerns (for the most up-to-date information or if the links do not work, please visit: http://www.selfcareforum.org/fact-sheets/).

Worried your Child is unwell? Click HERE for self-care guidance (or scroll down).

Acne (Spots)

Back Pain

Breast Awareness

Cold

Conjunctivitis

Contact Lens Advice

Constipation

COPD Advice

Cough (Adults)

Counselling – Online Support for Young People

Cystitis in Women

Dementia Advice

Ear Care & Syringing

Ear Infection

Ear Wax

Eczema

First Aid for DIY Injuries

Headache & Migraine

Head Lice

Heartburn & Indigestion

Joint Injections

Mental Wellbeing – low mood, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem or other mood issues

Oral or Vaginal Thrush

Over the Counter Medication

Prostate Awareness

PSA Testing

Reflux in Babies

Self-help books for adult mental health issues

Self-help books about mental health issues for young people

SEPSIS – Adult & Child

Sinusitis (Adults)

Sore Throat

Sprains & Strains

Testicle Awareness

Threadworms

Tick Bites & Lyme Disease

Urine Symptoms – MEN

Warts & Verrucae

Abdominal Pain

Bronchiolitis (lower chest infection)

Diarrhoea & Vomiting

Fever Advice – 5 years old +

Fever Advice – Under 5 years old

Head Injury

Are you a young carer, or do you look after a spouse, parent, relative or friend?

At each of our four sites we have a carers’ lead who is there to help you with any questions or queries you may have and provide help with gathering information and seeking advice. The name of the individual carers lead is displayed on the carers’ information board at their site.  Our carers leads also work hard to provide events throughout the year to keep you in touch with any changes, for example they may have a ‘tea & chat’ afternoon session where relevant speakers attend to provide you with information, or have just a social event for you and the person you care for. If you are interested in joining our carers register please contact reception.

Are You a Carer?

That is, do you provide regular and substantial care for a person who is frail, elderly or disabled? Knowing that you are a carer will help our staff to give you information, support and advice if you need it. The doctor will also be able to take this into account when treating you andr the person you care for. When you contact the surgery for appointments we will try to offer you a convenient time for you and the person you care for to fit in with your caring responsibilities.

As a carer you may be entitled to:

• A carer’s assessment from Social Services if you are undertaking a substantial amount of care on a regular basis. This assessment is free and open to all carers regardless of financial circumstances. You will get information and advice and be able to find out about services including help with personal care, day care, short-term sitting and respite care, equipment and home adaptations, emergency schemes, Blue Badges for parking, carers groups events. Contact the Social Service Department where the cared for person lives to ask for an assessment; Bury: 0161 253 5151
• Benefits for Carers\Cared for person. Everyone’s situation is different, some benefits depend on your savings and income, others are unaffected by your financial position. We strongly recommend you contact the appropriate agency to see if you\the cared for are entitled to any financial assistance. Contact the Department of Work and Pensions; Over 60years 0800 991234; under 60 years 0800 0556688.
• General carer’s information and someone to talk to. Help and Care is a local charity providing information on over 40 topics of interest to Carers. If you want to find out about how services work, where to get equipment, care\nursing home services, holidays for carers\cared for, wills\power of attorney\trust funds, transport, course or support groups etc you can talk to an advisor. The service is based locally and is confidential. If you just need someone to talk about your situation the advisor will try to help and reassure you. Telephone 0845 500 418.

Adult Care Connect and Direct Hub

https://www.theburydirectory.co.uk/kb5/bury/directory/service.page?id=9rqyx2P6nXg

If you’re becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you’re over the age of 65, it may be a good idea to talk to your GP about the early signs of dementia.

As you get older, you may find that memory loss becomes a problem. It’s normal for your memory to be affected by age, stress, tiredness, or certain illnesses and medications. This can be annoying if it happens occasionally, but if it’s affecting your daily life or is worrying you or someone you know, you should seek help from your GP.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a common condition that affects about 800,000 people in the UK. Your risk of developing dementia increases as you get older, and the condition usually occurs in people over the age of 65.

Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities.

This includes problems with:

• memory loss
• thinking speed
• mental agility
• language
• understanding
• judgement

People with dementia can become apathetic or uninterested in their usual activities, and have problems controlling their emotions (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/dementia-behaviour.aspx). They may also find social situations challenging, lose interest in socialising (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/relationships-and-dementia.aspx), and aspects of their personality may change.

As dementia affects a person’s mental abilities, they may find planning and organising difficult. Maintaining their independence (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/staying-independent-with-dementia.aspx) may also become a problem. A person with dementia will therefore usually need help from friends or relatives, including help with decision making (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/dementia-diagnosis-plan.aspx).

Your GP will discuss the possible causes of memory loss with you, including dementia.

Other symptoms can include:

• increasing difficulties with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning
• depression (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/depression/pages/introduction.aspx)
• changes in personality and mood
• periods of mental confusion
• difficulty saying the right words

Most types of dementia can’t be cured, but if it’s detected early there are ways you can slow it down and maintain mental function.

How common is dementia?

According to the Alzheimer’s Society (http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/infographic) there are around 800,000 people in the UK with dementia. One in three people over 65 will develop dementia, and two-thirds of people with dementia are women.

The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2021, the number of people with dementia in the UK will have increased to around 1 million.

Why is it important to get a diagnosis?

An early diagnosis can help people with dementia get the right treatment and support, and help those close to them to prepare and plan for the future. With treatment and support, many people are able to lead active, fulfilled lives (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/living-well-with-dementia.aspx)

Find out more about dementia from:

NHS Choices – Dementia

Dementia UK 

Alzheimer’s Society

Local Contacts

Alzheimer’s Society – Information and Support 
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/custom_scripts/services.php?serviceCode=2075&branchCode=14538&areaBC=WESW) 

Dementia UK – get support, get help, get involved.

https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/

Links to useful information

To view our Generic Emergency Evacuation Plan (GEEP) click HERE