Elderly Care

Information about 'shielding' letters and medical notes

We are facing many inquiries from patients regarding them receiving a shielding letter or asking for a medical note if they are socially distancing for their employer during the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak.

With regards to shielding patients these are mainly being contacted centrally from NHS England or by secondary care. The full parameters have yet to be confirmed to clarify the range of conditions. We do not yet have a copy of the list of these patients. please await your letter which should arrive in due course.

Social distancing guidelines related to health conditions are clearly outlined on the gov.uk website. We do not provide sick notes or letters for this as this needs to be discussed between yourself and your employer to work with you to find the safest option for you.

Sick notes for isolation for 2 weeks if you or the household have Covid-19 symptoms are available from 111.nhs.uk/isolation-note

Guidance on social distancing: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

Guidance on shielding and protecting extremely vulnerable people: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons

NHS advice for those at high risk: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/advice-for-people-at-high-risk

Information from Acas: www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

Guidance on staying at home: www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others#going-to-work

Support is available for those shielding or socially isolating who need help with prescriptions and shopping etc:

www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershires-community-help-hub/

How can you get assistance with foods and medicines if you are shielding?

Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services. If this is not possible, then the public sector, business, charities and the general public are gearing up to help those advised to stay at home. Please discuss your daily needs during this period of staying at home with carers, family, friends, neighbours or local community groups to see how they can support you.

Please visit gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerableto register for the support that you need. This includes help with food, shopping deliveries and additional care you might need.

The government is helping pharmacies to deliver prescriptions. Prescriptions will continue to cover the same length of time as usual. If you do not currently have your prescriptions collected or delivered, you can arrange this by:

1. Asking someone who can pick up your prescription from the local pharmacy (this is the best option, if possible).

2. Contacting your pharmacy to ask them to help you find a volunteer (who will have been ID checked) or deliver it to you.

You may also need to arrange for collection or delivery of hospital specialist medication that is prescribed to you by your hospital care team.

If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example, if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected. The advice for formal carers is included in the home care provision.

Age UK Gloucestershire has had to reconfigure the way it delivers support to Gloucestershire’s older people. It is currently providing support in three ways (further information at: www.ageuk.org.uk/gloucestershire):

  • Supporting Older People to resolve specific issues:
    The Help Team is available Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 16:00 to help older people resolve specific problems. The team has up to date information about local resources and support. The Out of Hospital Team continues to support older people recently discharged from hospital who need guidance to stay well at home through in depth welfare calls.
  • Supporting Older People to stay connected:
    Recognising that social isolation and the associated wellbeing issues are a real and serious issue for older people, new Freephone telephone number for people who are alone and who want to have a friendly conversation with a staff member or volunteer has been set up. Call 0800 2980579, Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 16:00.
  • Support for Communities who want to help:
    • Signposting individuals to existing local groups, and central hub resources
    • Support and advice for local community groups to support older people safely and effectively

Age UK - Covid-19 Resources

For details of local resources to assist you during the Coronavirus pandemic, please view the Summary of Local Information and Services in Gloucestershire put together by Age UK.

Elderly Care Video Library

Falls Video Library

The Insulation Guide for the Elderley

When winter rolls around it brings inevitable illnesses such as coughs and colds. However, for many people and especially the elderly, winter can cause a number of more serious health complaints.

Among others, serious medical problems during the colder months can include heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems and hyperthermia. For those over 75 or with pre-existing medical issues, winter can be a fatal time of the year.

Why is it important to keep warm in winter?

Website: www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/insulation-guide-for-the-elderly

Meals For The Community

Coronavirus- making sure everyone has food

The Long Table is about bringing people together with food. In light of Coronavirus, people self-isolating and the practice of social distancing coming into effect we’ve found we are well placed to help build strong communities like never before.

For full information on this service, please use the below documents:

Meals For The Community

Ordering Long Table County Wide

Help at Home Bracelets

Telecare as part of their assessment may also be able to offer a ‘help me home’ bracelet – this is a silicone bracelet that has a contact number for a helpline and a reference id that a person with dementia can show someone. The reference id then links to that individuals records and contacts.

If someone is not eligible for telecare (you require more than just the need for the bracelet – Adult Social Care can advise) then they can be purchased privately, one option is:

To make a referral for one of the Telecare Help Me Home ID bracelets he would need to go through the Adult Help Desk. Either call 01452 426868 or complete the online referral form.

Age UK Gloucestershire

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life – read the Guide to Later Life in Gloucestershire. and the charity’s Covid-19 Response

Telephone: 01452 422 660

Facebook: @Age-UK-Gloucestershire

Twitter: @AgeUKGlos

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Care Homes in Gloucestershire

Search local Care Homes and view reviews on carehome.co.uk.

Website: www.carehome.co.uk

Managing Memory ²gether

Managing Memory ²gether provides a memory assessment, community dementia nurse and information and education service for Gloucestershire residents worried about memory, people with dementia and carers of people with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 694 8800

Website: www.2gether.nhs.uk

Email: 2gnft.managingmemory2g@nhs.net

Dementia UK

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Email: helpline@dementiauk.org

Parkinson's UK

Having Parkinson’s can feel overwhelming if you don’t have the right information and support. Parkinsons UK is there to help everyone feel in control.

Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease

Exercise is especially good for you if you have Parkinson’s. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach and the best exercise to do will depend on the way Parkinson’s affects you. You can find out more on the charity’s website

Malnutrition Pathway

Managing Adult Malnutrition, including a pathway for the appropriate use of
oral nutritional supplements (ONS).

Website: www.malnutritionpathway.co.uk

Please view: Your Guide To Making the Most of Your Food

Please view: Nutrition Support in COPD

10 Today

10 Today aims to increase physical activity amongst older people across the country, helping to reduce social isolation and improve the physical and mental wellbeing of participants – all starting with 10 minutes of exercise.

Website: www.anchorhanover.org.uk/10today

Greysnet

Greysnet is a place for older people to read, chat, take part and learn. In the “Articles” section you’ll find interesting features on a whole range of different subjects, from health to hobbies, travel to entertainment. In the “Classes” section you can find free, interactive, creative classes and workshops on a whole variety of subjects from creative writing to ballroom dance.

Website: www.greysnet.com

The Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden is an educational, therapeutic and recreational scheme, based initially on gardening, but now offering so much more. It is a project for people of all ages dealing with disablement of any kind. It caters for those looking to escape the world, those looking to re-enter it and some, who are still just looking. Its doors are open to anyone without obligation.

Telephone: 01452 713068

Website: www.thebutterflygarden.org

Fitness Ideas For Older Adults

If you are an older adult and want some great ideas how to stay fit, strong and maintain your balance during this time and while our classes are suspended please take a look at our Facebook page called “Fit for Life Gloucester”.

If you are regular at one of our classes the videos are designed to supplement your home exercise booklets. If you are new to Fit for Life we hope our Facebook page and fall proof website will be of use to you. Please take care not to over do it and feel free to contact us for advice. Perhaps later in the year when we restart you might come along and try a class.

You can also find additional information on strength and balance exercises at www.fallproof.me

See also:

Fit For Life Gloucester leaflet (PDF)

Looking after yourself this Winter (PDF)

The Herbert Protocol

The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme that encourages carers, family and friends to provide and put together useful information, which can then be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.

For more information see The Herbert Protocol page.

Warm and Well

Warm and Well have a team of trained energy advisors who can give free energy efficiency advice to help people stay warmer and healthier in their home. The Warm and Well advice line covers Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire: 0800 500 3076.

There are also a range of leaflets offering advice and support:

Improving health and wellbeing in the home

Fuel debt support:

Keep warm, healthy and save money at home:

Priority Services

In an emergency when power/water/ phone lines are disabled if an individual joins the priority services register and they have a care / health need they will be prioritised to get back on line/ get emergency support.

Western Power: www.westernpower.co.uk/priority-services

BT: www.btplc.com/Free_Priority_Fault_Repair

Most Gas suppliers have a priority register as does the water board.

Gloucestershire Care and Support Guide

The Gloucestershire Care & Support Guide 2018/19 is a great introduction to what care services are on offer in your local area.

The Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 470 80 90

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Alzheimers Society

Our innovative Dementia Connect service will transform the support people receive and will provide the right support in the best way for each individual person. Combining face-to-face support with telephone and online advice and information offered by specially trained Dementia Advisers.

Telephone: 0300 222 1122

Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

Parkinsons UK - Coronavirus Information

We have a range of information and support to help you during this challenging time. Our friendly helpline advisers are also available to take your call if you have any concerns, questions, or need further advice.

Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk

Food First

The following information can help you to increase your calorie
and protein intake if you have a poor appetite or have lost weight.

Please view: Dairy free

Please view: Food First Booklet

We Can Move - how to become fall-proof

Do you have older parents, family or friends that may be susceptible to falls? Are you an older person that wants to become more active, fitter, stronger and protect yourself from falls? Find out more at the We Can Move website.

Planning Ahead

We know how important continuity is for patients and their families, especially where they are approaching the end of their life. We have prioritised the care of these patients and they are discussed monthly at a multi-disciplinary meeting.

Each Patient is assigned a Primary and Secondary Doctor who should be their first port of call for any queries or clinical concerns by patients, families and Health Care Professionals.

Planning ahead and other information

Care Homes

As part of the ongoing work caring for our frail elderly patients in care homes, there is a designated GP that visits each care home every two weeks to review the patients.

The care homes under this practice include Chapel House, Avalon Residential Home, Horton House, Magdalen House, Guild House and Saintbridge House Nursing Home.

ReSPECT

The ReSPECT process provides health and care professionals responding to an emergency with a summary of recommendations to help them to make immediate decisions about that person’s care and treatment. ReSPECT can be complementary to a wider process of advance/anticipatory care planning.

The ReSPECT plan is created through conversations between a person and their health professionals. The plan is recorded on a form and includes their personal priorities for care and agreed clinical recommendations about care and treatment that could help to achieve the outcome that they would want, that would not help, or that they would not want.

Website: www.resus.org.uk

www.g-care.glos.nhs.uk