Working to support elderly in their own homes

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has partnered with local at-home care company, Home Instead Senior Care, to create a stronger community support network for the elderly in the area.

The Service have issued special ID cards with their phone number, email address and a unique Home Instead logo and account number to all Home Instead CAREGivers, who provide support to elderly in their own homes in. The purpose of the cards is to make booking home safety visits for their elderly clients simple and easy.

Home Instead’s CAREGivers visit their elderly clients for a minimum of one hour per visit and as they don’t rush their visits, they have time to help their clients with various projects in and around their homes, including smoke alarm and general safety checks, particulary as many elderly people have stairlifts to aid them move around the house.

Keith Denning, Crew Commander for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service commented: “We are really pleased to partner with Home Instead Senior Care. The well-being of the elderly is a top priority for both the Fire Service and Home Instead, and together, we are doing our best to make sure that we provide safety checks for them in a manner that is easy and convenient.”

Mark McGlade, owner of Home Instead Senior Care in Budleigh Salterton also commented: “Working with the local Fire Service is a fantastic way for us to ensure that our elderly clients feel safe in their own homes. Knowing that the Fire Service has the best interest of our clients in mind, gives us great confidence and the cards are a great demonstration of their support.

“We are also looking forward to providing the Service with free training in dementia awareness over the course of the year. It’s a win-win scenario for everyone involved and we welcome the opportunity to work with the public and voluntary sector services to join in our mission to keep our elderly as safe as possible in their own homes.”

For more information on the partnership or our community dementia workshops, contact Home Instead Senior Care on 01395 200600 or visit http://www.homeinstead.co.uk/eastdevon.