Latest News

How to Make your Home Safer for Loved Ones with Alzheimers/Dementia

We have been contacted by a lady in America who has brought to our attention a website which is full of tips to make your home safer for loved ones with Alzheimers or Dementia.
If you would like to access the website, it can be found here.
07/17

Women and Diabetes

 This is the theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2017.
The event will this year promote the importance of affordable and equitable access for all women at risk of developing, or living with diabetes to essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information.

The event will also focus on meeting the best outcomes for people with diabetes, while also looking to prevent future cases of type 2 diabetes. (Click here for an animated film on how to make healthy lifestyle changes when at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.)

The slogan for this year’s World Diabetes Day is “Our right to a healthy future”

The above information is taken from the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation website; more information can be found on their website.
07/17

 Blind Association Information and Equipment Open Day

Northumberland County Blind Association (NCBA) are holding their annual Information and Equipment Open day on Thursday 7th September 2017, 10am – 2.30pm at Reiver House, Morpeth.

This year they have a number of Assistive Technology suppliers who will be on hand to offer expert advice, demonstrations and information about a range of Low Vision Aids (LVAs), suitable for blind and partially sighted people. Sight loss organisations including the Macular Society and Blind Veterans UK, along with Action for Hearing Loss will also provide information and advice about services and support.

They will be holding demonstrations of iPads, tablets, smartphones and eReaders for those with little knowledge or experience using these devices. In addition, a demonstration of the new OrCam MyEye (‘a wearable device with a smart camera designed to assist people who are blind or visually impaired’ – www.orcam.com) will take place on the day.

Free entry, sighted guides and refreshments are available on the day.

Click here to access the NCBA website.

07/17

Travel and Insurance Companies Specialising in Disabled People and their Carers

It can sometimes be difficult to find holiday insurance to cover a disability or long-term chronic illness.  Here are some organisations which might be of use.
Travel Companies:
Revitalise – respite holidays for disabled people and carers – email: revitalise.org.uk; – 0303 303 0145
Insurance Companies:
Heart
British Heart Foundation – head office – 01372 477 300
Diabetes
Medical Conditions
Free Spirit Insurance – www.freespirittravelinsurance.com – 08452 302 000
Tysers Insurance – www.tysers.com –  01268 6284 361
Make Sure Insurance – www.makesureinsurance.co.uk – 0870 1566 679
Stay Sure Insurance – www.staysure.co.uk/Insurance/Travel
Cancer
Maggies have an excellent information sheets on travel insurance for those with or who have had cancer.
Over 50
07/17

Why not have a go at a Sport?

Do you have a disability or a mental health condition?  Would you like to try out one of the sports listed below in the North East and be given some training in it?  Why not start by having a look at this You Tube clip ?
The sports on offer are: Cycling, Archery, Ten Pin Bowling, Judo, Table Tennis, Football, Swimming, Powerlifting, Athletics and Boccia.
The training is provided by Special Olympics Gateshead Tyne & Wear, a local registered charity, and takes place in various venues around the North East.
For more information, please contact Keith Hogan on 0191 433 2455 or email keithhogan@gateshead.gov.uk
06/17

Diabetes Wellness Day North

The 2017 Diabetes Wellness Day North will take place at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience, County Durham on Saturday 4th November (which is also World Diabetes Day) from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.  There is a registration fee of £5 per person to cover costs.
The Diabetes Wellness Days bring together a wealth of information under one roof for people living with all forms of diabetes.  Family members, friends and carers and those with an interest in diabetes are also encouraged to take part.
Further information can be found here (although the website indicates that ticket sales have ended, there may be the possibility of a cancellation).
07/17

Diabetes Wellness News

Diabetes Wellness News is a monthly publication which provides a wealth of information for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or for others with an interest in diabetes.  The May 2017 publication includes an excellent article on Diabetic Retinopathy (How diabetes can affect your eyes; how diabetic retinopathy develops and how it is treated).
The DRWF (Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation) website includes information leaflets on diabetes which are free to download, and also audio leaflets, one of which is entitled ‘How can diabetes affect my eyes’.
If you are interested in subscribing to Diabetes Wellness News, more information can be found by clicking here. Information leaflets and audio leaflets (free of charged) can be accessed here.
06/17

Tyne and Wear Metro ‘I Need a Seat’ badges

In tandem with Nexus launching its Baby on Board badges to help pregnant women get a seat when they need it, they are also introducing an ‘I Need a Seat’ badge for people less able to stand, including those with a disability, elderly people, injured people, or people with hidden disabilities and conditions.
The badges, which also come as keyrings, are available from all Nexus Travel Shops.
06/17

Newcastle Shopmobility

Did you know that wheelchair and scooter provision is available in the heart of the city for only £25 per year (including free parking space)?
Newcastle Shopmobility provides mobility equipment for use within Newcastle City Centre.  The service is based at Eldon Garden Shopping Centre.  You do not have to be registered disabled to use the equipment – it is available to all who would benefit from mobility assistance.  The annual charge of £25 gives unlimited access to the service and to the dedicated parking available on Level 4 of Eldon Garden multi storey car park.
Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9.30 am to 5 pm (not open bank holidays).
More details can be found by clicking this link: Newcastle Shopmobility or by phone at 0191 261 6176.
05/17

Do you have a Motability vehicle?  Do you know what is covered by the Motability insurance?

If you have a Motability vehicle, you may not be aware of what is covered, and more importantly what is not covered, by the Motability insurance.
More information can be found by clicking on the link to the relevant page on the Motability website .
It has been brought to our attention that mobility scooters, wheelchairs and other equipment are not always covered by standard motor and/or household insurance; it may pay you to check whether you have adequate cover.
05/17

 Blogs for Disabled People and their Carers

If you want to read some truly inspiring personal stories and insightful, practical articles relating to disability and getting older you’re in the right place. One of our contacts has scoured the internet to find the 100 best blogs for disabled people and carers.  Just click on 100 Best Blogs to open up a whole world of stories and advice from osteoarthritis to MS and everything in between.

05/17

 SHHH! Self Help Support Group for Hard of Hearing and Deafblind people

Deaflink is advertising a monthly self help support group for hard of hearing and deafblind members at St Andrew’s Church ground floor cafe (opposite NEXT and Eldon Square), Newgate Street, Newcastle NE1 5SS from 1.30-3.30pm on the first Tuesday of every month.

The group invites external speakers to present on topics linked to hearing loss and support services.

For more information, please contact Deaflink:

Minicom/Phone: 0191 281 2314

Text: 0789 732 9359

Email: admin@deaflink.org.uk

04/17

 Wheelchair Accessible Taxis

We have recently added on our website a list of local taxi firms which have wheelchair accessible vehicles within their fleet.  This can be found by clicking on ‘Useful Links’, then ‘Research’ on our homepage.

04/17

Exercise is Good for You…

…especially if you have diabetes.

In a recent study, researchers found that simply telling people with type 2 diabetes to “take a short walk right after meals” may be one of the best exercise prescriptions which can be given.  Results from the study showed that post meal blood glucose levels dropped 12% on average when people with T2D walked for 10 minutes after three daily meals, compared with walking for 30 minutes at any time of the day, with the biggest effect coming from a 22% glycaemic drop in the 3 hours post evening meal.

A fuller report on this can be found at Exercise for Diabetics

03/17

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You may be entitled to £140 off your electricity bill this winter.

You qualify for the discount if on 10 July 2016 all of the following applied:

  • your electricity supplier was part of the scheme
  • your name (or your partner’s) was on the bill
  • you were getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit as well)

Further details can be found on the gov.uk website

02/17

The Golden Guide 2017

This is a new free handbook for over 50s full of details on all aspects of life.  (NDF provided information for the original version of the handbook.)  The handbook is available in libraries, GP surgeries and various other outlets, and can also be accessed online at Golden Guide 2016, or by post (phone 0191 386 5918).

01/17

Credit Unions

We found an easy to read article on credit unions in the September-October 2016 edition of the Elders Council of Newcastle newsletter.  Whether you are a potential saver, or whether you would benefit from a loan from a credit union, this could be the way into finding out more.  Just click on the Elders Council newsletter September-October 2016 and turn to page 17.

Protect Yourself from Scams

The following Rica blog post provides practical advice on how to recognise scams, how to protect yourself, and where to report scams if you’ve been affected. Just click on the following for more information: Protect yourself from scams

Ostara (formerly Community Care Alarm Service) 24-hour response and support

There’s a very informative article on the above on page 20 of the Elders Council of Newcastle newsletter, May-June 2016 edition. The newsletter can be found at: Elders Council newsletter May-June 2016

 Using your Bus Pass for a day out

Did you know that you can use your bus pass to enjoy a day out?  For more information, please see the article on page 4 of the Elders Council of Newcastle newsletter, May-June 2016 edition. The newsletter can be found at: Elders Council newsletter May-June 2016

Become a Mystery Shopper through Rica

Have you ever thought about being a mystery shopper with special reference to disability goods?  One of our members has recently been involved with this.  If you think you may be interested in carrying out this valuable service, please see the report at Rica Mystery Shopper