Paro the therapeutic robot for those with dementia

A cuddly, therapeutic robot in the shape of a white baby seal called Paro is making a difference to dementia patients.

Invented by Dr Takanori Shibata, it responds as if it is alive, moving its head and legs and making sounds.

It has been introduced to those with dementia at the Orchard Day Care Centre in Blackrock, Co Dublin.

It is an advanced, interactive therapeutic robot and registered medical device and is proven to reduce stress, increase socialisation, stimulate interaction and improve relaxation and motivation for people with dementia.

A donation from the Hospital Saturday Fund made the purchase of Paro, the robot, possible, for the Centre.

Scientists discover promising off-switch for inflammation

Irish scientists working with others in the UK and the US have made a discovery that could potentially lead to more effective treatment for inflammatory diseases like IBD and osteoarthritis. If all goes well, new anti-inflammatory drugs that switch off the over-active immune cells that contribute to these conditions will be developed.

The ‘switch’ that puts the brake on these overactive immune cells (‘itaconate’ – a molecule derived from glucose) acts as a powerful off-switch for macrophages which cause many inflammatory diseases, they have found.

“It’s the most important finding yet,” says Professor Luke O’Neill, whose Trinity College team has been exploring metabolic changes in macrophages for the past six years.

It is hoped that the research carried out using both human cells and mice as a model organism will lead to improved treatment for patients with these painful conditions.

MS Ireland has new website

A new website – www.PatientsDeserveBetter.ie – has been launched to help those affected by Multiple Sclerosis to demand quick and better access to new medicine.

An experiental MSunderstood Café also opened in Exchequer Street, Dublin 1 to give customers a taste of the daily challenges and debilitating symptoms faced by people living with MS.

You can view a video showing customer reactions to this pop-up café by logging onto www.PatientsDeserveBetter.ie

Blackrock clinic performs Ireland's first robotic gastric bypass

The first patient to receive a robotic gastric bypass in Ireland had his operation performed by Mr William Robb in November 2017 at the Blackrock Clinic and has now lost over eight stone since starting the bariatic weight loss programme.

Blackrock Clinic invested €2.5m in the da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot. It is a device that gives surgeons enhanced vision as well as more precision and control. The da Vince Xi is also used for gynaecology, urology, Colorectal and thoracic procedures.

Alzheimer's Tea Day on 3 May

RTÉ’s Daithi Ó Sé is supporting this year’s Alzheimer’s Tea Day – his third year to do so.

This is the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s largest annual fundraising campaign.

Almost €8m has been raised to date to provide support to the 55,000 people living with dementia in Ireland today.

This year, again, thousands of people are being asked to host tea parties in their homes, offices and schools, with all funds raised locally staying locally.

Daithi Ó Sé is encouraging everyone to get involved.

“By taking part in this campaign you are helping to raise vital funds and awareness of a condition that is affecting so many of our family, friends and neighbours.”

The Tea Day raised €470,000 last year.

You can register for a Tea Day fundraising pack at www.teaday.ie or call (01) 207 3800.

  • •Dublin won its bid to host the World Conference on Tobacco or Health in 2021, an event that will attract 2500 international delegates.
  • •A new UCD Perinatal Research Centre based at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, has been launched to co-ordinate research into maternal and fetal health.
  • •Nearly 2 in every 3 girls (62%) are now getting the HPV Vaccine – 11% higher than the preliminary figure of 51%.
  • •One medium-sized Easter egg contains 23 teaspoons of sugar – four times a child’s recommended daily intake.
  • •311 transplants from 150 organ donors took place in 2017 – up from 127 donors and 294 transplants in 2016.
  • •Drinking water before and after a spa treatment helps to flush the body of toxins released from the muscles.
  • •Laughter lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system.
  • •The monthly threshold on the Drugs Payment Scheme is now €134 a month, down from €144.
  • •ORKAMBI, the Cystic Fibrosis drug, is now being reimbursed by the HSE for children aged 6-11.
  • •Eating foods like dairy, fish and eggs is the recommended way to get adequate amounts of iodine in your body. Iodine sufficiency is important especially for pregnant women.
  • •A new drug called siponimod has been shown to delay disability in secondary progressive MS patients.
  • •Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples and celery stimulates production of saliva, which in turn helps to wash away sugary foods in the mouth.
  • •The regulation of the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist is getting closer.
  • •Dr Maitiu O’Tuathail has been appointed President of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP).
  • •A donation from the sale of every Irish Pride Hi-Fibre Plus loaf will be made to the Marie Keating Foundation.
  • Keep receipts

    If you make a claim for health expenses, you must keep the receipts for six years. You don’t need to submit the receipts with your claim, but Revenue may ask for them, if your claim is checked.

    However, you can use the Receipt Tracker on RevApp to keep a digital record of your receipts. You have an option to store them on your device or in Revenue cloud storage. If you keep the receipts in cloud storage and they are legible, you do not need to keep paper copies.

    Review of hospital parking charges

    ICL Health highlighted the high cost of hospital parking last year. We are glad to see that Minister for Health, Simon Harris has now ordered a national review of such charges because of the pressure these charges put on those with long term illnesses particular.

    New national guidelines for these charges are expected in due course.

    VideoDoc

    The VideoDoc online GP service keeps costs as low as €20 a visit and is available 14 hours a day, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

    You can log on from wherever you are – at work, college or at home and be treated within minutes.

    An annual VideoDoc subscription with unlimited consultations and no hidden fees costs €35 for an individual and €110 for a family of four. A single VideoDoc GP consultation is €20. Doctors are Irish Medical Council registered and fully trained to provide remote health services. See www.videodoc.ie

    Dates for your diary

    Fibromyalgia Health and Wellbeing Summit

    12 May

    The Hilton Charlemont Hotel, Dublin 2.

    Keynote speaker: Professor Andrea Nicol from Kansas.

    Organised by Arthritis Ireland and FibroIreland.

    Support for families of those with eating disorders

    Bodywhys will be running a free, 4-week evening course for family members and carers of those with eating disorders in St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin from September 6th.

    The PiLaR programme is for parents, siblings, grandparents, partners and spouses currently supporting a family member with an eating disorder.

    See www.bodywhys.ie

    Aurivo presents €40,000 to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland

    Aurivo, the Agribusiness headquartered in the north-west, has presented a cheque for €40,000 to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland as part of the co-op’s Charity of the Year Programme. Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is the leading provider of community based neuro-rehabilitation services for those with acquired brain injury.

    Things to do

    Sign up for VHI Women’s Mini Marathon

    Women across the country are being asked to step up for many charitable causes by participating in this year’s VHI Women’s Mini Marathon at 2 p.m. on Bank Holiday Sunday, June 3rd.

    It is the largest one day charity event in the country and the largest women’s event of its kind in the world.

    The ISPCC says that you can sign up to support Childline at the marathon by registering on vhiwomensminimarathonl.ie and then call or email the ISPCC Fundraising Team on 1850 50 40 50 or minimarathon@ispcc.ie

    Team AWARE is also looking for supporters with TV3 presenter Cassie Stokes and singer Mary Byrne calling on women to join up.

    See www.aware.ie/events or ring 016617211 to join the Aware team.

    Visit the Down Syndrome Who I Am exhibition

    Pop along to the Powerscourt Centre in Dublin City centre before April 30th if you can to see the Who Am I exhibition.

    This exhibition is aimed at challenging perceptions of Down syndrome in society and presents images and stories of the lives of adults with Down syndrome.

    “It is about celebrating and showcasing the diversity of educational and work engagement, the depth of artistic and sporting skill and active community involvement that adults with Down syndrome enjoy and have.

    The exhibition will move round the country to DSI branches after April 30th. See www.downsyndrome.ie

    'Specially For You' Nutrition range launched

    A new nutritional protein drink for active women was launched recently.

    It is ‘Specially for You’, a light, refreshing 112 calorie drink with 23g of Premium Whey Concentrate. It also contains a range of female friendly vitamins and minerals, Co Enzyme Q10 to help increase energy and 5000mg of collagen, good for skin elasticity and more.

    SFY requires only 200 ml of water and quick stir – no shaker necessary. It is available in tubs and handy sachets also.

    See www.speciallyforyou.ie and www.advancedfoodconcepts.com

    Specially for you

    Specially For You.

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