Your home

Our equipment house can help you find all sorts of helpful equipment and technology. From gadgets to help turn your kitchen taps on and off, to a grab rails and special alarm clocks. Click here to have a look.

Considering your situation

If you’re finding things a bit difficult to manage around the home, it can be helpful to consider your situation using our online self-appraisal form and guide. This will help you think about what works well and what needs to change.

You can choose to save the self-appraisal form and if you like send it on to us to see how we can help. Click the link below to go to our self-service section:

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1631

Alternately if you would like to speak to someone on the phone, you can contact us by:

Telephone: 01296 383204
Email: adultearlyhelpteam@buckscc.gov.uk

Help to Live at Home

You can find all sorts of information and advice to help you stay independent in our “Help to Live at Home” section. Here you can also read about what different types of support are available, including free services from volunteers and other organisations.

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1237

Getting care and support

To find out about getting help from the council, what you may be entitled to and how this would work, please go to our “Getting Care and Support” section.

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1232

Helpful Equipment and Technology

There is lots of helpful equipment and technology that can make things easier around the home. You can learn more about it in our “Helpful Equipment and Technology” page:

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1243

Alternatively you can use our online Equipment House to see what’s available for each room. You can even order equipment using the house if you wish.

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1406

Pets

If you have a pet and are finding it a bit difficult to look after them, you may be able to get help from volunteers at the Cinnamon Trust:

For more information on The Cinnamon Trust:
Call: 01736 758707 (during office hours)


Email volunteer@cinnamon.org.uk

Or visit their website www.cinnamon.org.uk

Considering your situation

If you’re worried about your safety at home and are wondering if perhaps you might need a bit of support, it can be helpful to consider your situation using our online self-appraisal form and guide. This will help you think about what works well and what needs to change.

You can choose to save the self-appraisal form and if you like send it on to us to see how we can help.
Click the link below to go to our self-service section:

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1631

Alternately if you would like to speak to someone on the phone, you can contact us by:

Telephone: 01296 383204
Email: adultearlyhelpteam@buckscc.gov.uk

Helpful Equipment and Technology

There is lots of helpful equipment and technology that can make things easier around the home. You can learn more about it in our “Helpful Equipment and Technology” page:

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1243

Alternatively you can use our online Equipment House to see what’s available for each room. You can even order equipment using the house if you wish.

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1406

Keeping warm

If you’re worried about keeping your house warm, call the Buckinghamshire Affordable Warmth Helpline on 0800 107 0044 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday).

Concerns about Crime or Abuse

Concerned about an adult?
Please call Careline to report alleged abuse anonymously or if you feel a report is not being taken seriously.

Careline: 0800 137915

Careline is available 9-5:30 Monday to Thursday and 9-5 on Friday. Outside these hours you can:

• call our Emergency Duty Team on 0800 999 7677
• leave a message on the Careline answerphone
• call the Police on 999

Concerned about a child?

Call: 0845 4600001
Alternatively you can contact us by:
Email: secure-cypfirstresponse@buckscc.gcsx.gov.uk
Fax: 01296 382207

If you would like to read more about how the council and others can help with concerns about crime or abuse, please read our Crime and Abuse section:

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1231

We have a section on this site that is dedicated to carers. You can find information and advice on what support and services are available, how you get those services and more. There’s also advice on what to do if the person you care for can’t make decisions for themselves.

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1234

Carers Bucks provide support and advice to carers on behalf of Buckinghamshire County Council.

You can contact them by:
Telephone: 0300 777 2722
On their website: http://www.carersbucks.org

It can be incredibly hard to admit that you are feeling lonely. However, loneliness is often caused by changes outside of our control, for example the onset of poor health or bereavement. It is important to recognise that feeling lonely is not your fault and that there are people who are ready to talk and offer support to you.

If you are feeling lonely or isolated, or are worried about someone else, you can get information and advice on our Tackling Loneliness section:

http://www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=1276

Here are our 8 TOP TIPS to help you stay steady and strong!

1. Exercise regularly - Focus on activities that challenge your balance and strengthen your legs, like gardening, dancing, tai chi or special balance and stability classes.
2. Check your eyes and hearing - Regular sight tests and reporting ear pain or difficulties with hearing can identify problems that could affect your balance and co-ordination. Eye tests are free for everyone over 60 and for any problems with your ears, speak to your GP.
3. Ask about your medicines - Certain medicines can make you feel faint or affect your balance. Let your GP or community pharmacist know if you ever feel like this, as they may want to change your dose or look at alternatives.
4. Visit your GP or Practice Nurse - If you’ve had a fall or are worried about falling, tell your surgery, even if you feel okay. There could be many reasons and, equally, many ways to help you feel confident again.
5. Vitamin D for Vitality - Vitamin D is essential for keeping bones strong – the best source is sunshine. Try going outside without sunscreen for a few minutes around lunchtime every day during summer. Take care not to let your skin redden or burn. Some foods such as oily fish or eggs also provide vitamin D.
6. Count your calcium - A balanced diet rich in calcium will also help to keep your bones strong. You can find calcium in milk and dairy foods such as cheese and yoghurt, fortified soya products and canned fish.
7. Check for home hazards - Make sure your home is hazard-free and well lit. Organise your things so that you’re not at risk of tripping over any wires, clutter or loose or frayed carpets.
8. Look after your feet - Problems with your feet, especially anything that causes pain, can affect your balance. Be sure to wear well-fitted shoes and slippers, and report any foot problems to your GP, Practice Nurse or chiropodist.

Falls and Bone Health service 

Buckinghamshire County Council pays for a local Falls and Bone Health service for local residents and it provides a vital service for those who have either experienced a fall, or are at risk of falling.  The service includes a highly skilled team of advisers who offer a range of information and expert advice for service users, carers and families on falls. 

Those who have actually fallen,  will receive an in depth assessment and offered a Better Balance exercise programmes with a choice of settings, including leisure centres and delivered by highly trained instructors,  Better Balance helps  rehabilitation after an unfortunate fall and improves balance and strength to prevent further falls.  

For all information on Falls and Bone Health in Buckinghamshire and/or to make a self-referral please contact:

Telephone: 08442 - 252403 (Locally Charged Telephone Rate)

* Thanks to Age UK for the top tips 2015