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 and Electricity Safety
Information if you have any concerns relating to the safety of your gas or electricity supply. This includes information about having a person in the household with special health needs.
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.
Warwickshire Police and Trading Standards have joined together to produce an excellent Home Security and Personal Safety Pack. This bright yellow folder contains lots of information leaflets, window stickers and checklists for safety in the home. You can pick up a pack from your local Police Station or contact 01789 444598 and ask for PC Nick Stephens. These packs are designed for the elderly and any adults who feel vulnerable at home. There is a card which can be held up to the window informing the caller that they must go to a neighbour's house first, and indicates that the door will not be opened by the occupier. Such simple measures can give reassurance to family.
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. Rentmobility is a Warwickshire based company which can provide a wide range of aid equipment for rental or to buy. Contact 01788 810666 to discuss your needs in detail.
Mobility and Lifestyle is a company which can offer mobility equipment and aids which can improve people's quality of life. There are shops in Rugby, Atherstone and Nuneaton and elsewhere in the region.
To read impartial information about equipment to help with daily living for people with dementia visit the AT Dementia website.
Talking products can help support people with dementia in their daily living tasks. Warwickshire County Council's aim to reduce the number of falls amongst older people is at the heart of their Slipper Service. Have your old slippers replaced with nice new ones, properly fitted and able to accommodate wider feet.
In Case of Emergency Cards (ICE)
These cards give carers peace of mind. They are brightly coloured, about the size of a credit card and identify you as a carer. If you're caught up in an emergency contacts can be informed and care can be arranged for the person you care for. You write contact details on the card and these can be telephoned. For further information and to get a card contact Guideposts on 0845 385 666.
Alzheimer's Society's Help Card Pack
The Alzheimer's Society provides a card which the person with dementia carries with them when they go out. It can explain that they have problems around memory, communication etc. Each card is adaptable to the individual's needs. You can obtain the Helpcard Pack by contacting Xcalibre on 01628 529240. It is free of charge.
The pack contains copies of the helpcard, a plastic wallet and an information sheet.
Public Toilets and Changing Facilities
If you go out and about with your cared for person it can sometimes be useful to know of purpose built facilities where you can change an adult's clothing or assist them when using the toilet. In Warwickshire there are two such places, hopefully with more on the way! They have specialist equipment for lifting and plenty of space for both of you. The Changing Places Consortium is a group of organisations working to support the rights of people with disabilities to access their community.
