Angus Council provide a Community Alarm Service. They can fit an alarm unit in your home that operates through your phone line. If the alarm is activated, a member of their call centre will contact you and assistance can be provided from community alarm teams who are based in Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie and Forfar.

The Community Alarm Service provide a 24-hour service, every day of the year, at a weekly charge of £5.05. A community alarm can be provided if you have an illness, are frail or have a disability which limits your ability to live at home alone, have been in hospital and need some extra support when you come home, or have someone caring for you who needs extra support.

A range of accessories can also be provided with your community alarm system, such as a falls detector.  A falls detector will raise an automatic call to the monitoring centre, who in turn will arrange assistance through a responder. There is an additional charge of £1.00 per week for accessories.

There are also a few items which you can trial for a period of 4 weeks if you are not sure whether they will be suitable for you - ie an Echo dot, remote control plugs, night lights.

To request a community alarm or to find out our more about the accessories or equipment items available to trial, you can discuss this with your community care worker or contact the the ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778.

If you have fallen, or are worried about falling, you can contact the Falls Service in Angus for information and advice on 01356 666 085.

You have indicated that you have fallen in your home and you are worried about having more falls. There can be a variety of reasons for why you might have fallen, so it is important to consider these to try and reduce further falls from occurring. Please visit www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/falls for further information from NHS inform.

In Angus there is a falls service, which you can contact for advice and information on 01356 665170.

Alternatively, you can email Tay-UHB.angusfallsservice@nhs.net. The falls service can provide a full assessment of your situation and make recommendations that may help you reduce the risks of falls. They can also refer you on to other services that may be able to assist.

Your answers have indicated that you would benefit from further information on choosing footwear for problems like swollen feet, arthritis, diabetes, odd sized feet or cold feet.

You can find out more on the NHS Inform website, which you can visit by following the link www.nhsinform.scot

Alternatively, there is also a lot of information on foot care available on the Society of Podiatrists and Chiropodists website, please visit cop.org.uk/foot-health/.

Mobility shops in Angus may stock a range of footwear to suit people with problems such as oedema, corns and bunions and very wide feet.

If you have a problem with your feet that you cannot address with self-help, please contact your doctor for medical advice.

People may lose interest in going out for a whole variety of reasons including illness, bereavement or an unexpected life event.

If you are worried about this you can speak to your GP for advice and support, as well as whether there are any local support groups in Angus.

To find out further information about anxiety or stress, as well as self-help tips, please visit www.nhsinform.scot/. For advice and support, you can also visit their self help website www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/.

You can also find out information on mental health issues by contacting The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) by using the details below.

Contact information
Website: SAMH
Email: enquire@samh.org.uk
Phone: 0141 530 1000

The Upwards and Onwards film can be found on NHS Inform and explains several things to do with falling.

For example:

• How to get up from a fall.
• What to do if you can't get up.
• How to prevent falls.

You can either watch the whole film or a specific section.

Visit www.nhsinform.scot and search for 'What to do if you fall' to find the videos.

There is also a leaflet attached which describes how you can help someone if they fall.

Associated materials

• What to do if someone falls

Volunteer driver services are available to help you access support services and appointments in and around Angus.

Voluntary Action Angus may be able to provide you with a volunteer driver and have premises in Arbroath and Forfar. If you'd like to get in contact with them, please phone on 01241 875525 or 01307 466113.

There are also a number of local taxi firms which may be able to assist you.

Care About Angus is a large social enterprise who are registered with the care commission. They aim to personalise the input they provide to suit every individual. They offer support  to people to attend local appointments. You can contact them on 01241 797777 for further information or visit www.careaboutangus.org.uk

Associated materials

• MyBus Information Leaflet
• MyBus Booking Form

A commode can be used as an alternative if you are unable to get to your toilet safely. There are different types of commodes available so it is important to ensure that you get one that is suitable for you.

Various commodes can be loaned to you following an assessment of your needs. First Contact Occupational Therapy provide free, impartial advice about a wide range of assistive equipment that may be able to assist you. You may also be able to trial some of these items before purchasing them. Angus Council do not fund items under £50.

If you would like to speak to someone about the options available, please contact First Contact Occupational Therapy using the details below.

Contact Information

Email: FirstContactOT@angus.gov.uk

Phone AccessLine: 03452 777 778

Dundee & Angus Independent Living Centre is a place where you can try a range of equipment items free of charge. The centre is open 9-5pm weekdays and you can visit during these time or phone to make an appointment to ensure someone is free to show you around.

You can also visit the website here for product information, advice and videos or phone (01382) 307631. If you would like further information about continence management, you can phone the Continence Advisory and Treatment Service (CATS) on 01307 468383. There are also a number of clinics held throughout Angus. Alternatively, if you are housebound or would refer to discuss this with someone else, please contact your GP.

You have indicated that you are having problems with incontinence.

You can find out information from NHS Inform, by visiting www.nhsinform.scot/ and searching for incontinence.

If you would like further information about continence management, you can phone the Continence Advisory and Treatment Service (CATS) on 01307 468383.

If you are having difficulty getting to the toilet in time, there are equipment items available like a commode which might assist you. There are different types of commodes available, so it is important to consider these to ensure you get one that is suitable for you.

First Contact Occupational Therapy provide free, impartial advice about a wide range of assistive equipment that may be able to assist you. You may also be able to trial some of these items before purchasing them. Angus Council do not fund items under £50.

If you would like to speak to someone about the options available, please contact First Contact Occupational Therapy using the details below.

Contact Information:

Email: FirstContactOT@angus.gov.uk

Phone AccessLine: 03452 777 778

Dundee & Angus Independent Living Centre is a place where you can try a range of equipment items free of charge. The centre is open 9-5pm weekdays and you can visit during these time or phone to make an appointment to ensure someone is free to show you around. You can also visit www.ilda.scot/ for product information, advice and videos or phone (01382) 307631.

You have indicated that you do not go out as much as you used to because you don’t feel as comfortable talking to people.

Often discussing this with someone who understands this difficulty can either allay your fears or give you advice on what to do. This person could be your GP or your social worker.

To find out further information about anxiety or stress, as well as self-help tips, please visit www.nhsinform.scot/. For further advice and support, you can also visit their self help website www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/.