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A 4-star council Awarded top marks by the Audit Commission September 2007 COMIC’S PLEABOOZE MENACE HIGHWAY CHEATS Spikey leads on road CAPS off to stamp out New drive against Blue safety push illegal buyers Badge swindlers Page 7 Page 5 page 7 Going into care home is greatest fear for older age, says survey But there is another way… High-tech home scheme provides solution: support and peace of mind GOING into a care home financially comfortable, being able to health problems. being of the person living there.” and losing your independ- live independently was the most “For older people, in particular, Using high-tech gadgets the serv- For more information ence is the greatest fear for important aspect for all respondents sometimes there comes a time when ice can detect if a person has fallen contact your local people's old age, according in older age. you need extra support at home. and needs assistance, whether taps Sixty-nine per cent of over-65s This could be a consequence of a bad have been left on unattended, if the social services office to new research by the stated that being able to stay in their fall, recent discharge from hospital gas has been left on or if there is a for details - or Telecare county council. own home is top priority in older age, after an illness and a resulting lack build up of carbon monoxide, if the Service provider: Following a survey of over 1,700 with 68 per cent citing being able to of confidence to manage on your house is too cold, and can also assist people, aged over 45 years, from an live independently as most impor- own.” residents in reminding them to take Lancaster district independent panel, 67 per cent of tant. Vulnerable older people will their medicine. Lancaster City Council people aged over 65 said that hav- The survey, which is a cross-sec- always be supported and able to Every sensor is linked to a home ing to move into a residential or tion sample of Lancashire, has been choose residential or nursing care hub unit which sends an emergency tel 01524 582929 nursing care home was the most published as part the county coun- through an assessment undertaken call through to a 24/7 monitoring Fylde, Wyre, Preston, South important aspect they wanted to cil's official launch of its Lancashire by local health and adult social care centre if the sensors are activated. avoid in older age. Telecare Service this month. teams. But for most older people Trained operators are then on hand Ribble and Chorley Sixty-two per cent cited not being The findings, however, are not sur- with lower level needs, there are a to assess the situation and send out New Progress Housing able to get about was something prising says County Councillor range of rehabilitation, reablement appropriate help if necessary. they wanted to avoid, 52 per cent Chris Cheetham, county council cab- and support services that can help “This is an exciting development tel 01772 436756 said they did not want to have to inet member for Adult and people remain independent and safe embracing new technology to sup- Ribble Valley, Pendle, Burnley, depend on others, while 48 per cent Community Services. in their own home and thus avoid port older people at home", added Hyndburn and Rossendale feared having to leave their home. “Most people naturally want to unnecessary admission to a care Councillor Cheetham. “Telecare The survey found that while finan- stay in their own home and remain home. Services help provide support, reas- Housing Pendle cial fears are most prevalent for peo- independent for as long as possible”, Telecare Services is a case in surance and activate an early tel 01282 873767 ple aged under 55, those older are says Councillor Cheetham. “As a point. Speaking at the launch of the response if someone needs urgent more likely to be concerned about local authority, we are rising to the Lancashire Telecare Service, assistance. It can also be a relief for West Lancashire losing their independence. The challenge and working closely with Councillor Cheetham said: relatives who care from someone.” West Lancashire District Council research shows that as age increases partner agencies in developing and “Advances in technology mean we Lancashire Telecare Service has so does fear of losing your independ- providing services that support peo- are now able to install a variety of been developed in partnership with tel 0800 566 666 ence which is the top concern for the ple in their own homes – whether electronic devices and sensors district councils, housing associa- or visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/ over-65s. they are older people, people with designed to provide constant moni- tions and the NHS following a gov- Apart from good health and being disabilities, or those with mental toring of the home and the well- ernment grant of £1.7m. telecare A cassette version of Vision is now available for visually impaired people from Galloway’s Society for the Blind by calling 01772 744148 The presence of promotional leaflets delivered inside Vision does not imply Lancashire County Council endorsement. YOUR LANCASHIRE: A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE MATTERS 2 September 2007 Providing • nurseries • pedestrian crossings www.lancashire.gov.uk Academies: Ask Shirley what all Don’t know who to contact when you need help? Are you parents need baffled by bureaucracy? Ring Shirley on 0845 0530000 or email Shirley on [email protected] to know Shirley can’t help with purely personal problems, such as romance! Academies have been in the head- lines as one option for resolving the urgent issues facing some schools in Lancaster and Preston. IF you are having problems Decisions on whether to close getting hold of someone to one or more schools and establish help, Lancashire County academies are still a matter for Council has staff trained and consultation. But action needs to willing to assist. be taken to deal with the problem of rapidly falling pupil numbers. Sometimes you just can’t think A full consultation will take who to ask - and this is where place in the autumn term. Vision’s Shirley comes in. A separate proposal for an acad- Shirley answers all the letters emy in Accrington has now she receives and some will feature reached the feasibility stage. on this page. Others may take a while as Shirley will seek respons- es from other council teams. What are academies? Shirley is not able to offer legal Q advice. Academies are a new type of school A introduced by the government, with the support of a sponsor. Academies do Tax-free childcare not charge fees or make a profit. Sponsors come from a wide range of Mrs R Wood from Skelmersdale writes: backgrounds including the business, faith y son doesn’t start school until he’s and voluntary sectors, universities and nearly four. Is there a way I could educational foundations. M put him into a nursery for free till Sponsors are expected to be committed he goes to school. to providing the best possible education Someone said that you have to have for pupils, and to bring innovative ideas some vouchers to do this. Where and to the running of schools. HELP is available for childcare costs (see Tax-free childcare). how do you do this? Why does Lancashire County need your parent/carer to provide their sig- Q Council want to develop acade- ou should ask your employer if they Free school travel nature in order for you to join. mies? provide a Childcare Voucher Scheme for This is a free service to all library mem- Y Mr Pilling from Rossendale writes: staff. bers. Secondary school rolls are falling and The vouchers are offered in place of part of have been told by a friend that there However, if items are overdue then over- have been changes to the criteria for A the future viability of some secondary a parent’s salary. The first £55 per week of I due charges will apply. schools is in serious doubt. any voucher received is exempt from tax and free travel to school for primary Please contact your local library for loca- school children. Is this true? Government funding for Building National Insurance Contributions provided it tions and a timetable or search under mobile Schools for the Future can be spent early is used to pay for registered or approved She told me that as I am on benefits library stops at – www.lancashire.gov.uk that I may now qualify. I have an eight- to develop an academy, and this could allow childcare. scope for investment and regeneration. You may also be interested to know that year-old son who goes to the local pri- mary school and I am struggling on a Caravan nuisance Academies would increase the diversity all three- and four-year-olds are entitled to of school provision available. 12 and a half hours of free part-time early low income. Mrs R from Accrington writes: education per week. live on quite a small residential What is being proposed for Children become eligible from the term ntil now eligibility for free travel to estate and for at least three days now Q Lancaster and Preston? following their third birthday. U school has not been income-based. I there has been a caravan parked on For further information you should However, from September 2007, pri- the road close to my house. In Lancaster, the council is consider- contact the Childcare Information Service mary school pupils aged eight and over who I don’t know who owns the caravan A ing the future of Skerton and Hornby on: 0800 1950137.

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