Fire service to give those with dementia free smoke alarms as part of partnership with Bedford GPs

Those living with dementia in Bedford will be given a much-needed lifeline thanks to a partnership between the fire service and GPs.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is carrying out welfare checks on people with dementia as well as those they live with.

As part of the service, free smoke alarms will be provided where needed as well as a range of home safety issues checked including electrical safety, cooking and trip hazards. There are specialist alarms for people who have impaired hearing or deafness.

This service is open to those with a dementia diagnosis or people over 65 with memory problems.

GPs will also send a text to patients and family members, giving them a link to the practice website with details of the service. A request for a home visit can be made on the same page.

Ian Howarth, from the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Clearly the text will go to many patients who do not have dementia but we hope they will use the information to help their relatives who do have dementia to request a visit from us.

“There will be people with dementia still living on their own homes who do not use computers or smartphones but their family members do. This is a really important service which provides additional peace of mind for relatives knowing their family members are safer in their homes.”

The partnership - which started yesterday (December 7) - will run until early 2021.