health

Dementia information leaflets collected for those who couldn’t make the event

Free Health Walks

Short and sociable walks across Hertfordshire led by friendly volunteers. Find out how to join a weekly Health Walk or become a volunteer, visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/healthwalks or call 01992 555 888. Click for our leaflet. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before walks with suitable shoes and clothing. We recommend you bring a water bottle. Maybe stay for cuppa afterwards!

First steps: Meet up in the Cafe – Wednesdays at 11am (except 8th April)
Address: Mill End Community Centre, Church Lane WD3 8HD

Grade 1-2: Meet outside the Cafe – Tuesdays at 2pm
Address: Cafe in th Park, Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmore Lane WD3 1NB

Grade 4+: Meet at the Tea Shack – Friday 9:30am
Address: Woodoaks Farm, Denham Way, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth WD3 9XQ

Grade 4 to 4+: Meet outside the Cafe – Sunday at 2pm (29th March, 26th April)
Address: Cafe in th Park, Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmore Lane WD3 1NB

Click for the full timetable of Health Walks in different areas.

Herts Connected replaces OWL messages

A free interactive messaging service from Hertfordshire Constabulary. Residents can receive information and updates about crime in your area, local police events and initiatives.

Visit www.hertsconnected.co.uk to sign up for Herts Connected messages.
And also follow Hertfordshire Constabulary on all social platforms: @hertspolice.

Cyber Crime and Fraud Awareness:
herts.police.uk/cyber-fraud

Report Fraud
Always report scam emails, texts, websites, adverts & phone calls as follows:

  • Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
  • Forward scan texts to 7726 (handy tip: 7726 spells out SPAM on a phone keyboard).
  • Report suspicious phone calls: text 7726 with the word ‘Call’, followed by the caller’s telephone number.
  • Report fake/scam websites and adverts – visit reportfraud.police.uk.

Let us know if you have incurred financial loss or have been hacked as a result of responding to a scam – call 0330 123 2040 or visit reportfraud.police.uk.

Which
Find out about product reviews, consumer rights and sign-up for free scam alerts newsletter – which.co.uk.

Beacon
Hertfordshire’s Victim Care Cntre supporting victims of all crime in Hertfordshire – hertfordshirebeacon.org.

Cifas
The UK’s Fraud Prevention Community. Offers protection against identity theft – cifas.org.uk/individuals.

HM Land Registry
Sign up to the free Property Alert service to help protect your property from fraud – gov.uk/guidance/property-alert.

The Electoral Register & the ‘Open Register’
Make sure people cannot buy these lists to obtain your details. Opting out of these lists does not affect your right to vote – gov.uk/electoral-register/opt-out-of-the-open-register.

Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
Your details may be publicly available in various online telephone directories (UK Phone Book, 192, BT Find a person, Yell), even when you are ex-directory! Register for Telephone Preference Service to avoid unsolicited calls: https://www.tpsonline.org.uk/register.

Financial Conduct Authority – FCA
The FCA Warning List shows firms and individuals that are not authorised or registered by the FCA and are operating without permission or running scams – fca.org.uk/scamsmart.

National Cyber Security Centre (a part of GCHQ)
Advice and free tools on how to stay secure online. Visit ncsc.gov.uk.

Get Safe Online
Check a website URL before you visit at getsafeonline.org.

Stop Scams UK
Call 159 – the safest way to contact your bank urgently if you have suspicions and concerns about your bank accounts. Visit stopscamsuk.org.uk.

Pwned
Check if your email has been exposed in a data breach or leaked online. Sign up to be notified: haveibeenpwned.com.

Trading Standards at Citizens Advice
Contact us if you think a business or tradesperson has broken the law or acted unlawfully. Or you need help finding a trusted trader. Call 0808 223 1133 or visit citizensadvice.org.uk.

Golden Memories – Mondays 10:30 to 12pm

Visit the Sensory Room at Watford FC, Vicarage Road Stadium for a weekly look back through the decades using football history and music to evoke personal memories. For people living with dementia and their carers and/or loved ones. Sessions are supported by volunteers, guest speakers, former players, memorabilia, respite for carers/families, monthly excursions, music and dance through the eras and chair-based exercise. In partnership with the Alzeheimer’s Society. Click for case study.

Contact Tablina, Health & Wellbeing Older Adults Project Officer on 07561 290200 or Tablina.Mavlonazarova@watfordfc.com.

Rennie Grove Peace

Call 01923 606030 or email compassion@renniegrovepeace.org for more information.

Express Yourself – last Thursday of every month, 1:30 to 3pm
Oxhey Library, Bridlington Road, South Oxhey WD19 7AG

Enjoy arts and crafts activities and connect with others over a cuppa. Open to anyone who is lonely due to illness or bereavement. Carers and families welcome. No need to book, refreshments available. In partnership with Healthy Hub Three Rivers. Visit our website.

Keep Active – last Monday of every month, 10:30am to 12:30pm
Elvira’s, Henderon Hub, High Street Abbots Langley, WD5 0AT

Join in with our wellbing activities, connect with others and find out what support is available to you. Open to anyone diagnosed with a serious illness, carers and families welcome. Visit our website.

Community Cuppa – every 3rd Thursday of the month, 10:30am to 12pm

A place to met others, socialise and build up friendships over a cuppa while living well. Everyone welcome! In partnership with Radfield Home Care and Rennie Grove Peace. Call 01923 624 674 or visit our website.

Address: Stanborough Church, 609 St Albans Road, Watford WD25 9JL.

Memory Support Hertfordshire

Are you living with dementia or worried about memory loss? Visit: www.memorysupportherts.org.uk.

Call 0300 131 3946 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm) or email info@memorysupportherts.org.uk.

Young Onset Dementia Support – tailored support for those under 65 who are living with dementia, including those who also have a learning difficulty and those with rare forms of dementia.

Admiral Nurses – when things get challenging, we work alongside family/carers to give one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions.

Dementia Friendly Communities – working with local organisations, communities and new accreditation scheme to make Hertfordshire a place to live well with dementia.

Radfield Home Care

Our home care services empower people to lead the lives they want in comfort and familiarity in their own home. Personalised award-winning care. Regulated by Care Quality Commission. Call us for a chat 01923 624 674 or visit watford@radfieldhomecare.co.uk.

Visiting care
We can help you with: Personal car, Domestic assistance, Nutrition and hydration, Getting home from hospital, Medical assistance, Overnight carer, Respite care, Companionship and outings.

Live in care
Benefits of live in care: Personalised attention and care, Comfort, familiarity and flexibility, Safety and support, Independence and dignity at home, Cost-effective.

Connected care
Our connected care solutions: OKEachDay – daily check in, Go GPS – location reassurance, Careline – Fall detctor and MiiCare – Home sensors.

Day care
What’s included in day care: Qualitified Care Professionals, Regulated care plan management, Warm shared space with two-course lunch, Individual activities and Personalised care plan.

Attendance Allowance – Grey Matters Consultancy

Extra help when you need it most. We can show you how you might be able to get regular financial assistance to help you remain independent in your own home and make your life easier. We offer a no win no fee service to help you fill in complicated forms. Disability Rights UK Member. Visit our website.
Call us on 07752 086507 or email info@grey-matters-consultancy.com.

For more information and to take a look at the forms yourself, visit: www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Planning ahead for your care – conversations that matter

Dr Rob Mayson, a local GP explains the importance of talking to family or close friends about your future care needs: “We want to make sure that all patients in the NHS get the care that is right for them. This is especially true for all of us as we get older or whenever we become unwell. Too often, we see that people’s wishes are not met towards the end of their life, which can be upsetting for them and their families.

“It can help to think ahead about what kind of care you would want if you got very sick. For example, would you always want healthcare professionals to try everything to keep you alive, even if it might not work? Or would you prefer care that focuses on keeping you comfortable?

“There are no right or wrong answers – it’s about what feels best for you. But it’s important that the health and care teams looking after you know your wishes to ensure the right decisions are made. Take some time to talk to your family or those you ae close to about how you might want to be looked after as you get older.

“It’s also a good time to think about the medicines you take. Do they still help you? Do you feel like you need them all? Sometimes, as we get older, some medicines may not be as helpful anymore. You can review them together with your GP, a pharmacist or another healthcare professional if you have any questions.

“You don’t have to decide anything right now. But it’s good to talk about these things with your family. If you’d like to chat more about it, your GP practice is here to help. You can bring it up at your next appointment or let your practice know if you’d like to talk sooner.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable having these conversations, and we believe it should be normal to start thinking about it at a younger age way before ill-health is even a consideration.”

Find out more on the Age UK website:
www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/age-well

By R.D.R.A., ago

Lived experience of being diagnosed with high blood pressure

Message from Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), it replaced CCG. It’s function is to be a bridge between the primary care providers and the NHS. We have our representation via our local surgery’s PPG (patient participation group).

As part of the ICB’s current campaign to encourage people to get their blood pressure checked we are keen to speak to anyone willing to share their own experiences.

Do you, or anyone you know, have a story you would be happy to share with us?

High blood pressure has no symptoms but if left untreated can lead to heart attack or stroke.

The campaign is particularly encouraging people over 40 to take up a free blood test check at a pharmacy.

Hearing from people who have discovered they had high blood pressure, and what this has meant for them, would really help us get the message out about the huge importance of getting it checked.

Find out more about the campaign on the ICS website including existing patient stories.

If you would be happy to share your story please email Lauren Oldershaw.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Free upcoming health and care events

Patients are our Passion – Improving Patient Care and Experience in West Herts Hospitals

St Albans Patient Group and the Herts and West Essex ICB have organised this event on Wednesday 15 May, 6pm. It will be presented by Amanda Budd, Lead Nurse for Patient Care and Experience.

Join the Zoom meeting.

Patient Engagement Forum – Mental Health Awareness Webinar

Thursday 16 May, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

The Herts and West Essex ICB Patient Engagement Forum has organised this session for National Mental Health Awareness Week (13 to 19 May). The free session is being held online and will offer the chance to start the conversation about mental health.

Speakers will include a representative from the charity MIND and a local GP – there will also be a Q and A session. Register for the session.

St Albans Elective Care Hub

Wednesday 29 May, 6pm

St Albans Patient Group, with the Herts and West Essex ICB Patient Engagement Forum have organised a session on St Albans Elective Care Hub.  This new centre at St Albans City Hospital is for planned surgery to provide faster access to some routine operations for patients in Hertfordshire and west Essex. This is to reduce waiting lists for people who have been waiting for a long time to have their operation.  

Join the meeting to find out more about the new centre.

By RDRA Web Admin, ago