British trials have been successfully carried out on a new vaccine—and if the results continue to be positive, scientists believe Alzheimer’s disease could one day be prevented.

The vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against a protein fragment involved in creating the deposits that build up and damage nerve cells in the brain.

For more information contact the Alzheimer’s Society, Gordon House, 10 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1PH. Telephone number (0845) 300 0336, or visit their website on www.alzheimers.org.uk

Carers UK and the British Medical Association have published a book called Understanding Caring.

Part of the Family Doctor series, the book contains advice on the practical day-to-day business of looking after someone and the support available to you as a carer.

Priced at £3.50, the book is available through your local pharmacy or by calling (01295) 276627.

For orders over 50 please contact the Department for Works and Pensions on 028 9052 6121, or you can write to them at GPA Interface, Rosepark House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3NR or further details can be found on the Department’s website at www.dwp.gov.uk

…well almost! Eating the Boundaries with drugs, drink, food and COOL (Carers’ One-to-One Link) is for anyone interested in Mental Health. It’s being held at The Mill at Avonwick on Friday 1st February 2002, between 9.45am and 2pm.

Book now - £6 & £3 concessions, with refreshments included. Call Claudia Benzies. Tel / Fax (01803) 712669 or e-mail claudiansf@aol.com

Have you been caring for someone with dementia?

If you would like to be more involved in your community again, then the Alzheimer’s Society can help you.

There are 5 main themes for the Awards:

Sharing your experience with others

Organising activities for fellow former carers

Taking up a past interest which could be of benefit to others

Undertaking research with a view to informing others

Learning a new skill to undertake voluntary work

Awards from £2,000 to £10,000 may be given to pay for project running costs, training and expenses. You can work individually, or in a group of up to five volunteers.

To find out more contact the Alzheimer’s Society, c/o 20-25 Glasshouse Yard, London, EC1A 4JT, or telephone 020 7566 7840

To place an order, contact St John Supplies on 020 7278 7888, or write to them at PO Box 707B, Friend Street, London, EC1V 7NE, or visit them on their website at www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk

Mind Matters is a new mental health website run by the Chairman of he Schizophrenia sub committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

As well as clear information on depression, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it has good links to other mental health sites.

Why not give it a visit at www.emental-health.com

Helpline 0808 808 3555

…..is a free advisory service providing help and support with home repairs, adaptations or improvements for older and disabled home owners and private tenants in the South Hams & West Devon.

Undertaken by Devon and Cornwall Housing Association, in partnership with South Hams District Council, South & West Devon Health Authority and Devon Social Services, they can provide advice, guidance and support on a range of home improvements and adaptation matters including:

Finding reliable builders and arranging estimates

Overseeing building works

                Advising on technical aspects of the work

Checking entitlement to welfare benefits and helping you to apply

For further information, help and advice, please call: for the South Hams (01752) 896652; for West Devon (01822) 613638.

Organised by South Devon Carers’ Consortium and funded by Social Services, places are limited to tickets only, so get the slip on the enclosed flyer sent back as soon as possible to ensure your day of rest and recuperation!

South Devon Healthcare Trust would like to hear what you have to say about their hospital discharge procedures. They are in the process of reviewing their discharge policy, with a view to improving it, particularly from the carers’ perspective.

To have your say in this process, you are invited to a meeting of the South Hams Carers’ Planning Group. This will take place in Totnes, on Monday 4 March. If you would like to come and have your say, along with other carers from the South Hams, please contact the Consortium on (01803) 294275 for further details.

at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish. Carers are invited to a pampering day on Tuesday 12th February, between 10 am and 5 pm, where there will be a range of alternative and beauty therapies on offer, as well as interesting talks and events.

Organised by the South Devon Carers’ Consortium, and funded by Teignbridge Social Services, a superb buffet lunch will be provided. Spaces are limited and the event is strictly by ticket only. To apply please contact South Devon Carers Consortium.

South Devon Healthcare Trust would like to hear what you have to say about their hospital discharge procedures. They are in the process of reviewing their discharge policy, with a view to improving it, particularly from the carers’ perspective.

To have your say in this process, you are invited to a meeting of the Teignbridge Carers’ Action Group. This will take place on Thursday 7 March, in Ashburton. If you would like to come and have your say, along with other carers from Teignbridge, please contact the Consortium on (01803) 294275 for further details.

Organised by South Devon Carers’ Consortium and funded by Torbay Social Services, places at the conference will be limited, with priority given to carers. You will need to complete the slip on the enclosed flyer and return it as soon as possible to the Consortium to avoid disappointment.

It is a unique, miniature, personal device. Its patented design provides reliable detection of a potentially serious fall by the wearer and triggers a call for help to Torbay Council’s Community Alarm Centre via a home alarm unit. The Fall Detector provides additional reassurance and protection in and around the home for people at risk of falling, particularly anyone who is likely to become unconscious after falling such as those suffering from epilepsy, diabetes or from the side effects of medication.

The Fall Detector and alarm unit can be rented from Torbay Community Alarm Service. For further information, or to arrange a demonstration, please contact Peter Winsor, at Torbay Community Alarm Service, on (01803) 522228

Involvement of carers has been recognised by Torbay Partnership Committee (TPC) as vital to the development of local health and social services. In response, steps towards effective carer/user involvement in TPC Task Groups, have been identified by a panel of carers and users.

Building on this initiative, Carers Participation Worker, Amanda Woolley, will be offering support to those representing carers, and exploring ways to ensure carer views get into the system. If you are interested in putting forward a carer perspective, or have ideas how this could be done, contact Amanda at South Devon Carers’ Consortium on (01803) 294275