The Elder March Edition (Home Instead Newsletter)

Home Instead

York & Ryedale newsletter York Blind and Partially Sighted Society

elder THE

March 2018

This is a programme for anyone who would like to find out more about living successfully with sight loss.

YBPSS staff and guest speakers present interactive workshops covering everyday topics.

7th March 2018, 10.00am to 3.30pm Tea, coffee, biscuits, and lunch will be provided.

The programme includes: • Assistive Technology and Aids for daily living • Overcoming barriers to mobility • Sighted Guiding • Emotional Wellbeing • Healthy diet • Hobbies, interests, socialising and sharing experiences • Goal setting and personal success For more information contact Caroline Robertson.

York Blind and Partially Sighted Society, Rougier House, 5 Rougier Street, York, YO1 6HZ Email caroline.robertson@YBPSS.org Telephone 01904 731124

{

YBPSS Information Café

Please call 01904 636269 to book your place.

Wednesday 21st March 2018 – 1.30pm to 3.00pm Wednesday 13th June 2018 – 1.30pm to 3.00pm Thursday 11th October 2018 – 1.30pm to 3.00pm Join us for a cup of tea and a chat.

Meet others experiencing changes in their vision.

Find out about the services that may be available to you if you are struggling with or have noticed changes in your vision.

www.ybpss.org

Nutrition & Hydration Week The 12th to 18th March 2018 is Nutrition & Hydration Week. The aims of this week are to highlight, promote and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration locally, nationally and globally.

Nutrition and hydration are so important to everybody’s health and well-being. As we age, keeping hydrated and maintaining a good nutritious diet is not always easy to do.

It is suggested that: ▶ Malnutrition affects 10% of the elderly population ▶ 25% of elderly people have mild chronic dehydration ▶ 93% of people at risk of malnutrition live in the community A balanced diet is the best way to ensure we get all the nutrients we need to help us stay in good health.

Police launch awareness campaign – Freeze on Fraud North Yorkshire Police has launched a new awareness campaign to help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud during the winter sales and beyond.

“Freeze on Fraud” is designed to reach a whole range of residents, young and old alike, by stressing the very real dangers of being actively targeted by fraudsters on a daily basis.

16 brrrrrrrrilliant tips to help put a Freeze on Fraud 1. Whether it’s at the online checkout, trades people at your door or a letter or phone call you have received, it’s always vital to check the legitimacy of the company or the individual you are dealing with. Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions and to get them to prove their credentials. If they are genuine they will provide the necessary identification and information. If you are not satisfied it’s best to report your concerns to the police.

2. Crucially, always keep at the forefront of your mind not to give away your personal information no matter what.

This includes your name, home address, bank details, email address or phone number.

3. Many frauds start with a phishing email. Remember that banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details. Do not trust such emails, even if they look genuine. You can always call your bank using the phone number on a genuine piece of correspondence, website (typed directly into the address bar) or the phone book to check if you’re not sure.

4. Please make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring to prevent malware issues and computer crimes.

5. Be extremely wary of post, phone calls or emails offering business deals out of the blue. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always question it.

6. Always shield your PIN and be vigilant at cash machines and checkouts. Don’t ever send it over the internet or disclose it to anyone. Your bank or the police will never phone or email you to ask you to disclose it.

7. Shop only on secure websites. Before submitting card details, look for a padlock or an unbroken key symbol on your web browser. Also check that the internet browser address changes from ‘http’ to ‘https’ to indicate you have a secure connection.

8. When you are talking to people on social media, chat rooms or dating sites, make sure you know who it is

you are talking to and never ever pass on personal or financial information to them online.

9. Sign-up to Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code whenever you are given the option while shopping online. This involves you registering a password with your card company and adds an additional layer of security to online transactions with signed-up retailers.

10. Check receipts against bank statements regularly. If you find an unfamiliar transaction contact your bank or card company immediately.

11. Shred or completely destroy all documents which contain personal details and don’t keep such documents in your car or handbag.

12. When buying tickets online, check with the venue to find out when they are being released and sent out.

Also check that you know the geographic address of the website company and that they have a working landline phone number. Make sure there is a refund policy in case something goes wrong.

13. When dealing with trades people never hand over a cash deposit. Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home and don’t agree to a trader starting any work straight away. Take time to consult with someone you trust for a second opinion, and speak to friends, family or neighbours before making any decision.

14. Don’t be rushed into making a decision you are not comfortable with. Fraudsters use pressure to force you to make an unwise decision. This could be by saying it is a limited time offer or that money is needed due to an emergency. Be confident to tell people that you require time to think over a decision and then discuss it with people you trust.

15. Get up-to-date. Many national media outlets often broadcast fraud trends and information and advice.

Check out BBC Radio 4’s “You and Yours” consumer affairs and Finance programmes. The Guardian and Telegraph online Finance and Technology sections are also very useful sources of information surrounding fraud.

16. Scammers are quick to identify new ways of conning people out of their money. You must report all incidents of fraud to Action Fraud UK and not to the police. Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

For more information and crime prevention advice regarding fraud, please go to the North Yorkshire Police website www.northyorkshire.police.uk/freezeonfraud

Replay your sporting memories If you are interested in sport and would like to reminisce about great sporting events or games you can replay them on www.sportingmemoriesnetwork. com or download the app ‘Replay Sporting Memories’ and look at sporting footage from the past.

The Sporting Memories Foundation is a charity like no other. They support older people across the UK living with dementia, depression and loneliness by engaging them in social activities and helping them to recall

memories of watching or playing sport. By sharing memories of sporting moments and tapping into a passion for sport they help people to connect

with others and with their past, reawakening positive thoughts and feelings that otherwise remain hidden away.

Strengthen your grip Having the strength to grip can make an impact on the everyday lives of the elderly.

A great way of improving your grip is to do this squeezing exercise with a tennis ball while watching TV: ▶ Hold a tennis ball or other small rubber or foam ball in one hand.

▶ Slowly squeeze the ball as hard as you can and hold it for 3-5 seconds. ▶ Relax the squeeze slowly. ▶ Repeat 10 – 15 times. ▶ Repeat 10 – 15 times with the other hand. ▶ Repeat 10 – 15 times more with each hand.

A help to enjoy life – The Art of Mindfulness Mindfulness draws on the ancient practice of meditation by training people to become more aware of the present moment while not getting caught up with any thoughts or worries at the back of the mind. Paying more attention to the present moment, to our own thoughts and feelings and to the

world around us can improve our mental wellbeing, help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better.

Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

The first steps to becoming more

mindful is to remind yourself to take notice of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around you.

To find out a bit more you can visit www.bemindful.co.uk for an online mindfulness course and details of mindfulness teachers in York.

Always be safe – Fall-proof your home Six out of ten falls happen in the home or garden.

Not surprising, as homes get old too: carpets get worn, clutter builds up and we may not stay on top of maintenance as we once did.

Often we don’t notice problems because we’ve lived with them so long. But clutter can present a very real risk for falls. So take a few minutes to look round your home with a critical eye, using the checklist below.

Lighting ▶ Did you know that 60-year-old eyes need three times more light than 20-year-old eyes? Consult a trusted, professional electrician about your lighting options – such as branched lights to replace single bulbs – to increase light without glare. ▶ Avoid trailing cables from lamps that could trip you. ▶ Consider installing two-way switches on the landing/ hall and/or extra stair lighting. Wire in a smoke alarm at the same time – one more hazard sorted! ▶ Always use your bedside light when getting up at night; if the switch is not easily accessible keep a good torch by the bed. ▶ Never walk about in the dark: if you regularly get up for the loo, keep a landing light on.

Living areas ▶ Check all rugs have a non-slip underlay and replace worn ones. Consider replacing frayed carpets, or ask someone to tack them down. ▶ Cable tidies and/or boxes will organise jumbled wires by the TV, computer or music centre. Tape any trailing extension leads to skirting boards. ▶ Clear away clutter, especially in the hall/landing and doorways. ▶ Never store items on the stairs! ▶ A surprising number of people trip over their pets.

Buy them a bright collar, and a bell to alert you to their presence.

Kitchen/bathroom ▶ Continually reaching up for things? Rearrange

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

cupboards so that frequently used items are within easy reach. ▶ Clear up spills straight away. ▶ Always use a non-slip mat in the bath/shower. ▶ Consider installing grab rails in the bathroom.

Garden ▶ Keep paths free of moss and leaves. Repair any cracks in paving. ▶ Ensure your back/front doors and garage are well-lit. ▶ Consider installing safety rails on your steps.

Hot Tip! You can request a home hazard assessment for you or someone you’re worried about. Ask your GP what’s available locally, usually from your Occupational Therapy Service, local council or Fire and Rescue Service.

www.facebook.com/homeinsteadyork @homeinsteadyork www.instagram.com/homeinsteadyork www.youtube.com/YorkHomeInstead

Safe ■ Effective ■ Caring ■ Responsive ■ Well-Led “Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independently owned and operated.”