www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety
Fire safety is so important for you and your family. You can request a free fire safety visit that will help you address any fire risks and they will also provide a free smoke alarm. There are similar initiatives in other areas.
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/care-andsupport/support-to-stay-at-home
If you live in East Cheshire this site has information about support to stay at home such as help with home maintenance, Finding a contractor, adaptations to your home, financial help for home adaptations, telecare and staying safe at home.
www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/mobiledigital-services/weather-app
It isn’t fun being out in severe weather if you have mobility problems. Make sure you stay one step ahead of the weather with the new Met Office weather app. As well as daily weather forecasts it also give you UK National Severe Weather Warnings.
www.nhs.uk (or in Wales www.wales.gov.uk/ immunisation, Scotland www.nhs24.co and NI www.dhsspsni.gov.uk)
Don’t forget your seasonal Flu jab. These sites have more information about seasonal flu.
Different conditions, different backgrounds and different experiences.
Showing posts with label Safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Safety. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Useful Gadgets
Electric underblankets
The bees knees I was introduced to electric under blankets following a lucky escape when a hot water bottle burst. I have a profiling bed and use the back support daily. The best one I found was the Dreamland fleece fitted electric under blanket. It’s been fine whilst others kept breaking after a few months. It has 6 heat settings and can be on for either 1 or 9 hours. I plug it into a timer switch to keep on for 2 – 3 hours, which is enough for me! You can get them from John Lewis (single bed £40) with a 3 year guarantee. Well worth it!
http://www.johnlewis.com/dreamland16295-heated-fleece-fitted-single-electricunderblanket-white/p2999603#prev
Message in a Bottle
A free and simple way to ensure that essential information is readily available to the emergency services should you suffer an accident or sudden illness at home. Free bottles are available in participating GPs surgeries, pharmacists, libraries, voluntary organisations and community groups.
Where’s My Droid
Having knocked myself out after a fall it seemed a good idea that I had some way for people to find me. The last thing I wanted was to lose my independence. I installed a free app called Where’s My Droid on my phone. It uses the GPS on the phone to shown the location on a Google map. If the battery runs out it records the last location. Also great if you lose your phone. www.wheresmydroid.com
Samsung phone voice activated camera mode
Do you struggle taking photos with your smart phone? Keeping a steady hand, shaking it when you press the shutter button? If you’ve a Samsung phone, you might have a ‘voice activated’ mode built in. It’s great – you just say the word ‘smile’ or ‘cheese’ and it takes the photo automatically. It can be used to take videos, use the timer mode or go to the gallery too. To switch it on, open the camera and click on settings (the cog) then the 3 dots. Look for a microphone symbol that has ‘voice control’ under it – then tap it to switch it on. Or depending on the model you have, touch the > in camera mode and then an icon with a microphone. Simples!
More details are on the link below http:// www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ ANS00040476/
Do you have any items that are great that you’d like to let us know about? Please contact the One Voice team!
The bees knees I was introduced to electric under blankets following a lucky escape when a hot water bottle burst. I have a profiling bed and use the back support daily. The best one I found was the Dreamland fleece fitted electric under blanket. It’s been fine whilst others kept breaking after a few months. It has 6 heat settings and can be on for either 1 or 9 hours. I plug it into a timer switch to keep on for 2 – 3 hours, which is enough for me! You can get them from John Lewis (single bed £40) with a 3 year guarantee. Well worth it!
http://www.johnlewis.com/dreamland16295-heated-fleece-fitted-single-electricunderblanket-white/p2999603#prev
Message in a Bottle
A free and simple way to ensure that essential information is readily available to the emergency services should you suffer an accident or sudden illness at home. Free bottles are available in participating GPs surgeries, pharmacists, libraries, voluntary organisations and community groups.
Where’s My Droid
Having knocked myself out after a fall it seemed a good idea that I had some way for people to find me. The last thing I wanted was to lose my independence. I installed a free app called Where’s My Droid on my phone. It uses the GPS on the phone to shown the location on a Google map. If the battery runs out it records the last location. Also great if you lose your phone. www.wheresmydroid.com
Samsung phone voice activated camera mode
Do you struggle taking photos with your smart phone? Keeping a steady hand, shaking it when you press the shutter button? If you’ve a Samsung phone, you might have a ‘voice activated’ mode built in. It’s great – you just say the word ‘smile’ or ‘cheese’ and it takes the photo automatically. It can be used to take videos, use the timer mode or go to the gallery too. To switch it on, open the camera and click on settings (the cog) then the 3 dots. Look for a microphone symbol that has ‘voice control’ under it – then tap it to switch it on. Or depending on the model you have, touch the > in camera mode and then an icon with a microphone. Simples!
More details are on the link below http:// www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ ANS00040476/
Do you have any items that are great that you’d like to let us know about? Please contact the One Voice team!
Alert Cards
Alert cards are conveniently shaped to fit inside a wallet and outline key recommendations and precautions that health care professionals would need to know during a time of worsening health.
To make sure the cards are effective they cover a wide range of possible symptoms and situations. The card also includes important contact information on a person’s specialist neuromuscular and respiratory teams, which will ensure expert advice will be much easier to access.
They currently have alert cards covering ten conditions. For more information and to find out how you can get a Muscular Dystrophy alert card visit http://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/ alert-cards/
Monday, 1 August 2016
Fall Monitors - Jon McVey
Are you worried about falling? If, like me, you spend time on your own and are at risk of falling, then a fall sensor may help to put your mind at rest. For me, a nasty fall resulted in a couple of weeks in hospital. Luckily my family were about, but after this there was naturally concern about leaving me home alone. This is where we were advised to look at a personal alarm system with a fall monitor. My system is provided by a local scheme and comes in a package together with a personal alarm button, worn on a wrist band or as a pendant. The fall sensor is about the size of a small pack of cards and can also clip onto a belt. It is not a perfect system, on occasions it seems oversensitive, being triggered when I sit down, then again I do sit down with quite a thud! It has worked however, when I have fallen and my feeling is that when it is really needed, it is likely to work. It is another backup if I cannot push my alarm button. Once triggered, a box connected to my phone, calls through to a 24hr call centre and a friendly, reassuring voice comes over a loud speaker. If I don't respond, the volume increases and then failing any response, they call in help. My system costs about £23 a month, provided through Staffordshire Housing Association, but it is a price I am prepared to pay to give me and my family a lot of peace of mind.
Telecare assessment and providers
Cheshire East Council
Telephone: 0300 123 5010
The Adult Social Care Team run assessments and if you are assessed as being eligible they will pay for the equipment, installation, removal and maintenance. You will need to pay a small charge which covers the cost of monitoring the equipment and any visits that you may need.
Cheshire West and Chester
Telephone: 0300 123 8123 (option two)
Email: accesswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Telecare equipment will be provided, installed, maintained and removed free of charge. There is a weekly charge to cover monitoring and emergency mobile response. However, not everyone has to pay for their telecare service, as charges depend on individual financial circumstances.
Other councils have similar schemes. There are also many other providers and details of these can be found at tsa-voice.org.uk/service-provider-directory.
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Keeping Warm - Brrr.... it’s cold! – Sanjay Vaja
During the past few years, and more so since being in a wheelchair, I have found myself feeling the cold a lot more. I've tried different ways to keep warm. Ultimately, it’s been about learning what works for my body. However, there are some general things that I wanted to share, in case they help others.
For me, it’s about keeping my ‘core’ warm – my upper body / chest area. If my upper body is cold, my body says ‘right, time to conserve energy’ and literally switches off the heating to my feet. No matter how many thick socks or thermals I’m wearing, or sitting with the fan heater on, it doesn’t make any difference if the internal heating has been switched off.
How do I keep the upper body/chest area warm?
Thin layers and long sleeved tops. Either a long sleeve thermal top, or cotton long sleeve T-shirts, or just an ordinary long sleeved shirt. Sometimes with, or without a short sleeve T-shirt underneath. Then a thin long sleeve jumper on top (eg a thin lambswool jumper). Those big woolly jumpers don’t do much for me, plus they are heavy and restrict movement. There’s also room for a fleece on top of it all if I’m heading out.
My neck
Mum always tells me to keep my neck warm – and she’s right – it makes a huge difference! If my neck is shielded from the wind and cold, I feel noticeably warmer. Plus it seems to be quite trendy these days to wear a scarf.
Shoes
My podiatrist ordered some insulating insoles for me. A thin polystyrene looking layer that can go on top of existing insole, or a thicker one that can replace the existing insole. I can really feel the difference when I've got them in. Simple, but effective.
Socks
I tried some Bridgedale Comfort Trekker socks and also some Bridgedale Endurance Trekker socks. They are really warm wool socks and not too thick – the Endurance Trekker ones are warmer. Just be careful as you may need bigger shoes but for around the house, they’re great. The other ones I've found great are the everyday M&S wool blend socks – they look and feel like normal socks but are warmer.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridgedale-Endurance-Trekker-Mens-Socks/dp/B000OIOQXA
http://www.marksandspencer.com/2-pairs-of-lambswool-blend-thermal-long-socks/p/p20027016
My podiatrist suggested I try ‘silver socks.’ They are recommended for people who have Raynauds. They’re designed to “minimise the radiative heat loss by actively reflecting 95% of the body’s energy back to the skin. This makes them a lot warmer compared to conventional socks.” I’m not sure if they worked or not – I need to try them again now that I've worked out to keep my core warm. Perhaps that will be a winning combination? They can be found at the Raynauds Shop: http://www.rsa-shop.co.uk/index.php
Other useful information about chilblains and keeping warm can be found on the Raynauds website under the Raynauds menu on the right: http://www.raynauds.org.uk/index.php
Gloves
For a while now I've used ‘magic gloves’ that are thin but have little rubber bobbles that help with grip. I used them to grip cold handrails or walking sticks or just because my hand is exposed on the controller arm. They are a ‘one size fits all’ and I've seen them for £1 in Macclesfield (if you want me to get you a pair!).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Warm-Magic-Gloves-GL313/dp/B004APQ0A0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1423595499&sr=8-5&keywords=magic+gloves
Thermal tops
I've found some nice brushed cotton ones from Tesco, with a faux fleece inside. Long sleeve and nice and warm. Most outdoor shops also stock long sleeve thermal tops. My advice would be to make sure that they are not too heavy and that they don’t restrict your daily movement too much.
Thermal bottoms
I have tried a few. Some with a thick elastic waistband but that’s awkward when going to the loo and some with or without a fly (with is easier). I've recently found the pair that seem to work for me – Peter Storm (from Millets/Blacks). They have a soft finish, are stretchy and are slim fit which keeps me warm. They have a comfortable elastic waist band and soft stretchy ankle cuffs. Everything ticked!
http://www.blacks.co.uk/mens/084170-peter-storm-mens-thermal-pants-
khaki.html
Diet and exercise
Diet and exercise are also important. A good diet gives you enough energy to keep warm, and exercise helps with circulation (and keeps physios happy!). Warm drinks and soups are great too!
Sleeping
I have an electric under blanket on my profiling bed. It’s on a timer so it comes on in good time to warm my bed, and switches off when I’m far away in dreamland. It’s great but the one I’m using so far from Argos, seems to stop working after 4 or 5 months. Perhaps because I’m using the backrest all the time to sit up in bed? Argos keep replacing it but we’re looking for a better one.
Hopefully there’s something in here that will work for you. If you would like any further information please do drop me a line. Please e.mail sanjman108@gmail.com
Take care and keep warm! Sanjay
For me, it’s about keeping my ‘core’ warm – my upper body / chest area. If my upper body is cold, my body says ‘right, time to conserve energy’ and literally switches off the heating to my feet. No matter how many thick socks or thermals I’m wearing, or sitting with the fan heater on, it doesn’t make any difference if the internal heating has been switched off.
How do I keep the upper body/chest area warm?
Thin layers and long sleeved tops. Either a long sleeve thermal top, or cotton long sleeve T-shirts, or just an ordinary long sleeved shirt. Sometimes with, or without a short sleeve T-shirt underneath. Then a thin long sleeve jumper on top (eg a thin lambswool jumper). Those big woolly jumpers don’t do much for me, plus they are heavy and restrict movement. There’s also room for a fleece on top of it all if I’m heading out.
My neck
Mum always tells me to keep my neck warm – and she’s right – it makes a huge difference! If my neck is shielded from the wind and cold, I feel noticeably warmer. Plus it seems to be quite trendy these days to wear a scarf.
Shoes
My podiatrist ordered some insulating insoles for me. A thin polystyrene looking layer that can go on top of existing insole, or a thicker one that can replace the existing insole. I can really feel the difference when I've got them in. Simple, but effective.
Socks
I tried some Bridgedale Comfort Trekker socks and also some Bridgedale Endurance Trekker socks. They are really warm wool socks and not too thick – the Endurance Trekker ones are warmer. Just be careful as you may need bigger shoes but for around the house, they’re great. The other ones I've found great are the everyday M&S wool blend socks – they look and feel like normal socks but are warmer.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridgedale-Endurance-Trekker-Mens-Socks/dp/B000OIOQXA
http://www.marksandspencer.com/2-pairs-of-lambswool-blend-thermal-long-socks/p/p20027016
My podiatrist suggested I try ‘silver socks.’ They are recommended for people who have Raynauds. They’re designed to “minimise the radiative heat loss by actively reflecting 95% of the body’s energy back to the skin. This makes them a lot warmer compared to conventional socks.” I’m not sure if they worked or not – I need to try them again now that I've worked out to keep my core warm. Perhaps that will be a winning combination? They can be found at the Raynauds Shop: http://www.rsa-shop.co.uk/index.php
Other useful information about chilblains and keeping warm can be found on the Raynauds website under the Raynauds menu on the right: http://www.raynauds.org.uk/index.php
Gloves
For a while now I've used ‘magic gloves’ that are thin but have little rubber bobbles that help with grip. I used them to grip cold handrails or walking sticks or just because my hand is exposed on the controller arm. They are a ‘one size fits all’ and I've seen them for £1 in Macclesfield (if you want me to get you a pair!).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Warm-Magic-Gloves-GL313/dp/B004APQ0A0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1423595499&sr=8-5&keywords=magic+gloves
Thermal tops
I've found some nice brushed cotton ones from Tesco, with a faux fleece inside. Long sleeve and nice and warm. Most outdoor shops also stock long sleeve thermal tops. My advice would be to make sure that they are not too heavy and that they don’t restrict your daily movement too much.
Thermal bottoms
I have tried a few. Some with a thick elastic waistband but that’s awkward when going to the loo and some with or without a fly (with is easier). I've recently found the pair that seem to work for me – Peter Storm (from Millets/Blacks). They have a soft finish, are stretchy and are slim fit which keeps me warm. They have a comfortable elastic waist band and soft stretchy ankle cuffs. Everything ticked!
http://www.blacks.co.uk/mens/084170-peter-storm-mens-thermal-pants-
khaki.html
Diet and exercise
Diet and exercise are also important. A good diet gives you enough energy to keep warm, and exercise helps with circulation (and keeps physios happy!). Warm drinks and soups are great too!
Sleeping
I have an electric under blanket on my profiling bed. It’s on a timer so it comes on in good time to warm my bed, and switches off when I’m far away in dreamland. It’s great but the one I’m using so far from Argos, seems to stop working after 4 or 5 months. Perhaps because I’m using the backrest all the time to sit up in bed? Argos keep replacing it but we’re looking for a better one.
Hopefully there’s something in here that will work for you. If you would like any further information please do drop me a line. Please e.mail sanjman108@gmail.com
Take care and keep warm! Sanjay
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