Care in My Own Home

do not need it, just a little company ...

There are many day centers or social clubs and groups that can give your caregivers to break and give you a chance to socialize. If your care assessment supports the request for a day center, your local social services to arrange this for you. Some centers arrange transportation and many provide food, entertainment and professional services such as hairdressing, chiropody or stay in shape. Contact your local social services to find out about groups in your area.

I just want some help with house and garden ...

It is unlikely that all local councils will be able to offer this service level, but all should be able to send to local volunteer organizations that may help. Many organizations offer choice of volunteer services, including home visits, shopping services, volunteer driver and escort scheme, and gardening.

WVRS initiated many schemes to help older people maintain their independence, including the Good Neighbour Scheme offers friendship, with a little help with tasks, Meals on Wheels, Home Library Service and Home from Hospital scheme for more intensive support.

Check your local library for more information about local voluntary services, or visit our useful links page for details of national organizations that could help. Also, you can choose to hire someone privately to help with home and garden.

I need help getting in and out of bed, washing and preparing meals ...

If your care assessment suggests that you need help at home with everyday life, you may be entitled to part or all of it funded by your local council (local social services will check the financial assessment). Social Services can then help organize the different levels of support.

Nursing assistants perform tasks such as cleaning, shopping and cooking.

home care workers to provide more personal care, such as helping people to go to the toilet, get in and out of bed, have a bath and get dressed.

Social Services can also help in adjusting to your home such as grab rails, stair lifts and bath seats.

meals at home can be arranged through social services that can provide the service themselves or through private or voluntary organizations. They can be a meal, or frozen, and should offer a range of food options, including specific conditions such as soft foods or diabetic foods.

I need nursing care at home ...

After their assessment of care, social services can get in touch with their local NHS that could help to provide continence advice and equipment, medical equipment such as hoists, special beds and wheelchairs, and can arrange visits to physicians, including working therapists, physiotherapists and chiropodists. Your GP can arrange for NHS services, such as municipalities or community nurse, to visit to give injections and change dressings. NHS services are free, but services that provide social services may need to be part or fully paid for.

number of hospice and palliative care teams are now providing hospice at home service, which complements and supplements the district nurse service people. Some teams can offer 24-hour nursing care. Talk to your GP or health visitor if you feel this type of care needed.

How do I choose and pay for home care?

The Council may give its concern I have, or ask an approved agency to afford it on their behalf. Many councils now offer a personal budget that will give you more choice and control over their care. It can also be performed using direct payments -. Cash you received from the Council to arrange their care

If you are buying your services (or the use of personal budgets of social services or their own funds), or you can buy the services of a regulated homecare agency or take responsibility of hiring your own personal assisant (PA). Homecare agencies are reviewed by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and conduct staff training, health and safety audit, the adequacy and police checks of staff and arrange for all wage and tax issues for their staff. If you use your personal assistant, all of these checks and tax matters should be arranged by you and the individual would not be regulated by the CQC.

List of homecare agencies is available from the Commission for the quality of care or from the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA). If you are considering home care, we recommend that you read "Choosing a care home" leaflet which can be downloaded and products UKHCA.