The Elder June 2016 (Home Instead newsletter)

Home Instead

York & Ryedale newsletter

elder THE

June 2016

Equipping staff with needed skills

Home Instead CAREGivers Julie and Rete this week received their City & Guilds Accredited Certificates in Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias Training.

The CAREGivers along with seven other members of staff have recently undergone in-house training over three sessions as part of Home Instead Senior Care York & Ryedale’s commitment to raising awareness for the benefit of CAREGivers and clients.

General Manager Daphne Ellis (pictured) said, “We aim to equip our CAREGivers with the skills, tools and techniques to deliver outstanding care for our clients”.

New game helps fight dementia “It’s not just a game, it’s a quest to help scientists fight dementia!”

It sounds too good to be true but this really is a game, where simply by having loads of fun chasing creatures around magical seas and swamps, you can help to fight a disease that currently affects 45 million people worldwide.

In fact playing SEA HERO QUEST for just 2 minutes will generate the equivalent of 5 hours of lab-based research data. Supported by scientists from University College London and University of East Anglia and the lovely people at Alzheimer’s Research, SEA HERO QUEST is an epic culmination of science and gameplay that will change the way dementia research is done forever.

One of the first symptoms of dementia is loss of navigational skills. Doctors cannot differentiate between getting lost caused by disease and getting lost caused by natural ageing because a benchmark of “normal” does not exist. Until now that is because as you play, your navigational data is tracked anonymously, stored securely and combined with every other player from around the globe, to create the world’s largest crowd sourced data set benchmarking human spatial navigation.

This incredible resource will eventually lead to the development of new diagnosis tools and treatments for dementia.

Join the Quest and be a real-life hero by downloading the app today – www.seaheroquest.com

Safe driving practices will reduce risks Driving is a great way to remain independent, but it’s normal for our driving abilities to change as we get older.

By reducing risk factors and incorporating safe driving practices, many of us can continue driving safely long into our senior years. But we do have to pay attention to any warning signs and make appropriate adjustments.

Here are some top tips to help stay safe on the road.

Stay physically active. Physical activity improves your strength and flexibility. This can make it easier to turn the driving wheel, look

over your shoulder and make other movements whilst driving or parking.

Get your sight and hearing tested regularly. Impaired hearing can be a concern for older drivers as it limits the ability to hear an approaching emergency vehicle or train. Common age-related vision problems, for example cataracts, can make it difficult to see clearly or drive at night. Ask your doctor how often to schedule vision and hearing tests. Even if you think your hearing and vision are fine, stick to your doctor’s recommended exam schedule.

Understand your limitations. Be

aware of your limitations and work with them. For example, vehicles that feature larger, easier to read dials may be more suitable if your eye sight is poor. Also, if your hands hurt when gripping the steering wheel you can use a steering wheel cover that makes holding the wheel more comfortable.

Drive in optimal conditions. You can improve driver safety by driving during the daytime, in good weather and in familiar areas. If visibility is poor consider taking public transport.

Plan ahead. Plan your route ahead of time so that you don’t need to read a map for directions whilst driving. Or, if you use a GPS device, enter your destination before you start driving. Whist you’re driving, don’t do anything that takes your focus from the road.

Update your driving skills.

Consider taking a refresher course for older drivers. Depending on your policy, this might even earn you a discount on your car insurance.

As we age, our driving abilities will inevitably change. By following safe driving practices like these, you can reduce the risk factors and continue driving safely.

Elderly people can be targeted by criminals, but you can take steps to keep your loved ones safe

An issue of trust For older people, the consequences of misplaced trust can be severe and their safety is of great concern. With more than seven out of ten older people in Britain (over 6.6 million people) targeted by scams every month, which includes the use of the internet, phones and post, being vigilant is so important.

The elderly are vulnerable targets for criminals who regularly devise new schemes in an attempt to steal their valuables; whether it’s their money, identity, or their property. Loneliness and isolation can play a big part, as well as decline in cognitive function leading to poor decision making.

Victims of scams can be affected not only financially, but physically and emotionally. Realising that you have been ‘stupid’ enough to be taken in, can affect someone’s confidence and change their life forever.

Home Instead, which provides home care services in York and Ryedale, is dedicated to helping older people stay safely in their own homes and has come across victims of these scams.

They heard from one person whose mother was targeted: “‘Young at heart’ was the phrase mum always used to describe herself. Things all changed though when she replied to that very first scam letter. Her personality started to change in a way that became very difficult for the family to deal

with. It was as if she had been brainwashed or was in some kind of a cult, she was totally convinced that the paper chase the criminals were laying would eventually lead to a pot of gold.”

Home Instead says, “It’s important to watch out for signs in changes of behaviour and to talk to your loved one if you have any concerns.” The company has collated the following tips to keep older people safe from scams: • Encourage older people to join the Telephone and Mail Preference Services. This will prevent genuine companies from contacting them but will not stop fraudsters, so continue to monitor any potential scam marketing wherever possible.

• Educate older people who regularly use the internet about the dangers of email and phishing tactics.

• Watch for changes in lifestyle or unusual financial activity.

• Be alert to ‘new friends’. Establish the rule of thumb: ‘never provide personal information in a call that you did not initiate’.

• Ensure that any charities an older person is donating to have a registered charity number.

• Ensure that older people know never to disclose their PIN to anyone.

• Shred documents containing sensitive information.

“Do not underestimate how clever scammers are,” says Home Instead. “With sophisticated marketing materials and very believable stories and claims, we are all susceptible. Don’t let the next victim be anyone you know.”

Home Instead is dedicated to helping older people stay safely in their own homes. If a family member is living alone and needs an extra set of alert eyes and ears, then contact Home Instead on 01904 690884. www.homeinstead.co.uk/york

Explore Libraries – memories to treasure York Explore Libraries and Archives with Alzheimer’s Society have launched Memory Bank DVDs that will be available for library members to borrow. The Memory Bank is an award winning series of innovative DVD resource packs developed by the Yorkshire Film Archive. They use archive films spanning six decades to bring past events and experiences to life, prompting stories and memories to share and enjoy. More information about the films can be found at www.memory-bank.org or through your local library.

Bowled over Now that summer is here it’s lawn bowls season!

There are many local clubs across York and they welcome both spectators and anyone who wants to have a try.

Bowling greens are often in lovely green spaces and offer an opportunity to sit and relax in the sunshine.

A full list of club locations across York can be found on York Council’s website www.york.gov.uk.

Home Instead Senior Care 10 Clifton Moor Business Village James Nicolson Link, Clifton Moor York YO30 4XG Telephone: 01904 690884 Email: info@hiscyork.co.uk Web: www.homeinstead.co.uk/york

www.facebook.com/homeinsteadyork @homeinsteadyork www.instagram.com/homeinsteadyork www.youtube.com/YorkHomeInstead “Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independently owned and operated.”