A Guide to Services and Information for People in Later Life in the Uttlesford District “Growing Old Doesn’T Come with a Manual” - Age UK
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agewell A guide to services and information for people in later life in the Uttlesford District “Growing old doesn’t come with a manual” - Age UK in Uttlesford This guide has been put together so that you can gain more knowledge about local information and services “ within the Uttlesford District. We have tried to capture appropriate information, “ including telephone numbers and other contact details to enable you to find the right help and support that you, your friends or family may need. We hope you find this guide useful and beneficial, so that you can enjoy a better later life. Cllr Vic Ranger Cabinet member for Communities and Partnerships 2 Getting around/local matters . 21 Contents: Uttlesford Community Travel . .22 Home & help at home . 5 DaRT- Essex Transport Service. 22 Thinking about moving . 6 Social Car Scheme . 23 Sheltered and retirement homes .. 6 Non- emergency transport service . 23 List of housing associations . 7 Blue Badges . .24 How to apply . 7 Free Bus Travel . 24 Practical aids in your home . 7 Trains . 24 Help with housework and shopping . 8 Lifeline Service . 8 Staying healthy and happy . .27 Living Well Essex . 8 Health advice and support .. 28 Help with meals . 9 Meeting people . .29 Help at home . 9 Volunteering . .30 Advice about residential care . 9 Staying Fit and Active . 30 Help with your pets. 9 Walking Football. 31 Looking after someone . 10 1Life Activities . .31 Security checks for your home . 10 Exercise Referral Programme . 32 Home fire safety . 10 UK Men’s Sheds Association . 32 Priority Services Register . 10 Walking for Health . 33 Excess Cold . 11 Cycling in Uttlesford . 33 Damp and Mould .. 11 Other places to enjoy . 33 Keeping warm and well . .12 Places to visit . .34 Affordable Warmth . .12 Preventing falls . .35 Grants . 14 Eating well for health . .36 The University of the Third Age . .14 Healthy balance . .36 Uttlesford Frontline . 15 Appetite Changes . .37 Money matters . 17 Your local public services .. 39 Money Advice . 18 Help in rural communities . .40 Advice for war veterans . 18 Local information . 40 Check your entitlement . .18 Your parish . .40 Legal Matters . 19 District Councillors . .40 Scams and Fraud . 19 Members of Parliament . 40 Hospitals and health advice . 41 111 non-emergency number . 41 3 4 Home & help at home Whether you want to find ways to stay independent in your own home or are considering moving to something more manageable, there is plenty of free information and support out there . 5 Thinking about moving? To rent . If you or a family member is considering moving and Uttlesford District Council and several other housing need to know what options are available, you can associations provide sheltered housing flats within call Uttlesford District Council on 01799 510510 Uttlesford which you can rent . These flats are usually who can give you general advice . within a scheme where this is a communal lounge and access to a 24 hour emergency call system, as Age UK also has an excellent service where you can well as regular visits from a sheltered housing officer discuss your options . If you want information and to check on your welfare . advice, call 0800 678 1174 For all other enquiries, call 0800 169 8787 The sheltered housing sites in Uttlesford are in:- FirstStop Advice is another independent, free Saffron Walden service offering advice and information for older Newport people, their families and carers about housing and Thaxted care options in later life, call: 08003 777070 Great Dunmow Stansted Takeley Hatfield Heath Sheltered and If you require more information on sheltered retirement homes housing to rent then please contact Uttlesford District Council’s housing options team on To buy . 01799 510510 Soon in Saffron Walden there will be an independent There are many different types of retirement home living scheme available for those people who need schemes available where you can buy your own extra care and support to be able to remain within property and still live as independently as you wish . their own accommodation . These flats will be Many of these schemes have managers, communal available to rent or to buy on a shared ownership areas where you can socialise with other residents, as basis . To find out more about the Saffron Walden well as having security features that keep you feeling Independent Living Scheme you will need to safe within your home . contact Essex County Council on These retirement home properties are sold through 0345 603 7630 Local estate agents . 6 How to apply List of housing If you or someone you know wants to be considered for a property to rent with the council or a housing associations association then you must first join the Uttlesford Swan Housing Council’s Housing Register . This requires the 0300 303 2500 completion of an online application form . You can find this on the ‘Home Option’ website: - Hanover Housing www.homeoption.org or call the Housing 01480 475063 Options Team at Uttlesford District Council on Housing 21 01799 510510 03701 924000 Some housing associations also keep a list of applicants for their schemes as well as taking people from the housing register . If you wish to put your name down directly with a housing association, they Learning basic can be contacted directly on the numbers provided . computer skills There is a basic computer usage course in Saffron Staying put in Walden Library on Tuesdays from 09:30-11:00am . It is a six week course, so please ring Saffron your home Walden library and the course leader will You may need some simple adaptations to your or arrange when you or a family member can start a family members’ home, to make it more suitable . the course . There is also a Disabled Facilities Grant to which Call: 0345 603 7628 you may be entitled . Assessments for the grants are made by Essex Direct through Social Services . Call ACL Essex (Adult Learning Opportunities) For free information and advice you can call: to find more courses: 0345 603 7635 Essex County Council 03456 037630 7 The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days Help with housework a year . A charge applies for this service, but is & shopping available for anyone that would like one . There are a wide range of additional Telecare Age UK in Essex offers a reasonably priced sensors that can be programmed to a Lifeline to housework and shopping service for those who are finding things difficult . meet an individual person’s needs . These include: Age UK - Home Help Service • Falls detectors 01245 346106 • Smoke detectors To find registered car companies that can also help • Flood detectors with these tasks ring Care Quality commission • Heat sensors on: 03000 616161 • Movement detectors • Bogus caller buttons The Lion Mobility Aids Service is based in • Bed sensors Saffron Walden and provides short term loans for • Carbon monoxide (CO2) detectors various mobility aids . There is no charge but the service is welcome to donations if possible . The If you would like to find out more please contact service covers Uttlesford . For more information call: the Housing Team on 01799 510510 07761 602678 The Red Cross also provides mobility aids . They will deliver equipment for a small fee from Living Well Essex Harlow . Please call: 08444 122772 Information on helping you stay happy and healthy, providing the cost of care and health support in Essex . Lifeline www.livingwellessex.org Lifeline increases your independence knowing that 03005 001895 help will always be on hand should you need it . A lifeline is an alarm unit that sits next to your telephone . Lifeline users can wear a small, discreet ‘pendant’ on a necklace or a wristband which the Assisted Bin Collection individual can press in the event of an emergency . If you have problems moving your wheelie bins and there is no-one else who can help you, When they press their personal trigger, this will Uttlesford District Council may be able to provide send a signal to the main unit . The unit then you with an assisted bin collection whereby the calls out to Carecall, through your telephone line, who will speak to the user over the speaker crews will collect the bin from where you are able on the alarm unit . Carecall will then provide the to use it, empty it and return it to you . For further appropriate assistance . information please contact Uttlesford District Council on 01799 510510 . 8 For information or to arrange a free visit: Help with meals Community Agents Essex There are many national food services who will Office: 01376 574341 deliver to you or your family’s door, which makes Freephone: 08009775858 meal time much easier . Email: [email protected] They are quick to prepare, healthy and nutritious . Boots in Saffron Walden offers a free prescription Below are are some meal suppliers that delivery . Call: 01799 522342 run nationally: Age UK Herts Meals provide a hot meals on wheels service 08001 696565 which covers Stansted, Takeley and Dunmow For more options visit the Frontline service website: 01279 417087 www.uttlesfordfrontline.org.uk Wiltshire Farm Foods 08000 773100 Oakhouse Foods Advice about residential care 08456 432009 Sometimes there comes a point where managing Appetito your home becomes too difficult; you or a relative 01225 807270 may find this organisation helpful: The Relatives & Residents Association (Essex) provides information and support to older people and their families and friends on matters relating to Help at home residential care . If you are considering your entitlement Helpline for people living in residential care, for Attendance Allowance, contact their families and carers: Uttlesford Citizens Advice on: 01799 618840 02073 598136 If you feel you or a family member may need extra help to stay in your own home such as help with washing and dressing, call: Help with your pets Essex County Council The Cinnamon Trust is a 03456 037630 national charity for older Do you need equipment, adaptations, or technology people and their pets .