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The text on this page is taken from the booklet "Caring for Dementia - Dementia Carers' Pathways Devon". We recommend obtaining a copy from the Memory Café in Torrington.
General Information
Some related information may be found below:
Message in a bottle
The system works by storing the cared for person's details in clearly labelled plastic bottles. These may be kept in the refrigerator and in the glove box of their vehicle. Matching labels, known to the emergency services, are displayed in their house, on the outside of their refrigerator door and on the inside of their front door, placed so it is not visible from outside. The label is also displayed on the dashboard of their vehicle. This ensures that the essential information is readily available to the emergency services should the cared for person suffer an accident, sudden illness or is involved in a fire. Vital information is available, not only to identify them but also to advise on relevant illnesses, allergies, medication and emergency contact addresses. Obtain message bottles from your doctor's surgery, pharmacy, Age UK see Links page, Neighbourhood Watch, Council Offices or telephone the Lions Club see Links page
Managing your medicines
Use a tablet dispensing container (memory aid container) to help you to remember when to give prescribed medication. Containers are available to cover a week, either, twice a day, morning and evening, or four times a day, morning, lunchtime, teatime and evening. The container is refilled once a week. Tablet dispensing containers are available at your pharmacist. It is very important to make sure that you put the right medicines in the correct compartment of the container. If necessary keep all medicines out of reach of the cared for person in a cupboard or under lock and key. Under certain circumstances, the dispensing chemist will provide medicines on a weekby-week basis, in the form of a fully labelled 'blister pack'. This helps to avoid any under or overdosing of medicines.
Maintaining a daily routine
It is important that you try to maintain a sense of routine and continuity for the cared for person and, if possible, that they have an awareness of this. For example regular meal times etc. A list of the day's activities for the cared for person, is very useful in helping to maintain contact with day to day life. This is easily achieved by means of a white board or a written list in a known position, for example, in the kitchen.
The system works by storing the cared for person's details in clearly labelled plastic bottles. These may be kept in the refrigerator and in the glove box of their vehicle. Matching labels, known to the emergency services, are displayed in their house, on the outside of their refrigerator door and on the inside of their front door, placed so it is not visible from outside. The label is also displayed on the dashboard of their vehicle. This ensures that the essential information is readily available to the emergency services should the cared for person suffer an accident, sudden illness or is involved in a fire. Vital information is available, not only to identify them but also to advise on relevant illnesses, allergies, medication and emergency contact addresses. Obtain message bottles from your doctor's surgery, pharmacy, Age UK see Links page, Neighbourhood Watch, Council Offices or telephone the Lions Club see Links page
Managing your medicines
Use a tablet dispensing container (memory aid container) to help you to remember when to give prescribed medication. Containers are available to cover a week, either, twice a day, morning and evening, or four times a day, morning, lunchtime, teatime and evening. The container is refilled once a week. Tablet dispensing containers are available at your pharmacist. It is very important to make sure that you put the right medicines in the correct compartment of the container. If necessary keep all medicines out of reach of the cared for person in a cupboard or under lock and key. Under certain circumstances, the dispensing chemist will provide medicines on a weekby-week basis, in the form of a fully labelled 'blister pack'. This helps to avoid any under or overdosing of medicines.
Maintaining a daily routine
It is important that you try to maintain a sense of routine and continuity for the cared for person and, if possible, that they have an awareness of this. For example regular meal times etc. A list of the day's activities for the cared for person, is very useful in helping to maintain contact with day to day life. This is easily achieved by means of a white board or a written list in a known position, for example, in the kitchen.
Book of my life
Make a "Book of my Life", for the cared for person. The purpose of the book is to give information of life experiences, relationships, preferences and unique personality of the cared for person that will be available to inform staff in hospitals or care settings. It could contain information about their date of birth, schools (where and when), employment, likes and dislikes, their dietary needs, daily and weekly routines, habits, interests and hobbies. A photograph album of now and in past is another idea. The list is endless, put in your own ideas.
Memory box
A suitable metal, wooden or cardboard box can be used. Items from the past of the cared for person can act as a memory aid. The items can show who the person is and what they have achieved in their life. Anything with a personal memory that will stimulate them and that they can relate to is ideal. Objects from the past, family heirlooms, household or personal items with a sentimental value, photographs, medals. Do not include anything sharp or pointed. Add items to the box as time progresses.
Sources of information
The following two publications are very informative and well worth reading:-
Information Factsheets and leaflets
Obtain information leaflets from the racks at doctors' surgeries, hospitals and clinics. These leaflets are a good source of information on a range of conditions and services.
Social care
Devon County Council is responsible for many social care services in Devon through its Adult and Community Services Directorate. The single point of contact for information and to access services is Care Direct which can be contacted about health and social care for adults, help for older people, vulnerable adults their carers and the registered disabled.
To obtain details contact Care Direct see Links page or your Unitary Authority.
Carers
Becoming a member of Devon Carers can provide you with:-
To obtain details contact Devon Carers see Links page 03456 434 435 or your Unitary Authority.
Make a "Book of my Life", for the cared for person. The purpose of the book is to give information of life experiences, relationships, preferences and unique personality of the cared for person that will be available to inform staff in hospitals or care settings. It could contain information about their date of birth, schools (where and when), employment, likes and dislikes, their dietary needs, daily and weekly routines, habits, interests and hobbies. A photograph album of now and in past is another idea. The list is endless, put in your own ideas.
Memory box
A suitable metal, wooden or cardboard box can be used. Items from the past of the cared for person can act as a memory aid. The items can show who the person is and what they have achieved in their life. Anything with a personal memory that will stimulate them and that they can relate to is ideal. Objects from the past, family heirlooms, household or personal items with a sentimental value, photographs, medals. Do not include anything sharp or pointed. Add items to the box as time progresses.
Sources of information
The following two publications are very informative and well worth reading:-
- Who Cares? - Can be obtained as a download from the Department of Health publication department
- Still Going Strong - Can be obtained free from The Mental Health Foundation publication department
Information Factsheets and leaflets
Obtain information leaflets from the racks at doctors' surgeries, hospitals and clinics. These leaflets are a good source of information on a range of conditions and services.
Social care
Devon County Council is responsible for many social care services in Devon through its Adult and Community Services Directorate. The single point of contact for information and to access services is Care Direct which can be contacted about health and social care for adults, help for older people, vulnerable adults their carers and the registered disabled.
To obtain details contact Care Direct see Links page or your Unitary Authority.
Carers
Becoming a member of Devon Carers can provide you with:-
- Access to a Flexible Breaks Grant
- Assistance to attend your local carers' forum
- Benefits check
- Carers' newsletter
- Contact details for social or health care
- Carers Alert Card Scheme
- Free carers information pack
- Support groups
- Take-a-Break service
- Training opportunities
To obtain details contact Devon Carers see Links page 03456 434 435 or your Unitary Authority.
Registration of people with disabilities
Anyone who has a disability can apply to go on the register. Local concessions may be available. To find out more and to register, contact Care Direct see Links page
VAT relief
There is no VAT payable for registered disabled people on certain goods and services.
H M Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reference notice 701/7 gives information on relief for disabled people. To obtain details contact HM Revenue and Customs see Links page.
Getting out and about
Blue Badge parking scheme
The Blue Badge parking scheme provides a national range of parking concessions for disabled people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport, who travel either as a driver or passenger in a vehicle. The badge belongs to the person, not the vehicle.
To obtain details of the Blue Badge scheme contact Care Direct or your Unitary Authority.
See Links page for further details.
Discount parking
Residents of Devon, who are Blue Badge holders, may be entitled to discount parking in Devon car parks.
For information contact your District Council or your Unitary Authority.
National Radar key
The National Radar key system offers independent access to toilets for people with disabilities. A Radar key for use of the disabled toilets, a list of toilets for the disabled in your District Council area and where to obtain a key is available from your local District Council or your Unitary Authority.
Mobility and Disability Aids
Shopmobility
Shopmobility is a scheme which lends or hires mobility equipment to members of the public with limited mobility, to shop and to visit leisure and commercial facilities within the town or shopping centre:
Check to see if a Community Transport scheme operates in your area:
British Red Cross offers the following medical equipment on loan:-
Anyone who has a disability can apply to go on the register. Local concessions may be available. To find out more and to register, contact Care Direct see Links page
VAT relief
There is no VAT payable for registered disabled people on certain goods and services.
H M Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reference notice 701/7 gives information on relief for disabled people. To obtain details contact HM Revenue and Customs see Links page.
Getting out and about
Blue Badge parking scheme
The Blue Badge parking scheme provides a national range of parking concessions for disabled people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport, who travel either as a driver or passenger in a vehicle. The badge belongs to the person, not the vehicle.
To obtain details of the Blue Badge scheme contact Care Direct or your Unitary Authority.
See Links page for further details.
Discount parking
Residents of Devon, who are Blue Badge holders, may be entitled to discount parking in Devon car parks.
For information contact your District Council or your Unitary Authority.
National Radar key
The National Radar key system offers independent access to toilets for people with disabilities. A Radar key for use of the disabled toilets, a list of toilets for the disabled in your District Council area and where to obtain a key is available from your local District Council or your Unitary Authority.
Mobility and Disability Aids
Shopmobility
Shopmobility is a scheme which lends or hires mobility equipment to members of the public with limited mobility, to shop and to visit leisure and commercial facilities within the town or shopping centre:
- manual wheelchairs
- powered wheelchairs
- powered scooters For information contact Shopmobility see Links page
Check to see if a Community Transport scheme operates in your area:
- Community Transport in the County
- Customer Care Centre
- Community Car Schemes Ring and Ride see Links page
British Red Cross offers the following medical equipment on loan:-
- Bathroom aids - Rivera and Bath-Wizard bath lifts and shower stools
- Daily living aids - Riser/recliner chairs, overbed tables, trolleys and stools
- Small aids- Including jar openers, tap turners, peelers and plug pullers
- Toilet aids - Commodes, toilet rails, raised toilet seats and grab rails
- Walking Aids - Rollators, tri-walkers, walking frames and walking sticks
- Wheelchairs
There are retail showrooms in the area that sell mobility and disability aids that will assist the cared for person in their day to day living.
The Independent Living Centre does not sell equipment, but offers professional and impartial advice on how to choose, where to buy and often an opportunity to try out equipment.
The aids available include:-
Personal Tracker System
Global Positioning System (GPS)
If you are a carer / next of kin of someone with dementia, a personal tracker system Global Positioning System (GPS) can pinpoint and track a person’s location should that the person become lost. The GPS personal tracker is very useful in helping the emergency services, and you, to locate the cared for person very quickly. This gives peace of mind and helps to ensure their safety. There are several GPS tracking systems available on the market and costs vary. It is therefore advisable to seek expert advice prior to purchase.
Search online for GPS Personal Tracker Systems
Alarm Systems
A Community Alarm is an easy to operate system in your home that connects the alarm base unit to an emergency response centre and can summon help immediately in an emergency.
An alarm button to summon help is located on the base unit.
A pendant can be worn around the neck or like a watch to summon help if you are away from the base unit, whether in the house or in the garden.
A Monitoring Alarm can be as simple as a baby alarm. More complicated alarms can be bought through a local equipment provider. Specialised alarms are available for people with sensory loss.
Information about alarm systems can be obtained through your local Crime Prevention Officer, private companies, your local District Council or by contacting Care Direct see Links page
Telecare
A range of equipment can be added on to the basic community alarm system. Instead of relying on the client to press a button to summon help, sensors attached to pieces of equipment, for example, a movement sensor or a fall detector will automatically alert the centre when a client has left their home or had a fall. This then allows an appropriate response to be provided to the client, often by carers or relatives.
To obtain details contact Care Direct see Links page
The Independent Living Centre does not sell equipment, but offers professional and impartial advice on how to choose, where to buy and often an opportunity to try out equipment.
The aids available include:-
- Household items and kitchenware
- Pressure relief and positioning pillows and cushions
- Wheelchairs and walking aids
- Bathing and toileting aids including incontinence care
- Homecare
- Therapy
- Moving and Handling
- Orthopaedic
Personal Tracker System
Global Positioning System (GPS)
If you are a carer / next of kin of someone with dementia, a personal tracker system Global Positioning System (GPS) can pinpoint and track a person’s location should that the person become lost. The GPS personal tracker is very useful in helping the emergency services, and you, to locate the cared for person very quickly. This gives peace of mind and helps to ensure their safety. There are several GPS tracking systems available on the market and costs vary. It is therefore advisable to seek expert advice prior to purchase.
Search online for GPS Personal Tracker Systems
Alarm Systems
A Community Alarm is an easy to operate system in your home that connects the alarm base unit to an emergency response centre and can summon help immediately in an emergency.
An alarm button to summon help is located on the base unit.
A pendant can be worn around the neck or like a watch to summon help if you are away from the base unit, whether in the house or in the garden.
A Monitoring Alarm can be as simple as a baby alarm. More complicated alarms can be bought through a local equipment provider. Specialised alarms are available for people with sensory loss.
Information about alarm systems can be obtained through your local Crime Prevention Officer, private companies, your local District Council or by contacting Care Direct see Links page
Telecare
A range of equipment can be added on to the basic community alarm system. Instead of relying on the client to press a button to summon help, sensors attached to pieces of equipment, for example, a movement sensor or a fall detector will automatically alert the centre when a client has left their home or had a fall. This then allows an appropriate response to be provided to the client, often by carers or relatives.
- For environmental risks - There are a range of detectors, such as smoke, carbon monoxide, natural gas and flood.
- For Personal risks - There are devices which monitor movement, falls, imminent epileptic seizures, night time incontinence, bed or chair occupancy, medication, exiting property, bogus caller/panic buttons and visual alert door access.
To obtain details contact Care Direct see Links page
