It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Tyler Arboretum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Media, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Glen Providence Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Azie Media or visit Delaware County Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Media, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Media, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Media, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Nintendo has shared more details about its upcoming successor to the hugely popular Switch console, the Switch 2, confirming it will go on sale on June 5.During a 60-minute livestream about the new console, the gaming giant ran through some of the new hardware features, as well as some of the first games that will be available on the new device.Here is a round-up of all the key announcements.– Launch dateNintendo confirmed the new system will be released on June 5, and that buyers will have ...
Nintendo has shared more details about its upcoming successor to the hugely popular Switch console, the Switch 2, confirming it will go on sale on June 5.
During a 60-minute livestream about the new console, the gaming giant ran through some of the new hardware features, as well as some of the first games that will be available on the new device.
Here is a round-up of all the key announcements.
– Launch date
Nintendo confirmed the new system will be released on June 5, and that buyers will have two console options on launch day – to buy the console on its own, or with a digital version of Mario Kart World, the new open-world racing game, included.
– Price
The new console will cost £395, or £429 for a bundle which also includes Mario Kart World.
– New hardware features
The Switch 2 has a new, larger screen, which Nintendo says has double the number of pixels as the original Switch, and will offer smooth, clearer visuals.
The detachable Joy-Con controllers have been updated and now magnetically attach to the Switch 2 console. In addition, either Joy-Con 2 controller can be operated like a computer mouse by sliding it on a surface.
In addition, the kickstand built into the back of the Switch 2 is now fully adjustable for the first time, and the console will include a second USB-C port which can be used for charging or to attach an accessory, such as the new Switch 2 Camera, which is used for social gaming with friends.
Elsewhere, Nintendo say the Switch 2 has significantly improved gaming performance, as well as eight times the storage capacity of the original Switch, with 256GB of built-in storage.
The gaming giant also confirmed that a number of original Switch games will be capable with the Switch 2.
And the Switch 2 dock, used to connect the console to a TV, now supports 4K video resolution and 120 frames per second frame rate.
– Other updates
The biggest new feature announced for the Switch beyond the hardware is what Nintendo calls GameChat.
The feature enables players to voice chat with up to 12 friends at the same time while playing, and even if they are playing different games.
Users can see feeds of their friends’ gameplay as they play, and up to four friends can share one screen if they want to play together.
Attaching the Switch 2 Camera also allows up to four players to see each other’s faces while they chat and play.
Sticking to the social gaming theme, Nintendo also announced a feature called GameShare, which will enable users to share and play the same game with others who do not own it.
– Games
Alongside the hardware, a spring of new games were confirmed to be coming to the Switch 2, including console exclusives Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza.
A number of high-profile third-party games were confirmed too, including Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, EA Sports FC and Madden NFL, WWE 2K, Street Fighter 6 and Hogwarts Legacy.
Will Poulter has said there are “few truly anti-war films”, claiming that they glorify and romanticise war.Speaking at The Cinema in Battersea Power Station for a special screening of the film Warfare, the 32-year old described the movie as dealing with the “consequences” of war.The film follows a platoon of American Navy Seals in Iraq when a surveillance mission goes wrong and stars Poulter as Captain Eric, the officer in charge alongside Canadian actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Stranger Things’...
Will Poulter has said there are “few truly anti-war films”, claiming that they glorify and romanticise war.
Speaking at The Cinema in Battersea Power Station for a special screening of the film Warfare, the 32-year old described the movie as dealing with the “consequences” of war.
The film follows a platoon of American Navy Seals in Iraq when a surveillance mission goes wrong and stars Poulter as Captain Eric, the officer in charge alongside Canadian actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn, Heartbreaker star Kit Connor and Shogun’s Cosmo Jarvis.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Poulter said: “This film really deals with the consequences of war. And I think that in past films about disparaging other movies which have maybe had different objectives, I think the tendency to glorify, romanticise or mine those environments for the most entertainment, they’ve neglected to reflect the reality of the situation.
“There are a few truly anti-war films, and I truly believe this one is in respect to how it shows the psychological and physical impact on everyone in those environments.
“It helps to sort of debunk this idea that people that go to war are, one, a lot older than they are in reality. And two, debunks the myth that they aren’t human, or that they don’t succumb to emotion and to psychological pressure.
“What you see in this film is very, very young men, like 20 to 25 which they are in reality, kind of experience the reality of war.
“You also see the impact on the family who are native to that area and impacted psychologically.”
Poulter is best known for starring in the hit comedy We’re The Millers and for playing Gally in the film adaptation of The Maze Runner.
Warfare was co-written and directed by Alex Garland and Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza, using memories from Navy Seals, including Mendoza’s, from a mission in Ramadi in 2006.
Speaking at the screening, Connor added: “We hope people come out of it understanding the effects that it (war) has on everyone involved and just the real weight of it.
“I think no matter what time it is in the world, it will be an important film to watch.”
Warfare will be released by A24 in UK Cinemas from April 18.
Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings is in awe of the “blissful naivety” of Rocky Flintoff.Flintoff, the son of former England captain and 2005 Ashes hero Andrew, turns 17 next week but has already made waves with some standout displays at domestic and England age-group and Lions levels.He could get the nod in the Rothesay County Championship in the coming weeks, with Lancashire starting their Division Two campaign at Middlesex on Friday, and plenty will be keen to see how he fares.While Jennings was reluctant ...
Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings is in awe of the “blissful naivety” of Rocky Flintoff.
Flintoff, the son of former England captain and 2005 Ashes hero Andrew, turns 17 next week but has already made waves with some standout displays at domestic and England age-group and Lions levels.
He could get the nod in the Rothesay County Championship in the coming weeks, with Lancashire starting their Division Two campaign at Middlesex on Friday, and plenty will be keen to see how he fares.
While Jennings was reluctant to heap pressure on Flintoff, the opener with 17 England Test caps has been very impressed by what he has seen so far from Lancashire’s youngest ever first-team cricketer.
“I don’t want to use the word naive because everyone is naive at 16 but I love the blissful naivety he plays with,” said Jennings, who will be hoping to lead Lancashire to Division One promotion this year.
“There’s no fear, there’s no scarring, there’s pure excitement to go out and perform. Just from his net sessions, he literally stands and hits the ball, he wants to just play and score runs and I love that.
“Hopefully we can keep that scarring out of his head, that would be amazing. But the biggest thing for me is he enjoys playing, you can see his enjoyment in playing the game and actually hitting the ball.
“I probably didn’t have that as a 16-year-old. I thought every ball was a threat, which he doesn’t. Hopefully he can keep going and play some really good cricket.”
Flintoff recorded Lancashire’s youngest ever second-team century last summer then did the same for the Lions on the winter trip to Australia – on both occasions snatching the record from his father.
Matty Hurst, another rising prospect at Old Trafford, was in the XI in Brisbane and the 21-year-old believes England’s senior set-up is having an influence on the likes of him and Flintoff.
“You saw when he scored a hundred – just being able to let nothing faze him,” Hurst said. “He takes everything in his stride and he’s just able to put himself on the park and perform at a high level.
“The new generation of Bazball, you’re not scared to fail and I think that’s a good thing about him that if he does mess up, he’ll go again and keep coming. He’s such a young lad, he’s still got that drive, he’s still got the enthusiasm and determination to keep getting better and better and better.”
Flintoff’s older brother Corey, 19, has this week signed a two-year rookie contract for Kent and the pair could come up against each other this year.
Jennings added: “The family heritage they have will breed that competitive nature and will breed them wanting to do well for each other and try and outdo each other, which will only be good for them.
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An anti-abortion campaigner who was convicted of breaching a public spaces protection order outside an abortion clinic has claimed she was “inviting consensual conversation”, as her lawyer said he and his team were “exploring all legal options”.Livia Tossici-Bolt told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she was “not there to make any woman unhappy”.The 64-year-old was handed a two-year conditional discharge at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday.The case involved Tossici-Bolt, a r...
An anti-abortion campaigner who was convicted of breaching a public spaces protection order outside an abortion clinic has claimed she was “inviting consensual conversation”, as her lawyer said he and his team were “exploring all legal options”.
Livia Tossici-Bolt told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she was “not there to make any woman unhappy”.
The 64-year-old was handed a two-year conditional discharge at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The case involved Tossici-Bolt, a retired medical scientist from Bournemouth, holding a sign saying “Here to talk, if you want” on two days in March 2023.
Speaking about her conviction, she said: “I was really disappointed because it’s nothing to do with protesting.
“It was purely inviting consensual conversation and I think in a public space everybody can do that.
“I was not there to express my views.
“I was there to offer free conversation, consensual conversation, to anyone who wanted to speak to me and not on the topics I want to speak, I was there to listen.
“I was interested to listen to people and I think everyone should be allowed that.”
She added: “I was there not to make any woman unhappy or distressed. I was there to speak to everyone in the community that wanted to have a conversation with me.
“Certainly anyone could have approached me, including, if they wanted to, women accessing the clinic. It was up to them and I was there to listen to them, not to try and convince them at all, to change (their) mind or not. I was just there for everyone just to talk to me.”
As well as the conditional discharge, District Judge Orla Austin ordered Tossici-Bolt to pay £20,000 towards court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.
Tossici-Bolt’s lawyer Jeremiah Igunnubole said his client’s case was “unprecedented”.
He told the Today programme: “We need to look very closely at the legal decision made yesterday and also the prosecution costs of £20,000 that has been imposed on Livia.
“This is unprecedented circumstances, never before have we seen entirely peaceful conduct criminalised for nothing other than offering a consensual conversation.
“It’s the first time in modern British history that this happened.
“So, we, of course, have to go through the judgment and explore all our legal options.”
On Friday, a US government department criticised the decision to convict Tossici-Bolt.
In a statement on X, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & Labour (DRL), a bureau within the US Department of State said: “We are disappointed with the UK court’s conviction of Livia Tossici-Bolt for violating a designated ‘buffer zone’ at an abortion clinic. Freedom of expression must be protected for all.”
Mr Igunnubole said the US state department was “quite right”.
He added: “What I am disappointed with is the fact that no United Kingdom politician, or at least leader of any of the major parties, has also made similar comments to raise their concerns about the state of freedom of speech.”
The council-enacted buffer zone, which came into effect in 2022 and covers 10 streets, is aimed at protecting patients and staff from harassment and distress while accessing the clinic.
Sentencing her on Friday, District Judge Austin said that Tossici-Bolt had “deeply-held” beliefs but her rights of freedom of expression under article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) had to be balanced against the rights of the women attending the clinic and its staff.
She said: “I accept that the defendant engaged in the conduct underlying this case as part of a sincerely motivated desire to attend that location and display her signage outside the clinic, encouraging conversation in relation to matters of particular importance to her.
“This does not mean that her conviction for failing to leave the area when required would be disproportionate, nor give rise to a reasonable excuse on the facts of this case.”
Asked what happens next, Tossici-Bolt said: “There isn’t much I can do, isn’t it?
“I’ve been given this conditional discharge and I will continue my fight for freedom of speech.”
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service said the case was “never about global politics” but instead women being able to “access legal healthcare free from harassment”.
Scabies is a common skin condition, yet is widely misunderstood.It causes itching and rashes, much like other skin conditions, which can make it very difficult to identify. To provide clarity, we’ve reached out to some experts who have offered some guidance on how to recognise, treat, and prevent this contagious condition.What is scabies?“Scabies is a common skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite,” explains Dr Miriam Mikicki, GP and functional medicine practitioner at ...
Scabies is a common skin condition, yet is widely misunderstood.
It causes itching and rashes, much like other skin conditions, which can make it very difficult to identify. To provide clarity, we’ve reached out to some experts who have offered some guidance on how to recognise, treat, and prevent this contagious condition.
What is scabies?
“Scabies is a common skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite,” explains Dr Miriam Mikicki, GP and functional medicine practitioner at health.miro. “These mites lay eggs under the skin, causing an allergic reaction that leads to intense itching and a distinctive rash.”
When a person is first infected, it can take up to eight weeks for symptoms to appear, according to the NHS website, as the body needs time to develop an allergic reaction to the mites.
The NHS website also states that scabies often affects skin between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin and bottom.
“Scabies mites prefer warm, moist areas of the body, such as external genitalia, beneath the breasts, between the buttock folds, webs of the fingers and toes, and under the fingernails,” explains Dr Aleksandar Godic, consultant dermatologist at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic.
People with a weakened immune system can sometimes get a rare type of scabies called crusted (Norwegian) scabies, according to the NHS website.
“This form involves a widespread infestation with a large number of mites and is highly contagious,” notes Godic.
What are the symptoms?
“The most characteristic sign of scabies is the presence of burrows, which appear as small, curved lines on the skin,” says Godic. “However, these can be difficult to see.
“Other common symptoms include small, weepy spots, redness and swelling, intense itching, especially at night or in warm environments, inflamed, scaly scratch marks, often resembling severe eczema.”
When should you seek medical advice about a rash?
“You should seek medical advice if a rash is persistent, worsening or intensely itchy, particularly if it doesn’t respond to over-the-counter treatments,” advises Dr Sophie Momen, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic.
“Scabies should be suspected if multiple household members are itching, the rash appears in classic areas like between fingers or around the waist, or if burrow marks are visible. If you develop signs of infection (such as pus, swelling or fever), immediate medical attention is necessary.”
Is it infectious?
Scabies is highly infectious.
“Scabies spreads primarily through prolonged direct skin contact with an infected person,” says Godic. “In rare cases, it can also be transmitted through infested towels, clothing, or bedding.”
Momen adds: “Because symptoms can take several weeks to appear, people may unknowingly spread scabies before realising they are infected, making early detection and treatment crucial.”
Who is at higher risk of getting scabies?
Anyone can get scabies, but people in close-contact environments are at higher risk.
“Infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable, as their bodies may struggle to control the infestation, sometimes leading to crusted scabies,” says Momen. “Healthcare workers, carers and individuals with frequent skin-to-skin interactions also face an increased risk of exposure.”
Can scabies be treated?
Scabies is not usually a serious condition, but it does need to be treated.
“First-line treatment usually involves a permethrin-based cream, which effectively kills the mites,” says Godic. “But, if permethrin is ineffective, a lotion containing malathion may be used.
“For severe cases (crusted scabies), oral ivermectin is prescribed.”
Since the itching is caused by an allergic reaction, symptoms may persist even after the mites are eliminated.
“To relieve discomfort, doctors may prescribe topical steroid creams for inflammation and itchiness,” adds Godic.
All close contacts must be treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection, adds Mikicki.
Is it preventable?
“Preventing scabies involves avoiding prolonged skin contact with infected individuals and not sharing personal items like clothing or bedding,” says Momen. “In high-risk settings, frequent hand washing and maintaining personal hygiene helps reduce transmission.”
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