Older People - Safety
Safety and falls prevention
Trips, slips and falls are the most common
accident in the home, especially as you get older. You are less
likely to fall and injure yourself if you keep physically active,
eat a healthy diet and have a warm uncluttered home.
Falls in people over 65 can not only result in
injury and maybe a stay in hospital but also can result in people
experiencing a loss of confidence, self esteem and reduced
independence.
Some basic tips to remember to keep
yourself safe from a fall are:
- Have regular sight checks
- Take any medication as prescribed and ask you GP to check your
medication form time to time
- Always ensure all footwear, including slippers fits well and
are not worn or damaged
For more prevention and safety advice
contact
www.hants.gov.uk/bettertime
www.directgov.uk/en/over50s/over50shealthandwellbeing
www.ageuk.org.uk
The Royal Society for the
Prevention of Accidents
Exercise and falls
Regular exercise and physical activity are
vital for good health and wellbeing and can help to keep you mobile
and active as it can improve
·
Strength
·
Flexibility
·
Balance
There are a while range of exercises groups,
walking groups ( including Test valley Borough Council free Health
Walks) and many other activities you could try, for more
information contact
Hampshire County Councils - Falls Prevention
Physical Activity Coordinator
01962 846605
www.hants.gov.uk/betterbalance
The Fallers Service
for the Southern parishes is run by the Rapid
Assessment team based at Romsey Hospital and will
accept patients who refer themselves, or referral by relatives,
GP's and other health professionals and offer help and advice to
prevent falls and injuries.
A member of the team will visit the person in
their own home and will make an assessment or treat the patient as
appropriate.
For further information, please contact:
Romsey Rehab Team on 01794 83471
Fallers Service Northern parishes is run by the Therapy
Services Team and accept referrals from a GP only. For
further details contact your GP practice
Fire Safety
Hampshire Fire and rescue Service offer free
Home Fire Safety Check. Fire Officers will visit your home,
help to formulate a home escape plan, discuss any safety
issues and fit a free ten year smoke detector where required
(with the owners consent)
For further information, please contact :
Community Fire Safety 02380 626809 or email
community.firesafety@hantsfire.gov.uk
www.hantsfire.gov.uk
Elder Abuse
Abuse is anything that harms another
person. Abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional or due to
neglect or financial abuse. If you suspect someone is being
abused or someone is abusing you there is help available.
If you contact Social Services your report of
abuse will be taken seriously, be looked at fully and fairly and
help and support can provided.
No abuse is acceptable. If you believe a
crime has been committed your local Police should be contacted.
Hampshire Social Services 08456
035630
Elder Abuse Response
Helpline 080 8808 8141 www.elderabuse.org.uk
Keeping Warm
Living in a cold home can affect your health
and also increase accidents as mobility and responses can slow
down.
The Warm Front Team is a government funded
scheme which provides grants to make your home warmer, healthier
and more energy efficient.
Grants are available if you live in your own
home or are renting privately and on certain benefits:
- Householders aged 60 or over in receipt of one or more of the
following benefits:
· Income
Support
· Council Tax
Benefit
· Housing
Benefit
· Job Seekers
Allowance (income-based)
· Pension
Credit
· Income-related
Employment and Support Allowance
2. Householders with a child
under 16, or pregnant women with maternity certificate
MAT-B1,
in
receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
Income
Support
· Council Tax
Benefit
· Housing
Benefit
· Job Seekers
Allowance (income-based)
· Pension
Credit
· Income-related
Employment and Support Allowance
3.
Householders in receipt of one or more of the following
benefits:
· Working Tax
Credit (with an income of less than £15,460, which must include a
disability element)
· Disability Living
Allowance
· Child Tax Credit
(with an income of less than £15,460)
· Housing Benefit
(which must include a disability premium)
· Income Support
(which must include a disability premium)
· Council Tax
Benefit (which must include a disability premium)
War Disablement Pension (which
must include a mobility supplement or Constant Attendance
Allowance)
· Industrial
Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include Constant
Attendance Allowance)
· Attendance
Allowance
NOTES:
The term 'Householder' includes the
applicant's spouse, or partner, if they are living with the
applicant
Please note a Disability Living
Allowance award for a child or non-dependent in your household will
not qualify for the Warm Front grant.
If you are not in receipt of one of the
qualifying benefits listed above, we can offer you a full benefit
assessment to establish if you are or should be receiving any
benefits that would qualify you for the Warm Front Grant. Please
contact the Benefit Entitlement Check team on freephone 0800 072
9006.
For further information and advice on grants
and support available, please contact:
www.directgov.uk/en/over50s/over50healthandwellbeing
The Environment Centre 0800
www.environmentcentre.com
EAGA Partnership Ltd. www.eaga.co.uk
Home Improvement Agency
This is a free advice and information service
for older people, people with a disability and people on low
incomes living in the Test Valley. The Home Improvement
Agency offers help and advice on home improvements, repairs and
adaptations to residents who own their own homes or who are
tenants. The Agency can also help explore options for funding
and provide support when applying for grants and also advice on
benefits a person may be entitled to.
Test Valley Home Improvement Agency
01794 523882 or email tvhia@cfnf.org.uk
Click here for
advice on Independent Living
For further information, please contact Health and Active
Receration Team
Leisure and Wellbeing Service
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