If you need help and support around the home, home care can be a viable option. For many people it is important to stay in their own home, with familiar surroundings near to friends and family and at the same time, retaining their independence. However as we get older we may need some support and assistance.

What kind of support is available?

•  Getting in and out of bed

•  Bathing and washing.
•  Cooking meals.
•  Housework.

The amount of home care needed can be tailored to suit your Care Act assessed needs – from a visit once a day to a much greater amount of help.

To see a list of home care providers in the Bradford district, visit our listings here

If you would like to remain in your own home, there are options available for you, one of these is through home adaptations. With careful planning you can adapt your home to ensure you are safe, warm and healthy.

Adaptations might include:

• Fitting a stairlift or a banister.
• Widening doorways.
• Lowering worktops.
• Adding an outdoor ramp or step rail.
• Installing an intercom system.

If you are having difficulties with everyday tasks, there are a wide variety of equipment available to help make these easier.

Equipment includes:

• Raised toilet seat.
• Grab rails for entering bath or shower.
• Pill organiser and timer.

Home adaptations

What is Safe and Sound?

Safe and Sound offers a continuous, automatic, remote monitoring of users by using sensors to enable them to live in their own home, while limiting their exposure to emergencies.

Safe and Sound provides peace of mind for people to live safely and independently at home with a 24-hour, 365 day support service, who are having problems with:

• Falls.
•  Fire.
•  Forgetfulness.
•  Bogus callers.
•  Medication.

How does Safe and Sound work?

Using equipment such as sensors and timers the service user or carer is alerted to potential health or safety risks Your home can easily be connected to Safe & Sound where calls are monitored 24 hours a day including weekends and all bank holidays.

The equipment supplied by Bradford Council plugs into a socket in your home and a telephone point. These need to be located close together.

At the safe and sound control centre information you provide is held securely and is instantly available so action can be taken in an emergency. When you contact the centre, the operator will know your name, address, GP, next of kin and key holder information.

Safe and sound has mobile staff who operate throughout the Bradford District. Staff have training in first aid, lifting techniques and can provide a back up to your named contacts and can help in a simple

emergency, but are not able to perform ‘care tasks’.

Where there is an assessed need we can also provide you with additional equipment such as a medication dispenser, property exit sensor and epilepsy sensor. Some of this equipment will connect via the alarm unit to keep you safe in your own home.

Safe and Sound equipment is easy to use:

• A press of a button you are in touch with Safe and Sound.

• Information supplied by you and stored on the system will be highlighted automatically.
• Operators can speak to you through the safe and sound unit.
• All calls are monitored and recorded for your safety and security.

Is there a charge?

There is a weekly charge for the service which is £3 per week plus VAT (60p) if applicable. The charge can be paid as an annual bill or a monthly standing order.

If you do not live in Bradford and would not pay Council Tax to Bradford Council, but still wish to use the Safe and Sound service because you live close to the Bradford boundary (within one mile), then Bradford Council can provide equipment and 24/7 control centre support for a small weekly fee, but the council cannot provide a response, other than the contacts you provide them with.

You can contact Bradford Metropolitan District Council for an assessment for an alarm unit or a no-obligation demonstration on 01274 435249.

Safe and Sound

Independent home care providers

Home care providers concentrate on providing quality care for individuals in their own home.

People who benefit:

•  Older people.
•  People living with dementia.
•  People living with physical disabilities.
•  People with sensory impairment.
•  Adults with learning difficulties.
•  People living with a mental illness.

The support they provide is usually flexible home support which is specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individuals.

Home care providers are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and they ensure their employees have an enhanced DBS check if they are coming into contact and working with vulnerable adults or children.

The moving and handling of people is a regular task in home care, which if not done safely, can cause serious injury to individuals and staff, always ask if the staff are trained in the use of hoists if they are required.

Care in your own home

Daily care / domestic support

Companies offering domestic care support services designed around the individual, which are both affordable and economically viable will work closely with you and your loved ones to ensure the personal care and domestic support they provide are just suitable for you.

Help can include:

• Help with getting up in the morning.
• Shaving, hair care and nail care.
• Assisting with clothing selection.
• Bathing and washing.
• Cleaning and tidying the home.
• Preparing and cooking meals.
• Settling in for the evening.
• Prompting medication.
• Shopping.
• Accompanying and helping organise days out, meeting friends and family, hospital and medical appointments.
• Carers should be fully trained or be in ongoing training.
• You will have a care plan drawn up by the care providers, which the carers will work to.
• Respite for main carer.