Smoking

Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone, but it’s much easier with the right help. There are lots of support options available. Please see below for free NHS and local services

https://www.essexlifestyleservice.org.uk/stop-smoking/

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

Weight management

Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE) Lifestyle offer information on a range of services designed to promote health and wellbeing to residents in mid Essex. There are a range of services for adults and young people to help you better manage your weight and to suit your needs. The programmes are free and you can refer yourself.

https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/weight-management

https://acelifestyle.org/weight-management

https://www.livewellcampaign.co.uk/article-categories/weight/

Drug and Alcohol Support

In Essex, for those with issues of substance/alcohol misuse, there is a community service called Essex Specialist Treatment and Recovery Service (Essex STaRS), under which all services users will be looked after by one of a number of new specialist teams.

Essex Specialist Treatment and Recovery Service

Gambling

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/gambling-addiction/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/debt-solutions/

Pregnancy Care Planning

The more you know about your pregnancy and your options, the more you are likely to feel in control. The information given here is based on The Pregnancy Book, which your midwife should give you at your first appointment.

Find out more >

Ear syringing/micro-suction

https://www.providewellbeing.co.uk/microsuction/

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/earwax/earwax-removal

https://www.essexhearingcare.co.uk/earwax-removal

Financial debt

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/debt-solutions/

General mental health

Local adults: https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth

https://www.minded.org.uk/                                                    MindEd is a free educational resource on children, young people, adults and older people’s mental health

Local young people: https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/startwell

https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/                                                A national charity working to transform the hopes and happiness of young people facing abuse, exploitation and neglect. They support them through their most serious life challenges and campaign tirelessly for the big social changes that will improve the lives of those who need hope most.

https://youngminds.org.uk/                                                               Are leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

National A- Z services: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

Families:                                                                                  https://home-startessex.org.uk/                                               Home-Start Essex is a leading family support charity working across Essex to build the confidence and skills of parents/carers to achieve healthy and positive outcomes for children. Their work comprises a long-established volunteer home visiting service, offering emotional and practical help to families experiencing difficulties, alongside a range of family groups, well-being programmes, courses and events. They work with families with at least one child under the age of eight, and offer some events for families with children up the age of 11yrs. They  are early years specialists, and work closely with the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service.

https://www.familylives.org.uk/                                                 Respond when life becomes more complicated and provide support around family breakdown, aggression in the home, bullying, teenage risky behaviour and mental health concerns of both parents and their children. If you need support or advice, you can call the helpline on 0808 800 2222, email us at askus@familylives.org.uk or chat to us online.

Gender identity

Here in mid Essex we aim to promote inclusivity, compassion, sensitivity and kindness towards patients, carers and relatives, and colleagues no matter what their sexual orientation or gender preference and are proud to be playing our part in reducing health inequalities for our LGBT+ population.

LGBT+ stands for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and the + simply means that we are inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves.

https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/lgbt

Bereavement

In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;

Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
Make the necessary funeral arrangements.

Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.

You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.

You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Arrange the funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.

Funeral directors
Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:

National Association of Funeral Directors
National Federation of Funeral Directors
Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
These organisations have codes of practice – they must give you a price list when asked.

Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.

Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.

Funeral costs
Funeral costs can include:

funeral director fees
things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.

Coping with the death of a loved one
The NHS website has useful information on coping with bereavement as well as links to organisations that can help.

Several hospices in Essex also offer comfort and support to the bereaved.

Cruse Bereavement Care is a leading charity which offers support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.

Please click on the link below which has a wealth of information to support you during times of bereavement.

https://www.essex.gov.uk/coronavirus-and-faith/bereavement-support

https://www.cruse.org.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/bereavement/useful-contacts/

Eating disorders

Eating Disorders Service

Carer

https://affc.org.uk/

https://www.essexcarerssupport.org.uk/

https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/gp-services/live-well-link-well

Dementia

The Greenwood Surgery is committed to meeting the health and wellbeing needs of people living with dementia, their loved ones and carers. We are working closely with the Alzheimer’s Society to make our surgery a Dementia Friendly GP Practice.

https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/dementia

Did you know that the Alzheimer’s Society provide a range of local support and services for people living with dementia, their loved ones and carer’s. These include:

A Family Navigators Service – Family Navigators offer information and practical guidance to help you understand dementia, cope with day-to-day challenges and prepare for the future. They offer information to people who are worried about their memory and ongoing support to people affected by dementia face to face, over the phone or in writing.

Information Hubs – An Information Hub will provide information about dementia, local services and practical tips about living well with dementia.

Peer Support – Peer support group gives you the opportunity to meet with others who understand some of what you are going through. Run by a facilitator, the sessions offer a chance for people affected by dementia to ask questions, get information and share experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Singing for the Brain – Singing for the Brain brings people together in a friendly, fun and social environment. Based around the principles of music therapy, the stimulating sessions include vocal warm-ups and singing a wide variety of familiar and new songs.

Activity groups – The Alzheimer’s Society skill or interest-based activity group can give you the opportunity to take part in a fun, structured activity. Activities can include art and craft groups, drama workshops, cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) groups, maintaining skills groups, bowling groups, skittles groups, walking groups, yoga or tai chi classes, etc. The groups are run by an expert facilitator with relevant skills and are open to anyone affected by dementia.

For more information on any of the above or to talk to an Alzheimer’s Society Family Navigator please call: 01245 260911, email: essex@alzheimers.org.uk or write to:

Essex & Hertfordshire Alzheimer’s Society
Suite E Ground Floor
Widford Business Centre
33 Robjohns Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 3AG

Cancer

https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/cancer

Farleigh palliative care service 

https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/farleigh-hospice

Future Care Plans
https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/medicines-optimisation/palliative-care/3130-proactive-elderly-advance-care-plan-peace/file

Falls Prevention

TUMBLES
There are many things that may increase your chance of losing balance, feeling dizzy and falling over. In this presentation are some simple things for you to check that may stop you from fall. Follow the advice to reduce your risk of falling and to help keep you safe.

Many medications can increase your chances of falls, here is a list of some of the types of medicines that may affect you:

Blood pressure tablets
Heart medicines
Diuretics or water tablets
Muscle relaxers
Laxatives
Sleeping tablets
Painkillers
Antihistamines

TOILET
Do you require frequent visits to the toilet? Ensure facilities are close by. Pre-empt regular visits to the bathroom giving yourself plenty of time to get there.

Is the path to the toilet clear of hazards? Be careful on uneven floor surfaces, make sure there are no flexes, cables, or furniture to trip over.

If you are a man who needs to use the toilet during the night, sit rather than stand, or steady yourself on a washbasin or handrail. Alternatively, have a bottle to use by the bedside.

Tablets are sometimes prescribed to help control the urge to wee, if you take these do they help? If they are not making a difference, ask your doctor to stop them.

URINE
Urine (wee) infections – a wee infection may make you feel dizzy or confused. If your wee is cloudy or smelly you may have an infection, contact your GP for advice.

You may have been prescribed tablets to help your wee flow if you have ‘prostate’ problems. If these are making you feel dizzy or unsteady, please speak to your doctor or nurse.

If you don’t drink enough you may become dizzy, so make sure you drink plenty. Little and often throughout the day is better than just one or two cups every few hours. Keep drinks within easy reach.

MEDICATION
Many common medications may increase your risk of having a fall. Check to see if any medications you take are listed above. Ask your pharmacist about the effects they can have and any precautions you should take.

Taking more than four medicines can increase your risk of having a fall. Ensure that a health professional has reviewed your medications in the last six months to check they are still the most effective for you.

Medicines to help you sleep should not be taken for long periods, ask you doctor or nurse for help in stopping them.

Alcohol may increase your risk of having a fall when mixed with some medication. Be aware of the increased effects alcohol may have.

MOBILITY
If you use equipment such as a walking stick or a frame, check for wear on ferules (rubber feet), hand grips and underarm pads to see if they need replacing. Make sure equipment is regularly maintained.

It is important that the equipment is the most suitable and comfortable for your lifestyle and home environment.
Contact your occupational therapist or equipment supplier if you think your needs have changed.

BEDS and BELLS
If your bed is too high or too low, or your mattress too soft it will be difficult for you to get in and out of and you may fall (the usual bed height is 18 inches). If you sit on the edge of your bed and your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are in line with your hips, then your bed height is correct for you.

Don’t rush to answer the doorbell – make sure there is a clear path for you to get to your front door. Keep the telephone close to where you sit.

BONES and BLOOD PRESSURE
Bones become more brittle and fragile as you get older and need protecting. Calcium & Colecalciferol (Vitamin D) tablets are often prescribed for this, make sure you take them regularly.

Blood pressure (BP) can change suddenly from when you are lying down then moving to standing or sitting. Move slowly when going from one to the other to avoid feeling dizzy or sick.

LIGHTING
Poor lighting is often the cause of a fall. Make sure there is enough lighting to help you move safely from one place to another.

Some energy-saving bulbs are slow to produce a lot of light. If these are in places like bathrooms, stairs and hallways change them to instant lighting to help you see better, alternatively leave them switched on.

Make sure switches and cord pulls are within easy-reach during the night. A bedside lamp or a night light could be left on overnight. Have a torch close by.

On sunny days, if any of your rooms suffer from daylight glare take extra care moving around. Remember natural light is good for you so try not to shut it out.

EYESIGHT and EXERCISE
Regular eye checks are important, you can do simple checks yourself to determine if your eyesight is deteriorating e.g. can you identify a pen, key and a pair of scissors from a certain distance?

Make sure your glasses fit properly and are regularly cleaned. Put them in a regular place for easy reach and so you know where they are.

Increasing activity will help your mobility. Regular exercise is good for you and may improve your balance as well as to strengthen your muscles. Ask your doctor or a healthcare professional for exercises that would suit you.

SLIPPERS and SHOES
Poorly fitting footwear will increase your falls risk.

Avoid backless slippers, make sure your footwear fits properly and has a non-slip sole.

Shoelaces can become a trip hazard, try slip-on shoes instead.

Avoid walking in socks or tights as these are more slippery.

‘To Do’ Checklist

Toilet – Keep access to the bathroom clear of hazards, give yourself time to get there.

Urine – Drink plenty of fluids thought each day.

Medication and Mobility – Review your medication – do you still need everything? Check your equipment for wear & tear.

Beds, Bells and Blood Pressure – Check your bed is the right height and a telephone or call alarm is within easy reach.

Lighting – Improve the lighting in dimly lit areas of your home.

Eyesight and Exercise – Have your eyesight checked and take regular exercise.

Slippers and Shoes – Make sure your footwear fits properly and the soles are non-slip.

Healthy Balance Service

The service offers community exercise classes throughout mid Essex for people who want to improve their strength and balance, to increase their confidence in mobilising and help prevent falls.

https://www.provide.org.uk/service/healthy-balance-service/