Worried about a friend or family member (Adults)

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Concerns about wellbeing

We all want to do the best for our loved ones, and to help them stay safe, well and independent.

You may have noticed a change in behaviour. Maybe you are concerned about their wellbeing or ability to take care of themselves. 

There are lots of reasons why you may be concerned about someone. Below are some of the most common causes for concern. Most people want to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible. There may be simple ways you can help them to do this.

Forgetfulness, Memory Loss & Dementia

The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.

Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of strokes. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse.

Find out more on our Dementia web page

Finding it difficult to get out and about

Getting out and about

See our information on our getting out and about webpage

Equipment and technology can help people to stay safe and independent in their own homes if they have restricted mobility.

Risk of Falls

Helping to prevent falls

Improving safety in the home can help prevent you from having falls and injuring yourself, whilst allowing you to continue to live independently. 

Falls, slips and trips can lead to broken hips or wrists and other injuries, and are a leading cause of disability among the older population. Falls in the home can result in ill health, lengthy hospital stays, residential care, loss of independence, and can greatly affect your quality of life. 

Various aspects of the home environment can be improved to reduce the risk of having a fall. Family, friends, neighbours and carers can help make things safer for you while allowing you to stay independent and self-sufficient.  Following are some tips on avoiding falls:

  • Make sure that the hallway and stairs have working lights - if possible replace the bulbs with low energy bulbs and keep light on overnight

  • Wear slippers with an appropriate heel so that they stay firmly on the feet

  • Regular gentle exercise can help reduce the risk and fear of falling.  Strength and balance exercise and Tai Chi is particularly helpful for improving balance

  • Have grab rails installed at key sites around the home or at the entrance to the home. (please refer to the Peterborough City Council Handy Person Scheme)

  • Fasten down any torn bits of carpet or lino

  • Avoid tripping over the edge of rugs by either removing them or fastening down the edges

  • Review medication with your GP or pharmacist

  • Ensure that you look after your feet and ask for a referral to a podiatrist if you are worried about your feet

  • Speak to your occupational therapist who can give you lots of advice

For more personalised advice on how you can reduce your chances of falling, please call the Solutions4Health Falls Prevention Wellness Coach service on 01733 894 540 or email healthypeterborough@nhs.net. The service is for those aged 65+ who have had a fall or felt increasingly unsteady in the last year.

Self-neglect

Information about self-neglect

This includes:

  • neglecting personal hygiene
  • dressing inappropriately for weather conditions
  • failing to manage medical conditions
  • not eating or drinking properly
  • hoarding

There could be a range of reasons why people stop looking after themselves.

The fire service can carry out a Safe and Well visit for those at risk of fires or accidents caused by hoarding. They can also advise on safety in the home, falls prevention, home security and scam prevention.

Equipment and technology allow many people to remain living independently.

Daily living aids can help people to carry out tasks around the home, and 'lifelines' can provide reassurance to family members that a loved one is safe.

Information on mental health can be found in the Mental Health page of the website.

Domestic abuse

Reccognising and reporting abuse

We are dedicated to ensuring that the safeguarding of adults with care and support needs is a key priority. Everyone has the right to live a life free from abuse and neglect. 

If you believe someone is being abused or is at risk of harm, please report your concern to us. 

Details are on our Recognising Abuse and Reporting Concerns

Reporting a concern

All adults aged 18 years and over should be able to live free from fear and harm and have their rights and choices respected.

Abuse can happen anywhere – in a residential or nursing home, in someones own home, in a hospital, in the workplace, at a day centre or educational establishment, in supported housing or in the street.  

Who to call

If you have a concern, suspicion or allegation that an adult is being subjected to harm, abuse or neglect you should contact:

Non-urgent referrals

Peterborough Adult Social Care

Emergency referrals

Within office hours - Peterborough Adult Social Care

  • 01733 747474 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

Outside office hours - Emergency Duty Team 

  • 01733 234724

If you think a crime has taken place, you may call the Police on 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency.

More information about safeguarding adults

More information can be found on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Adults Board website

If your concern relates to a child or young person, please visit the Safeguarding Children Partnership Board website

Information about domestic abuse is available from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Violence Partnership.

Peterborough TSB named as 'safe space' for domestic abuse survivors

Domestic abuse survivors can access special support in nearly 300 TSB branches, including in Peterborough city centre where they can receive specialist support.

The scheme follows three pilots in TSB's Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire branches over the past six months.

It was supported by domestic abuse prevention charity Hestia which worked with the bank and local police forces to roll out the scheme. 

UK says No More

UK SAYS NO MORE is working with Boots UK, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse.

How to access a Safe Space

  • Walk into any participating pharmacy in the UK.
  • Ask at the healthcare counter to use their Safe Space.
  • A pharmacist will show you to the Safe Space. Which will be the consultancy room.
  • Once inside, you will find displayed specialist domestic abuse support information for you to access, to make that call or access Bright Sky safely.

Find a safe space in a pharmacy or TSB bank in peterborough

Go to the Safe Spaces locations webpage and enter your location in the search box.

E.G. Peterborough UK and select 1 mile.  This web page result opens up for you to view You can extend the range of 'miles radious' using the drop down.

Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health

We all have mental health and we all have to take care of it. It affects how we think, feel and behave as well as determining how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Our mental health can change over time. Some people call mental health 'emotional health' or 'wellbeing'.

Information on mental health can be found in our Mental Health web page

Related Pages

  1. Getting Out and About (Adults)
  2. Caring for someone in Peterborough (Adults)
  3. Health (Adults)
  4. Wellbeing (Adults)
  5. Dementia (Adults)

External Links

  1. Age UK guidance

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