Last week saw the launch of the new Carelines video – ‘Feel safe in your own home.’ The video, in three parts highlights the benefits of Carelines , how they work, gives advice on how to prevent falls and how to deal with unwanted callers at the door .
Currently over 150,000 mainly older and disabled people benefit from the 24-hour response service offered by careline providers across London.
The launch, held at City Hall, the home of the Greater London Authority, was attended by representatives of housing & social services as well as health care professionals from all over Greater London.
In his speech of support, Mayor Livingstone, who welcomed the initiative, said:
“This new video will explain the benefits of Carelines to practitioners, and professionals as well as vulnerable people.”
“I fully support the work of Careline Services and in particular commend the partnership working by individual local authorities, the emergency services and the private sector. I would like to congratulate the staff from the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham and Merton who have worked to steer the initiative to today’s launch. I finally urge everyone to support this campaign so that more people across London become aware of the benefit from their local Careline Service,”
The video also provides valuable falls prevention advice to help older people reduce their risk of falls. Over 50% of over 85 year olds and a 33% of over 65 year olds fall each year. For many years it was just accepted that falls were an inevitable part of ageing, however recent research suggests that medical screening combined with reducing risks can help prevent many falls.
Advice is also provided to people who may be vulnerable to Distraction Burglary or Bogus Caller type crime. More than 300,000 older people fall victim to this type of crime each year, yet a few simple precautions can reduce these numbers.
The London Boroughs’ Carelines Group, chaired by MASCOT Manager, Doug Miles is made up of 26 Council Careline services and is the professional body behind the initiative. Working in partnership the Group promotes the benefits of Careline services around London.
AT the launch Doug Miles took the opportunity to thank community partners such as the London Fire Brigade & the Merton Community Safety Trust who gave their support.
Copies of the video can be obtained by phoning Merton’s Community Careline Service, MASCOT on 020 8540 0355. Copies will also be available at GP’s Surgeries, libraries and d