PRIORITISING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS O CALLING ALL CARERS: KEEP THOSE YOU CARE FOR SAFER AT HOME In your role as a carer you are regularly visiting the person you care for. Whether you are a professional carer, friend or relative, you are in a unique position to help prevent the person you care for becoming a victim of rogue traders or bogus callers. There are some basic guidelines of observation and reporting that will help to deter the visits of unwanted callers and, failing that, the effective doorstep practices that people should adopt: DOES THE FRONT DOOR HAVE A SECURE LOCK, SPY HOLE AND SAFETY CHAIN? Encourage the person you care for to think if anyone is expected. Tell them to look through the spy hole to identify the caller and keep the chain on when deciding whether to talk to any stranger. You may be able to help organise the fitting of these essential security items through a local Age Concern and Help The Aged Handyperson scheme. ARE CASH/VALUABLES LEFT LYING AROUND? Both bogus callers and rogue traders are always looking for ready cash – plus passports, bank statements and household bills which can be used for identity fraud. Remind that such items should never be left to be seen and not to show anybody that significant amounts of cash may be kept in a wallet or purse. Advise that repair payments should always be made by cheque. ARE MEDICATIONS LEFT OUT FOR ALL TO SEE? Medications such as powerful pain killers can be a valuable attraction for bogus callers. Displayed medication seen from the outside can also be a clear indication of a possible infirmed vulnerable person on the inside. IS THE PROPERTY OF DILAPIDATED APPEARANCE? Unkempt gardens, missing roof tiles and broken guttering are just open invitations for rogue traders to try their luck. They will make unexpected calls to offer repair services – often of unwarranted necessity and at extortionate prices. Tell those you care for never to consider any such approach and always to get quotes from reputable, recommended tradespeople. ARE ANIMALS SUSCEPTIBLE TO 'PETNAPPING'? Petnapping of cherished animals is an increasingly prevalent crime, which can be costly in every sense to the pet owner. If the person you care for owns a dog, encourage them to keep a close watch on it at all times – especially when left in a garden. IS THERE A 'NOMINATED NEIGHBOUR' TO INVOLVE? Neighbours are only too pleased to be of assistance to older people living nearby. You can suggest to the person you care for to keep a neighbour's telephone number in a prominent place, to help with the checking of unexpected visitors' credentials – and in an emergency situation generally. ARE DUMMY ALARM BOXES FITTED? Obviously, a genuine alarm system is preferable, but older people may be deterred by cost and memory practicalities. Dummy alarm boxes can be an effective deterrent when a burglar is choosing which property to target. Again, you could suggest that the local Age Concern and Help The Aged Handyperson scheme is contacted. ARE PENDANTS AND ALARM PULL CORDS USED? Many people given alarm pull systems and pendants by local authorities are amiss about using them – not wanting to ''bother'' the call centre, or forgetting to wear the pendant. You should be encouraging the person you care for to treat such devices as an essential part of their continued well being. Make sure they fully understand the mechanisms and procedures involved. COULD A BOGUS CALLER ALARM BUTTON BE INSTALLED? Simple Telecare technology can be installed which will include a 'Bogus Caller' alarm button at the front door with a mobile pendant access. You might mention the possibility to your social services' care manager.