All About Me and My Better Health Care Contents

MY PICTURE
My Name:
This booklet is designed to help you look at your health care needs, make plans for better health, tell people who need to know about your health and enable them to help you look after your health needs. Remember you need to talk to a doctor if you have any problems or concerns about your health.
This document was produced by Bedford Borough Learning Disability Partnership Board. We would like to thank Ilone Rose of SEPT for a lot of the ideas and to Talkback for the summary for professionals
Foreword
We all want to enjoy good health but some people need extra help to do so. People with a learning disability are more likely to suffer poor health or illnesses that can be prevented or treated than other people. The Bedford Learning Disability Partnership Board has produced this booklet to help people with a learning disability to look after their health and to get the support they need from health professionals and other people supporting them. We expect people with a learning disability to be supported by carers and family to fill in this booklet and that they will use it to take actions which will give them a better health and to make sure that people who support them know about their health needs and that health professionals will be able to advise and guide them.
Please take this booklet with you when you go to see a health professional like a doctor, the optician or a hospital and make sure that your support workers help you to write your plans for better health and then follow them.
We are giving copies of this booklet to everybody in Bedford with a learning disability and also to the health professionals working in Bedford. If you want extra copies or some spare pages, you can get them from the website or by writing to us. We hope this booklet will make a real difference to your health and we will be interested to hear stories from anybody who finds that it does help them. We would also like you to make suggestions for improving future booklets. You can write to us at the address at the bottom of this page or send us an email.
Best wishes and good health!
Joint Chairs of the Learning Disability Partnership Board

Document Review

Date Booklet Started / Next Date to be Reviewed
Date Record Completed / Date Review Carried Out
Signed:
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CONTENTS / TITLE / PAGE
SECTION 1 / ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE / 5
SECTION 2 / MY HEALTH ACTION PLAN / 14
SECTION 3 / MY SUPPORT / 31
SECTION 4 / MY HEALTH CHECK / 38
SECTION 5 / MY PLAN FOR LEAVING HOSPITAL / 49

All About Me And My Better Health Care – Contents

ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE
This booklet will help you to get to know me especially if I am in hospital
/ MY NAME IS: / / I LIVE AT:
/ I WAS BORN ON: / / MY CARER IS:
/ MY CARER’S CONTACT NUMBER IS: / MY NEXT OF KIN :
Name:
Address:
Telephone Number:
ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - MY HEALTH RECORD
/

GP (DOCTOR):

/ /

SOCIAL WORKER

/ CARE MANAGER:

Name:

Address: / Address:

Telephone Number:

/ DENTIST: / / OPTICIAN:

Name:

Address:

Telephone Number:

/ CONSULTANT: / /

COMMUNITY NURSE:

Name:

Address:

Telephone Number:

ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - MY HEALTH RECORD

WHAT I DO IN THE DAY:

(Day service /college/work/unpaid work/retired

Name:

Contact Details / MY CARERS:

Name:

Contact Details

ADVOCATE:

Name:

Contact Details /

ETHNIC ORIGIN:

FAMILY/FRIEND INVOLVED IN MY CARE:

Name:

Contact Details / RELIGION: (Special comments about respecting my ethnicity or religion).
USEFUL NUMBERS
NHS DIRECT (This the number to call if you are feeling unwell) 0845 4647
BEDFORD HOSPITAL01234-355122
ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - COMMUNICATION
/ THIS IS HOW I SPEAK OR COMMUNICATE WITH YOU / (Examples: Sign Language symbols, pictures, gestures, pointing and showing, simple words or sentences)
/

I SOMETIMES USE SOUNDS, NOISES, OR GESTURES,

IF I DO, THIS IS WHAT THEY MEAN:

/ (Examples: A particular sound that I make, a gesture or facial expression, that I use to tell people how I am feeling and what I want)

/ THIS IS MY LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING AND ABILITY TO GIVE CONSENT / (Example: How simple or complex information needs to be, for me to understand treatment and how my condition affects me)
/ THIS IS MY LEVEL OF READINGAND WRITING: / (Example: Say if I can recognise or write my own name, can I read and write complex or simple sentences)
/ THIS IS HOW WELL I HEAR, AND THE AIDS I USE / (Examples: Say if I have a good and not so good ‘side’, whether I am sensitive to noise and whether I should be able to see your lips when you speak to me)

/ THIS IS HOW WELL I SEE, AND THE AIDS I USE / (Examples: Say if I have a better ‘side’ for you to approach me, whether I can lip read, if certain lights bother me)
ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - CURRENT MEDICAL CONDITIONS
/ THESE ARE MY RELEVANT HEALTH CONDITIONS WHICH MIGHT BE USEFUL TO YOU: / (Examples: I might have epilepsy, asthma, heart problems, autism. Please do not give out confidential details that are not relevant to my current reason for admission.)
/ THESE ARE THINGS THAT I AM ALLERGIC TO: / (Examples: Say if I am allergic to a particular medicine, plaster, food drink etc)
/ THIS IS A BRIEF MEDICAL HISTORY OF ME THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO MY CURRENT CARE: / (Examples: Any previous admissions I have had to hospital)
HOSPITAL NUMBER:
NHS NUMBER:
ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - CURRENT MEDICAL CONDITIONS

I HAVE THESE HEALTH CONDITIONS (tick if relevant)

COMMENTS ON HEALTH CONDITIONS

Is any professional supporting you?

Epilepsy
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart problems
Kidney problems
High Cholesterol
Epilepsy
Blood group (if known)
Other Health issues?
Do you suffer from any other health problems?
Have you suffered from any previous illness?
Have you had any hospital stays or operations?
/ ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - MY CURRENT MEDICATION

NAME OF MEDICINE

HOW MUCH DO I TAKE?

HOW DO I TAKE IT?

WHEN DO I TAKE IT?

START DATE

END DATE

I TAKE IT FOR

ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - ANXIETIES AND FEARS
/ THESE ARE THE FEARS AND ANXIETIES I MIGHT HAVE AND WAYS OF SUPPORTING ME: / (Examples: whether I dislike crowded places, noise, strangers and environments, and should waiting in these areas be avoided. Do I need to be prepared for an unfamiliar situation, or change in my routine)
/ THIS IS HOW I TOLERATE MEDICAL INTERVENTION LIKE PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS, INJECTIONS, DRIPS ETC: / (Examples: whether I am needle phobic, dislike physical contact, nervous of unknown, have difficulty keeping still or taking instructions when using equipment such as x-rays)
/ THESE ARE THE TIMES WHEN I MIGHT NEED SOMEONE I KNOW TO STAY WITH ME WHILST I AM IN HOSPITAL: / (Examples: do I need a familiar face during the day to keep me calm and to explain what is happening, am I ok at night, name people important to me, do I need someone I know to advocate for me, or go to x-ray etc with me)
ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - TALKING ABOUT HOW I FEEL

THIS IS HOW I SHOW I AM IN PAIN
(TICK IF RELEVANT) /
THIS IS HOW I SHOW I AM FEELING UNWELL
(TICK IF RELEVANT)
I tell people / I sleep all the time
I change my mood / I make more noise
I change expression or noises I make / I get irritable
I have certain things I do when in pain, i.e. biting self, pinching self or rubbing where it hurts, making my skin sore, banging my head. / I go very quiet
I do something else
Please detail: / I do something else
Please detail:
ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE - HEALTH ACTION PLAN
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

MEDICINES

If you need to review your medication please contact your doctor
/ When you take medicines:
Do you have difficulty taking them?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have any ill effects from your tablets?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you know how to take them safely? Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need to review your medication?
YES/N0
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
HEALTHY EATING
A doctor or nurse can check your weight and height to make sure you are the right weight. They can also check your cholesterol level.

/ Can you tell me what food you eat regularly?
Do you have to eat or avoid certain foods?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have a problem with eating or swallowing?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need to eat more healthily? Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need any help when eating? Using knife, fork, and spoon – special equipment.
Yes / NoNoYes
Does your food need cutting/puréeing/ liquidising? Gastrostomy? Naso-gastric tube feeding?
Yes / NoNoYes
Have you had your cholesterol checked?
Yes / NoNoYes
How many drinks do you have a day?
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
MY SKIN
/ Do you have dry or itchy skin?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have eczema or psoriasis?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have damaged or broken skin? Yes / NoNoYes
Do you suffer from pressure sores? Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have bumps or lumps?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
KEEPING MY
BODY PHYSICALLY HEALTHY
/ Do you have regular exercise?
Yes / NoNoYes
What sort of exercises do you like?
Do you ever have difficulty in breathing?
Yes / NoNoYes
What makes you get out of breath?
Do you get chest pains,
E.g. after walking a short distance? Yes / NoNoYes
Anything else?
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
DRINKING OR SMOKING

/ Alcohol- do you drink?
Yes / NoNoYes
How much do you drink a week?
Do you need advice?
Yes / NoNoYes
Smoking - do you smoke?
Yes / NoNoYes
How many do you smoke a day?
Have you had any help to stop?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
KEEPING MY TEETH HEALTHY
/ Do you have any problems with your teeth?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you ever suffer from bad breath? Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need help or reminder to clean your teeth?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need support to go to the dentist? Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need a reminder to see your dentist?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

KEEPING MY

EARS HEALTHY
A nurse can check your ears for wax.
A doctor can refer you to have your hearing checked.
/ Do you have any problems with your ears, e.g. aches/pains, ringing noises
In ears, balance, dizziness and dry skin?
Yes / NoNoYes
Have you had your ears checked for wax?
Yes / NoNoYes
Have you had your hearing checked? Yes / NoNoYes
When?
Do you use a hearing aid?
Yes / NoNoYes
(Does it work? Yes / NoNoYes)
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

KEEPING MY LEGS AND FEET HEALTHY

/ Do you need help to look after your feet?
Yes / NoNoYes
Are you able to cut your toenails?Yes / NoNoYes
Do you see a chiropodist?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have problems walking? Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have any swelling of your legs?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have any problems with your feet? (please tick)
Itching
Dis-comfort between toes
Misshapen, thick abnormal toes
Verrucas
Dry skin
Other
Please
Specify
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
KEEPING MY EYESHEALTHY
/ Do you have problems with your eye sight?
Any changes in vision

Close-up
Long distance?

Yes / NoNoYes
Do you wear glasses?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you get headaches or eye strain?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you get sore eyes?
YES/NO
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
GOING TO THE TOILET

We suggest you have your wee checked by a nurse or a doctor. / Do you have difficulty doing a poo or any pain?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need to do a wee more often than usual?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need to wear pads?
Yes / NoNoYes
When?
Do you need help with going to the toilet?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you suffer from bloated-ness, excessive wind or burping?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

SPECIAL

EQUIPMENT OR
SUPPORT
NEEDED
/ Do you use a walking stick, or a wheelchair?
Or any adaptations for your mobility?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need any individual special equipment?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

MY FAMILY

/ Has anyone in your family had a health problem?
Yes / NoNoYes
It might be heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or something else.
Do you need to talk to someone about this?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
GOOD COMMUNICATION
/ How do you communicate?
Do you use speech, symbols or signing?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need help to assist your communication or understanding? Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

KEEPING SAFE

/ Whether you live alone or with support, are there any areas that you need to think about making sure you are safe?
Yes / NoNoYes
Inside the house?
Yes / NoNoYes
Outside the house?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

FEELINGS

/ Are you usually happy or sad or just all right?
Do you sleep well at night?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you get worried about anything?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you need support with feelings?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

MY HEAD

If you are worried about memory loss then you can talk to your doctor.
/ Do you have headaches?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you feel dizzy
(This can be caused by ear problems)?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have epilepsy?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you have memory loss, i.e. forget to do things or remembering? Yes / NoNoYes
Anything Else?
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME
EPILEPSY
/ Do you have any form of Epilepsy?
Yes / NoNoYes
If yes, please specify.
Do you receive medication for Epilepsy?
Yes / NoNoYes
If yes, when was the last time your medication was reviewed?
Clinic Details?
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT? / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES FOR MEN

/ Do you know how to examine your testicles?
Yes / NoNoYes
Can you do this for yourself?
Yes / NoNoYes
Would you like to talk to someone and have advice and information?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you want information about safe sex and family planning?
Yes / NoNoYes
AREA OF HEALTH / QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT? / WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? / WHO WILL DO IT AND WHEN? / OUTCOME

PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES FOR WOMEN

You will need to talk to a nurse if you need advice or support about cervical smears
The Breast Screening Centre can advice you on checking your breasts. / Do you have regular periods?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you get stomach pain?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you get a bit grumpy when it is nearly your period?
Yes / NoNoYes
If you are older your periods may get less. Do you have hot flushes?
Yes / NoNoYes
Have you had a cervical smear Yes / NoNoYes
Would you like to talk to someone and have some advice?
Yes / NoNoYes
Do you know how to examine your breasts?
Yes / NoNoYes
Women who are over 50 years can go for a mammogram, would you like one?
Yes / NoNoYes
Would you like to talk to someone and have some advice? Yes / NoNoYes

PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES FOR WOMEN CONT/D…

Do you want information about safe sex and family planning?

Yes / NoNoYes

ALL ABOUT ME AND MY BETTER HEALTH CARE- MY SUPPORT
PERSONAL CARE

/ (This is the help I need with my personal care: Example: What I can do independently, what I need some support with, what I need full support with, whether I need prompting/ reminding, how I feel about my personal care and my privacy and dignity)

MY SLEEP ROUT

/ (Examples: What time I sleep, whether I sleep all night or if I wake up regularly, do I usually need the toilet at night, do I get up at night)

CONTINENCE