Age UK
Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. They believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.
Phone
0800 055 6112
Website
Age UKDementia UK
Dementia UK offers specialist one to one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.
Phone
0800 888 6678
Website
Dementia UK
Email
helpline@dementiauk.orgThe Silver Line
Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.
Phone
0800 470 80 90
Website
The Silver Line HelplineAlzheimer’s Society
Living with dementia can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. From a listening ear on the phone, to a visit in person. From practical tips and advice, to opportunities to connect with others.
Phone
0333 150 3456
Website
Alzheimer’s SocietyIsolation – Neighbourly Care
Neighbourly Care brings together older people from all backgrounds to share and celebrate their experiences, cultures and lives.
Their main centre is open 5 days a week and they currently have 15 hubs operating across the borough of Ealing, all offering a wide range of services and activities to older people aimed at prolonging independent living and bringing people together.
Membership is open to all older people, carers and supporters and costs £2.00 per year. Register by dropping in during opening hours or download the membership form from the ‘Sign Up’ page.
Phone
0208 571 1929
Email
enquiries@neighbourlycare.org.uk
Website
www.neighbourlycare.org.ukCare Homes & Continuing Health Care – People First
Most of us would prefer to stay in our own homes, in familiar surroundings and with our possessions and friends and family around us. If you are starting to think that you might need to move to a care home you might be surprised at the things you can do to support yourself in your own home.
However some medical conditions require regular medical treatment, or mean that you regularly need support with day-to-day tasks, can make living at home very difficult. You may feel that you need more care than you are able to get at home, either from healthcare professionals or your family, by using gadgets and equipment to keep you safe and independent. In this situation you may wish to consider moving into a care home in order to receive the support which you need.
This site provides information on the different types of care home available and suggestions on how you can find the best care home for you. It also suggests alternatives to a care home that might enable you to continue living independently if you want to.
Website
www.peoplefirstinfo.org.ukCommunity Service – CLCH
This site lists all community services provided by CLCH, plus contact details and referral information, including Single Point of Access.
Website
www.clch.nhs.ukOlder Person Rapid Access Clinic
The older person’s rapid access clinic (OPRAC) is a specialised service designed to meet the needs of older people with specific medical problems. This is a medicine for the elderly (MfE) consultant-led service that offers emergency department-style access to tests and diagnostics and provides dedicated treatment in a setting adapted for treating frail older patients. There is quick and easy access to the expertise of other specialties within the acute hospital setting.
We also see older people who may have an urgent diagnostic dilemma. For example, if a patient is suffering from breathlessness or weight loss, we have the time and resources to explore the potential causes and either eliminate the cause or treat the patient accordingly.
Phone
0203 311 5162
Website
www.imperial.nhs.ukDay Centres – People First
Day centres are friendly, welcoming places offering a variety of leisure, educational, and health and well-being activities. Different day centres are available for older people, and people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or mental health problems. Day centres are usually for people who need quite a lot of support whilst they are there, with trained staff being on site to offer this support as required.
They provide great opportunities to do something social or just sit and read the paper quietly with a cup of coffee. You may be retired and looking for social and stimulating things to do, or perhaps have mobility or other health problems and would like to get out and about and mix with others, or maybe just have lunch.
Website
www.peoplefirstinfo.org.ukRespite Care – People First
Respite allows you to take a break from your role as a carer. This could mean taking a holiday or a short break to visit friends or family, and can benefit not just you, but also the person you are caring for. Support for respite may be included in a Personal Budget plan.
The PeopleFirst site has advice about how to access and prepare for respite care:
Website
www.peoplefirstinfo.org.ukIndependent Age
This is a charity established for older people, and provides confidential advice and information.
Phone
0800 319 6789
Website
www.independentage.orgSafeguarding – People First
Everyone is entitled to live their life in safety without being mistreated, hurt or exploited by others. But some people’s situations may make them less able to protect themselves from harm or mistreatment. This may happen as people get older, or because they have a mental health issue, a disability, a sensory impairment or some form of illness. Mistreating someone in this way is known as ‘abuse’, and if someone fails to properly look after another person in their care, this is known as ‘neglect.’
Both abuse and neglect of people are never acceptable.
This site explains more about what abuse and neglect are, who is particularly at risk of abuse, and how to get help and advice if you or someone you know is being mistreated, abused or neglected.
Website
www.peoplefirstinfo.org.ukSafety – Emergency alarms and keysafes – People First
Most of us want to remain as independent as possible and to stay living in our own homes, even if we experience difficulties as the result of health problems or a disability. At the same time we want to know that we are safe, and can quickly call for help in an emergency.
If you are an older person and less mobile, or are over 18 and have a physical or learning disability, there are gadgets available that will allow you to quickly call for help in an emergency, particularly if you live on your own. Carers and relatives of people with dementia are also often greatly reassured if they know that they can quietly keep an eye on the ones they love and ensure that they remain safe and well within their homes. Modern technology means that there are now gadgets available to help provide this reassurance.
Website
www.peoplefirstinfo.org.ukPets (for elderly, the terminally ill and their pets) – The Cinnamon Trust
This has a network of volunteers to provide help such as walking the dog for an owner who can no longer do so. It has a national pet fostering service for a pet whose owner goes into hospital, and also provides long term care for a pet whose owner has died or moved into accommodation that does not accept pets. The Trust maintains a register of pet-friendly care homes and sheltered housing.
Phone
01736 757 900
Website
www.cinnamon.org.ukHealthy Ageing – The Agewell Project
This is open to anyone over the age of 50 and some people under 50 and suffering from a chronic complaint that may be improved by physical activity. It offers a range of exercise, art, craft and social programs as well as events and walking groups.
Phone
0845 839 7912
07956 832 984
Website
www.lbhf.gov.ukHeating and ‘Healthy Homes’ – People First
Staying warm and cosy in cold weather is important, but rising energy bills mean that the cost of heating the home can sometimes be a worry. For older people, people on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits, there are ways to get help with the cost of heating, particularly in the winter months when it’s needed most. This site explains what is available.
Website
www.peoplefirstinfo.org.ukHealthy Homes Ealing
This project aims to reduce the number of cold homes and hospital admissions. Its telephone help line is open to all Ealing residents and gives advice on how to save energy and cut fuel bills and offers a ‘green doctor’ home energy visit for qualifying residents. It operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 5.30pm.
Phone
0800 083 2265
Website
Energy efficiency | Ealing CouncilH&F Assistive Technology
Range of technology solutions to help people remain safe and independent.
Free of charge subject to assessment of a person’s need.
Phone
020 8753 4198
Website
Careline and telecare | London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (lbhf.gov.uk)Bishop Creighton House
Befriending service, activities and community centre, Keep Active scheme.
Phone
020 7385 9689
Website
www.creightonhouse.orgFulham Good Neighbours Service
Befriending and practical support.
Phone
020 7385 8850
Website
www.fulhamgoodneighbours.orgOpen Age
Programme of activities, social opportunities and excursions.
Phone
020 8962 5583
Website
OpenAgeUrban Partnership Group Older People Access Service Support and Involvement
Opportunities for Older People.
Phone
020 7605 0800
Website
www.upg.org.ukWestway Community Transport
Transport services.
Phone
020 8694 4928
Website
www.westwayct.org.ukH&F Libraries
Join in free events and activities as well as borrowing books – a free home delivery service is available.
Website
www.lbhf.gov.uk/libraries