Fulfilling the promise: the potential of a National Care Service
My colleagues Dr Tara French and Imogen Caird have launched the fruit of over a year’s work which they had undertaken with another colleague Becca Young. ‘Coileanadh’ is the output […]
Neighbourhoods that care: the importance of inclusion.
You probably did not notice but yesterday was European Neighbour’s Day. I have to admit I stumbled across it online in part because I am going to be doing a […]
A human right to creativity: older age and wellbeing.
In the last parliament and in the returning SNP Government’s manifesto there was a commitment to create a new Human Rights Act for Scotland. Indeed, the Scottish Greens, Labour, Liberal […]
As thin as gossamer: spirituality and care.
This past week I had the honour to deliver the Malcolm Goldsmith Lecture on behalf of Faith in Older People. I took as my theme the relationship between human rights and […]
Demystifying death. A reflection.
Next week from the 10th to the 16th May the Demystifying Death festival takes place. Its purpose is to ‘shine a light on death, dying and bereavement in Scotland’ by […]
Ambassadors of conscience: care and elections
I enjoy going to vote and I always have. I am looking forward to taking time on Thursday to go and physically exercise my choice by walking to my local […]
Working to care: humanity at its best. A reflection.
For the whole of next week Scottish Care and other stakeholders will be engaged in a series of events focussing on attracting women and men to consider social care as […]
“Always listen to the earth because it speaks to you.” A personal reflection for World Earth Day.
My late uncle Donald died suddenly when I was seventeen but by that age he had already left an indelible impression upon me and had taught me so much. Donald […]
Localism vs National models of care: a false dichotomy?
This week Scottish Care has published our Care Manifesto for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections. It has been developed by my colleagues to suggest the areas where they believe the most […]
Experiences from a student and front-line care worker
…always look after yourself first because I have found if I’m not feeling fit and well then I can’t carry out my job as effectively when caring for those who […]
The shaming of older people: the need for urgent reform.
I have written many times over the years in this blog that the mark of any society or community that wants to enshrine dignity and humanity is the way in […]
Citizens of another world: autism and older age
Over three decades ago I undertook two placements at one of the major psychiatric hospitals in Scotland. It was during one of them that I got to know George, or […]
Dying in lockdown: a challenge and opportunity.
Over five years ago in December 2015 the Scottish Government published “Palliative and end of life care: strategic framework for action.” Its core aspiration was that: ‘By 2021, everyone in […]
Beyond words … there is silence: a reflection on care home lockdowns.
We are in the midst of a period of anniversaries. Last Thursday it was a year since the World Health Organisation declared Coronavirus to be a global pandemic and we […]
International Women’s Day blog from our National Director
A blog by Scottish Care’s National Director, Karen Hedge, for International Women’s Day.
Butterflies and Caterpillars Say No to the Age Gap: a reflection.
I was walking along thinking about what I would say in this blog, aware of the fact that it is National Intergenerational Week from the 8th-14th March, when my 6-year-old […]
“I need to be found”: mental health and older age.
One of the saddest consequences of the Covid pandemic has been its impact, not least through lockdowns, on the mental health of tens of thousands of individuals. There is thankfully […]
Climate change blog from our National Director
Latest blog from our National Director, Karen Hedge, on climate change.
Losing a language: dementia and bilingualism.
I have always been fascinated by language and the way we communicate. Perhaps part of the reason for this is that in the early stages of my life it was […]