Carers and PPE

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Carers and PPE

Carers who normally provide personal care (help with washing or dressing) to a family member or friend who has a long-term illness or disability should continue to use PPE if they normally use, accessed through their normal supply route.

NO ADDITIONAL PPE IS REQUIRED UNLESS THE CARER OR THE CARED-FOR PERSON IS IN THE SHIELDING CATEGORY or HAS SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19.

If a carer provides personal care but cannot access PPE through their normal support route, they may be eligible to receive PPE from their local authority via a local Hub, if:

  • The carer and/or the cared-for person:
    • has symptoms of Covid-19 (and alternative care cannot be provided)
    • is in the shielding category
    • is over 70
  • The carer works outside the home
  • The cared-for person has an underlying condition

If you are a carer and you think the above applies to your situation, please contact the Carers Centre on 01324 611510 or email centre@centralcarers.co.uk for further information or to discuss your requirements.

Information and advice for carers providing personal care is available on the Scottish Government website using the link below:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-unpaid-carers-providing-personal-care/

 

Image by leo2014 from Pixabay.

Carers Card – COVID-19 update

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Since the COVID-19 lockdown began, we have been inundated with requests for Carers Cards. Normally, our personalised credit card style Forth Valley Carers Cards are produced at the Carers Centre and posted out to carers, however, this is no longer an option with staff working from home.

We recognise the benefits that having a Carers Card can bring at this time, and so we have been working hard behind the scenes to develop an alternative to the physical card.

Carers who would like a Carers Card, and who have not had one previously, will now be issued with a digital Carers Card, specifically designed to be used on your phone for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown.

To receive a digital Carers Card, please complete the digital referral form linked below:

Click here to complete referral form

If you have previously had a Forth Valley Carers Card that has now expired, please complete the Contact Us form on our website, and ask to be emailed with a letter that can be used alongside your existing expired card.

If you are working with someone who does not have access to the internet or an email address, please ask them to contact the number below.

For further information, please contact us on 01324 611510 and leave a message, or email centre@centralcarers.co.uk.

 

Carers Centre Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) – IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Carers Centre is now closed in line with Government guidance in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is to minimise the risk to members of the public and to our staff.

We will continue to provide information and support to carers by telephone or email. For help and advice, please call and leave a message and someone will call you back:

01324 611510

or email:

centre@centralcarers.org.

Information will also be available from our website, Twitter and Facebook pages.

For help and advice from the Citizen Advice Bureau Benefits Adviser, please call:

01324 626070

or email:

bureau@falkirkcab.casonline.org.uk.

Telephone calls and emails to CAB will be answered during office hours.

We will continue to monitor government advice and will keep our service under continual review until the Coronavirus threat subsides. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

F&C Carers Centre COVID-19 update

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Please note:

In light of the recent COVIDー19 outbreak, ALL Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre organised activities, including groups and face-to-face support, are postponed until further notice.

We will provide further information and updates in the coming days.

 

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.

COVID-19 – Scottish Government unpaid carers advice

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The Scottish Government have provided general advice for unpaid carers in relation to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

“Coronavirus advice for unpaid carers Anyone providing regular support to a vulnerable friend or relative will want to do what they can to protect their own health and that of those they look after during the coronavirus outbreak.

Like everyone, unpaid carers (including young carers) and people being cared for should familiarise themselves with the public health advice on how to protect themselves from infection.

As the situation is changing quickly, the guidance may also change, so carers should therefore check regularly to make sure they are following the latest guidance at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19.

Carers who don’t already have an emergency plan in place may want to talk with family & friends about who could take over their caring role if they become ill or need to self-isolate – particularly while social work services are under additional pressure.

It will also be important to make sure you have key information about the person you care for easily available – so that anyone taking over care has all the information they need.

Where carers and family and friends are unable to provide essential care for someone, they should contact their local social work department. Contact details here: https://socialworkscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Social-Work-Departments-Contact-Information-Website-version.pdf.

See NHS 24 for advice on coronavirus symptoms; precautions to take; and what to do if you think you may have become ill with coronavirus – nhs24.scot.”

 

Image by zukunftssicherer from Pixabay.

CANCELLED: Better Breaks Family Outing March 2020

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PLEASE NOTE:

The Better Breaks Family Outing has now been postponed until further notice.

Applications are invited for a Better Breaks Outing for children and young people (up to 20 years) with additional support needs and their families across Falkirk District and Clackmannanshire to:

  • ‘Better Breaks Fun Day’ on Saturday 28 March 2020, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm

Transport will be available to those families who require it and would like to travel with the larger group. Families are also welcome to self-travel and attend independently.

To apply for a place on the trip, please complete the Better Breaks Application Form and submit as soon as possible. Application forms are available on request by calling Stella Siddiq at the Centre in Falkirk on 01324 611510, emailing centre@centralcarers.org or by downloading the form below.

Better Breaks Application Form

Please complete the application form as soon as possible as the closing date is Friday 13 March 2020.

Places cannot be guaranteed and priority will be given to families who have not participated in, or who have participated in fewer, previous Better Breaks outings.

 

Care with Confidence

Care with Confidence Falkirk Programme – February to March 2020

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The next Care with Confidence sessions in Falkirk start on Tuesday 25 February 2020, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, for three weeks at at the Carers Centre in Falkirk.  All carers are welcome and there is no cost to attend sessions.

Hear from various professionals about the services that are available to support carers and those they care for. Topics include Dementia – It’s in Your Approach, The Scottish Ambulance Service, and Self Directed Support (SDS).

For further information, to book a place, or if you require alternative care for the person you care for so that you can attend, please contact Donna Mulder at the Carers Centre or click on the programme below:

Programme

Forum Feb 2020 agenda image

Falkirk Carers Forum on Wednesday 19 February 2020

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Please join us for our next meeting of the Falkirk Carers Forum on

  • Wednesday 19 February 2020 at Trinity Church, Falkirk
  • 10.45 am to 1 pm followed by a buffet lunch

The meeting will include a presentation by Marina Harper from Caesar & Howie on the Accident Claims Service, which, in conjunction with Age Scotland, seeks to give older people in Scotland a fairer service when it comes to making a personal injury claim. There will also be an opportunity for carers to discuss and request future forum topics and speakers. A link to the meeting agenda can be found below.

To book a place please email susandocherty@centralcarers.co.uk or telephone the Centre in Falkirk on 01324 611 510.

February 2020 Carers Forum Agenda.

 

Care with Confidence

Care with Confidence Grangemouth Programme – February to March 2020

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The new Care with Confidence sessions in Grangemouth start on Thursday 6 February 2020, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, for five weeks at Talbot House, Talbot Street, Grangemouth, FK3 8HU.  All carers are welcome and there is no cost to attend sessions.

Come along to hear about the services that are available to support carers and those they care for. Topics include Communicating Effectively, Planning for the Future, and more!

For further information, to book a place, or if you require alternative care for the person you care for so that you can attend, please contact Susan Docherty at the Carers Centre or to view the programme, click below:

Programme

Carer Singing Group!

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Do you enjoy singing? Our Carers Singing Group begins this coming Monday 3 February at 11am in Falkirk Carers Centre, and will run for 6 weeks!

Whether you are new to the group, or returning, please share your talented vocals with us and enjoy a sing-a-long with other carers!

No need to book a place, just turn up on the day and our support worker Jason will be here waiting with a hot brew and a biscuit for you!

 

Photo by David Beale on Unsplash