Angela Gifford, Managing Director of Able Community Care, answers your questions…
Able Community Care has been in the same family for four decades and now provides live-in care services throughout the UK.
Since 1980 we have provided care and have met with thousands of families who are seeking an alternative to moving into a residential care home.
Meeting people inevitably leads, either at the time of an assessment or even years later, to questions for which people are looking for answers.Information around all aspects of care is available but the road to finding out, especially at a time of crisis, about specific factors can be difficult and stressful.
Able Community Care receives calls and emails on a regular basis with people asking if we can help with their search for information.Recently these questions have been asked of us…
Question – Recently I thought I smelt gas in my home, but luckily I was mistaken it was something else. If it had been gas, or as I did, think it might be, is there a telephone number which I can ring for advice or notification?
Answer – any person who believes they can smell gas should ring the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999. You should also evacuate the property and avoid anything that could spark the gas.
Question – Have you any tips about the information I should record when for a family member I wish to apply for Continuing Health Care Funding? What is the success rate?
Answer – One of the important tools to have in place when seeking Continuing Health Care Funding is to have a daily record book in place which should help to giving reasons as to why a person may be eligible for the funding.
Daily details of what care support is being given, details of any illness, changes in daily routine, details of all other professionals who come to visit, details of any medication being given, any changes in medications and any medication reviews or health reviews that take place. Record incidents such as falls, aids and equipment that are supplied to meet a new need, etc.
The proportion of assessments that result in eligibility varies from 5% to 58.3% depending on where you live.
Question – I live in a rural location and cannot easily get to a chemist. I am tempted to order my prescription medication with help from a neighbour who has the internet. How do I know if the products/medications mentioned are genuine and not fake?
Answer – Fake drugs sold in the UK can have severe health consequences and the advice to avoid buying fake medicines online is to ensure that:
• Any online pharmacy you are thinking of buying from is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Any online doctor service saying they can prescribe is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)_ and the General Medical Council.
Able Community Care Ltd
T: 01603 764567
E: info@ablecommunitycare.com
www.ablecommunitycare.com