Expert Health Support

16/08/2025

There was recently a UK company offering help to apply for Attendance Allowance.

The form is long and there is a knack to understanding how it is assessed by the DWP but it is certainly possible to do yourself.

What is important is that you understand the eligibility criteria post Brexit.
For the UK to be your "competent state" you must
Have a UK state pension
Have lived in France before December 2020 (Brexit) so are covered by the withdrawal agreement.
Have never worked in France . (That applies to your spouse as well.)

I offer the same service (for a lot less) and can help you with the form and supporting evidence.

I will visit you at home and at the same time will ensure you are getting all the help you need that is available to you here in France, including any French benefits or practical support you may be entitled to.

I have a 100% success rate. I will tell you in advance if you will be eligible or not.

Feel free to message me to arrange an initial chat.

26/07/2025

Emergency numbers. If you aren't sure which service, call 112. They will direct you. They will try and find an English speaker to take your call

| Connaissez les numéros d'urgence pour vivre un été en toute sérénité ⤵

ℹ Si ce n'est pas une urgence, appelez en priorité votre médecin traitant

21/06/2025

21/06/2025

Be careful of the heat

We are on Orange alert for heat today as the temperature reaches 38° possibly 39° with high overnight temperatures meaning there's no chance to cool down.

The very young and all of us as we get older, are less able to regulate our own body temperatures efficiently so need to take extra care.

The reflex to open the windows and put on fans means you allow heat into your house. Use your shutters!

Keep your windows and shutters closed once the outside temperature is higher than the inside one and don't open them until outside cools down again this evening.
Stay inside during the hottest part of the day, from lunchtime until 5pm. Have a siesta, it's good for you.

Shopping centres are air conditioned and are recommended places to cool down. They are required to have free cool water available as are all public spaces. (They don't all do this!).

Drink plenty of water, eat cool foods, limit your physical activities outside, and if you feel unwell contact your doctor/ring 112

Take heat seriously.

24/04/2025

Cancer screening in France

Cervical Cancer Screening
Ages 25–29: Cervical cells are checked for anomalies. Initially, two smear tests (frottis) are done one year apart. If both are normal, the test is then done every three years.
Ages 30–65: Screening is done for HPV, the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.

Smear tests can be done by your GP, midwife, or gynaecologist. When you go to a gynaecologist in France for a check-up or smear, they will also examine your breasts. This is normal practice in France.

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Colorectal Cancer Screening
Ages 50–74: Every two years. You will receive a letter of invitation, which you take to your GP, gynaecologist, gastroenterologist, or pharmacist to get a kit. The kit can also be ordered online once you've received the invitation.

You can also ask your pharmacist for a kit even if you haven't received an invitation.
The test checks for blood in your stool that isn’t visible to the naked eye. Once completed, send the kit off—you’ll receive your results by post or text within a few days.

If blood is found, you'll be invited for a colonoscopy to determine the cause. Often, the cause is a polyp (a non-malignant growth), which can be removed and tested.

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Mammogram (Mammographie)
Ages 50–74: Every two years. If you’re not receiving invitations, ask your GP. You'll receive an invitation with a list of approved centres where the mammogram can be done.

The doctor will examine your breasts and give you the initial results immediately. The mammogram is then reviewed by a second doctor before being sent back to you by post.

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Coverage
All these cancer screening tests are 100% covered by CPAM. If you aren't receiving your invitations, speak with your GP.

08/04/2025

From this week, and currently just for a month's trial, you must call 15 before going to the emergency departments of Mayenne, Laval or chateau Gontier hospitals. You can not just turn up

Depuis ce lundi, l’accès aux trois services d’urgence de la Mayenne est régulé en permanence. Luc Duquesnel, président du syndicat national Les Généralistes-Confédération des syndicats médicaux français, craint un épuisement des 40 médecins généralistes régulateurs.
➡️ https://l.ouest-france.fr/x9XB

11/01/2025

Expert Assistance for Your Healthcare and Social Care Needs in France

Are you struggling to navigate the French healthcare or social care system? Let me help. With over 20 years of experience living in France and a professional background as a nurse and social care manager in the UK, I offer tailored support to make your life easier:

Medical Visit Support: I’ll accompany you to medical appointments, translating medical French into clear, plain English so you can fully understand your care.

Medical Appointment Coordination: I can help you book and manage your medical appointments with confidence.

Social Care Assistance: Whether you need help arranging home care, residential care, or applying for a blue badge, I’ll guide you every step of the way.

Community Care Support: Assistance with setting up district nursing services, meals on wheels, and other essential services.

With my unique combination of professional expertise and deep local knowledge, I provide compassionate, reliable support tailored to your individual needs.

Take the stress out of healthcare and social care in France.
Contact me today to find out how I can help you or your loved ones.

03/01/2025

Laval hospital emergency department is currently overwhelmed as a result of the current epidemic (of respiratory infections, mainly colds and flu).
Please don't go directly there. Contact your usual doctor first or call 15 / 112 for advice

🚨Important | Accès aux urgences
Le CH de Laval est confronté à un afflux de patients important lié au contexte épidémique actuel.
Pour répondre aux besoins de santé de chacun et préserver les services de soins, nous vous demandons de bien vouloir respecter les recommandations suivantes :
👉 En cas de problème de santé non urgent, contactez en priorité votre médecin traitant.
👉 En cas d’urgence vitale ou avant de vous rendre dans un service d’urgences, appelez le 15 (24h/24 et 7j/7). Un professionnel vous guidera : conseils médicaux, orientation vers un médecin de garde, pharmacie, ou vers le service d'urgence adapté.

Merci pour votre compréhension et votre coopération.

13/12/2024

This might be useful for people seeking support in English

Two new online peer support groups for dementia carers have been started by Dementia Carers Count. These groups enable carers to meet and connect with others experiencing similar situations.

The groups are fortnightly. Please register in advance.

Read More: https://journalofdementiacare.co.uk/dementia-carers-count-begin-new-online-peer-support-groups

13/12/2024

In the Tom Kitwood Memorial session at the UK Congress (https://journalofdementiacare.co.uk/events/uk-dementia-congress (Coventry, 26 November 2024)) we were reminded of Tom's words: “He didn't talk about truth and lies but about genuineness and treachery - emphasising that it is the intent that matters.”

Dr Jane Murray, an experienced nurse and assistant professor at the University of Northumbria, gave a presentation “Whose reality is foremost? Can lying be used to support personhood?” to stimulate a wide-ranging panel and audience discussion.

She concluded with key messages:
Be genuine
Validate the recipient’s emotions
Do it for the right reasons.

You can hear Jane talking on this subject in our 21 May 2024 webinar – ‘Can lie telling be used to support personhood?’

https://youtu.be/GAOgTUi3V4Y?si=vFHCQ99lMe-npM8d

Read more: https://journalofdementiacare.co.uk/whose-reality-is-foremost

10/12/2024

[ ] Face aux virus, on la joue collectif !
Se protéger et protéger les autres avec les bons réflexes, cela ne prend pas plus de temps au quotidien :
🧴 On se lave les mains
🪟 On aère régulièrement
😷 On porte un masque

Des gestes barrières, pourquoi faire ? https://urlr.me/uGC4Mn

10/12/2024

Very interesting. The fixation on the build up of amyloid plaques as the cause, rather than a correlation, is finally losing its grip. Not before time.

New research suggests Alzheimer's drugs may improve cognition by increasing Aβ42 levels rather than just reducing plaques, challenging the amyloid cascade hypothesis and pointing to new therapeutic strategies focused on restoring soluble Aβ42 to maintain brain health.