The PSR – Help for you and your ageing parents

A Guide to Helping Your Elderly Parents Stay Safe and Secure.

Older adults are more sensitive to changes in their physical and social environment and even a small interruption to their daily routine can result in problems with their health and wellbeing. As a Carent supporting your elderly parent, keeping them safe and secure at home is one of the most important things you can do.

Because our elderly parents, are more likely to find their lives disrupted by interruptions to the gas, electricity or water supply then anything we can do to ease the stress can be helpful.

For the reasons, we encourage Carents to sign up for the Priority Services Register (PSR), because this is a proactive way of ensuring they can be supported by the authorities if there is a utility related emergency or disruption.

This article aims to help you understand the Priority Services Register and how it could benefit your family.

Understanding the Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free support service that ensures that people who are – or could be – in vulnerable situations receive additional assistance. The purpose of the Priority Services Register is to provide extra help and support to those who need it most.

Eligibility for the register

To be eligible for the Priority Services Register, you need to meet one of the following criteria:

• • you are of pensionable age

• • you have a disability or a chronic illness

• • you have a hearing or visual impairment or additional communication needs

• • you have a loss or impairment of smell

• • you use medical equipment reliant on electricity or water

• • you need documents translated into another format or language

• • you have anxiety, depression or any mental health condition

• • you are living with children under five

• • you are in a temporary or ongoing vulnerable situation (this covers a wide range of circumstances such as an accident, periods of physical or mental illness, being a carer or living with pre school children)

Extra support for those on the register

Energy networks in the UK support the Priority Services Register as a way to help their customers stay safe, warm, and independent in their homes. Find out if your energy network supports the Priority Services Register by visiting this industry PSR website. As a Carent, you can research the specific services offered for your loved ones so that you are confident they receive the necessary help.

Although the support varies between companies, and some really do go the extra mile, the main benefits of being on the Priority Services Register can be:

• • support and information during a power or gas supply interruption

• • connection to local emergency services

• • priority access to emergency power during prolonged supply interruptions

• • emergency heating and cooking equipment if the mains gas supply is interrupted for a prolonged period

• • nominee schemes allowing information and notifications to be sent to a preferred named contact such as a carer, family member or friend

• • advance warning of any supply interruptions;
  • bills and other literature in accessible formats
  • doorstep identification schemes for engineers –this usually entails a password system to identify legitimate callers and is likely to include “knock and wait” arrangement to give you time to  get to the door

You can find out more about each operator in your area and the support they provide at this site http://thepsr.co.uk

Other Ways to Help Elderly Parents Stay Safe and Secure

In addition to the Priority Services Register, there are several other ways Carents can help elderly parents stay safe and secure in the home – falls related hazards, fires, cold homes, carbon monoxide and financial fraud are some of the key dangers.

Our Carents Room Bookcase offers additional information for Carents looking to support their loved ones with ageing and health related concerns. By taking proactive steps, you and your parents can have peace of mind knowing they are safe and secure at home.

Have you heard of the Carents Lounge? The Carents Lounge is made up of a group of Carents who come together to share experiences and provide support. Join the community today.

How to Sign-Up for the Priority Services Register

Registering for the Priority Services Register is an easy process that can provide valuable safety benefits for an elderly parent. To sign-up for the Priority Services Register, it is essential that you first check with the service operator to see if your parent is eligible. You will then be asked to provide basic information, such as the account holder’s name, address, account number, and other information. When the service provider receives this information, they will proceed to add your loved one to the Priority Services Register if they are eligible. By registering for the Priority Services Register and making the most of available resources, you can help support your elderly parents at home.

REGISTER FOR THE PRIORITY SERVICES REGISTER AT THIS LINK

As a way of helping your elderly parents stay safe and secure, we encourage you to register your elderly loved ones for the Priority Services Register. It may also be worth considering whether you, as a Carent are eligible, as being on the register could give you the reassurance you need. Visit the industry PSR website to see how you can register.