Contents
- Good physical health
- NHS Health Checks
- Reducing the risk of dementia
- NHS vaccinations, and when to have them
- Live Longer Better from Active Cornwall
- Good mental health
- Equipment and technology
- Falls prevention
- Winter wellbeing
- Things you can't do for yourself
- Short term support
- Getting out and about more
- Day opportunities
Living in your own home is the best solution for many people. But for some people, it can be tricky more difficult. That might be because you’re getting older, and need more support than you used to. Or it might be because you have a disability that means you need certain things to help you every day.
There are lots of support options to help you live as independently as possible in your own home.
Some of these are things that you can arrange or buy for yourself. Other things can be discussed after you’ve had a needs assessment. If you have eligible care needs, we can discuss whether we can provide these things for you.Request help for an adult
Good physical health
Taking care of yourself is a key part of being able to live independently. There are many sources of support, and resources you can use, to ensure that you’re keeping in good health.
Healthy Cornwall has lots of useful information around:
- healthy eating and drinking habits
- losing weight
- stopping smoking
Read more on the Healthy Cornwall website
NHS Health Checks
Anyone aged 40-74 can get a free NHS health check, that will look for signs of key health problems, such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Some forms of dementia
Find out more via the following link
Reducing the risk of dementia
Information to help reduce the risk of developing dementia, as well as signs to look out for:
NHS vaccinations and when to have them
Find out what vaccinations you’re eligible for – for example, flu, COVID, and shingles. Some people are eligible due to their age, and others due to medical conditions. Help keep yourself protected by getting all the vaccinations you’re entitled to:
Live Longer Better from Active Cornwall
For over 55s, with information about physical activity, and managing long term health conditions.
Visit the Active Cornwall website
Good mental health
Keeping your mind healthy is just as important as keeping your body healthy. See our mental health pages, for information to keep help keep your mind well. We also have links to support for when you need it.
5 ways to wellbeing
5 simple steps that you can take to help improve your mental health, and feel more positive.
- Connect with other people
- Be physically active
- Learn new skills
- Give to others
- Pay attention to the present (mindfulness)
Read more about 5 steps to mental wellbeing
Find out more about ‘social prescribing’, to help you get out more, and do new things, with Volunteer Cornwall. Visit Volunteer Cornwall website.
Safety around the house
Equipment and technology
There is a huge amount of equipment and technology available to help you stay safe in your own home. This is things like lifeline alarms, sensors and gadgets which are known as Technology Enhanced Care. It also includes other non-electronic equipment, such as riser chairs, and long-arm grabbers.
The other sort of support is people coming into your home to support you to be more independent, for example helping you to get up in the morning. You can also find out more about changes that can be made to your home to make it safer, and easier for you to manage, like handrails and stair lifts.
Falls prevention
As people age, they become more likely to have a fall, at home or when they are out and about. Those falls are also more likely to cause significant damage.
There are many reasons that people fall, ranging from trip hazards at home, to low blood pressure, or deteriorating eyesight. We are working to support people to prevent falls, and help them identify the possible causes. There are a number of steps that people can take to reduce falls. Find out more on the following page:
Falls PreventionOur Accommodation and Housing options page has more information on:
- adaptations to your home
- support with your housing
- getting small jobs done around the house
Accommodation and Housing Options
Winter wellbeing
Cornwall Public Health works with many organisations to produce an annual Winter Wellbeing guide. This gives useful information to help people manage when the weather gets cold. There is also information about fuel subsidies, and grants to improve your home. Find out more:
Things you can't do for yourself
You might find that managing everything at home is bit too much for you, and you need some support. You can find out more about what that could look like for you here:
- Meals on wheels – fresh, frozen or shelf-stable meals delivered to your home. Visit Meals on wheels page
- Home care – a carer to come in and help you with personal care, such as washing and dressing. Visit Home Care page
- Handyman jobs – small DIY jobs at home. Visit Handyman page
- Driving/transport - if you can’t drive, or struggle with public transport, there are options for community transport. Visit our Community Transport page
Short term support
We offer a reablement service, for people who are recovering from a health or social care crisis, or a hospital stay. You might need some support to learn new skills, or manage with a new disability. This can help you get back some independence, and allow you to continue to live on your own. Visit our Home from hospital page.
We also offer an Empowering Independence service, which helps people learn life skills. This can be for people who are just moving out on their own. It might be for people with mental health difficulties, or learning disabilities, or for young people with complex needs. Visit our Help to stay living well at home page.
Occupational Therapists are professionals who can help you learn new ways of managing at home. Visit our Occupational Therapy page
Getting out and about more
Voluntary organisations and community groups
Being part of your local community, whatever that looks like for you, is part of living well. There are many voluntary organisations and community groups that we can help you connect with. Learning craft activities, appropriate exercise, or simply meeting people for tea and cake are all helpful. They can help you meet new people, and improve your mental wellbeing. Find out more about local voluntary organisations:
Volunteering
Explore volunteering opportunities locally with Volunteer Cornwall. A great way to beat loneliness, as well as sharing your time and knowledge. Find out more about local volunteering opportunities with Volunteer Cornwall:
Community transport
Our colleagues in Transport have compiled a list of Community Transport options, to help you get around if you can’t manage by yourself. Find out more:
Day Opportunities
If you have assessed care needs, there are activities arranged by local providers which you can attend. Find out more:
If you have assessed care needs, and can’t travel to activities that are in your care and support plan, then we may be able to help you arrange transport. Find out more about help with transport. Find out more about how to pay for this support, if you need it. Visit our Pay for Adult Social Care page.