Are Puzzles the Key to Staying Sharp as we Get Older?

Sudoku and crosswords are just some of the puzzles credited with helping maintain our ‘cognitive reserves’ as we get older, and are on the table at our three wellbeing centres.

The Research

For decades now, research has shown links between puzzles such as Sudoku, crosswords, word searches, jigsaws, and maintaining ‘cognitive reserves’.  These aid our ability to resist any brain damage, including in the form of dementia and other cognitive disorders.

Within findings published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry this year,  researchers noted that ‘adults who regularly complete puzzles perform at a higher level on cognitive tasks compared with those who do not’. Similarly, researchers at Pennsylvania State University found crosswords  ‘improved cognitive functioning in later life’.

‘Brain games’, such as chess, have also been found to help maintain brain functioning. In a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that older people engaging in brain-games like chess are less likely to develop dementia than their non-game-playing peers.

Jack Crowther, a postgraduate student in Northumbria University’s Psychology department, summarised the research available to us thus far:

“There is a vast amount of research suggesting brain training games can help with cognitive decline in the ageing population. Regular engagement with ‘brain games’ and puzzles such as chess, jigsaws, Sudoku, crosswords, and word searches has been linked with improving memory, and decreased chance of Alzheimer’s within older people.”

Your Say

We spoke with members of the 50+ community to find out what they thought about this research, and many were unsurprised.

Mark Wilkinson told us; “I love the odd crossword as it helps keep my mind active, and I discover new words, too.”

Susan Lyon agreed; “I just turned fifty, but have been using daily games and puzzles since my early forties to exercise my brain.”

John Crowther observed the benefits of chess; “It needs logic applying and strategy, and a very good memory, to be able to think moves ahead of your opponent and retain the ability to adapt. So I think chess is a good example of working the brain.”

Whereas wife Janine preferred Sudoku; “It requires logic and each puzzle is different, so while you can strategize you have to rise to the challenge. They are a real brain workout.”

Janet Grantham uses brain training games on her iPad, as well as tackling a daily Sudoku. She added; “One lady I sit with is ninety three years old and has Alzheimer’s. She does the Sudoku and daily crossword in the newspaper. The crossword clues prompt her to remember different things she has done or places she has visited.”

How We Help

At our three wellbeing centres, in Wallsend, Killingworth, and North Shields, keeping minds active is a key priority. This is achieved not only through puzzles and brain games, but also through healthy, home-made meals, and a schedule of ‘exercise snacking’ to increase confidence and strength. Customers are also offered the option to take part in gardening activities which have been found to decrease the likelihood of Alzheimer’s in our landscaped and accessible gardens. Additionally, the chance to socialise and connect with peers, helps to improve memory formation, recall, and lowers the chance of neurodegenerative diseases. Our sessions end with a guided reflection on activities undertaken throughout the day. This allows for preferences, likes, and dislikes to be noted, and facilitates further choice for customers.

Puzzles are also used in the Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions we offer. MCST is a weekly programme, where individuals living with mild to moderate dementia take part in activities designed to improve mental functioning. These take place for a few hours each week, in a fun and supportive environment. Activities include quizzes, visual clips and discussions, word association games, and physical activities. Sessions also include creative and musical activities found to increase verbal recollection and spatial awareness, and conversations on life occupations and history.

For information on how you can reserve a free half day trial in one of our wellbeing centres, please visit: https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/, or call 0191 287 7028

Useful Links

• https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing
• https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/1030/adult-social-care
• https://healthwatchnorthtyneside.co.uk/news/4540/

Article by Summer Dolan ( Marketing Intern)

Dawn McNally is a familiar face here at EveryDay however she’s just taken up the role of Group Chief Executive and we thought it would be great to interview her. Summer Dolan, our Marketing Intern recently asked Dawn a few questions .

EveryDay is a social enterprise wholly owned by the Charity Age UK North Tyneside.

So how do you feel about taking on the role of Group Chief Executive after twenty two years in the organisation?

DAWN: It is an honour and a privilege to lead such a fantastic organisation. I am really excited about taking on the role.

What sort of changes have you seen since starting in 1997? Not just in the organisation, but the third sector more generally?

DAWN: I never thought as a Charity, we would spend as much money on Marketing and PR, it is a sign of key changes. Charities used to receive block funding to fund a particular piece of work, with personalisation, particularly within social care, where customers have choice, we have to be able to compete for people to choose us as an organisation to provide their services. [We] have to have a closer connection with the market, and we have to be light on our feet to be able to respond. It is a great strength of the sector that we are so responsive, and it is one of our key values. That is one of the big changes I have seen – a move towards charities having to be more commercial, and business-like to attract people to use their services to ultimately make us more sustainable.

In the last four to five years, austerity has had quite an impact on older people’s services, with fewer people receiving statutory services. People are living longer and they are more frail, with complex medical conditions. This means we have to deliver more complex services in an increasingly competitive environment.

So I suppose, sort of changing with society, as society changes?

DAWN: Yes.

What do you think makes Age UK North Tyneside unique? So, with regards to ‘competing’ with other charities – what makes us different to other charities?

I would say “our people”. What is really important is for us to perform well, with happy staff, volunteers, and ultimately customers, and that requires good leadership and management. The Leaders create the culture defined by our values that allows people to fly, to feel valued and supported. I am a big believer that you can do anything if you have the right support and training.

If you create the right culture, and the values are important, and you recruit against those values, and manage those, and challenge yourself against those, you create an atmosphere that people want to be part of.

What did you want to do as a child? Have you always wanted to work in this sector?

DAWN: No, I was very lucky, I went to college and university, and was advised to go into Accountancy by all the career advisors as finance was a good grounding for any sector. I trained with Grant Thornton is Newcastle for three years, where I became a disillusioned with the constant focus on “chargeability”. I had become a “charity” expert and one of my clients asked me to go and work for them as their Bursar, it was private school in Northumberland. After three years at Mowden Hall School I applied for the role of Head of Finance & Admin at Age UK North Tyneside back in 1997. This organisation has been very good to me, and allowed me to grow. It has looked after me, and I hope I have helped create a culture where other people would say the same thing.

And what are, I suppose, your favourite aspects of the role and the sector?

DAWN: In the sector, we are the ones that are closest to communities and its people, and it’s one of my biggest frustrations that we do not get enough long-term funding to make a long term impact. But I do love that we are able to help solve problems and help people quickly. If I know there is a problem and can see the solution, we can respond to that straight away.

There’s one particular example which demonstrates our responsiveness and flexibility. Late one Friday afternoon an older lady rang here in a lot of pain, she was tired and hungry and lived in an upstairs flat. She got in touch because she had failed to make contact with anyone else for help and support, she explained she could not get out and had no food. We sent two care staff around to her flat and found fifteen bags of rubbish which we moved for her (she was unable to get downstairs); they bought her food, and the Head of Service intervened and insisted that her GP come out to visit her as soon as possible. Instead of the lady probably being admitted as an emergency to hospital over that weekend, our help meant she was able to access care in her own home.

If you really want to make a difference, the sector allows you to do that. I have no doubt I chose the right career path.

What changes would you like to see under your leadership within the organisation?

DAWN: In lots of ways, more of the same – I have been in the organisation twenty two years and played a big part in terms of getting us to where we are today. I think we have got a much bigger part to play in supporting the NHS to deliver it new Long Term Plan. We are keen to build stronger relationships with health, and being a strong strategic and delivery partner.

I am passionate about finding older people who are socially isolated and lonely. It really concerns me that there are still a lot of older people locked behind their own front door, whose lives could be improved by interacting with this organisation or our many partners.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

DAWN: I love football – I used to play football, I like watching football. I like all sports. Right now I am into ‘skinny pigs’, which is a fitness programme for women that I have become rather addicted to. I love spending time with my little nephew, Finley, – family is really important. I like reading. I love to travel. I like socialising, but usually eating, because I am not really a drinker. I love the sun – I like to be out and about.

And finally, who is one person alive or dead that you look up to, and why?

DAWN: My paternal grandmother would be one – she’s no longer with us – she was born in 1913, and was an unmarried mum, bringing my father up pretty much on her own. I have a lot of respect for what she did, she always tried to do the best by everyone.

Princess Diana because I think she showed that no matter what position you are in, you are still a person. She was not afraid to be seen as vulnerable and as having real problems

The Queen – ninety two years old, I have seen her at a garden party, walking around for hours, doing her “job”, incredible.

My mother, Alma, my predecessor.

So I suppose what you admire is that ability to stay grounded, whilst also recognising the ability to enact change?

DAWN: Yes, being real. I love getting around the table with a problem to solve and will always get frustrated when people create barriers or when the long term plan is sacrificed for short term gains

Is Sitting the new Smoking?

Our wellbeing centres are helping older people combat what experts have termed  ‘a silent killer, slowly affecting our lifestyle.’

The Research

In 2016, the NHS found that adults aged sixty five and over are the UK’s most sedimentary age group, in some cases spending as many as ten hours a day sat down. Professor Stuart Biddle has explained “It could be partly due to reduced functionality, or ill health, but there are also social norms expecting those in later years to ‘slow down’ and rest. That’s not helpful.”

In fact, according to the World Health Organisation physical inactivity is possibly the fourth biggest killer in the world – and has been linked to a myriad of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, colon cancer, heart disease, brittle bones, and dementia. As such, many experts have suggested that ‘sitting is the new smoking’. That is, we know that physical inactivity is bad for us, but as with smoking in the 1990s, little is being done to tackle it.

How can we Combat Inactivity?

The NHS has a number of suggestions on how older people can combat inactivity:

• Try to limit your television habits to a few hours per day, or if not, be sure to stand up and get moving during ad breaks.
• Taking up hobbies such as gardening or DIY, which keep you on your feet. For information on the ‘garden pottering’ club currently being run by Age UK North Tyneside, please contact 0191 2808480.
• Joining community-based fitness classes. You can find Age UK North Tyneside’s ‘love later life’ activities leaflet here, and their recent article on the ‘falling on your feet’ dance and health programme is available here.
• Take the stairs when/if you are able.
• Stand up & walk when taking phonecalls.
• Regularly engaging in rigorous housework, such as hoovering.
• For those times that you are sitting, consider purchasing a more ergonomic chair. These help you slouch less, and engage core muscles whilst sat down.

How can EveryDay help you?

At our three wellbeing centres in Wallsend, Killingworth, and North Shields, we’re looking to keep older people physically engaged through ‘exercise snacking’. These short bursts of light exercise throughout the day have been found to improve muscle mass, as well as mental wellbeing, and falls prevention.

What do our Customers think?

“The service is excellent, staff are brilliant, it’s like a family.  They (the wellbeing team) go above and beyond what’s expected of them.  The other customers are lovely as well.  It’s a fantastic place, really lovely.  Mum is enjoying the activities, dominoes, crocheting and exercise classes. Overall it’s been a really positive experience.”

“George used to go to a day centre and this didn’t give me the break I needed. Now he is at Linskill Park,  I have a proper break  He now gets picked up at 9 am and comes back after 3 giving me time to do what I want. George tells me he is the life and soul of the party.”

For information on how you can secure a free half day trial in one of our wellbeing centres, please visit: https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/, or call 0191 287 7028

Article by Summer Dolan ( Marketing Intern)

Attendance Allowance

Do you have an illness or disability that means you need extra help at home? If so, you might be able to get a benefit called Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision by day or someone to watch over them by night, because of illness or disability

How much could I get?

These rates apply from April 2019 to April 2020. It is usually paid every 4 weeks.

How could Attendance Allowance help me?

A little extra money can go a long way. You can use it in any way you like to meet your needs and stay independent in your own home. The money doesn’t have to be spent on a carer.

There are some other upsides to Attendance Allowance too:

• Claiming Attendance Allowance won’t reduce any other income you receive.
• It’s tax-free.
• If you’re awarded Attendance Allowance, you may become entitled to other benefits, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, or an increase in these benefits if you’re already receiving them.
• Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter how much income and savings you have.

Am I eligible to claim Attendance Allowance?

You can claim Attendance Allowance if you meet all the following criteria:

• are over State Pension age (if you haven’t reached it, you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment instead)
• could benefit from help with personal care, such as getting washed or dressed, or supervision to keep you safe during the day or night
• have any type of disability or illness, including sight or hearing impairments, or mental health issues such as dementia
• have needed help for at least 6 months. (If you’re terminally ill you can make a claim straight away.

Some people miss out on Attendance Allowance because they mistakenly believe they don’t qualify or are put off by the claims’ process.

Do any of these apply to you?

1. ‘My claim was turned down’

Your circumstances may have changed since the last time you applied, especially if it was a while ago. If your care needs have increased, you may find you’re now eligible.

2. ‘My income’s too high’

It is assessed purely on your disability or health condition and your care or supervision needs. It isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter what you earn or how much you have in savings.

3. ‘I can get by without it’

You’ve paid into the tax system all your life. Now it’s time to get something back. Think about what support or equipment might help you to carry on living independently at home for longer.

4. ‘I don’t want a carer coming in’

You don’t have to spend Attendance Allowance on a carer. Many older people spend it on other types of help in the home, or equipment to help them stay independent.

5. ‘I don’t have a carer’

You don’t need to have a carer or someone looking after you. You qualify based on the help you need, not the help you actually get.

6. ‘The claim form’s too long’

How do I claim Attendance Allowance?

1. Get a claim form by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (textphone: 0800 731 0317), you can download a claim form from the GOV UK website here.

Fill in the form. Be really clear about how your illness or disability affects your life and don’t underestimate your needs.

If you need any help filling in the form ask Age UK North Tyneside if they can help you so as to increase your chances of being awarded Attendance Allowance.

Tel 0191 2808484 option 1  https://www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside/our-services/information-and-advice/

Before you send it in, don’t forget to attach any supporting information, such as GP letters, your care plan, or prescription lists.

Send in the form to the address on the form or submit it online.

The Department for Work and Pensions may contact you to ask for more information or arrange for a doctor to visit. It’s a good idea to prepare for that visit by writing things down that you would want the doctor to know about.

You will get a letter with the decision on whether or not you’ll get Attendance Allowance, how much, and from what date.

If you’re not happy with the outcome, you can appeal.

Tips to help with the Attendance Allowance claim form

Don’t leave things out, even if you feel you can manage well enough.

Describe any accidents or falls you’ve had.

Explain the effects of all your disabilities and health conditions, and how they interact with each other.

List things that you struggle to do unaided, even if you’ve developed ways to cope.

If an activity takes you much longer than it would somebody without a disability, or if it’s difficult to do safely, include this too.

Say if you need reminding or encouraging to do things, as this also counts as help.

Focus on how frequently you need help. For example, if you need help looking after your appearance, this could add up to six or seven times a day, if you include help to check your clothes are clean after a meal, help to find a coat and matching shoes, and so on.

Give plenty of information in your own words about your personal circumstances. Don’t worry if you need to repeat yourself.

Bear in mind that Attendance Allowance doesn’t usually take into account problems with housework, cooking, shopping and gardening.

For further advice and support contact your local Age UK Information and Advice Team

Tel 0191 2808484 Option 1 https://www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside/our-services/information-and-advice/

Dementia 2020 Citizen’s Engagement Panel

Opinion Research Services (ORS), has been commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care to engage with people with a diagnosis of dementia and/or their carers. The intention is that this will build on wider engagement and enable first hand reports to Ministers and senior management to determine if actions under the 2020 Dementia Implementation Plan are making a difference to people’s lives. They want to hear from as many people as possible to ensure that they properly reflect the experiences of people with dementia and their families and carers.

Engagement

There are four phases of the engagement and in each phase we will be asking people to complete a short questionnaire about their experiences which can be completed by the person with dementia or by somebody else on their behalf. They have already completed the first and second phase and some of the results are available on their hub www.opinionresearch.co.uk/dementia2020panel

The third phase questionnaire is now available on their hub and asks them about the experiences of day-to-day living for the person with dementia, dementia-friendly communities and dementia research. People can complete the online survey by visiting https://www.ors.org.uk/surveys/dementia2020/

It is really important and as many people as possible take part in this engagement.  This is a great opportunity for people to become really involved in shaping government policy and practice and they and we at EveryDay welcome advice from you on how to engage with and involve people who are affected by dementia who are in contact with us as customers of ours in Newcastle and North Tyneside.

How You Can Get Involved

By doing the following:

• Take information to groups or meetings
• Forward this e-mail to colleagues or friends
• Retweet their messages (@dementiapanel)
• Create your own Tweets
• Put information onto your Facebook group page / WhatsApp Group
• Share information
• Distribute paper questionnaires to potential participants and friends or family members

To get involved take the survey  https://www.ors.org.uk/surveys/dementia2020/

or for more information call Harriet Hendra (01792) 535337 or Harriet.Hendra@ors.org.uk

http://www.ors.org.uk/

https://www.dementiauk.org/

Dementia Care: Living Well as Dementia Progresses. 

A new free online course for family carers of people living with dementia.

This new, free, Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) launches on Monday 18^th March 2019.  You can sign up now and view the trailer which explains more  https://www.futurelearn.com/courses

The aim is to help carers of people with advancing dementia worldwide to feel prepared and supported towards end of life.  The course is designed for family carers, but health and social care practitioners will also find the course useful to support people with dementia and their families.

This three week course will help learners to: understand dementia as a progressive illness; plan for future changes and decisions; meet changing needs to ensure quality of life and comfort; and recognise their own needs and how to seek support.

Experts (families, practitioners and researchers) share their knowledge and experiences of providing care and support for people with advanced dementia through videos, quizzes, articles, tips, polls and a forum to enable learners to share their views.  This provides an interactive learning experience.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner Julie Young, was a Dementia Nurse Specialist on the SEED project.   Julie commented:

“Taking part in the course can enhance and clarify understanding of dementia and its’ progression.  It recognises and highlights the impact of advanced dementia for the person and the carer and issues that people can find difficult to discuss with in families and with the person with dementia.   The course offers advice on decision making and how it is helpful to plan ahead, and which professionals and organisations may be helpful with regard to this “

For further information please contact Dr Marie Poole at Newcastle University marie.poole@ncl.ac.uk 

Support for Carers from EveryDay

EveryDay provides support for the carers of those living with dementia via our three Wellbeing Centres in North Tyneside. We can provide a free taster session to ensure that our centres meet you individual needs.  https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/ 

Our specialist dementia services extend to care at home https://everydayuk.org/specialist-health-care/ 

If you require support and would like to discuss our services in both North Tyneside and Newcastle why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call

Tel: 0191 2877028

Plans to tackle loneliness set to hit the right note

New plans to help tackle loneliness and isolation in North Tyneside are set to hit the right note – as concerts for over 50s are rolled out across the borough.

EveryDay has teamed up with charity Music in Hospitals and Care to provide free entertainment at pop-up music cafes across our three well-being centres.

We believe that older people, including those living with dementia, will benefit from the monthly, themed sessions at Cedar Grove, Wallsend, Rowan Croft, Killingworth, and Linskill Park, North Shields.

EveryDay  is wholly owned by Age UK North Tyneside, and provides support to older people to live in their own homes, as well as respite centres and other care and support services in North Tyneside and Newcastle including specialist dementia care.

EveryDay Wellbeing Tackles Loneliness

Kerry Parker, Head of Professional Care services at EveryDay, said: “The Music in Hospital concerts will further increase wellbeing and reduce isolation in older people, including our customers living with dementia.

“This forms part of a huge and exciting metamorphosis taking place in our three wellbeing centres in North Tyneside and sits perfectly with one of Age UK North Tyneside’s campaigns to end loneliness for older people.”

The centres’ first ‘gigs’, which each last an hour, will launch on Monday 4^th March in Wallsend, Tuesday 2^nd April in North Shields and Tuesday 7^th May in Killingworth.

EveryDay already provides a range of services within its wellbeing centres, including hairdressing, podiatry, exercise classes, mini wellbeing checks and pets as wellbeing.

We even offer personalised driver services, to ensure customers are transported by personal support assistants who build a relationship with the families and customers.

The three-year Music In Hospitals and Care project is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, with performances open to anyone over 50.

Musician Alan Jones, from Wallsend, will be one of the artists taking part in the scheme. The 39-year-old said: “I love performing and this is something a little different – we are bringing music into people’s lives.

“We will play different sounds – from rock and roll to sing-a-long classics – it’ll be a bit of everything for everyone.”

Jess Ingham, Director North of MiHC said:

“Our musicians are carefully chosen by audition to ensure that they not only demonstrate great musicianship, but they also have the ability to connect and engage with people. Our aim is to create joy through live music, to raise mood, boost feelings of wellbeing and to bring people together for a high-quality musical experience.

At Music in Hospitals & Care, we are continually developing and building our programme of therapeutic concerts throughout the UK. This is a great opportunity to tackle loneliness by providing regular music events for local communities. We are delighted to be working closely with a number of Age UK centres in the North of England to achieve this. ”

To hear more about our Music in Hospital Concerts or our wellbeing services in general why not give us a call? You can even book a free taster session by calling our Customer Coordination Team on 0191 2877028

Useful Links

https://mihc.org.uk/

Dementia UK

EveryDay Wellbeing https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/

Age UK North Tyneside

Every Day Is Different Campaign Launch

With a turnover rate of 30% and over 110,000 vacancies at any one time, there is no doubt that we need to attract more people into adult social care. Skills for Care estimates that we’ll need another 650,000 people by 2035.

To help achieve this, the Department of Health and Social Care has piloted a recruitment campaign to help raise the profile of the sector. This campaign will talk about what it means to work in adult social care and to encourage people from all walks of life who have the right values, to consider a career in social care.

Progression and Career Development Opportunities

The new campaign – Every Day Is Different also comes as the Health Foundation published its own report on the NHS workforce, expressing concerns about the growing number of staff shortages across the board.

The new Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) campaign aims to promote social care as a career with good progression and professional development.

Care minister Caroline Dinenage said: “There is huge demand for more care professionals who work incredibly hard to look after the most vulnerable people in our society. “We must spread the word that careers in adult social care can be rewarding, varied and worthwhile. “Care is a vocation where you can transform people’s lives and every day is different to the next.”

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “A Government-led social care recruitment initiative is warmly welcome and long overdue, but it needs to be coupled with a raft of measures to improve the status, terms and conditions of the job.”

EveryDay Is Different

We offer staff a clear progression route from Personal Support Assistant Level 1 up to Level 3 Specialist Support Assistant.

Our rates of pay have been enhanced to recognise both the national minimum wage and the extra responsibilities you hold as a community carer or specialist carer. We are an Investor in People and believe in continuous personal development and talent management.

We’re recruiting now for roles in both Newcastle and North Tyneside and would welcome you along to our next Jobs Fair in Newcastle on February 22nd .

Why not join a team who makes that difference every day to the lives of others and can offer you so much more too?

Join our team https://everydayuk.org/join-our-team/

Recruitment Event February 22nd   https://everydayuk.org/care-career-recruitment-event-in-newcastle/

Online vacancies for EveryDay  https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/search?q=everyday+care+&w=newcastle

ITV report https://www.itv.com/news/2019-02-12/government-launches-recruitment-drive-for-adult-social-care/

Dept. H & S C http://www.everydayisdifferent.com/home.aspx

Why wait? Give our recruitment team a call today telephone

0191 2877011