Spare a thought for the elderly this Bonfire night
DEVONIANS planning Bonfire Night parties or fireworks displays this November (2019) are being urged to spare a thought for the elderly and vulnerable in their area before they host an event.
Guardian Homecare is asking people to inform any elderly neighbours they may have in their community of any potential parties and displays taking place.
Catherine Porter, who is a Manager at Guardian Homecare, which provides care in the Torbay and Exeter areas, said: “Bonfire night is a particularly frightening night for the elderly, as they often don’t like the associated loud noises, so we’re asking people to be vigilant about where they are hosting parties and setting off fireworks, and to pre-warn any elderly or vulnerable neighbours in advance.
“We will be making sure all of our service users are reassured on the night but wanted to spread the word so others can check on any older friends, relatives or neighbours they might have.
“For those with dementia, Bonfire Night can be very confusing, causing them to have heightened anxiety, especially if they survived the war. The noise and smells can take them back to frightening experiences from the past and this can be very upsetting and unsettling for them. Our trained staff are experts in dementia care and will help keep our service users calm.
“But if you’re planning a party, it’s a good idea to choose a suitable time to let your fireworks off or light your bonfires, making sure to avoid loud noise after 11pm. Fireworks should be let off in an open space, as the sound can bounce off buildings and enclosed spaces, frightening elderly people. We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun but just wanted to remind people to think about their neighbours and, also, to remember fireworks are explosives and can be very dangerous.”
Guardian Homecare delivers personalised home care supporting people wishing to stay living safely and comfortably in their own homes in south Devon.
It employs nearly 200 domiciliary carers in south Devon to look after its service users in their own homes and is currently searching for 100 new honest and kind-hearted individuals to help add to its teams.
Anyone interested in joining Guardian Homecare should call 01803 853198 for further details.
Catherine added: “Being a carer is a highly skilled, professional vocational occupation that is essential to the fabric of our society. With a job for life like this, people can start at the very bottom and work their way up and we will offer them full training and access to industry-leading qualifications.
“No experience is necessary to become a carer, as free, full training is provided. We offer new recruits a five-day training induction and a 12-week on-board programme working towards a care certificate. We also offer flexible working hours, both full and part-time, as well as competitive wages and generous holiday allocation.”
Guardian Homecare offers training and the opportunity for internal advancement. Anyone who joins the team can create a career path using the different qualifications they achieve.
“It is a great opportunity for people to achieve a recognised qualification and they’ll also be able to have access to exclusive discounts online and in-store from retailers including Tesco, Primark and Argos and also covers holidays and electrical goods.”
New recruits are given free uniforms, access to national staff discount scheme for many major brands, as well as 28 days paid holiday, paid travel between calls and paid mileage.
For further details, please call Guardian Homecare on 01803 853198 or drop in at its Drew Street branch in Brixham, during normal office hours for an informal chat. Alternatively, please visit www.guardianhomecare.org.uk.
