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Strokes Can Happen at Any Age – How to Spot Them and How to React
A stroke is a brain attack. Blood flow in the brain is interrupted by a blockage or bleed in one of the blood vessels, causing brain cells to be damaged or die. Blockages to the brain are a lot more common than bleeds. Both have the same...
Hypothermia, Frostbite, Chilblains – How to Survive Cold Weather
During the winter months it is important to protect yourself from the dangers of cold weather. The elderly, frail and very young are at most risk, however, anyone can suffer from hypothermia and it can be very serious. Alcohol makes people more susceptible to...
Smoke alarms to escape routes – essential advice from the Fire Service.
The National Fire Chiefs Council is working with local fire and rescue services to highlight the importance of fire detection in the home. Alarms can’t prevent fires but they do provide an early warning of fire, buying you valuable time to get out of the house....
Everything you need to know about heat exhaustion
Temperatures are rising this week in the UK. Hot summer days can be lovely, providing you have the opportunity to enjoy them and are able to cool down and remain well hydrated. Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly following exposure to the sun...
When to dial 999 and, crucially, when to seek help elsewhere.
Our emergency services are there for when we are at our most vulnerable, to help with life-threatening emergencies. Sometimes it can be difficult to judge and some people also wrongly believe that you get priority treatment arriving by ambulance. This is absolutely...
19 Proven Ways to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Many people suffer from stress headaches, heart burn, back ache, they are unable to sleep and are more prone to infections as stress interferes with their immune system. Stress can increase their blood sugar as it causes your liver to release glucose, it can adversely...
What to do if your dog eats chocolate
There are many foods loved by pet owners and by their dogs – that can make their pets very ill! Examples include grapes, sultanas, avocados, peaches, plums, macadamia nuts and ice cream. However, at this time of year the food to be most wary of is…....
Asthma – why tree pollen, alcohol and cold make it worse
Asthma, why tree pollen, alcohol and cold make it worse With the advent of Spring, many asthma sufferers struggle to keep their asthma under control. There may be some key triggers and unexpected culprits to look out for … and try to avoid. What is asthma? Asthma is...
What to do whilst waiting for an Ambulance
With Ambulances under a lot of strain at the moment, it's increasingly difficult to get an ambulance. Waiting for one can be particularly scary. Here's what to do while you wait. Understand when something is seriously wrong: To avoid overloading the emergency...
4 Key Risks for the Elderly to Avoid During Winter Months
As we head into the colder months of the year, the risks that elderly people face can rise significantly. Whether it is closely linked to the weather, or as a consequence of other factors, we need to be aware of these risks and do what we can to help to protect our...
5 top tips to ace your carer interview
Carer interview Working as a carer is both a rewarding and challenging career. The impact that a carer can have on someone else’s life is indefinable. The care industry in the UK is constantly evolving and the need for care is only going to increase. In the next 25...
How to get up after a fall
It’s a shocking statistic, but each year over 4,500 people in England and Wales die following a fall. Nearly a third of a million people will also need hospital treatment. It is often older people who suffer from falls and unfortunately many of them may never recover...
7 essential first aid skills that all carers should know
These days, many of us have caring roles, both personally and professionally. There has been much talk in the press about the ‘sandwich generation’, where people in their 30s and 40s are now not only caring for their children but are caring for elderly parents...
Asthma & Older People
People over the age of 65 are more likely to have asthma than any other age group in the UK. The Facts Three people die per day due to asthma and, tragically, two thirds of these deaths are preventable. Asthma.org.uk. Being a potentially life-threatening condition, it...
Covid vaccines – all you need to know
Throughout lockdown First Aid for Life will run as normal, holding both practical and online First Aid courses. Our team are still here for you and we will support you as you need. As a registered nurse in the midst of this crisis, I wanted to do my bit to help. The...
Falls: All You Need to Know
Falls are most common and most lethal among the over-65s. More than 3,500 people in England and Wales die every year following a fall and nearly a third of a million people need hospital treatment. Many older people who suffer from falls never fully recover from...
What should you do whilst waiting for an ambulance?
If you are first on the scene and find someone who has collapsed or had an accident, what you do in those first minutes is critical. Most ambulances aim to get to a life-threatening emergency within eight minutes. However, a lot can happen in 8 minutes, and the first...
Scams – A Dictionary
Scam Dictionary Here are a few descriptions of current and common scams to help keep you in the know. Contactless Card Scams Contactless card scams are a relatively new form of fraud, currently with low reporting figures. The rise in popularity of contactless...
Six minor winter ailments and how to deal with them
Are you plagued by minor winter illnesses – not severe enough to need a sick note – but which leave you feeling under the weather? We rounded up the top six common culprits and how best to deal with them. Chapped lips Dry, cracked lips are a common problem in winter. ...
Burns – the latest and best advice for treating a burn
Burns are extremely common, painful and potentially life-changing injuries. Burns frequently become infected and scarring from burns is often disfiguring and permanent. In fact, 13,000 burns injuries are treated in British hospitals each year. 200 people die from...
Electric shocks and how to help without putting yourself in danger
by emma | Feb 11, 2019 | Uncategorized | 0 comments At work Electric shocks can be fatal. Each year there around 1000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive. Furthermore,...
Raising Awareness: Taking Steps to Prevent Loneliness for the Elderly
Loneliness is one of the most common non-medical issues for the elderly. It is always preferable that a senior person remains in their own home for as long as possible before needing long-term care in a hospital or a residential home. However, when a partner passes...
Treating Minor Injuries at Home
Accidents and injuries often occur at home. It is critical that you know how to give immediate first aid if someone is injured or taken ill. Prompt and appropriate first aid saves lives, prevents injuries and illnesses worsening and can also reduce pain and scarring....