Safety at Home and Out and About
As a carer one of your first thoughts is whether the person you care for will be safe in their home, especially if they live alone. Here are some ideas to improve their security, safety and well being at home. There are also suggestions for aids to make daily living easier and safer for the carer and the person they care for. There are also aids to improve safety when out and about in the community, as this can sometimes be a concern for carers. The following information is provided as guidance only.
If the person you care for likes to go off walking and you have concerns about their safety, this publication could offer some support and ideas
Telecare
Telecare provides support to people in their homes with the help of technology and community response services. Telecare brings reassurance at the touch of a button twenty four hours a day 365 days a year. There are activity monitors which can allow a carer to check if the cared for person visits the bathroom or kitchen or if they wander from home. Medications can be kept in a safe so that only authorised people can access them ie. care workers and family members. These safes can be purchased from high street stores or via Telecare - they can give carers reassurance that their cared for person is not taking medications when they shouldn't be.
Gas Safety
Information if you have any concerns relating to your gas supply.
Fire Safety in the Home
You can have a free home fire risk check carried out by your local Fire Service. Ideas about safety measures you can take to safeguard you and your family.
Message in a Bottle Scheme
The message in a bottle scheme allows you to store essential medical information, and medication details etc in a special bottle which is kept in the fridge. If an ambulance is then needed the crew will know where to find this information (alerted by stickers on front door and fridge).
Message bottles can be obtained from your pharmacist.
Door Step Selling
Many carers are especially concerned about people calling at the home of a person with dementia. It is at these times that there can be safety concerns. Most door-step sellers are genuine people and mean no harm, but there may be times when unscrupulous sellers could take advantage of someone who may appear confused. Here is some advice outlining how to minimise any concerns you may have as a carer.
If you have concerns about people selling items on the door step you can contact your local Police Station and get a notice which you display in your front windows informing people that you do not purchase products this way. Local Trading Standards also has advice, contact on 01452 426201 in normal office hours. Or email tradstds@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Home Improvements
There are local organisations that can make home improvements to enable people to continue living safely in their home. Make a contact in your area.
Daily Living Aids
These sites provide impartial advice and consumer reports on a wide range of aids designed to make daily living tasks easier, from bathing in comfort and safety to aids for dressing, using the stairs etc. Living Made Easy provides impartial information for the carers of older people with physical disabilities. Ricability is the trading name of the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs a national charity dedicated to provide independent information of value to disabled and older people. Disabled Care and Mobility (DC&M), is a Cheltenham based company which can provide a wide range of aid equipment for rental or to buy ie. manual wheelchairs, stair lifts, mobility aids and vehicle adaptations. The company offers services throughout Gloucestershire. Contact 01242 524963 to discuss your needs in detail.
Talking products can help support people with dementia in their daily living tasks.
Living With Dementia Helpcards
These cards are provided by the Alzheimer's Society. There are three different cards to describe different conditions - 'I have memory problems', 'I have Alzheimer's disease' and 'I have dementia' so you can choose the card which suits. The card can be carried when the person with dementia goes out alone. It can be used to aid communication with people in shops etc. You can add information to the card ie. the person's name, the name and number of someone who could be contacted for help, emergency numbers etc.
Who should I go to for further information about these cards?
You can ask your local branch of the Alzheimer's Society to support and advise you. Alternatively you can contact the Living with Dementia development officer, Phillipa Hobson 0114 279 9834 or 07841 36862.
Dementia web has no control over external websites' contents. This is provided as information only and does not indicate a recommendation of services or products.
