Sue Coleman, our Care Partnership Manager, was delighted to be personally invited to train and shadow alongside the palliative care team at Southend Hospital. The team consists of seven macmillan nurses and three consultants. She met with a CNS macmillan nurse and a palliative care consultant. Here’s Sue’s story… In the morning, I went along […]
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.
How To Identify Early Signs of Dementia
Think you might have spotted possible signs of Dementia in a relative? Or maybe you’re worried that you wouldn’t know what behaviour to look out for. Here we’ll break down how to tell if a relative has Dementia, which might offer you some clarity and guidance. What are the very first signs of Dementia that […]
How to care for someone with Parkinson’s Disease
Are you caring for someone with Parkinson’s Disease? At IP Live in Care we understand how challenging the condition can be for them and those closest to them. Read our 10 top tips caring for someone with Parkinson’s Disease Look after yourself and ask for helpIt’s important that you are physically and emotionally in tip […]
Preventing Dementia wandering: Top 10 tips
Have you noticed that your loved one has started wandering around aimlessly during the day and night? If you’re wondering if there’s a link between Dementia and wandering the Alzheimer’s Association tells us that 60% of people who live with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will wander about. If you’re a family member supporting your loved […]
Introductory vs Managed Live-in Care Agencies
Key differences between introductory and managed care At Independent People Homecare we employ, train and supervise the carers directly. We will interview them, check references, do background and criminal record checks and will provide ongoing training. We take complete responsibility for the management of the live in care service, rather than this being the responsibility […]
Care to trial live-in care on a short-term care basis?
Unsure about live-in care? Then why not trial short-term care? Struggling to find help with elderly care at home? Unsure whether a care home is the right option? We know it can be difficult, emotional and challenging time. This is why families can now trial our live-in care service on a short term care basis […]
Coping with a Dementia Diagnosis, What To Do
When someone is diagnosed with Dementia, there are a number of ways in which they can react. Taking in the news and then processing it can take its toll, both mentally and physically, leaving the individual feeling drained and unsure about their next steps. This reaction can also be influenced by the person’s previous experiences, […]
How private care can help with hospital discharge
Did you know last winter our NHS came under immense pressure with then Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt admitting it was “probably the worst ever”. Accident and emergency services are as busy as ever, predominantly due to the growing and complex needs of our ageing population. One of the ‘bottle necks’ being securing elderly patients the […]
Are you a member of the sandwich generation?
Do you care for elderly parents and children? If you’re feeling the pressure of looking after your children and your elderly parents, you’re not alone. Did you know, around 2.4 million people are part of what’s known as the “sandwich generation”. A generation of people in their 30s or 40s who now care for their […]
How to plan your discharge from hospital
Visiting a loved one in hospital can be traumatic and stressful. But knowing what needs to happen at the point of discharge can be equally challenging. We can help you when it comes to effective discharge planning. Here we will advise on how a discharge care plan is created and answer all your questions about […]
What is Alzheimer’s?
Are you concerned that your loved one may be demonstrating symptoms of Alzheimer’s? We know it feels scary when the reality of your loved one having Alzheimer’s sets in. Don’t fret, we can help. Let’s talk through the early and late stages of Alzheimer’s, explain how an Alzheimer’s diagnosis might happen and how we can […]
Why Rose chose live-in care
When Rose’s family contacted us, Rose had just returned home after a spell in hospital. She was in poor health and her family really didn’t want to place her in a care home. After extensive research, a friend recommended Independent People Live in Care and after seeing profiles of 4 different Live-in Carers, they chose Andrea […]
40% rise in elderly residents being evicted from their care home
A new report warns that care home closures have risen by almost 40 per cent in a year amid a growing crisis in social care. The audit by the Association of Directors of Social Services reveals thousands of elderly residents, have experienced recent closures threatening the health of the elderly. Figures show 148 care homes […]
What are The Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
What Are The Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can cause a wide range of symptoms and can affect any part of the body. There’s no typical pattern that applies to everyone – each person with the condition is affected differently and people can have different symptoms at different times. You shouldn’t […]
Early warning signs of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s More than six million people are affected worldwide and according to Parkinson’s UK one in every 500 people in the UK has Parkinson’s. This equates to approximately 127,000 individuals, many of them over the age of 50, who require specialist care and support. It’s important to remember that not everyone who develops Parkinsons’s disease […]
Respite breaks for Carers
Providing ongoing care for a loved one can certainly be challenging – and, at times, exhausting. If you are responsible for the day-to-day care needs of a dependent relative or friend, the responsibility can sometimes become a little overwhelming. One of the most difficult aspects is that you can feel tied to your commitments 24 […]