A FAMILY of firemen provided the spark for a link-up between a city care home and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
Carrie Jahn, customer relationship manager for Barchester Healthcare, was spurred into action to launch a safety scheme for Latimer Court to share details of the service’s home safety checks with respite residents who then return to their own home.
With both her father and her husband now retired fire officers, Carrie’s idea soon took hold and won support from county fire crews.
“My father served in West Midlands and my husband was an officer for Staffordshire so this resonates with me,” she said.
“I saw Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and West Midlands were promoting Home Visit Fire Safety checks for people living in their own homes. I was thinking our care homes in Worcester and West Midlands could pass on information or complete a referral form for every respite resident we have stay with us who then return to their own homes.
“This is additional support giving continuous duty of care, to support them and to make them safer once they leave our care and go back home.
“We wish to support all our residents including those who come to us for respite, we stay in touch with them after their stay to ensure they are keeping well if they wish us to,” she added.
Home Safety Checks help reduce the risk of fire in the home and include the checking and fitting of smoke alarms where required. This includes alarms suitable for those with a hearing impairment and giving advice on a fire escape plan.
It will also identify any health and care needs that require signposting to local services to help ensure safety and wellbeing.
“In addition to this home safety check some of the local brigades have offered to visit our care homes to chat to our residents and teams about their own safety which has been welcomed by the homes,” Carrie added.
Call Carrie 07741148881 or [email protected] for more.
