Staying safe at home. Products for independent living. Free prize draw. Services, advice and products to help you live the best life possible

Transcription

1 Staying safe at home Be more secure in your home by taking these simple precautions Products for independent living Stairlifts, chairs, beds, baths and showers Free prize draw Three great prizes and no tricky questions! Services, advice and products to help you live the best life possible

2 WELCOME Being able to live the way we want to is important to us all. But, as we grow older, circumstances can make it difficult to enjoy the life we want. That s where we come in. Age UK is here to help make later life as comfortable and rewarding as it can be. From the little things, such as simple measures you can take to make your home safer to bigger decisions like finding the right care home, we have the information, resources and knowledge to help you. This booklet gives you a taste of the many ways we can help from tips to help you stay independent at home for longer, to products designed to make life easier and more secure. Whether you need information to make an informed decision or practical help to make life at home easier, we re here to support you. And we re fighting your corner too, by campaigning to improve a care system that s failing our older people. With Age UK on your side it s so much easier to stay in control wherever and however you choose to live.

3 Top tips for staying safe at home 04 Top tips on home maintenance 06 Some handy help from Age UK 08 Getting help to adapt your home 10 Top tips for living in your home for longer 12 Care can t wait 14 Top tips for carers 16 Finding a care home 18 Help at the touch of a button 20 Staying independent what s the solution? 23 Free prize draw 24 Age UK insurance 25 Gifted Housing Service 25 Meet friends, have fun We are Age UK. The Age UK network includes Age Cymru, Age NI, Age Scotland, Age International and more than 160 local partners. Charitable Services are offered through Age UK (the Charity) and commercial products and services are offered by the charity s trading subsidiaries, which donate their net profits to Age UK. Where we use the words we, our, us or Age UK in this booklet, it refers to Age UK and/or all charitable and trading subsidiaries forming the Age UK Group. 1

4 AGE UK ADVICE Top tips for staying safe at home It s important that we feel safe in our homes, and with some simple precautions we can keep them more secure. Follow these tips to reduce the risk of burglary and make your home as safe as possible. 2

5 AGE UK ADVICE TOP TIPS Secure your doors Two-thirds of burglars gain entry through a door. To be secure, your front door should have a strong frame, good locks (ideally a five-lever mortice deadlock with kitemark BS 3621), a door viewer or peephole and a security chain. Fit window locks Fit window locks with keys to all downstairs windows and any that are easy to reach, such as those above a flat roof or near a drain pipe. Look after your keys Keep your keys in a safe place. The first places a burglar will look are under the doormat, in a flowerpot or on a piece of string through the letter-box. Guard your garden Make sure thieves can t get into your garden by putting up a good fence and padlocking the side gate, which should be strong enough to withstand a good kick. Outdoor lights Outdoor lights not only act as a burglar deterrent, they also make it much easier for you if you re coming or going after dark. You can get a low-level light that stays on throughout the night, or one that switches on automatically when someone walks up the path. FIND OUT MORE For more information about personal safety at home and when out and about, see our free guide Staying safe. Call Age UK Advice on or visit to download a free copy. 3

6 AGE UK ADVICE Follow these simple steps regularly to keep your home well-maintained and you ll benefit from a safer and more cost-effective home. Top tips on home maintenance TOP TIPS Test smoke alarms Remember to replace batteries or install new alarms when they no longer work. Install a carbon monoxide detector if you use heaters that burn gas, oil, coal or wood. Look after your radiators Bleed your radiators (when the central heating is off). Signs to watch out for are a knocking sound or a radiator that is cold at the top. A key to bleed the radiator costs about 50p. Take care of your garden Keep your paving stones free from moss and algae as they can become very slippery when wet. Check your boiler Check regularly that your gas boiler s pilot light is burning. If it has gone out, there should be instructions on how to relight it. If you can t relight it yourself, call a Gas Safe-registered heating engineer. Check your electric blanket Have your electric blanket tested by an expert at least every three years, and replace it every ten years. Check for danger signs such as frayed fabric and scorch marks. For more information on making sure your home is free from hazards, see our free Home safety checker. Call Age UK Advice on or visit to download free copies. 4 FIND OUT MORE

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8 AGE UK SERVICES Some handy help from Age UK Small changes can make a big difference Home repairs can be a bit of a minefield if you try to do them yourself. Even finding a tradesman you can trust isn t always easy. Your local Age UK may run a Handyperson scheme to help with small changes and they can make a big difference. Age UK helped Mrs Hamid after she was burgled. The Handyperson fitter did a full security check, replaced her locks and fitted a door chain. They also fitted a carbon monoxide detector and not a moment too soon. An hour after it was fitted, the alarm activated, showing that Mrs Hamid s boiler was dangerously defective. FIND OUT MORE Handyperson and similar schemes can help with lots of things fitting smoke alarms and door chains, changing light bulbs or fitting adaptations like grab rails. Contact your local Age UK to find out how they could help. Call or visit 6

9 AGE UK SERVICES I d had a headache for a few days before the Handyperson visit, but I d put it down to a bug. If it hadn t been for the alarm, goodness knows what could have happened. You ve saved my life and for that I am truly grateful. 7

10 AGE UK ADVICE Home adaptations can be a good way to stay living in your own home for longer. Get advice and support to discover what could help you. Getting help to adapt your home 8

11 Your guide to services and equipment AgeUKIG17 AGE UK ADVICE If you think some adaptations might help you move around your home more easily, don t rush out to buy expensive equipment. Start by getting an assessment and finding out what help or grants you may be eligible for. Plenty of support is available to help you stay in your home Where to get help 1 Contact your local social services department for an assessment. They may be able to help you with daily living aids, home adaptations and practical help such as personal care. 2 Your local authority may provide some small adaptations for free. For larger adaptations, such as stairlifts, they can help you apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant. 3 Your local Home Improvement Agency might be able to help you repair or adapt your home. They can also offer practical help with getting estimates for work you might need, applying for local authority assistance and supervising work as it happens. 4 Your local Age UK can help with things like benefits checks, help with filling in claim forms, some can offer help with small home adaptations. Adapting your home Home & care FIND OUT MORE For your free copy of Care at home and Adapting your home call Age UK Advice on or visit 9

12 AGE UK ADVICE Top tips for living in your home for longer We all want to stay in our own homes for as long as possible it s a big part of retaining our independence. But sometimes it can be difficult to manage particularly if you re living on your own. We have some practical tips to enable you or the person you care for to live safely and independently at home for longer. 10

13 AGE UK ADVICE TOP TIPS Installing grab rails for support If you have difficulty climbing the steps to your front door, consider having a rail installed. This could be a rail attached to the ground or a smaller grab rail at the door to help you step inside safely. Adapting your bathroom A walk-in bath or shower can make life easier and safer for you if you re having problems with mobility and balance. Or, if you only need a little help, a bath lift can be lowered to support your weight as you get into the bath and then raised to help you get out. Using an intercom If you have difficulty getting to the door when someone calls, consider installing a door-entry intercom. You talk to the visitor via an intercom link and then either walk to the front door, or press a button to open the door. Installing a stairlift If you re having trouble getting up and down stairs, it may be possible to fit an extra banister rail or install a stairlift. Widening doors and passageways If you use a wheelchair and don t have enough room to move between rooms, it may be possible to widen the door frame or to re-hang the door so that it swings in the opposite direction and doesn t block your way. Using ramps If you re a wheelchair user, a ramp will help you reach your front door and make access easier. A portable ramp could be used on a small step, if there s someone else with you who can install and then remove it after use. If there isn t enough space for a ramp, a wheelchair lift could be an alternative solution. FIND OUT MORE For more information on adapting your home and making it safer, call Age UK Advice on for our free information guides Adapting your home, Home safety checker and Care at home. Alternatively, visit to download free copies. 11

14 AGE UK CAMPAIGNING Care can t wait As a result of Age UK s Care in Crisis campaign, in July the Government announced their plans to reform the social care system. We welcome many of the proposals but with no commitment to fund the system we are left in a state of uncertainty. The care system in this country is in crisis Sam Mellish 12

15 AGE UK CAMPAIGNING Currently, there are 2 million older people with care-related needs, of whom 800,000 receive no formal support this figure is set to rise to 1 million by Many face the prospect of losing everything they have worked for in order to pay for their care. On 11 July, the Government published its much-anticipated White Paper on social care. Several of the suggestions could have a positive impact for those in later life including an end to the postcode lottery, a commitment to cap the cost of care and increased rights for older people and their carers to get access to the services they need. Disappointingly, the proposals deferred the issue of how these reforms will be funded until the next Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), which will be at least a year away. But older people need quality care services now. Without adequate funding, this historic opportunity will be missed and increasing numbers of older people will be without the care they so badly need. With an ageing population and a growing funding gap in social care, the need for reform could not be more urgent. get involved We will continue campaigning to press the Government to commit to the funding required to improve care for all those in later life, now and for generations to come. Join us at to help put pressure on the Government. 13

16 AGE UK ADVICE Caring for a friend or relative at home can be fulfilling and rewarding, but it can also leave you feeling tired and overwhelmed. It s important to know that help is out there. Here are some tips to help you get the support you need as a carer. Top tips for carers 14

17 AGE UK ADVICE TOP TIPS Get a carer s assessment from your local social services This is your chance to discuss what help you need so that you can maintain your health and balance your caring responsibilities with other areas of your life. Check whether you qualify for Carer s Allowance Ask your local Age UK whether they can give you a free benefits check, and if they have any other services that can help you. Make time for yourself Tell your GP that you re a carer so they can give you any advice or support available. Request flexible working You have the right to request flexible working from your employer. This can include part-time work, flexi-time, job-sharing or home-working. Our free guide Advice for carers looks at both the practical side of caring the benefits you can claim, how to arrange flexible working hours, how to organise respite care and the emotional side, such as the impact on your health and social life. It aims to let you know where to go for help, so you don t feel you have to manage on your own. Take a break Ask your council about services that can help you take a break from caring. FIND OUT MORE Our free guide Advice for carers has lots more information that you re sure to find useful call Age UK Advice on for your free copy or visit FREE guides 15

18 AGE UK ADVICE Finding a care home You might find there comes a time when you d prefer to move to a care home. It s a difficult decision, but the more you know about your options, and how to arrange and pay for care, the easier you ll find it to make the right choice. Our tips can help you make the move that s right for you. TOP TIPS Know your options Get an assessment from your local authority to find out what sort of care home you might need, and to explore other options such as sheltered accommodation. Location, location, location Think carefully about location. Do you want to be near local amenities, or nearer your family? How easily will your friends and family be able to visit? Do your research Check the costs Care home fees vary widely. If the local council is funding you, it will set a maximum cost. If you want to move to a care home that costs more, the council may ask you (or a friend or relative) to fund the difference. Free guide Read our free guide Care homes to find out more and pick up our free Care homes checklist for useful things to think about when viewing a care home. Always ask for a care home s most recent inspection report or visit the Care Quality Commission website at FIND OUT MORE For your free copy of Care home checklist and Care homes call Age UK Advice on or visit 16

19 AGE UK ADVICE Feel right at home Choosing a care home is one of the most important decisions you can make. Can you choose when you go to bed and when to get up? After all, you want to be sure that your new home offers everything you need and is a place you will be happy to live in. Finding out as much as you can about a home will help you to make an informed choice. Everyone has different ideas about what they want from where they live. Our free Care home checklist guide contains some of the questions that you might want to ask when you visit possible accommodation. These are just a few. Are pets allowed? Is there a garden for fresh air and sunlight? Are shops, pubs, parks and places of worship within easy reach? 17

20 AGE UK PRODUCTS Help at the touch of a button The Age UK Personal Alarm Service* works at the touch of a button, giving you independence and your family peace of mind. Offering help 24 hours a day, you can feel safe in the knowledge that if there is an accident or you have a fall, you can get help quickly. The alarm is worn on a pendant or bracelet, which can connect a customer to a dedicated response centre, staffed by specially trained operators, within seconds. Jane Waring, aged 46, from Bargoed in Mid Glamorgan, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 15 years ago. She had an Age UK Personal Alarm system fitted in her house three years ago and values the reassurance and independence that it gives her to carry on doing all the things she enjoys. We have ground around our bungalow and I enjoy walking in the garden. My personal alarm pendant gives me that extra sense of security to be able to do this and not worry. Wherever I am in the house or garden I know that I can get help instantly if I need it. I wear it every day; as soon as I get up I put it on. Luckily I haven t had to use it in an emergency yet but you just never know. I had a few falls before I got the alarm system fitted fortunately my partner Philip was always here when they happened. However, he now works full-time, which means he isn t here during the day as much as he used to be, so it s a comfort to have my personal alarm. I also keep the pendant on when I leave the house to pop to the shop or round to my neighbour s house. It means that I don t have to remember to put it on again when I get back home. Jane continues: I think that it s also reassuring for Philip while he is at work to know that I have the alarm and can use it to get help quickly, should I ever need to. *Age UK Personal Alarm service is a product name of and supplied by Aid-Call Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Age UK, which donates its net profits to Age UK (registered charity number ). Prices correct at time of going to print. Terms and conditions apply. All prices include 24-hour monitoring and on-site maintenance. 18

21 AGE UK PRODUCTS A little reassurance can make all the difference My neighbours are my key holders and I am lucky to live in a close-knit community where we all look out for and visit each other. I am still able to drive so I am fairly independent and I don t need anyone to come in and care for me at the moment. I think of my personal alarm as my little bit of security hanging around my neck, it means that I can carry on my day-today life without having to worry or think what if it s invaluable to me. The Age UK Personal Alarm is a rental system. You pay a one-off initial cost and then an ongoing fee. There are a range of options for you to choose from, so you can be sure there s an alarm to suit you and your budget. The alarm costs from 49 ( VAT if applicable) plus 3.38 a week (+68p VAT if applicable). FIND OUT MORE If you would like more information or a free, no-obligation demonstration, phone quoting reference AID1207 or see the website: 19

22 AGE UK PRODUCTS Staying independent what s the solution? Changes to your home can really help you to be independent and there are some fantastic solutions available. Here s a range of value-for-money products and services that are designed to help you. All products have been developed by listening to your needs and are provided by carefully selected product partners who must meet our exacting standards of customer service. Our products can be tailored specifically to you and your home, and there are absolutely no high-pressure sales tactics. Stairlifts The joy of going upstairs and downstairs whenever you like may seem like a small pleasure to some but it s a big part of keeping your independence. In association with Handicare, we offer a range of Age UK stairlifts to suit you, your home and your budget. PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE If you d like more information, or just some advice on whether a stairlift is right for you, call us or go online Handicare Accessibility Limited (HAL) provides Age UK Stairlifts, Age UK Riser Recliner Chairs and Age UK Baths and Showers and works in association with Age UK Trading Limited which donates its net profits to Age UK (registered charity number: ). Age UK Stairlifts, Age UK Riser Recliner Chairs and Age UK Baths and Showers are product names of Age UK Trading Limited. HAL will raise a minimum of 900,000 during 2012 for Age UK through the promotion and sale of independent living products. 20

23 AGE UK PRODUCTS Chairs In association with Handicare, we now offer a wide range of Age UK Riser Recliner chairs designed to give you the support you need. You can go from a sitting to a standing position (and back again) at the touch of a button. There is a variety of styles and fabrics, even the option of a full heat-and-massage system. Contact us for a brochure or to arrange a free home demonstration Wide variety of styles and fabrics Baths and showers A soak in a warm bath, or a steaming hot shower, can work wonders in easing aches and pains. In association with Handicare, Age UK offers a range of options, from Walk-in baths and Sit-down showers. They re tailor-made to match you and your bathroom, and come in a variety of finishes with a host of options and accessories. Contact us for a free brochure The fitters worked non-stop. They were most efficient and helpful in every way. Mr Megginson, Cheshire All the options were explained to me very clearly and the surveyor was so polite. There was no fuss and no hard sell. Mr Seal, Stoke-on-Trent 21

24 AGE UK PRIZE DRAW Adjustable beds There s nothing better than starting your day feeling fresh and energised after a good night s sleep. But if your sleep is disturbed because of pain or discomfort through illness, injury, disability, or just general restlessness, an adjustable bed may be the answer. In association with Willowbrook, Age UK offers a range of adjustable beds designed to help you enjoy refreshing sleep again. Contact us for a free brochure Daily living aids Did you know that Age UK now have a range of every day hand held living aids that are easy to use, affordable and boxed in Age UK brightly coloured, easy to open packaging? Products range from a magnifier glass that fits into your purse or wallet to a swivel car seat cushion. We are busy building the range and looking for quality products that can make every day tasks that bit easier whilst ensuring the product is easy on the eye too! In the meantime, to view our current offer we are pleased to announce that the products are on sale in selected Boots, Halfords and Age UK shops, online on and many smaller independent stores too. Willowbrook Limited provides Age UK Adjustable Beds and works in association with Age UK Trading Limited which donates its net profits to Age UK (registered charity number: ). Age UK Adjustable Beds is a product names of Age UK Trading Limited. Willowbrook Limited will give 165 from the sale of each adjustable bed to Age UK Trading Limited. FIND OUT MORE To view our full range of products, including kitchen appliances, home alarms and personal care products, please visit 22

25 Free prize draw! As part of our Living Your Way campaign we have a fantastic competition to celebrate independent living. The competition offers three prizes in all: a stylish and contemporary adjustable bed a beautifully upholstered recliner chair one of our popular stairlifts. Each of these prizes will be accompanied by some fantastic kitchen worktop accessories a multi-purpose opener, a daily bread-maker and a flavoursavour digital slow cooker, all designed to bring about even more creativity in your kitchens! How to enter Entry is very simple all you have to do is visit our competition page at livingyourway/prizedraw The competition opens on 6 August and the closing date is 30 September, giving you plenty of time to enter. Of course, terms and conditions do apply and these are available online on the competition page or by calling These fantastic products have been brought to you by Handicare and Willowbrook, and Morphy Richards. If competitions aren t your style but you would like to learn more about Age UK s range of products for you and your home, please visit Best of luck! There s no tie-break, no questions to answer. All that we need you to do is tell us which prize option you would prefer to win that s it! 23

26 AGE UK PRODUCTS Home Insurance Age UK Home Insurance offers great cover plus optional extras so that you can tailor it to your needs for example, protection against accidental damage or covering personal belongings away from home. You can also add personal legal protection of up to 50,000. KEY BENEFITS No hidden fees. Standard excess of only 45. New for old cover. Pay by interest-free monthly installments (0% APR Representative). Automatic buildings cover of up to 500,000 on standard construction properties and contents up to 60,000. The overall handling of the claim has completely surprised me and changed my opinion of insurers! I wish other companies would follow suit. Edith, Home Insurance customer Call for a quote today Home Insurance is provided by Ageas Insurance Limited. Age UK Enterprises Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for insurance mediation. Age UK Home Insurance is a product name of Age UK Enterprise Ltd, the commercial arm of Age UK, which donates its net profits to the charity. Exceptions include subsidence, for which there is typically a 1,000 excess; 100 subsidence excess for properties under ten years old; 245 excess for escaping water claims. 24

27 GET INVOLVED Live at home for longer with the Age UK Gifted Housing Service The Gifted Housing Service (GHS) is a unique service set up in 1974 to help owner-occupiers in England and Wales who wish to receive support to stay in their homes. The service model is based on an owner-occupier donating the property to the charity during their lifetime. Through a legal arrangement, property donors receive a personalised property management and maintenance service, and support with care, including Age UK contributions towards the cost of care. FIND OUT MORE Give us a call on for more information. Meet friends, have fun Living alone can have its ups and downs. We don t all have family and friends living close by and for some of us it can be hard to get out to meet people. Your local Age UK may have social activities you can join in, or may even run a befriending service where volunteers can visit or phone you to provide company and support. To find your local Age UK phone or visit to see whether your local Age UK has a service that can help you. 25

28 Getting in touch Information and advice Our shops Local contacts To volunteer To donate Products and services Or visit Phone line opening hours vary, but all are available between 9.00am and 5.00pm. Shop opening times vary. Not all shops offer all Age UK products and services. Thank you for your support. Age UK Tavis House 1 6 Tavistock Square London WC1H 9NA When you have finished reading this booklet, please pass it on to someone else who might find it useful. This magazine contains general advice only, which we hope will be useful. Nothing in this magazine should be construed as specific advice and it should not be relied on as a basis for any decision or action. Neither Age UK nor any of its subsidiary companies or charities accepts any liability arising from its use. We aim to ensure that information contained within this magazine is as up to date and accurate as possible, but please be warned that certain areas are subject to change from time to time. Please note that the inclusion of named agencies, companies, products, services or publications in this magazine does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Age UK or any of its subsidiary companies or charities. Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number ) and registered company number ). The registered address is Tavis House, 1 6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. The Age UK Group comprises of Age UK, and its subsidiary companies and charities, dedicated to improving the lives of people in later life. ID /12 MP3415V1JUL12