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Your Concerns

As we get older, we all want to maintain our independence and live our lives on our own terms. However, for those living alone, this may cause concerns.

Safety

Fire Safety

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As part of their commitment to building a safer Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service offer everyone, in Scotland, a free home fire safety visit. They can help you sort out a fire escape plan and provide information about smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.

Get in touch with them, it's so easy to arrange:

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The process only takes about 20 minutes, and their advice and help could save your life. 

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Many of us know a friend, relative or neighbour, often someone living alone, who could be vulnerable.  If you do know someone who could be at risk from fire, please tell them about this service. Or even contact the service yourself to let them know. 

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Electrical Safety

 

For electrical safety concerns you can get in touch with Electrical Safety First:

       or visit their website electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

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Cooking Safety

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If you, or someone you know, is living with Dementia, SGN now offer a free locking cooker valve which helps to ensure gas cooker safety. This free service offers reassurance whilst living independently.

 

 

Home Safety and Security

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Independent Age offer information on Home Safety and Home Security in their award winning information guides. Please let us know if you would like us to order you a paper copy. 

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Please contact us if you would like any further information.

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Safety

Loneliness

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Most of us will feel lonely at some point in our lives. Independent Age define loneliness as "the feeling of sadness that can come from not having the social contact that you would like".

 

This feeling can come about for many reasons and it may seem hopeless, but there is lots of guidance and support available. Independent Age provides some useful information on how to stay connected in one of their guidance booklets. 

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Age UK Scotland offer a free Community Connecting Service which will help you to make contact with community services.

The Age Scotland volunteers will discuss your interests and give you information about what is available in our community. For more information, please call 0800 12 44 222.

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Age UK Scotland also provide a chargeable Good Day Calls service. "Our Good Day Call service is a daily call, 365 days a year, to have a chat and check on the welfare of an older person. Over time, we hope to become good friends on the phone, chatting about the day and the world, and being there to give support and to arrange assistance if needed."

Please call 01856 898 222.

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Re-Engage (formerly Contact the Elderly) ''exist to bring older people together into social groups at a time in their lives when their social circles are diminishing''. Last year, nearly 7,000 older guests were supported by Re-engage.

We can refer clients to groups in our community or you can join a group or refer a friend or family member.

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Loneliness

Eating Well

 

Eating Well

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Age Scotland have published an eating well guide - Eat Well, A guide for Older People. The booklet gives "ideas and practical suggestions which can help you maintain a healthy diet. A good diet can help to keep both physical and mental health complications at bay."

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Alcohol

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NHS Inform can give advice about alcohol; see their website www.nhsinform.scot or call 0800 22 44 88.

If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s alcohol consumption, you can contact Drinkline or Alcoholics Anonymous for support:


Drinkline: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650

or www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk  Drinkaware: www.drinkaware.co.uk

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* The links we have provided are for your information but we are not affiliated with the websites nor can we verify the information provided. 

Eating Well
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