Supporting you to stay well and independent

They can help you to improve your balance and mobility and reduce the risk of falling.

If you are worried that you might need help and you are not sure that it has been arranged, speak to a member of staff on the ward. You may benefit from short-term support to get dressed or with meal preparation – this is often called reablement and is designed to help you increase your independence in a variety of ways. This could be through the provision of equipment to help you with day-to-day tasks or practice to get back the skills you need for daily living.

Independence in your own home

There are practical ways to make your home more accessible and maintain your independence. Sometimes the simplest things can improve your daily life, like moving items onto lower shelves, or fitting a second stair rail. Investing in specially designed equipment and products known as Care Technology can also make a difference. These include discreet lifeline alarms which connect to round-the-clock assistance as well as a range of equipment to support people to remain safe and independent both at home and in the community. These can provide reassurance for you and help carers keep the people they are caring for safe and supported. Find out more at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/care-technology

Most district councils provide a chargeable community lifeline service, find out more at www.leicestershire. gov.uk/lifelines-telecare-and-alarms

For more advice about staying independent in your home please visit www.safeandwell.co.uk/leicester Other suppliers of Care technology and equipment can be viewed in our online information and support directory at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/lisd

Staying well

First Contact Plus is a service that offers online information, advice and support on improving your health, preventing falls, feeling safe, living independently, debts and benefits, work, learning and volunteering, families and relationships and your home. Visit www.firstcontactplus.org.uk to see the full range of services and support available to Leicestershire residents. If you need extra help, you can use the ‘make a referral’ button and a member of the team will call you back within two working days.

The website also includes links to the Warm Homes service for help and advice on making your home warmer and more energy efficient visit www.firstcontactplus.org.uk/our-services/your-home/ warm-homes or call 0116 305 2524.

If you have had a fall or are worried about falling, First Contact Plus can refer you to the free service offered by the NHS Falls team. They can help you to improve your balance and mobility and reduce the risk of falling. For more information visit www.firstcontactplus.org.uk/our-services/falls

Caring for others can be very demanding and can affect your health and wellbeing.

Local Area Co-ordination (LAC) can also offer help to people who live in the county to be strong, more connected to their local community and in control of their own lives preventing further crisis or problems. For more information visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ leisure-and-community/community-safety/local-areaco-ordinators or call 0116 305 9646.

Leicestershire’s Shared Lives Service offers an alternative care service for adults with disabilities and older people. Individuals move into or regularly visit their Shared Lives carer’s home and together they share family and community life. To find out more visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/shared-lives-placements or call 0116 305 0004.

Visit https://www.carechoices.co.uk/publication/ leicestershire/ to access the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Adult Care and Support Services Directory and Dementia Friendly Leicestershire - a practical guide to living with dementia.

Looking after someone

If you look after a family member or friend, it is vital that you recognise yourself as a carer. Caring for others can be very demanding and can affect your health and wellbeing. We know your priority is the person you are caring for, but you need to keep well and look after yourself too.

Register as a carer with your GP practice, as they may be able to offer flexible appointments and yearly health checks. Make a plan in case of emergencies and let family members and friends know where to find essential personal and medication information by using the Message in Bottle scheme or the Herbert Protocol for anyone living with a memory problem visit www.leics.police.uk/notices/af/herbert-protocol

The County Council has a range of online tools and information designed to support carers and commissions a support service for adult carers across the county. For more information on local and national support services and our online carer’s assessment form visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ looking-after-someone

For more information

If you live in the county and need more information and advice on adult care services visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/adultsocial-care-and-health