The Elder May Edition (Home Instead Newsletter)

Home Instead

York & Ryedale newsletter

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May 2018

Scam Champion Karen meets with Probus Club of York Scams and fraud are on the increase and we have been hearing about lots of new scams. Hot topics this Spring are around fake holidays and accommodation, investments linked to Brexit, emergency calls claiming friends or family have had accidents and need funds for treatment, fake tax refunds and debt collection and counterfeit World Cup tickets.

Karen has been out and about in the community in her Scam Champion role and last month was at the Probus Club of York.

If you know a community group who you think would be interested in learning a bit more about scams and how to protect yourself, give Karen a call on 01904 690884 and book her to give one of her free Friends Against Scams presentations.

For advice on scams or to report suspicious activity you can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 20 40.

York Probus Club York Probus Club provides an opportunity for retired professional and businessmen to attend regular meetings to enjoy the camaraderie that belonging to this organisation brings.

Meeting every fortnight in the Beechwood Close Hotel (Sept-May), the members enjoy stimulating talks covering a wide range of topics, an interesting visit programme and the opportunity to meet socially at functions organised several times per year.

Membership costs are low and mainly cover meeting refreshments.

If you are interested in finding out more about the club, email their secretary Roy on rmpawsey@ hotmail.com for further details.

Spot a leak!

Yorkshire Water are working hard and have set themselves challenges to ensure they look after the environment and water in Yorkshire for years to come and need your help to achieve their ambitious targets. They are asking the public to help them save water and cut leaks by 40%. If you notice water coming up through the pavements or road you can let them know straight away by calling their leak line on 0800 57 35 53.

Yorkshire Water also offer a priority service scheme for customers who might need some extra support and can help with things like problems with your water supply, help reading bills by providing them in different formats

and help if you have problems paying. To find out more you can get in touch with them at yorkshirewater.com.

In addition, you can access advice on saving water and find out more about accessing the beautiful Yorkshire countryside surrounding their reservoirs.

Somebody I used to know Somebody I used to know, written by Wendy Mitchell, is an extraordinary book about Wendy’s own experience after being given a diagnosis of young onset dementia at the age of 58. It is described as ‘a compelling account of life with dementia’ and is awe-inspiring, courageous and insightful. Wendy is from Yorkshire and now spends her time raising

Stop cold callers to your door There’s nothing more frustrating than people knock­ ing on your door when you don’t want to be sold things. Remember, you don’t have to let them in.

To help you, Home Instead have designed a ‘no cold callers’ A5 sign which we have available free to anyone who would like one. It has been laminated so you can either place it on the inside of your door looking out, or outside. The sign has a very clear message that you do not wish uninvited traders to call.

Anyone ignoring it may be committing a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. If they knock when they shouldn’t, there can be no argument and the sign advises them of that!

To get your free sign just give the office a ring on 01904 690 884 and we will post one out to you.

awareness in both the community and hospitals and is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society. Her book describes her journey with dementia and is full of fantastic information on coping with the impact of her symptoms.

It’s a fantastic read and is both uplifting and poignant. Everyone should read it!

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Enjoy Dementia Friendly screenings Last month our CAREGiver Gill took her client Gina to one of the Dementia Friendly Screenings of Love Me Tender at City Screen Picturehouses in York.

Screenings take place on the last Monday of every month at 1.15pm with free tea, coffee and biscuits served from 12.45pm in the upstairs lounge. This gives people the chance to meet and socialise with others and get to know the space.

Dementia Friendly screenings seek to provide a fun and inclusive experience

to enable people living with dementia, their families and carers to attend the cinema in a safe and welcoming environment.

Open to everyone, the screenings are enhanced to suit the needs of people living with dementia: the lights are left on low, the volume is reduced, and staff are Dementia Friends.

Tickets cost £4, accompanying carers go free.

For more information visit: www.picturehouses.co.uk

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And don’t forget the National Trust will also allow your CAREGiver access at no charge if they are supporting you.

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Talk to your GP if you are experiencing any of these problems and ask whether your medication should be adjusted.

Ideas for Spring

Spring is a lovely time of year and it’s great to shake off the winter. Here’s some ideas to enjoy the spring: INVEST IN BIRD FEEDERS – Springtime bird chirping signals the time to invest in a feeder and attract those feathered friends into our gardens. Watching the birds is a lovely way to while away a few minutes.

PLANT A HERB GARDEN – To go along with healthy eating, a small herb garden provides not only a bit of gardening fun, but also healthy and tasty ingredients for your favourite dishes. Even a few pots on your windowsill can add a bit of spring colour to your kitchen.

SPRING CLEAN – When there’s light outside coming in through the windows, clutter and dust are suddenly visible. It’s always healthy to do a little spring cleaning to create a comfortable living space.

GET OUT IN THE FRESH AIR – Breathe in the spring air by sitting outside with a cup of tea or perhaps a walk round your local park.

Our CAREGivers are always willing to help so just ask if you need a helping hand.

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

A guide to staying steady Eyesight changes It’s not just ‘old-age long sight’ that can cause vision problems. Ageing can decrease contrast sensitivity (making it harder to see the edge of steps and kerbs), alter depth perception and cause visual field disturbances – all of which make you more likely to fall.

What can I do Have a sight examination yearly, even if you think you’re fine (it’s free for over-60s) as the optician is also checking for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Don’t rely on supermarket reading glasses longterm: it’s rare for both eyes to require identical correction.

Rushing for the loo If you hurry, especially in the dark at night, it can make falls more likely.

And 3-6 million people over 60 in the UK have urinary incontinence problems.

What can I do Incontinence can be improved and sometimes cured – talk to your continence nurse or physiotherapist.

You can also refer yourself to a local continence clinic, which can recommend exercises and give advice.

Some continence medications can also make you dizzy – let them know. csp.org.uk/conditions/ incontinence

Multiple medications The older we get, the more likely we are to be prescribed medications for several different health conditions; it’s estimated that 36% of people over 75 are on four or more different drugs.

Some common ones are associated with dizziness, drops in blood pressure when you stand up, or sleepiness – all of which can raise the risk of falling.

What can I do Never stop taking any prescribed medication suddenly. If you suspect one or more of your medications is making you dizzy or faint, see your GP – and make sure the GP reviews your prescriptions every 12 months.

(That’s every six months if you are over 75 or taking four or more medications.)

Watch out for alcohol intake: you may find you can’t drink the same quantity you used to without feeling dizzy or ill, and it may interact with prescribed medications.

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