Crimes by door-to-door callers are slightly more common if you live in council or social housing. This may be because tenants feel more obliged to let callers in - especially if they look official. If in doubt, keep them out. More information: Home Security and Crime Prevention from
Help the Aged. They
have excellent free leaflets on Security in your Home, Safety in your
Home, Living Alone Safely and Fire.
Unsolicited telephone calls can be inconvenient and annoying. You may answer the telephone and find no-one at the other end. his often happens when salespeople use the automatic systems to dial several numbers at the same time. They speak to the first person who answers and cut the rest off. If you would rather not receive unsolicited sales calls register with the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070070
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Someone in your household may be suffering from confusion or forgetfulness. The symptoms are:
It can be lonely trying to cope but there is lots of help available. What can you do? Before jumping to conclusions, get a doctor's diagnosis. People over 75 are entitled to a home visit from their GP. If you cannot convince the confused person they need to see a doctor, make an appointment to discuss something else they may have, such as a cold Call the GP first to explain the situation. Reasons for forgetfulness. We all forget things sometimes and absent-mindedness does not necessarily mean you or the person you are concerned about have Alzheimer's disease or any other form of dementia. Other conditions causing forgetfulness can include:
Depression is common in elderly people and the symptoms are similar top those associated with dementia. Modern treatments have few side effects and can bring about a dramatic improvement. What is Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer's is a progressive, degenerative brain disease which gradually destroys brain cells. People wit Alzheimer's slowly lose their ability to remember, communicate, recognise others and deal with everyday life. Although there is no cure, much can be done to improve the quality of life for people and their carers in the early stages of the disease. Other kinds of dementia. There also other kinds including:
People with HIV, Parkinson's disease or severe alcohol problems may also develop dementia. Dementia currently affects about 700,000 people in the UK. About half of these have Alzheimer's. Residential Care Dementia is a progressive condition and the time will probably come when even the most devoted carer needs to think about residential care for their loved ones - either in a residential or nursing home. The main difference between these two types of accommodation is that nursing homes have to be able to provide 24-hour nursing care. Not all people with dementia need this. You can obtain information about homes which care for patients with dementia from
Alzheimer's
Society
Carers UK provide information and support to carers of all kinds.
Princess Royal Trust for Carers have 102 carers centres all around the country.
Crossroads Care Attendance Scheme specialise in home carers
Vitalise can accommodate elderly, mentally frail people and their carers at
their holiday centres.
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AGE CONCERN publish books and leaflets,
run day centres and home visiting schemes |
 ARTHRITIS CARE can give details of local help including home visiting schemes 020 7380 6500 http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/Home
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 (This is the
British Red Cross, not the Red Cross, which is different). They can
lend wheelchairs, commodes and walking frames. They operate transport and
escort services for essential appointments and offers help to those just
out of hospital as well as respite care in your own home. |
| CHILTERN INVADEX
has a catalogue of showers, hoists, walking baths, grab rails etc. |
CONTACT THE ELDERLY organises small Sunday get-togethers in private
holes for frail elderly people with few social contacts. |
THE CONTINENCE FOUNDATION give expert advice on the telephone and can refer you to local
help. |
DIAL UK is a network of disability advice
services and can refer you to local help. |
 DISABLED LIVING CENTRES COUNCIL ASSIST UK can refer you to
local centres where you can try out equipment and products |
DISABLED LIVING FOUNDATION can offer fact sheets on choosing equipment
like chairlifts... |
FOUNDATIONS has information on local Home
Improvement Agencies which exist to help older people stay in their own
homes. They can assess your needs and report on your eligibility for
improvement grants. |
 HELP
THE AGED have leaflets and information sheets on everything from health problems
to fire hazards, which are available from GP surgeries, community centres
and Help the Aged shops nationwide. You can also try their
Seniorline on Freephone 0808 800 6565 |
HOME SHARE are a registered charity, London
based. It enables older people to stay in their homes by sharing with a younger
person. The tenant-carer performs light housework in exchange for
reduced rent. |
| KEEP ABLE is a commercial company selling a vast range of equipment from
wheelchairs to specially-designed cutlery by mail order. 08705 202122 http://www.keepable.co.uk |
REMAP is a charity which designs customised aids. Helpful if you need
specialised equipment that you can not buy elsewhere. |
| RICABILITY produce independent consumer guides on easier living equipment.
Braille, tape and large print versions available. 020 7427 2460 http://www.ricability.co.uk |
 ROYAL NATIONAL
INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND helpline offers practical support, advice and information on anything
from talking books to household aids and can also refer you to local help. |
ROYAL NATIONAL
INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF has booklets, including Age Related Hearing Loss and catalogues
of equipment like telephones. |
| SHOPMOBILITY can give details of the 250 nationwide schemes which allow you to hire
or borrow manual or powered wheelchairs and scooters on a short or
longer-term basis. 08456 442446 http://www.shopmobility.org.uk |
 STROKE ASSOCIATION provides information on stroke illness including recovery and
rehabilitation |
UK HOME CARE ASSOCIATION will send a list of approved local providers of care in your own home,
from help with shopping to 24-hournursing. A useful free
leaflet Choosing Care in your Home is available from them. |
| WAYS AND MEANS has a catalogue including kitchen, bathing and toileting aids. 0845 606 0911 http://www.nrs-uk.co.uk |
WOMEN'S ROYAL VOLUNTARY
SERVICE run Meals on Wheels through local authorities and privately, social
transport schemes, Books on Wheels and a Good Neighbour Scheme for minor
household repairs. |
