Resilient not reliance – helping older drinkers in Leeds

Alcohol–now there is a tricky word to open with, and for some people, it could be one of the most difficult conversations they will ever have.

Contrary to popular belief, the UK’s real booze problem does not involve inebriated youths binge-drinking at weekends. Instead, it lies with the less visibly drunken mature adults who regularly knock back more than is good for them behind closed doors.

When 1 in 5 people aged over 50 think that the majority of people with alcohol problems cannot recover, and almost half of those think that people with alcohol problems have themselves to blame, how do we talk about how much alcohol we or others are drinking without bringing up a subject that for many is still shrouded in shame?  After all, aren’t people entitled to make their own choices?   Sian Johnson, Royal Voluntary Service Manager discusses this thorny issue and what you can do about it.   

Men in Leeds risk paying a price if we neglect our health.

Men don’t visit the GP nearly as often as women and this means that some warning signs of health problems don’t get picked up as quickly as they might. Added to this, we tend to read less about the kinds of health issue which may impact on us – with less male-focussed problem pages and advice columns in the magazines and newspapers we read. So as often as not we pick up on stuff more by chance than because we have actively sought it out.

 Around 100,000 men a year die prematurely in the UK – and if we kept a better eye on ourselves, didn’t ignore warning signs and kept up to date on what to watch out for we could help ourselves reduce the chance of being one of that 100,000.

 So here are five things to keep an eye on and book in to see your GP if you notice something doesn’t seem right.

Breathing easy across Leeds during Breathe Easy week

 

Each year, Breathe Easy Week, which runs from 12-16 June 2017, raises awareness of lung conditions: this year the theme is air pollution and clean air.  The British Lung Foundation (BLF) is working closely with Leeds City Council’s public health team to deliver Breathe Easy support groups across Leeds, offering support to people with lung conditions.  Jeremy Bacon, British Lung Foundation Breathe Easy manager explains how the groups work, how you can get involved and why they have a key role in helping people improve their health   

Hip, hip hooray for the volunteers during Volunteer Week at Leeds Crossgates Good Neighbours Scheme

 

Volunteers’ Week is an annual event which takes place at the start of June, celebrating the contribution made by millions of volunteers across the UK. Jane Robinson from Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours’ Scheme CIO tells us more about the valuable work their volunteers offer the Scheme and what volunteering means to those volunteering and those helped by volunteers.

Making healthy choices easy choices

Public Health’s Paul Lambert knows a thing or two about temptation. In this blog he tells us a bit more…

Taking the ball and running with it- Leeds Dementia Awareness week 2017

Leeds’ first memory garden in Rothwell

Dementia Awareness week is in full swing and local organisations are putting on more than ever to make people aware of the condition and the support available for people and carers who live with dementia in Leeds.

Tim Sanders, Commissioning Manager, Dementia, NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Groups / Leeds City Council looks back on how the national event first started and how it developed in Leeds.

Let’s unite for Dementia Awareness week in Leeds

This Dementia Awareness Week, 14-20 May, the theme is to unite against dementia. There are estimated 8,500 people living with dementia in Leeds: but many families are facing it alone. By uniting, we can raise awareness, offer help and understanding and improve care.

Ruth Brooks, Dementia Coordinator for ‘The Living Project’ at the Leeds Jewish Welfare Board, chats about her job and the support offered to people living with dementia and their families.