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Help with care in your own home

Woman shopping in a wheelchairThis is our information guide to:

  • the sources of help with care in your own home that may be available 
  • first steps towards obtaining help

 

You can download our free information guide from the top right corner of this screen or click on the links below: 

Index

 

What help do I need?

It can be difficult to identify what assistance will benefit you, particularly if you have not sought help before. Help you might be able to get includes:

  • personal care
  • help to manage and feel safe at home
  • financial assistance
  • health services

The local authority social services department is the main state provider of assistance. As an older person you will almost certainly be entitled to an assessment. The assessment will establish what your needs are and suggest how those needs can be taken care of.

Each local authority sets eligibility criteria, which are rules identifying the services they will provide for different levels of need. Even if you do not want your authority to arrange services for you, the assessment is useful as a way of identifying what services might benefit you.

What next?Contact your local authority social services department and ask them to carry out an assessment of your needs. Social services should be in the phone book. If not, your local Age Concern can tell you how to contact them.

 

For more detailed information see our Factsheet: Disability and ageing: your rights to social services

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Personal care

Personal care means help with tasks like getting up and getting dressed, washing and bathing. Providers of this kind of care include social services, private care agencies and voluntary organisations. Agencies that provide personal care workers have to be registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), which regularly inspects them to ensure that minimum standards are met.

If you need personal care, you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance.

What next?Contact your local authority for details of local care providers. CSCI can provide details of registered providers in your area.

 

 

For more detailed information see our Factsheet(s):

 

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Help with your house and garden

You may require help with housework, gardening, shopping, laundry and other day-to-day tasks. Many local authorities only offer limited assistance with these. Local voluntary organisations, including Age Concern groups, may run services or you can employ someone privately.

What next?Check what your local authority provides or contact your local Age Concern.

 

 

For more detailed information see our Factsheet: Finding help at home

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Meals at home

Local authorities should provide meals at home to those who need them, either directly or through a voluntary organisation or private agency. Some deliver hot meals, others provide frozen meals and a means of heating them. Any arrangement should take account of what you can manage: you should not be left with frozen meals if you will not be able to heat them up.

What next?Contact your local authority for details of meal services.

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Adapting your home

Your home may not feel as suitable for you as it once was, particularly if you have problems with mobility or other physical restrictions, but there is a lot you can do to make it more comfortable. A wide range of disability equipment is available, such as grab rails, tap turners and specially designed kitchen utensils. More substantial adaptations can include widening doors and providing ramps for wheelchair access, stairlifts and specially designed showers and baths.

Some smaller items may be provided free. For larger adaptations the authority can help you to apply for a grant, although this will be means tested.

What next?Contact social services and ask for an assessment by an occupational therapist to identify what might be useful for you. Local Disabled Living Centres offer the chance to try out equipment. Assist UK can direct you to your nearest Disabled Living Centre.

 

For more detailed information see our Factsheet(s):

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Emergency alarms

If you live by yourself it can be reassuring to have some means of alerting others in an emergency. There are several different emergency alarm schemes available. For some you carry a transmitter, which alerts a call centre that contacts your family or friends, but there are other systems too. The local authority may provide emergency alarms – it is worth checking with them as the cost may be subsidised.

What next?Contact the Disabled Living Foundation for a factsheet on emergency alarms.

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Day care

Most of us value the opportunity to spend time with other people. Day centres can offer this as well as a range of activities and events. Going to a day centre can also give your carer a break. Day centres are run by local authorities and local voluntary organisations. Most local Age Concern groups offer something, whether it is a lunch club or some other facilities, depending on the resources available.

What next?Ask your local Age Concern for details of day centres in your area.

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Charges for services

Local authorities have the power to charge for home care services and virtually all do so. Each authority can set its own charging policy as long as it meets certain minimum requirements set by the government. Under these your local authority has to ignore a certain amount of your income and savings when deciding how much you can afford to pay.

Any charge you are asked to pay must be reasonable given your individual circumstances. It should be based on your financial position and recognise if you have increased outgoings because of disability.

What next?Ask your local authority for details of its policy. If you think your charge is unreasonable, ask the local authority to reduce it or waive it altogether. You can use the local authority complaints procedure for this.

 

For more detailed information see our Factsheet(s):

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Direct payments

Arranging your own services can give you greater control over how your needs are met. Direct payments are money provided by your local authority for you to arrange the services you have been assessed as needing. Your authority has to offer you direct payments as long as you will be able to manage the payment and arrange your services. You can be assisted with this if needed. In many areas there are support groups for direct payment users.

They are means tested in the same way as if you had been provided with a service. You cannot be forced to have a direct payment if you would rather your authority provide or arrange services for you.

 

Case studyAnn had acted as carer for her husband Patrick for a number of years, but found it increasingly difficult to cope as his care needs increased …

‘I was under a lot of mental strain and needed help. The social worker came to visit us at home and Ann talking about caring for her husband Patrickhandled the situation so well that Patrick agreed to have a care worker sit with him so I could have time off to do the shopping and other jobs. Later he agreed to go to a day centre for one day a week. Luckily one of the care homes nearby has a good one attached. He agreed to go to help me but now rather looks forward to it.

‘The care workers and staff have been very helpful in telling us about what other assistance we might be able to get. I wish I had known about them earlier and not felt so guilty about asking for help. It would have saved us both a lot of stress ! Patrick is spending a week at the care home soon to give me a holiday. We’re both a bit nervous but he is used to the home and the staff from attending the day centre.’

For more information:

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Arranging your own care

If you are arranging your care privately, or receive direct payments from the local authority, you will need to find suitable care workers. You can do this through an employment agency or by employing someone directly. Either way, it is important to find the right person as they will be working in your home. Any agency providing personal care should give you a written contract as this is a condition of their registration with the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Ask for a written contract even if you are using an agency that does not have to be registered, for example because its workers only carry out household tasks.

Employing a care worker directly can be complicated. Think carefully before deciding to take this route and be clear what your responsibilities are as an employer, such as paying National Insurance contributions for your employee.

What next?Contact the National Centre for Independent Living for detailed information on employing a care worker.

 

 

For more detailed information see our Facctsheet(s):

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Extra money if you are disabled

You may be able to claim extra money if you need help with tasks such as eating, getting in and out of bed, going to the toilet or washing. Attendance Allowance is a state benefit awarded to people aged 65 or over who need certain levels of personal care or supervision. There is a similar benefit called Disability Living Allowance awarded to people aged under 65.

Attendance Allowance is not means tested. If you  are awarded it your other benefits may increase. If you receive local authority care services, you may be asked to contribute from your Attendance Allowance towards the cost of these.

Once you are getting the benefit you do not have to spend it on personal care. You might choose to spend it on other assistance to make your life easier, such as help with household tasks.

What next?Request an application form for Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance by calling the Benefit Enquiry Line. You might be able to get help with completing the form – contact your local Age Concern group for information.

 

For more detailed information see our Factsheet: Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance

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Is there any help for people who look after me?

You may be helped by a family member or friend rather than a paid care worker. That person is a carer even they do not realise it. When looking at your needs, the local authority should not make assumptions about how much support your carer can provide. Nor should your carer feel pressured to do more than they can comfortably cope with.

Your carer is also entitled to ask for their own needs assessment. Carers can receive services to help them carry out their caring role. Often what carers find most valuable is the opportunity to have a break from their responsibilities, even for a short time.

Financial support for carers is not generous. There is a benefit called Carers Allowance paid to carers who provide more than 35 hours’ care for a disabled person but the amount payable is low and any other income your carer has may affect their eligibility. Carers can often benefit from sharing their experiences with other carers. There may be a group in your area where carers can support each other.

What next?Contact Carers UK for information about help available to carers.

 

 

For more detailed information see our Information Sheet: Carer's Allowance (CA)

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Local health services

It is useful to know what health services are available in your area, particularly if you have mobility problems and find it difficult to get out and about. Your GP can give you information about local services. These might include home visits from the district nurse or health visitor, chiropody, continence advice and other services. Service levels are set locally so may vary from area to area. There should be a local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to provide support and information about health services to patients, carers and families in the area.

What next?Contact NHS Direct for information on local NHS services and organisations.

 

 

For more detailed information see our Factsheet(s):

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Local voluntary services

Local voluntary organisations and charities operate in most areas. They may deliver services on behalf of the local authority but can be particularly useful in covering activities that your local authority does not provide. Examples include gardening and handyperson services, befriending schemes and social activities. There are around 400 local Age Concern groups, each offering a range of services and activities to the communities in which they are based.

What next?Contact your local Age Concern for more information.

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Short breaks for you or your carer

You or your carer may need a break to recharge your batteries. Services provided to enable you to do this are known as respite care. It might involve a short stay in a care home or other residential establishment. Even a break for a short time, such as an afternoon to go to the cinema or attend a social club, can make a big difference to the person concerned.

What next?Ask your local authority for information about respite care.

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As your needs increase

As time passes you may feel that you need more support and assistance. Once your needs reach a certain level the authority may suggest that you enter a care home. There are other housing options.

It may be cheaper for the authority to provide care in a care home than in your own home. Your services should not be arranged on cost alone: if the care package that best suits your needs is more expensive than other options the local authority should still consider it.

What next?If you feel it is time, ask your local authority to reassess your needs and identify what services you now need.

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Moving to more suitable accommodation

The time may come when your current home is no longer suitable for you, even with care and support there. At this stage there are alternatives to moving into a care home. For some this may simply involve downsizing to a more manageable property.

Many older people consider moving in with their children or other relatives. This can work very well but it is important that everyone has a realistic understanding of what will be involved, particularly if you may need increasing levels of care in the future. If your children offer you accommodation but you do not want to live with them, do not feel obliged to accept out of politeness.

Sheltered housing is purpose built with the needs of older residents in mind. There are also increasing numbers of extra care sheltered housing developments, which offer a high level of support to residents while retaining a higher level of independence than in a traditional care home.

What next?The Elderly Accommodation Counsel provides information on housing options for older people, including lists of housing.

 

For more detailed information see our Factsheet(s):

 

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Problems and complaints

If you have a problem with a service provider, first try to resolve it through informal discussions with them. If this does not work ask if the organisation has a complaints procedure.

 

Complaints about standards of personal care can also be raised with the Commission for Social Care Inspection as the regulatory body. If the local authority has arranged your care, it retains responsibility for making sure that your care is suitable. Each local authority has to  perate a complaints procedure and produce information about how to complain.

 

The NHS and local social security agencies also have to have complaints procedures – ask the office you are dealing with for details.

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Useful organisations

Age Concern
Find details of your nearest local Age Concern on our site, or call the Age Concern Information Line on (free call) 0800 00 99 66.

Assist UK
The national voice for disabled /independent living centres throughout the UK.
Tel: 0870 770 2866 (national call rate)
Email: general.info@assist-uk.org

Benefit Enquiry Line
Government-run information line providing information on benefits for disabled people.
Tel: 0800 88 22 00 (free call)
Email: Bel-Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Carers UK
General help and advice for all carers.
Tel: 0808 808 7777 (free call)
Email: info@carersuk.org.uk

Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)
Responsible for registering and inspecting care services in England.
Helpline: 0845 015 0120 (lo-call rate)
Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk

Disabled Living Foundation
Runs an equipment demonstration centre, provides information about equipment for daily living and a specialist advice service on clothing.
Helpline: 0845 130 9177 (lo-call rate)
Email: info@dlf.org.uk

Elderly Accommodation Counsel
Maintains a nationwide database of housing for older people and provides guidance to help enquirers choose suitable accommodation.
Tel: 020 7820 1343

National Centre for Independent Living
Run by and for disabled people; provides information on living independently and employing personal assistants and care workers.
Tel: 020 7587 1663
Email: info@ncil.org.uk

NHS Direct
Telephone service staffed by experienced nurses offering advice and information about health, illnesses, and health services.
Tel: 0845 4647 (lo-call rate)

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What should I do now?

If you would like more information on the issues in this guide please call the Age Concern Information Line free on 0800 00 99 66.

You can order free paper copies of all our information guides from our online Information Guide order form.  

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Related books

We also publish books covering many of the above issues in our online bookshop. The following books may be of particular interest:

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