Hi, I was just wondering if anyone might be able to help me...

My friend's father has recently died, leaving his elderly mother living alone. She needs day-to-day help but is insisting she wants to continue living at her house.

He is unable to care for her every day as he is currently living abroad, but he has heard of a system where you live at home but wear something around your neck which you press if you need assistance.

Does anyone know what this system is or how we go about arranging for it?

Thanks

If you contact Social Services they should be able to help you with a care assistant if one is necessary. My gran had one who just popped in first thing in the morning and again in the evening. You fill in a questionaire about what they can/can't do for themselves (such as personal hygeine, feeding, getting out and about etc). They sent someone to assess her needs, etc. All the carers she had were excellent. It's not a very quick "overnight" fix, but they did all they could to let my gran remain in her own home. They can also advise on things like meals on wheels, and home aids to make it easier for her to manage.

I think the alarm you mention is called a Citywide alarm or something like that, but I think they can advise you on that too, or maybe try her doctors, as they are usually very good at helping people cope in their own home.

Good luck!

Thank You Feargal!

Try this link www.helptheaged.org.uk

Just had another thought... my gran started getting a bit depressed when she was less able to get out and about. We asked social services if they could arrange for her to go to a lunch club once or twice a week, and she loved it! They arranged to pick her up/drop her off after, she had a good lunch and usually there was some bingo/singsong/heated depate for her to get into. It made a big difference to her quality of life, as she felt she wasn't being a burden to her carers. Ask about that too!

I care for my nan full time and she also has Home Help who provide an excellent service, there's loads of help out there for the elderly, try the site below for some useful information

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/safe--sound/social-services/getting-help-from-social-services/help-for-adults/home-support


Good Luck :thumbsup:

Aw thank you all guys! :thumbsup:

Those links were really helpful.

I'll pass the info on to my friend and let u know how it goes xx