Dementia care mapping (DCM) is a way of observing how people with dementia experience everyday life in a care setting. Developed at the University of Bradford, it involves trained mappers observing people, recording what they see and feeding their findings back to staff. The aim is to identify practical ways to improve care and make […]
Author: Paul Austin
My passion for health and care was ignited by a deeply personal experience when a close friend of mine was involved in a serious road traffic accident with a bus. This experience served as a powerful inspiration for me to explore a career in healthcare as a Physiotherapist.
After earning my B.Sc.(hons) degree in Physiotherapy, I became a full member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and earned State Recognised Chartered Physiotherapist (SRP) status. I then ventured into the National Health Service (NHS), which I value so much, to embark on my journey into healthcare.
In this new capacity as a healthcare professional, I navigated through a spectrum of NHS rotations, encompassing respiratory medicine, the critical landscape of intensive care, diverse medical specialities, and the nuanced field of medicine tailored for older adults. These experiences profoundly shaped my understanding of the multifaceted needs within our healthcare system.
Seeking to broaden my scope, I transitioned beyond clinical practice to contribute professionally to the NHS Institute of Innovation and Improvement. Here, my role involved facilitating collaborations between local charities and NHS services, fostering a more interconnected healthcare ecosystem. It included working with local and strategic NHS bodies to learn and make improvements within.
My time in the NHS came to an end when I saw the many improvements that were required in the Social Care sector. I had a new mission. I wanted to help those people receiving care in their own homes - a place not visited often enough by existing NHS Services.
For the last 13 years, I have held key roles in the social care sector, serving previously as an approved Registered Manager for home care services and now as a director in two social care organisations specialising in Live in Care. Additionally, my history of involvement as a trustee in a charity and other social ventures, including as a member of a local government body, underscores my dedication to community welfare. People use the word passionate lightly quite often, but I am driven to improve the lives of others.
I am still proud to maintain my membership with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP), underscoring my steadfast dedication to professional excellence.
Does a loved one with dementia need nursing care?
If someone you care about has dementia, you may wonder whether they need nursing care as well as help with everyday tasks. The answer depends on their individual needs. Some people mainly need support with washing, dressing, meals and getting around safely, while others may need nursing assessment, treatment or clinical oversight. Dementia itself doesn’t […]
How to care for someone with Lewy body dementia
Caring for someone with Lewy body dementia at home often means adapting to days that can look very different from one another. Someone may be alert and chatty in the morning, then tired or confused a few hours later. Hallucinations, changes in movement, disturbed sleep and swallowing problems can also become part of everyday life. […]
Preparing your home for live-in care: a practical checklist
There can be a lot to think about when getting your home ready for live-in care, particularly if you’re arranging care for your mum, dad or another loved one for the first time. The good news is that you don’t need to have everything worked out before you get started. Independent People Live-in Care will […]
What is dementia care? Principles and options
Dementia care is the practical, emotional and health-related support that helps someone living with dementia manage everyday life and stay as well as possible. It can include help at home, support in the community or care in a residential setting. The right support will depend on the person, their needs and how they want to […]
When is live-in care appropriate?
Live-in care can be a good option when someone needs support at different points throughout the day and wants to continue living at home. A live-in carer shares their home, helping with agreed daily activities while also providing companionship and reassurance. The care plan sets out what support is needed, how the carer’s rest and […]
What’s the best care agency in Coventry? Choosing the right care provider
Finding the right care agency in Coventry can be difficult, particularly when a loved one’s circumstances have changed and your family needs to make decisions quickly. Perhaps they are finding it harder to manage independently at home, have recently returned from hospital or are living with a condition that means they now need more support. […]
What’s the best care agency in Guildford? A guide to choosing care at home
Choosing care for a parent, partner or another family member is rarely a straightforward decision. You may be looking for support because someone’s health has changed, they have recently come home from hospital or everyday life has simply become more difficult to manage alone. If you’re looking for a care agency in Guildford, there are […]
What’s the best care agency in Ipswich? Choosing the right care for your loved one
When someone you love can no longer manage safely at home without additional support, finding the right care can quickly become a priority. For families in Ipswich and across Suffolk, that might mean arranging support after a hospital stay, responding to a change in health or looking for a longer-term alternative to residential care. There […]
What’s the best care agency in Norfolk? Understanding your options for care at home
When someone you love starts to need more help at home, the first question is often not which care agency to choose. It is whether the care available will actually work for them. Perhaps your parent is becoming less confident living alone. Maybe they have recently come home from hospital, their mobility has deteriorated or […]
What’s the best care agency in London? Choosing the right care provider for your loved one
Finding the right care agency in London can feel overwhelming. Families are often making decisions at an emotional and challenging time, whether a loved one’s health has changed, they’re leaving hospital or they’re no longer managing safely at home. There is no single “best” care agency for every family. The right provider depends on your […]
Independent People vs Access Care: Introductory live-in care compared with fully managed care
Choosing live-in care means deciding more than who will provide day-to-day support. Families also need to understand how the care arrangement is structured, who remains responsible once care begins and what support is available if circumstances change. Independent People and Access Care both arrange live-in care in people’s own homes, but they do so through […]
IP Care vs Agincare: Which Live-in Care Provider Is Right for Your Family?
When a family is considering live-in care, two providers can appear very similar on paper while taking different approaches to the way care is organised and supported. Independent People Live-in Care and Agincare both provide fully managed live-in care, with CQC-regulated services, professional care planning and ongoing support. They also offer specialist support for people […]
Independent People vs Ashridge Home Care: Live-in Care Services Compared
When live-in care is being considered, the right service will depend on what your loved one needs from the care provider as well as from their carer. For some families, the priority may be experienced care management and continuity. For others, particularly where mobility, rehabilitation or complex health needs are involved, access to clinical expertise […]
Independent People vs Consultus Care: Which live-in care service suits your needs?
Finding the right live-in care provider is a decision that affects the whole family. It’s worth looking beyond the initial carer match to understand how care is assessed, how carers are supported, who remains involved once care begins and what happens if your loved one’s needs change. Independent People and Consultus Care take different approaches […]
Independent People vs Hometouch: Which live-in care provider is right for your family?
Choosing live-in care is a big decision. Families need to know not only who will provide day-to-day support, but who will oversee the care, support the carer and respond if their loved one’s needs change. Independent People Live-in Care and Hometouch both offer live-in care, but their services are structured differently. Hometouch offers both an […]
Independent People Live-in Care vs Elder: Introductory vs managed live-in care explained
Choosing live-in care is not only about finding a suitable carer. It is also about understanding who plans the care, who supervises its delivery, what happens when needs change and where responsibility sits if something goes wrong. Independent People and Elder can both help families arrange live-in care, but they operate under different service models. […]
Independent People Live-in Care vs Helping Hands Homecare: Live-in Care Options Compared
Choosing a live-in care provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your loved one. If you’re comparing Independent People Live-in Care and Helping Hands Homecare, you’ll want to find a provider that offers not only the right level of care but also the reassurance and support your family needs. Both providers […]