AFC Bournemouth Stadium was the venue for the launch of a new and innovative scheme which a group of social care organisations have been working on together to provide essential support for people with dementia and memory problems, in the form of a ‘Home Safely’ bracelet.
A diverse mix of businesses, councillors, council staff, The Mayor of Bournemouth, charities, AFC Bournemouth staff, carers of people with dementia and people with dementia came together to celebrate the launch of the ‘Home Safely’ bracelets at the Goldsands Stadium.
The unique bracelet ensures that people with dementia who might go wandering or get lost will be easily identifiable if they are wearing the bracelet. Carers of people with dementia are being encouraged to join the scheme giving their name, address and contact details and the name and home address of the person with dementia. The details are then held on a database and each individual with dementia is allocated a unique pin number.
The ‘Home Safely’ bracelets looks like a watch strap and can be adjusted to fit the wearer but is not removable by the wearer and is engraved with the 24 hour care line telephone number and the individual’s pin number.
Facilitated by Jeff Russell CEO of Poole based Prama Care Uk, in a unique partnership combining the voluntary sector, local authorities and local businesses, the Borough of Poole, Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Dorset Police came up with this solution after Police data recorded alarming statistics which showed that in a period of just one year some 163 incidents of ‘wanderers’ were recorded. However, it is a known fact that there are many more incidents that are not reported to the police and are thus not recorded.
Debbie Hyde, Carers Joint Commissioning Manager for Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole advised, “We know that carers worry about losing the person with dementia and that wandering off is something that often happens as the disease progresses. The ‘Home Safely’ bracelet is a simple solution that will give families peace of mind and will impact positively on their lives.”
Debbie continued, “We looked for a local company that would be interested in financially supporting this initiative. Poole based Coleman Insurance Brokers were delighted to come on board and support and fundraise for us in order that this scheme became a financial reality.”
Coleman Director, Peter Moody, enthused “Coleman was more than willing to support and to help out with this incredibly worthwhile and practical ‘Home Safely’ bracelet initiative. We managed to secure in excess of £6,000 of funding from associates, local businesses, Dorset POPPS and Care South. We are thrilled at the generosity that has been shown.”
Steve Cuss, Head of Community Sports Trust for AFC Bournemouth said, “We are delighted to host this launch today. Dementia forms a big part of the community work that AFC Bournemouth does and each week we visit a different care home to engage with people with dementia and stimulate conversation with them. We regularly play armchair football with them and share old photos from AFC Bournemouth’s past.”
The ‘Home Safely’ bracelet scheme is looking for continuing sponsorship in order to make it available to an increasing number of people in Dorset who have dementia. Anyone interested in supporting is asked to contact Peter Moody at Coleman Insurance Brokers. [email protected]
Anyone wishing to access the service and acquire a ‘Home Safely’ bracelet is urged to contact the Adult Social Services Department at their local Council and quote ‘Home Safely’.
