Service user resources

power of attorney

Why do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A lasting power of attorney is something that we should probably all have in place.   It is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions for you, or act on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so yourself. What happens if I don’t […]

Read More
Medication at home

Flu Vaccine

Two simple things that you can do to help stay healthy this winter include getting your flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccination.  It is especially important to get vaccinated if you are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from these illnesses. Who can get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine right now? Relevant to Gardiner’s, […]

Read More
Attendance allowance

Attendance allowance

Attendance allowance is available to all aged over state pension age that needs daily help with personal care (washing, dressing, or eating) due to an illness or disability.   To qualify you don’t actually have to be paying for help with care and it is up to you what you spend the money on. How […]

Read More
home fire safety

Home Fire Safety for elderly relatives – what you need to know

Have you stopped to think carefully about Home Fire Safety for elderly relatives? Most fires that involve death or serious injury take place in people’s homes.  Fatalities from fire are more common in the elderly than any other age group.  Detecting a fire before it has a chance to spread gets harder as we age […]

Read More
Voting

Supporting people to vote

Supporting people to vote can be really important to those that now require help from others. Ahead of the upcoming elections, this post provides information about supporting people to vote and how to make the process easier. Gardiner’s can support our clients to vote if they wish.  Many of our clients will be registered to […]

Read More
Emollient Fire Risk

Emollient Fire Risk

ingstand emollient fire risk and how to reduce the risk? Emollients are moisturising treatments that are applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it.  The way emollients work is by covering the skin with a protective film which helps to contain the moisture. Emollients can be found within many products including those available […]

Read More
Know the signs of stroke and what to do

Signs of stroke and what to do

Do you know the signs of stroke and what to do?  Every five minutes someone in the UK has a Stroke.  It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time, changing lives in an instant.  The covid pandemic has seen a significant fall in admissions and 1,413 excess deaths from stroke between 21 March […]

Read More
heatwave care advice

Heatwave care advice

A heat-health alert is in place from Friday 9 June 2023 0900 for 3 days across Southern England.  Temperatures are set to reach 30 degrees Celsius, so not particularly severe but still at a level that increases the risk of ill health among vulnerable people. “Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young or […]

Read More
Cold Weather

Cold weather advice for caring

With temperatures dropping it is important to take heed of cold weather advice for caring.  We need to think about how to look after ourselves and others.  For those of us who venture out, staying safe in cold weather means allowing extra time for any journeys, driving safely and slowly, wearing appropriate warm clothing including […]

Read More
Flood Safety Advice

Flood Safety

The first Flood Safety step we should all take is to find out if in an area at risk from flooding.  For those who are, it is sensible to sign up for flood warnings – you will be phone, email or text when flooding is expected. There are 3 levels of flood warning: Flood alert […]

Read More
Dementia Friendly Cinema

Dementia Friendly Cinema

Regal Picturehouse in Henley-on-Thames is a Dementia Friendly Cinema.  Once a month they have Dementia-Friendly Screening.  The cinema is open to all but especially for people with dementia and their family, friends and carers.  There is a chance to socialise for 30 minutes before the film and enjoy free tea, coffee and biscuits. During the film, […]

Read More
Virtual Reality Dementia Experience

Dementia Experience

A Walk Through Dementia from Alzheimer’s Research is a Virtual Reality Dementia Experience using an App on your smart phone to put you in the shoes of someone living with dementia.  It demonstrates some of the symptoms that pose challenges to many people living with dementia using everyday situations: A trip to the supermarket Being […]

Read More