LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, SEE YOUR GP
3 ways to... Keep safe when wild-water swimming
Let your body get used to cold water by starting with shorter swims in milder temperatures before attempting longer or colder swims.
Swimming with a partner or in a group is safer. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, having someone nearby who can assist you can be, literally, life-saving.
Understand your swimming abilities before getting into any water. Cold water can be physically demanding, so don’t push yourself beyond your comfort zone or swim more than you can.
NEWSFLASH
A new capsule sponge (pill on a thread) that can be used to monitor people at high risk of oesophageal cancer has gone on trial. The screening test, developed by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, could give the NHS a quick and simple way to screen for the disease, which causes 8,000 deaths a year in the UK. Currently an endoscopy is done, which is time-consuming, costly and invasive.
THE LIFELINE THAT HELPED WITH MY PARENTS’ DEMENTIA
Both my parents went into care homes in 2020. First Mum in July and then Dad in September. They weren’t in the same care home, which was deliberate, but keeping contact between them and the rest of our family was a challenge. I live in London and my parents were up in Manchester, but I knew it was important to their mental health and my peace of mind that we stayed connected.
Dad’s care home had signed up to Famileo, a way to share family news and photos. It’s printed out as a newsletter for older family members and is digital for those who are comfortable with that.
I decided to give it a go. Every week myself and the rest of the family started fill
