Transport Community transport services are designed to help people who are unable to use public transportation, such as those with disabilities, age-related limitations, or who live in areas without public transportation. These services can help people stay independent and active and can include volunteer drivers who use their own cars or specially adapted vehicles. These services usually have a cost involved, but some do accept concessionary bus passes.
Medication Managing medicines for someone can be a challenge for Carers. To help this, the pharmacy may be able to provide medication in dosette boxes. These are plastic boxes with small compartments that clearly show which pills need to be taken at what time of day. Dosette boxes are not always available for free on the NHS and they’re not suitable for every type of medicine. Other types of medicine reminders, such as automated dispensers, specially labelled packets and smart-phone apps, are also available. Carers can ask the pharmacist for more information about medicine reminders, such as dosette boxes, if they think they could be helpful.
Community transport is specifically designed to help those who are unable to use public transport. This may be because of age, disability, or lack of public transport service. These include voluntary car and minibus schemes. Costs apply in the form of a yearly membership fee and/or mileage. West Northants
Carers can ask the GP for a free Structured Medication Review with a pharmacist or other healthcare professional. This is a review of the person’s medicines and health, to make sure the medicines they’re taking are right for them. It’s a chance to ask questions and talk to the pharmacist in confidence about any problems they’re having with their medicines. Carers can attend the review with the person they look after. It can help them make sure the cared-for takes the correct medicines in the right doses and at the right times. Carers can spend a lot of time fetching prescriptions from the GP and picking up medicines from the pharmacy. GP surgeries can send prescriptions directly to the pharmacy – Carers can ask the GP to do this. Some pharmacies also offer home delivery services for people who find it difficult to get out of the house. There are also apps and websites Carers and people with long term health conditions can use to have prescriptions delivered directly to your home. Please contact your pharmacy for more information.
www.westnorthants.gov.uk/transport/community-transport
North Northants
www.northnorthants.gov.uk/buses-and-transport/community-transport
Bus Passes
You may be eligible for a bus pass to help you to access the wider community.
It may be useful to make sure medicines are all kept in one place in the home, preferably in a locked cupboard or drawer, particularly if children live in or visit the house.
Older person’s bus passes
If the person you care for keeps forgetting to take their medicine, there are several ways you can help:
You are eligible from your state pension age. You can apply online or by visiting your local library.
• Telephone them when they need to take their medicine to remind them • Arrange for any care workers to visit at the same time that they’re meant to take their medicines • Get them an automatic pill dispenser – this beeps when it’s time to take the medicine and a small opening allows access to the correct pills at the right time
www.westnorthants.gov.uk/travel/older-persons-bus-pass
www.northnorthants.gov.uk/buses-and-transport/disabled-persons-bus-pass
Disabled person’s bus passes To be eligible you need evidence of your disability. Evidence can include, but not limited to, a signed letter or evidence from a medical professional or social services, being entitled to and accessing certain benefits, letter from a learning disability co-ordinator/SENCO at a school or college. You can apply online or by visiting your local library.
Ask the pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember medicines.
If the person you care for is unwilling to take their medicines, talk to their GP or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest a form of the medicine that’s easier to take such as a soluble or liquid form. Please check with their doctor or pharmacist before you crush tablets or open capsules and mix the powder with food or drink as it is not always safe to do this. Although the person you care for may appreciate your support with their medicines, they have a right to confidentiality and can decide how much of their health and medicines information is available to you as their Carer. Never give medicine to someone without their consent or try to force them to take it. People have the right to refuse medicine.
https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/buses-and-transport/disabled-persons-bus-pass https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/buses-and-transport/disabled-persons-bus-pass
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