Carers Handbook Somerset
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Index Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page
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Welcome and Introduction Feelings - understanding yours Looking after yourself Benefits & finance Legal matters Medical matters People you may meet Work & volunteering Getting out & about Making life easier Other services End of life Useful numbers and contacts
‘Carers Handbook Somerset’ is produced by Compass Disability Services Unit 11-12 Belvedere Trading Estate Taunton TA1 1BH Tel: 0330 3330089 or 01823 282823 Text: 07568 109960 Minicom: 01823 255919 Email: info@compassdisability.org.uk Website: www.compassdisability.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1099376 Disclaimer: The views expressed in ‘Carers Handbook Somerset’ are not necessarily those of Compass Disability Services. All data is provided in good faith, however, any information (dates, telephone numbers etc) is liable to change and should be checked before acting upon it. No responsibility can be taken for errors, omissions or subsequent changes. (c) Compass Disability Services 2015
Welcome
Val Palmer A carer is someone who provides unpaid support to family, friends or maybe a neighbour with long-term physical or mental ill-health or age related problems who could not otherwise manage. A carer can be any age, any gender and any nationality. A carer could be a husband, wife, partner, child, brother, 4
sister, friend, neighbour . . . . . . . a carer could be anyone. Many carers do not think of themselves as “a carer”. We often hear “I’m not a carer, it’s just what decent people do!” or “I’m not a carer. It’s my wife/husband. It’s what I signed up for”. You are not alone, from the 2011 Census it was identified there was an estimated 58,000 people in Somerset who said they provided unpaid care. That’s one in nine (11%) of the population. However, even this huge number is thought to be an under-estimate as many people consider the support they give to others falls under the definition, “it's just what families/friends/neighbours, do”. www.compasscarers.org.uk
Carers have their own lives to deal with and often have health issues themselves brought on by their caring role, including exhaustion and depression. Often carers will carry on without seeking medical support and neglect their own needs for a variety of reasons such as feeling they are unable to leave the person they care for. If you believe you are a carer, we are ready, willing and able to offer you support. If you look after someone through
duty, love or just being nice, you too are a carer and we are ready, willing and able to offer you support. Compass Carers has produced this handbook as one of many tools to help people identify themselves as carers, as a resource that will answer some of the many questions they may have and where further support is available. Val Palmer, Chair of Trustees, Compass Disability Services.
‘Pop Up’ Compass Telephone 01823 255911
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Compass Carers Compass Carers recognise the value and contribution that unpaid carers make to society. We are commissioned by Somerset County Council and the NHS to provide the first dedicated support and advice service for carers in Somerset. The service aims to enable carers to achieve more of a life outside of caring, as well as supporting people with their role as a carer. To achieve this we provide the following free services and are continually looking to develop other services that will support our aims. As you use this handbook you will find further information on how to access these services: q A dedicated carers advice and information phone line. q Access to a Carers Support Worker when required who can visit you to talk through your situation and plan a way forward with you. q Training courses to support your role as a carer. q A ‘Talk & Support’ telephone befriending service, providing someone to talk to on a regular basis, addressing feelings of isolation often experienced by those in a caring role. q A free quarterly magazine, featuring information, reviews and news for carers and people with disabilities available in various formats to suit their needs. q Carer Support Groups providing information, skills sharing, experience sharing, peer support and a social occasion. q Signposting: (pointing people in the right direction) in order for carers to access useful and essential services (such as advocacy). q Compass Carer’s web-site giving further information on all our services. www.compasscarers.org.uk 6
The Care Act Legal information can often be very boring and complex so we have included an abridged version of The Care Act 2014, as many people feel the need to understand where their rights come from. As we write this handbook we are at a pivotal time in the implementation of new legislation that supports the right of carers and their cared for. Although The Care Act 2014 was given Royal Assent in May 2014 and is intended to radically transform the way social care works in the future, there are elements of the act that are due to be phased in over the coming years so we are unable to guarantee the timeframes given. As well as being intended to simplify the current legislation providing a single framework for care and support, it is aimed at completely changing the way in which the law governing care and support works. The intention is to put the “wellbeing� of everyone in a local authority area at the centre and is intended to re-balance social care away from it reaching crisis point using prevention and reducing need. It is also intended that people will have more control over their care and support while giving people real choice. The Care Act requires Local Authorities to provide specific information , including what type of care and support is available, what specific services are provided in their area and by whom. It also has to outline what the process is to gain access to these services and how to raise concerns about the safety or wellbeing of someone who has care and support needs.
Telephone 01823 255911
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The Care Act comes into force in the following ways: q April 2015 The Care Act came into force adding responsibilities and obligations to local authorities. Local authorities are legally obligated to carry out carer’s assessments and needs assessments in accordance with the Care Act. q April 2015 Local authorities are now obligated to determine who is eligible for support in accordance with the Care Act. q April 2016 most of The Care Act’s outstanding elements come into effect, including how local authorities should charge for the provision of residential and community care in accordance with the Care Act. This is when the “Care Cap” gets introduced. Care and support services are means-tested and not free to everyone. The Government has announced plans for 2020 to put a limit on how much people might pay. q For further information on the Care Act call 01823 255911 or go to www.compasscarers.org.uk
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www.compasscarers.org.uk
Registering as a Carer Many carers will not know that they can register their caring responsibilities with their GP. Doing this will give you access to the following services: q You can book a double appointment. This will give you and the person you care for more time with your GP. q You can request home visits if you or the person you care for are unable to get to the surgery. q You may be entitled to a free flu jab if you register your caring role with your GP. q You can request for repeat prescriptions to be delivered to your local pharmacy to save you picking them up. q Providing support letters and information to enable you and the person you care for to access benefits, or your local housing department. Health services that can help you and the person you care for are available through your GP, Hospital, Community Health Services or by contacting Compass Carers: go to www.compasscarers.org.uk or call 01823 255911
Telephone 01823 255911
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Carers Assessment A Carers Assessment is an assessment of your needs as a carer, not your ability to care. If you are a carer providing necessary unpaid care, you have the right to have your own needs assessed independent of the person you care for, even if they are not receiving help from Social Services. After the assessment a support plan will be agreed and you may be eligible for support in your own right. Social Services will assess your need for support based on the national
eligibility criteria from The Care Act 2014. If your Carers Assessment confirms that providing a service to you or the person you care for is necessary, then Social Services will help to arrange this. Depending on what is required, there may be a need for a financial contribution; this will be discussed with you prior to any decisions being made.
If you feel that you should have a Carers Assessment or would like to discuss them you can contact Social Services on 0300 123 2224 or call Compass Carers.
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www.compasscarers.org.uk
Feelings - understanding yours Many carers can all too easily get caught in a cycle of resentment and guilt; resentful that their life is no longer their own and guilty for feeling like this. It is important to acknowledge these feelings and also important you look after yourself. It is normal to feel resentful that your life is perhaps not the one you imagined. Maybe your relationship with the person you care for has changed and you are missing how it used to be. The person you care for may not always appreciate what you are doing for them and this can have a profound effect on you as a carer. You may feel that you should be doing more or better in your caring role; this can lead to you feeling guilty thinking you are not doing a good job. The person you are caring for may also feel guilty about being a burden to you and they see the affect the caring has on your life. Stress is caused by the many demands made on your time and energy and the expectations you have of yourself. Stress can make it hard to cope with the demands of caring. You can become exhausted, tense and irritable. This can make you feel you are losing control over your life. The symptoms of stress can be mental and physical and vary from person to person, this needs to be dealt with and talking about how you feel can help you to deal with it. You may suffer depression which is when we feel low or sad and cannot find any pleasure in life. Many of us feel like this Telephone 01823 255911
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sometimes, but when suffering depression these feelings last longer and are more extreme. If you recognise the symptoms you should seek help to deal with depression quickly. In the first instance you should approach your GP. However, there are other services out there that can support you with this. More information can be found by visiting the Somerset Choices website www.somersetchoices.org.uk or contacting Compass Carers. Getting outdoors can help keep away depression
It doesn’t have to be negative A Carer’s Story When I met my now husband 12 years ago, I had no knowledge of the world of caring and assumed that my caring responsibilities would come as my parents aged. However I embarked on a relationship with this man who had used a wheelchair for many years and had very limited mobility, but was fiercely independent and adamant that I would not become his carer. Well here we are now, married with children and the signs of ageing taking its toll and I am very much a part of his care that enables him to continue to live a fulfilled life. As my caring role has 12
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developed my journey has been supported through the ability to claim Carers Allowance to reduce the pressures of employment. When our children were born we were lucky enough to receive a Carer’s Direct Payment, to assist with some of the areas that he would have normally done as a father. We have been very lucky that he works within this field and therefore has had access to useful information which has helped me along the way. He has also been lucky enough to have the support in his own right through Direct Payments and Access to Work grants to help give him a positive attitude which always makes my role easier. However, after 10 years he will still hang around in doorways when I am rushing around doing my 101 jobs, even though it is his pet hate when others do it! I appreciate that the role of an unpaid carer can be difficult at times with periods of frustration. However I hope that this short piece and the fact that so many things make me feel lucky (you will see I have used that word quite a bit) will go a little way to encourage my fellow carers to look for the support from services like Compass Carers and grasp it with both hands. I truly believe that there is no shame in asking for help and the results could change your life and since you are reading this handbook, hopefully it means that you have started that journey. Good luck and keep your chin up!
For further information you can visit the Compass Carers website at www.compasscarers.org.uk or contact Compass Carers on 01823 255911. Telephone 01823 255911
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Looking After Yourself It may seem obvious that you have to look after yourself but it is easy to forget about ‘you’ when you are caring for somebody else.
Caring for your Back
If you are regularly having to lift the person you care for, or help them in and out of bed, you may find this will place an Eating Well extra strain on your back. As a carer eating a balanced Your local council should be able to advise you about diet is vital to provide your training opportunities in how to body with all the nutrients it lift and move more safely to needs. This will keep your reduce the risk of harm to your body strong and supply you with enough energy to provide back. the best care for the person Time for Yourself you are caring for and you. It is important that everyone Getting Enough Sleep has some time to themselves. We all need sleep; it is a vital It is especially important that part of our daily life and keeps you do that as a carer, either us healthy both physically and on your own, with friends and mentally. Carers can often find family or with a support group. Please see page 17 for it difficult to have a good night’s sleep if the person they information on taking a break. care for needs help or disturbs This is just a small insight into some of the key areas that are them in the night. often forgotten when caring for If you are having trouble someone else. sleeping for longer than a For further information you night or two then everything will seem harder. Talk to your can visit the Compass Carers website at GP if you have trouble sleeping as they can give you www.compasscarers.org.uk advice to help with this. 14
www.compasscarers.org.uk
or contact Compass Carers on 01823 255911. You can also find out about available relevant training such as ‘Skills For Carers’, provided by us and/or other organisations.
The Need to Talk
as a carer; it does not replace assessed care and support provided by the local authority. There may also be national helplines that are specific to carers or your cared for’s condition. For more information go to the Compass Carers website www.compasscarers.org.uk or call 01823 255911
You and your partner
Compass Carers provide a carers support service that is available to all adult unpaid carers, whether you care for a few hours or provide a substantial amount. We give quality local information, emotional support and practical advice to help in your caring role, and can point you in the right direction to get help or information. We also work closely with other specialist carer support networks. This service is to support you Telephone 01823 255911
Most couples have a lot on their plate. Whether it's paying the bills or juggling work and family, it can be hard to find time for each other. But when disability or illness happens to one of you then things can get a whole lot more difficult. Suddenly there are a million more things to do - organising care, sharing your home with 15
care workers, dealing with an army of medical professionals. It's important to acknowledge that caring for the person you love can put strain on your relationships. Although many couples who have faced long term illness or disability will tell you how it has brought them closer and deepened their love in ways they never thought possible. But everyone is different and much might depend on the nature of the illness or disability you are dealing with.
Relationships
The need for intimacy in a relationship does not necessarily diminish when the person you care for has an illness or disability. It is ideal if you are able to discuss your 16
personal lives and any difficulties you may be experiencing. If the person you care for does not want to discuss this with you, you can obtain further information and support through your GP. We do appreciate that this is a difficult conversation and there are many obstacles which may need to be overcome. These days we are lucky enough to have the internet which has a wealth of information that can be accessed privately but beware as there is a more explicit side to the internet that probably won’t be what you want, so be careful with your search words. Many specific condition organisations will have a section on their website or information leaflets that can be sent to you.
Carers information line 01823 255911 www.compasscarers.org.uk
Taking a Break
more information on this. Here are some of the For many carers having the available services that can time to take a break and recharge their batteries is vital support in giving you the to continuing their caring role. necessary break. For some this may need to be Sitting Service a break away from their cared The Sitting Service can help for over a day or so, others you to take a break with the are happy to access services assurance that the person you that give them a couple hours care for is being looked after. break here and there. This The Sitting Service provides support is usually referred to trained staff who can come as respite and is normally into your home or take the provided by someone else person you care for out. You looking after the person you will need to cover the cost of care for. any trip or visit, including Respite can be obtained by mileage and entry fees. being assessed by social Sitting Service sessions can services or directly contacting be from two hours up to eight a respite agency. Respite is hours any day of the week considered a service for the between 8am and 11pm. person you care for, and For more information go to therefore they may be Somerset County Council financially assessed. Please website. see Finance and Benefits www.somerset.gov.uk/ section on page 21. sittingservice Some carers may also find or call 0300 123 2224 that they need to work to give Domiciliary Care them a break and fulfil their (help in the home) need for a life outside of caring. Please see the section This is a service that helps with personal care and on employment and essential tasks. It is provided volunteering on page 31 for Telephone 01823 255911
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as part of an agreed care plan after the person you care for has had an assessment to agree what care is needed. They may be eligible to receive this free of charge or they may need to pay. This service can also be obtained independently by contacting registered domiciliary care agencies direct. If your cared for is eligible for domiciliary care paid for by Social Services they can receive this support in two ways. Either as above through a care agency organised by Social Services or in the form of a Direct Payment. Direct Payments offer a way in which people can make their own care arrangements. Direct Payments make it possible to have more choice and control over the type of help and support you and your cared for require. More information can be found by visiting the Somerset Choices website www.somersetchoices.org.uk or contact Compass Carers. 18
Carer Support Groups Carer Support Groups can often fulfil the need for those needing a short break and/or emotional support. They offer you the benefit of meeting other carers who are in the same position; they also bring together people who share the same experiences. Carer Support Groups can take many different forms, some are just informal drop in sessions, some will offer training or guest speakers and others are just about a chat with tea and cakes. Attendance is often free, but there may be a small charge for teas and coffees. Some groups fundraise to put money towards things like outings or activities. Compass Carers facilitate and support over 20 carer support groups and many condition specific organisations will run their own carer support groups. The Compass Carers website has more information on these groups and a directory of groups is produced in our quarterly magazine. www.compasscarers.org.uk
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Finding it Hard to Cope Even with arrangements in place you may find it hard to cope. Do not carry on in silence, as you may be able to get more support. See page 30 for further information on services that can help you. If you no longer want to provide the same level of care, at no point should it be assumed that you are willing and/or able to continue to provide care; either at all, or at the same level you currently provide. Therefore, during both the Care and Support Assessment and Carers Assessment you should always ensure that Social Services and Health Professionals are aware of what type and level of care you are willing to continue to provide. If you are unable to continue caring at home, you may consider other options for the person you care for. Nursing homes offer a high level of support for people with complex health needs or challenging behaviour. Residential homes offer a lower level of support for people who are more independent. For further information go to www.somerset.gov.uk or call 0300 123 2224 Telephone 01823 255911
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Safeguarding Safeguarding means protecting a person’s right to live safely free of abuse and neglect. Abuse is a violation of a person’s human and civil rights by another person. This can be a single act or repeated acts which can take place anywhere by anybody. There are different types of abuse: q Physical abuse q Domestic violence q Sexual abuse q Psychological abuse q Financial abuse Abuse can be carried out by many different people including: q Relatives and family members q Paid staff or professionals q Neighbours q Volunteers and strangers Abuse can happen in a variety of settings, in someone’s home, in a care setting or in a public place. If you are concerned about an adult at risk, in an emergency call 999 and in a non-emergency call the police on 101 or Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224. Lighthouse is a team of staff from the Police and victim support organisations, working together to guide, advise and support victims and witnesses. Contact us - call us on 101 In an emergency dial 999 Contact Crimestoppers - 0800 555 111
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www.compasscarers.org.uk
Benefits and Finance Benefits You or the person you care for may be entitled to financial help depending on age, needs and income. There are a number of benefits that both you, and the person you care for, may be entitled to. Benefits can sometimes be complex and regularly change and because of that this handbook only gives you a brief insight into the benefits that may be available to you. You can either contact The Department of Work and Pensions directly or seek advice from an independent organisation such as the Citizens Advice Bureau who will have the most up to date information on these benefits. To ensure you are both receiving all your entitlement and getting all the financial support available to you, it is worth getting in touch with organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau, Age UK etc. Telephone 01823 255911
who have specialist advisors that can help you with this. If the Department for Work and Pensions make a decision about your benefits that you do not agree with you have one month to ask them to reconsider it. If you receive the DWP’s reconsidered decision and disagree with it then you are allowed to ask for a tribunal hearing. This is called appealing the decision and you have one month within which to request that appeal.
Carer’s Allowance Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for carers. It is paid on a weekly basis. The amount paid is usually increased each April. Carer’s Allowance is not based on your National Insurance record, neither is it a means tested benefit based on you and your partner’s income and savings. However, there is a cap on how much you can earn and still be 21
entitled to claim Carer’s Allowance. Carer’s Allowance is taxable, however, carers will only have to pay tax if they have other sources of taxable income such as an occupational pension or earnings. Carer’s Allowance alone is below the taxable threshold. For further information go to www.gov.uk/ carers-allowance/how-to-claim
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Personal Independence Payment is a benefit paid to people who have daily living and/or mobility needs to help with the extra costs of long-term illness or disability that replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people between the ages of 16 and 64. PIP can be paid regardless of your income, savings or National Insurance contribution record and is a 22
tax free benefit. You can claim PIP if you are working or studying. If you are a carer who has care needs, you can claim PIP for yourself and this will not affect your Carer’s Allowance. Making an initial claim for PIP will be done by telephone to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by calling 0800 917 2222. The phone call can be made on your behalf but that person will need to be with you, during the call. It is possible that paper claim forms are available in exceptional circumstances.
Attendance Allowance Attendance Allowance is a benefit paid to people who are 65 or over who have care needs to help with extra costs of long term illness or disability. Attendance Allowance can be paid regardless of your income, savings or National Insurance contribution record and is a tax free benefit. In addition if you are a carer www.compasscarers.org.uk
who has care needs, you can claim Attendance Allowance for yourself and this will not affect your Carer’s Allowance. There are no restrictions on how you can spend your Attendance Allowance and you do not have to spend it on paying for the care that you require. However, your council can take Attendance Allowance into account when calculating how much you might need to pay for any care services you receive. To claim Attendance Allowance visit www.gov.uk/ attendance-allowance or call the Attendance Allowance Helpline on 0345 605 6055.
Council Tax Reduction Help for people on low incomes is provided through various local Council Tax Reduction schemes run by each local council, who have the responsibility to decide who it supports with paying their Council Tax bill. If you are liable for Council Tax you can apply for a reduction, if you are on a low Telephone 01823 255911
income. To apply you would need to contact your local council benefits department. Should you already be in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit, you should then get the maximum amount of Council Tax Reduction that your local council will allow. You may also be able to get a band reduction in your council tax if you have specific areas in your home that are there to meet the needs of your cared for. Again, you should contact the benefits department of your local council for further information on this.
Winter Fuel Payments The Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly tax free payment to help people pay for their heating in winter. Getting the payment will not affect any of your other benefits. You will need to make a claim for the payment by calling the Winter Fuel Payment on 0845 915 15 15 or go to www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim 23
Cold Weather Payments
people in need. Some of Cold Weather Payments are which are run by charities or available if you are receiving trusts. There are so many certain benefits, you may be covering a number of different factors therefore we are able to get a payment each week between 1st November unable to list them individually. www.turn2us.org.uk is a and 31st March in which the website designed specifically average temperature is freezing or below in your local to help you find the right sort area over 7 consecutive days. of help. Factors to consider Receiving this payment will not affect any of your other q Things local to you. benefits.You do not need to Many local trusts help people apply. If you are entitled to a within a certain geographical Cold Weather Payment you area. Is there a local fund will be paid it automatically covering your area? with your other qualifying q What you need it for. If benefit payment. you need a specific item or holiday this will determined TV Licence Although not a benefit, if you who you can apply to. q Occupations in the live with someone over the age of 75 or someone who is family. Is someone in your family in the Armed Forces or blind or severely sight impaired you may be entitled a certain trade like a plumber or baker? These schemes are to a free or discounted TV often called benevolent funds Licence. To apply go to www.tvlicensing.co.uk or call specifically to aid the families of people in a certain 0300 790 6073. profession. Grants Throughout the UK there are many awards and grant schemes designed to help 24
Help with Debt
Facing up to debt and money issues can be a difficult www.compasscarers.org.uk
process. There are a lot of free confidential help and advice services available without having to pay a debt management company to sort out your money worries. It is important that you check entitlement to disability and carers benefits and your employment rights if you are in paid work and a carer. Advice can be obtained from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, Money Advice Services or the Debt Advice Foundation.
Paying for Services If the Cared For meets the eligibility criteria for Social
Services to help pay for their care, they may have to contribute towards this. National rules are used to work out the contribution towards the cost of their care. A Financial Assessment and Benefit Officer will contact them/you to work out how much they can afford to contribute; everyone is treated the same and it is based on the ability to pay. If they don’t meet the eligibility criteria and have more in savings and income, above the approved threshold, they will usually be asked to make their own care arrangements and pay the full cost of the care.
www.turn2us.org.uk
For further information you can visit the Compass Carers website at www.compasscarers.org.uk or contact Compass Carers on 01823 255911 Telephone 01823 255911
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Legal Matters Carers sometimes need to take responsibility for the financial and legal affairs of the person they care for. Planning ahead can save time, effort and money. You may need to take care of benefits where you can either become an ‘agent’ or an ‘appointee’ for your cared for. For this you need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions. You may need to take charge of Bank and Building Society accounts. Accounts can be changed to joint accounts or you can have a ‘Third party mandate’. Contact the relevant bank or building society, for help with this.
Making a Will A will is a written record of what happens to a person’s personal effects after they die. A person can write their own will, however if it is not done correctly there can be problems. Most solicitors can help draw up a will.
Power of Attorney A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows a person who is 18 years or over and who has mental capacity, to choose other people to make decisions on their behalf should they ever lack the mental capacity to make decisions themselves. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney: Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney allows the attorney to make decisions about things such as paying bills, dealing with the bank and selling a house. It can relate to some of the person’s money or all of it; this is decided by the person granting the power. Personal Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney allows the attorney to make decisions about health treatment and about community care. It can cover all aspects of health 26
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and care or just some; this is decided by the person granting the power. A Personal Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney cannot come into effect until the person has lost the capacity to make decisions about health and social care. Personal Health and Welfare Attorneys do not have the right to manage the person’s money.
Advocacy An Advocate is a person who helps another person to be heard. An advocate can help you to explain to other people what your needs or wishes are, or speak for you if you want them to. An advocate will support you to speak for yourself where possible. Social Services can arrange for an advocate to attend an assessment if it is felt beneficial to you or the person you care for.
Medical Matters - Making Life Easier Hospital Appointments If your cared for has more than one hospital appointment, try arranging them for the same day. Contact details will be on the appointment card or letter. You can sometimes book an ambulance to attend an outpatient appointment by contacting the hospital involved.
Hospital Discharge Before the person you care for leaves hospital, there should be a plan of action that outlines what, who and Telephone 01823 255911
how care is to be provided. This is called the hospital discharge plan. The ward staff should involve you in decisions about discharge. The discharge plan can include: q The expected date of discharge q What happens on the day of leaving q Any assessments required q Arrangements for transport home q Care package q Equipment 27
q Changes to the home q Health professionals or outpatient appointments
Discharge from a Mental Health Facility If the person you care for is discharged from a mental health facility there may be specialist support that is available to them in the community. There are also special rules that apply to hospital discharge where the person you care for has been detained under the Mental Health Act. Discharge from the Mental Health Act is a complicated area and therefore if this applies to the person you care for, you may need to seek advice from a specialist mental health charity Contact www.mind.org.uk or call 0845 766 0163
Prescribed Medications It is likely that the person you care for will be on prescribed medication. If you are involved with helping the person you care for with their medication you should ask 28
your GP for advice on what has been prescribed. All prescription medication comes with an information sheet which gives details on the medication and its potential side effects. If you still have questions, talk to the pharmacist when collecting the prescription. They will have detailed knowledge, and will also advise on any over-thecounter medication. If you are administering the medication, speak to your GP or a district nurse for advice. You should never be asked or expected to do this without some guidance. Your pharmacy should also be able to sort medication into the right dosage and frequency for which it should be taken. Ask your pharmacist for more information on this.
In case of an emergency You could carry a Carers Emergency Card (ICE). This card has space for information like your name, www.compasscarers.org.uk
address, doctor and who to contact in an emergency if you are taken ill or involved in an accident, the people who look after you will know you are a carer and that someone at home may be depending on you.
These cards can be obtained from Compass Carers call 01823 255911. Message in a Bottle works by storing emergency details in a plastic ‘bottle’, placed in the door of your fridge. Emergency services will see the emergency sticker (provided) on your fridge door and can then locate the bottle containing the information. If you need emergency treatment or go to hospital, this information can help treat you and can travel to hospital with you. Contact ‘The Lions’ Club on 0845 833 9502 Telephone 01823 255911
Help in Crisis Emergency breaks Help in Crisis is a free service to help carers deal with emergencies. It does not provide long term care; it provides immediate help whilst alternative care arrangements are made. You may be eligible to use the service if you: q Are confined to bed or admitted to hospital following an accident or illness q Exhausted and need immediate rest and sleep. q Distressed and immediate relief is vital to your wellbeing or the person you care for. q Are needed in a family crisis. The service is provided by registered care providers and is available between 8.30am and 6pm Monday to Friday. To find out more contact Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224 29
People you may meet Carers Champions Within most GP surgeries there are Carers Champions who’s role is to ensure you have access to information about support available and to help you feel more confident in your caring role. They can also help you with registering as a carer.
Carers Support Worker Carers Support Workers are likely to come from the voluntary sector and in Somerset will most likely be from Compass Carers or Somerset Partnership. They will assist you to access relevant information and help you feel supported in your caring role.
District Nurses District Nurses play a crucial role in the Primary Health Care Team. They visit people in their own homes, providing care for the person you care for and supporting family members. They also play a vital role in keeping hospital admissions to a minimum and ensuring the cared for can be treated at home. Each GP surgery has a team of District Nurses.
Social Worker Social workers can work with you and your cared for to help improve outcomes in your lives. Social workers can support you and direct you to services you may require. Social workers often work in multi-disciplinary teams alongside health and education professionals.
Occupational Therapists (OT’s) Occupational Therapists help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their everyday life. They work with individuals to help them develop, recover or maintain their daily living skills. They will provide you with aids and adaptions, for example, changes required to bathrooms and kitchens. 30
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A programme is designed based on the individual’s lifestyle, environment and preferences. Patients being discharged from hospital may have an OT assessment, this could lead to you and your cared for being eligible for additional services that could assist with your caring role. For more information about Occupational Therapists contact Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224.
Work & Volunteering You may want to carry on working for financial reasons, your well-being and to maintain social contacts. However you may not feel able to talk to your employer about your caring responsibilities. Carers have statutory rights under the Work and Families Act 2006 and the Employment Rights Act 1996 to help them manage work and caring, so please talk to your employer. They may be able to help by giving you access to a phone to check on the person you care for, the option of flexible working, job sharing or extra leave entitlement. Employers often have policies and practices to support employees who are carers detailed in their employer’s Telephone 01823 255911
HR handbook. GOV.UK the public services website has information about caring for someone while working, leaving work to care for someone and support for carers that work,o to www.gov.uk/carersemployment for more information. If you would like to work, but do not want to commit to employment or training, you could become a volunteer. Volunteering can be an opportunity to introduce yourself back into work building your confidence and skills. For more information call Compass Disability Services on 01823 282823 or go to Compass Disability Services website job page. 31
Adult Education and Training You may consider training because you are thinking of returning to work to top up your skills, or to learn new strategies for looking after yourself. Check your local press and library for details or
contact your local Adult Education Centre. Job Centre Plus also offer a specific carer programme which supports carers to get back into the workplace.
Getting out and about Getting out and about can make a big difference to carers and the person they care for, enabling them to feel enjoyment and fulfil the essentials of everyday living. It is possible you have your own car or you might need other transport options.
Blue Badge Scheme This provides parking concessions for people with certain disabilities who travel as drivers or passengers. People who have Blue Badges can park close to their destination in on-street parking and some car parks. For more information go to Somerset County Council website www.somerset.gov.uk/bluebadges or call 0300 123 2224.
Motability This scheme enables disabled people to obtain a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter by using their government funded mobility allowance. If you or the person you care for receive either the Higher Rate Mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility supplement you could be eligible for the Motability Scheme. For more information call 0845 456 4566 or go to www.motability.co.uk 32
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Vehicle Tax You may be entitled to free vehicle tax if you or the person you care for, are a disabled person who gets the Higher Rate Mobility component of the Disabled Living Allowance, War Pensioners’ Mobility supplement or if you have an invalid carriage. For more information call 0845 712 3456 or go to www.gov.uk/driving-if-disabled/driving-with-disabilities
Community Transport Community Transport may be of help if public transport is not suitable for you or unavailable in your area. For more information phone Somerset County Council on 0300 123 2224
Concessionary Bus Passes These are available to everyone of pensionable age or eligible on the ground of disability. The pass allows free travel on buses throughout England subject to certain time restrictions. For more information go to www.somerset.gov.uk/concessionary or call 0300 123 224
Shopmobility This service provides people with limited mobility, either permanent or temporary to assist them with shopping and getting around town centres. For information about the loan of scooters, manual and powered wheelchairs and charges go to www.shopmobilitytaunton.org.uk or call 01823 327900.
Orchard Shopping Centre, Taunton Telephone 01823 255911
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Making Life Easier Adapting your Home Using special equipment and adapting where you live can make it easier for you to care for someone at home and for them to continue living there. You can get aids and alterations through q Social Services/Occupational Therapist q Home Improvement Agencies q Commercial shops q British Red Cross Society AskSARA is a website designed with the Disabled Living Foundation to assist you with advice and equipment from Somerset and national equipment providers. Go to www.somerset.gov.uk/asksara. For further information call Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224
Get some Handy Gadgets There are a vast amount of amazing gadgets to make life easier, designed with disability or frailty in mind. Kitchen gadgets like ring pull openers, two-handled cups; tap turners and kettle tippers can make life easier. Riser recliner chairs can offer comfort and central heating control systems can make it easier to control your heat.
Making your Home Safer There is a service in Somerset for people over 60 and people in greatest need, which gives help through early intervention to reduce fires, burglaries and falls and get you access to advice about available services. For further information call Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224.
Help with Basic Household Essentials If you have an emergency that means you have no way of getting basic essentials, you may be eligible for help from the 34
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Local Assistance Scheme. The scheme can be accessed through your local branch of Citizens Advice Bureau on behalf of Somerset County Council The Local Assistance Scheme does not provide cash or loans, only basic essentials q Food for yourself and other members of your household q Essential items of furniture and bedding q Basic equipment for cooking and heating q Fuel to cook or heat essential rooms q Help to make an essential journey that was not expected.
Telecare Service Equipment is provided to support you and your cared for in your home. It can be as simple as the basic community alarm service, able to respond in an emergency and provide regular contact by telephone. It can include detectors or monitors such as motion or falls and fire and gas that trigger a warning to a response centre staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Please call Compass Carers for more information on providers in your area.
Keeping Warm and Saving Energy There are a number of schemes available to help with the cost of having energy saving improvements fitted in your home. For more information contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0300 123 1234. Five top tips for saving energy: q Draw the curtains as soon as it starts to get dark to stop heat escaping through the windows q Fit draught excluders around doors and windows q Do not cover radiators with curtains or washing q Do not overheat your home. Turning your thermostat down by one degree could save you up to ÂŁ65 per year q Only heat areas of the house you use, turn off radiators in the spare bedrooms etc. if you can. Telephone 01823 255911 35
Other services available Library Book Home Delivery If you are confined to your home and unable to visit a library this service may be of benefit to you. This service is available for people of any age who are permanently or temporarily confined to home. This service works in partnership with the ‘RVS’, Contact: 0845 600 5885 for Somerset.
Audiobooks You can borrow talking books free of charge. To receive this service you need to obtain a completed Talking Books Application Form from your GP, Optician or Social Worker. Alternatively an RNIB card or other proof of your visual condition can be shown to library staff. Talking books are free of charge if you: q Are registered blind or partially sighted. q Have a physical disability which prevents you from holding or using printed books. q Have dyslexia.
Books on Prescription This service helps people to manage their own health and well-being through recommended self-help books. The health conditions covered include: q Anxiety q Depression q Phobias and Stress Your GP or Mental Health Worker will issue a prescription for self-help books to patients suffering from mild to moderate mental health problems either instead of, or as well as, medication. You can take the prescription to your local library. If you are not a library member the prescription form will qualify you as a 36
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member. There is no charge for borrowing the self-help books. For information on all of the above services go to generalenquiries@somerset.gov.uk or call 0300 123 2224
Community Meals Service This service provides regular deliveries of frozen meals, offering your cared for the choice of what they eat and when they eat, catering for their dietary, religious or ethnic needs. This service is offered to older people and people with disabilities who need help to get a meal ready or to eat it; this can be arranged after an assessment of their needs. For more information contact Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224
End of Life It is important for people nearing the end of life to choose where they would like to be and who they would like to be with. The right place can mean so much that it encourages a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere and offers privacy and support during an emotional time. When the end of life is coming, many people want to be with those they love; and a calm, pleasant environment can be very comforting to help cope with the physical and mental changes you are all facing. Good medical care is Telephone 01823 255911
essential to control any pain they might have. Constant care is often needed near the end as they become very weak. Access to good care will make you both feel more secure. Having good care and support for both of your feelings is as important as good medical care. You might both find it comforting to talk to someone such as a counsellor. Some people find meditation useful, regardless of whether they have any spiritual beliefs. Spiritual support is an important part of end of life care, it can help to talk to a 37
person who understands their difficulties. Anyone can ask for a faith leader, even if they are of a different faith or do not belong to any religion. There are many reasons for your cared for not wanting to talk to you about their illness, including fears about the future and concern about upsetting you. Not talking about their illness can lead to you both feeling isolated. However, many people find talking with family and friends brings a sense of relief and should be encouraged. Most people with a terminal illness say they would like to die at home although this is not true for everyone; therefore, it is important to find the right solution for each person. When it is time to think about the best place to be at the end of life you will ideally be guided by what is most important to your cared for and their individual needs, whether it is at home, in hospital, in a hospice or a care home. 38
Near the end of life some people lose consciousness for their final days or hours as part of the natural dying process. When a person dies those around them may notice their face relaxes and looks peaceful. There are many different beliefs about what happens after death.
For more information contact Cruse Bereavement Care www.cruse.org.uk or call 0844 477 9400
Hospice Care If the person you care for is nearing the end of their life, hospice care may be the most appropriate help for them. Hospice care is for those who have an illness that may no longer be curable. Hospice care is provided in your own home, through day care facilities, or in units where people are not able or do not wish to stay at home. www.compasscarers.org.uk
Referral to a hospice is made by a GP, Hospital Doctor or District Nurse they work closely alongside other professionals to deliver the care required. The kind of care given in hospices is also known as palliative care and some palliative care is provided in hospitals and other settings. Hospice or palliative care is given free of charge.
Registering a death In England a death must be registered within five days. This can be extended in certain circumstances. Deaths are registered at the local registry office. You do not have to register the death yourself, another relative may be able to this as long as they take all the necessary documents. You can find details of your local registry office in the telephone directory. The funeral cannot be finalised until the death has been registered. If you arrange the funeral you will be the person responsible for ensuring the fees are paid. Telephone 01823 255911
Arranging the funeral The funeral can be very important in helping you, friends and family of the deceased to mourn. It is a time to think of the person who lived and not just the difficulties of the last few weeks, months or years spent caring for them. Funeral costs can be quite high, so discuss them with a professional funeral director to ensure everything has been included.
Finding Support after the Death of your Cared For The death of the person you cared for may mean that relationships you built up with professionals involved in their care comes to an end, such as doctors or specialists. You may also have lost contact with friends and family, due to the demands of your caring role. The best help and support can come from people you know best, and those who know you best; so reach out to them. Talking about what has 39
happened and about the deceased person, can help you to come to terms with their death. There are many organisations such as Cruse Bereavement Care. Your GP can put you in touch with a Bereavement Counsellor for
one-to-one counselling. It is important that you take time to care for yourself now, as you used to care for someone else. There could well be a great void in your life and it is important to fill that space for yourself.
Making a Complaint If you have a complaint about any service or organisation, you should ask for a copy of their complaints policy to guide you how to move forward.
This Handbook We hope you found this handbook useful. It has been prepared with the intention of being a useful guide, but all circumstances are different. We therefore encourage you to make contact with the agencies mentioned that look best to fit your need and take that as a starting point for your support. You are always welcome to contact us directly at Compass Carers:
c/o Compass Disability Services Unit 11-12 Belvedere Trading Estate Taunton TA1 1BH Tel: 0330 3330089 or 01823 282823 Text: 07568 109960 Minicom: 01823 255919 Email: info@compasscarers.org.uk Website: www.compasscarers.org.uk asking for help is never sign of weakness; it is in fact a positive thing. 40
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Useful numbers The following pages contain contact details of services and organisations that may be able to help you with some of the issues you may face as an unpaid carer. With any information we provide, it is as accurate as possible, but gremlins may creep in, for which we apologise. You are welcome to call our information line during office hours, text or email us for information, support or advice. Tel: 01823 255911 Compass Text: 07568 109960 Minicom: 01823 255919 Carers Email: info@compasscarers.org.uk
www.somersetchoices.org.uk
Somerset Choices is a website that gives you information and advice on care and support services and local groups in Somerset. You can use the website to search for all kinds of care and support services including equipment providers, home care, accommodation options, support for carers, local events and local groups. You can contact local services and groups through the website to order or book what you need. On Somerset Choices you can find information and advice regarding: Support for carers Accommodation options Equipment to help you live independently Money Local support groups and networks Support at home Health conditions, such as dementia How to stay healthy Finding an independent advocate Keeping safe Planning for your care and . . . . much, much more! Telephone 01823 255911
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ACTIVE LIVING CENTRES - 01278 664188 Learn a new skill, meet new friends, relax and have fun Email: enquiries@somersetyoucando.org AGE UK ADVOCACY - 01823 345616 Email: advocacy@ageuksomerset.org.uk AGE UK SOMERSET - 01823 345610 (General enquiries) Offer a full range of support and services to older people and their carers across Somerset and North Somerset www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset AGEING WELL & FIT AS A FIDDLE - 01823 345626 Email: ageingwell@ageuksomerset.org.uk AGE UK TOE NAIL CUTTING Somerset - 01823 345610 Email: tnc@ageuksomerset.org.uk ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY - 0300 2221122 (National helpline) Leading the fight against Dementia. Information and Support or to find your local branch go to: www.alzheimers.org.uk BLADDER AND BOWEL FOUNDATION (24HOURS) - 0845 345 0165 Offers a call-back service Email: info@bladderandbowelfoundation.org www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org BRITISH RED CROSS - 01823 273707 (Support at home, Somerset) Short term practical & emotional support to help people get their confidence back & live independently, e.g. transport home from hospital, sitting & shopping. A free service. 42
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CARERS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP - 02380 283270 Contact: Vicky Hamilton Email: info@carerschristianfellowship.org www.carerschristianfellowship.org CARERS DIRECT - 0300 1231053 (Helpline) Free, confidential information/advice for carers Offers a call back service. Mon-Fri 9am-8pm Sat-Sun 11am-4pm Email: Carers.Direct@nhschoices.nhs.uk www.nhs.uk/carersdirect CARERS TRUST - 0844 8004361 Formed by the merging of Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Cross Roads. Offer information for Carers. www.carers.org CARERS UK Taunton & Chard Branch - 07737 432153 ( Anne Hillman ) East Somerset Branch - 01373 836438 ( Caroline Toll ) 07523 350772 ( Carol Hebstow ) CARERS UK ADVICE LINE - 0808 808 7777 Free and confidential information and advice. Open Wednesday and Thursday 10am -12pm and 2pm - 4pm. www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice Email: advice@carersuk.org CEREBRA - 0800 328 1159 (Freephone helpline) www.cererabra.org.uk Sleep support services for parents. Email: info@cerebra.org.uk Telephone 01823 255911
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CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CAB) - 03454 04 05 06 www.citizensadvice.org.uk Independent advice on a wide range of issues. CIVIL LEGAL ADVICE (CLA) - 0345 345 4 345 www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice You might be able to get free and confidential advice from Civil Legal Advice (CLA) as part of legal aid. COMPASS CARERS - 01823 255911 www.compasscarers.org.uk Email: info@compasscarers.org.uk Support service for unpaid carers in Somerset. COMMUNITY COMPUTERS UK - 07880 793077 www.communitycomputers.org A charity which supplies computers to the disadvantaged Email: workshop@communitycomputers.org COMPASS DISABILITY SERVICES - 01823 282823 www.compassdisability.org.uk Email: info@compassdisability.org.uk Pointing you in the right direction for local services; for disabled people and carers. CONTINENCE SERVICE - 01935 846432 / 01823 346158 Accepts self-referrals as well as referrals from all other professionals, carers and family members. COUNCIL TAX REDUCTIONS If you care for someone who has a diagnosis of Dementia or you are disabled, it will be worth ringing your local council to ask if you are eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill. 44
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DISABILITY LAW SERVICE - 0207 791 9800 Free advice regarding Community Care, Employment and Disability Discrimination www.dla.org.uk Email: advice@dls.org.uk EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICE - 07920 723781 The Employment Support Service supports individuals with mental health need to gain or retain paid employment on a full or part-time basis. ENERGY SAVING TRUST - 0300 123 1234 National service for energy efficiency advice in domestic households (including grants). www.energysavingtrust.org.uk EQUALITY ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICE If you need expert information on discrimination and human rights - 0808 800 0082. www.equalityadvisoryservice.com FLOATING SUPPORT SCHEME (Rethink) - 01823 365307 Provides housing related floating support for Adults 65 years+ with mental health problems. www.rethink.org FRESH STEPS HEALTH TRAINERS - 0800 412 5502 Help and advice on diet, exercise, smoking, stress and building confidence. HANDYMAN SERVICES My Home My Life (Aster Living) – 0333 400 8299, www.somersetmyhomemylife.com Email:info@asterliving.co.uk Somerset Care and Repair - 01749 345379 Email: office@somersetcareandrepair.org www.somersetcareandrepair.org Telephone 01823 255911
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HATE CRIME ‘AVoice’ is an advocacy service for adult victims of hate crime and antisocial behaviour. Freephone: 0800 254 0777 Email:avoice@thecareforum.org.uk HEADWAY SOMERSET - 01823 618519 Help for people with acquired brain injuries. www.headwaysomerset.org.uk Email: info@headwaysomerset.org.uk COMMUNITY ALARM SYSTEM / TELECARE / LIFELINE An emergency response system for people who need reassurance that help is at hand at the push of a button. Taunton Deane Helpline - 01823 257185 Sedgemoor Lifeline - 01278 435776 Magna Careline (W Somerset) - 0800 1386107 01984 635141 Careline South Somerset - 01935 479815 Mendip Piperline (Aster Living) - 0333 400 8299 ICE (In case of emergency) Nationally recognised. Input the word ICE into your mobile phone adding details of your chosen contact ‘In Case of an Emergency’. ITHELP@HOME - 07746 307 972 South Somerset and Mendip only. Providing an introduction and basic computer training to the housebound, carers and elderly people. Email: ithah@btinternet.com MENCAP - 0808 808 1111 Information for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers. www.mencap.org.uk 46
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MEMORY CAFES ACROSS SOMERSET - 01458 251541 MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE - 01823 255911 A free container for medical information, you complete and keep in your fridge; where Emergency Service know to look. SOMERSET CARERS NETWORK (MENTAL HEALTH) 01749 836633 For people who are caring for someone who is a patient of the mental health services. www.somersetcarers.org/ MINDLINE SOMERSET - 01823 276892 Out of hours helpline. A confidential listening service if you, or someone you know, is in distress. 8pm-midnight Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun MOBILITY AIDS FOR HIRE (Red Cross) - 01823 273746 Lots of equipment available on loan, from the Taunton Office MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY HELPLINE 0808 800 8000 www.mssociety.org.uk NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY - 0808 800 4104 www.autism.org.uk NHS 111(Formally NHS DIRECT) - 111 Free service answering questions on health issues, when it’s less urgent than a 999 call.
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OLDER PEOPLES ADVOCACY ALLIANCE - 01782 844036 National organisation supporting independent advocacy services for older people. www.opaal.org.uk OUT OF HOURS SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY DUTY TEAM - 0300 123 2327 During ‘Opening Hours’ (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturdays 9am to 4pm) the number for Somerset Direct is: 0300 123 2224. For out of hours emergencies, call the number above. PARKINSONS UK - 0808 800 0303 National helpline number (will be able to direct you, to your local branch) www.parkinsons.org.uk REMAP - 01823 282829 / 01823 275661 (Taunton & West Somerset) A national charity providing one-off technical equipment solutions for disabled people. www.remap.org.uk RETHINK - 0300 5000 927 (National helpline) National charity helping people affected by severe mental illness. Also, support groups for carers of people with mental illness – contact 01823 365327 for details of local groups. www.rethink.org REVITALISE - 0303 303 0145 Essential breaks for disabled people and their carers www.revitalise.org.uk 48
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ST MARGARETS HOSPICE - 0845 070 8910 (24hr helpline) Offering support to carers including support groups and complementary therapies. www.somerset-hospice.org.uk/ SAMARITANS - 116 123 (free to call from landlines and mobiles) Helpline for people in distress. www.samaritans.org SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality) Freephone: 0800 171 2272 Email: sari@sariweb.org.uk For all types of hate crime SENDIAS - 01823 355578 Somerset service for all parents of children with special educational needs. www.somersetsend.org.uk SHELTER - 0808 800 4444 (free national helpline) Advice on housing and homelessness. SITTING SERVICE - 0300 123 2224 The sitting service gives carers the opportunity to take a break with peace of mind. The sitter can provide companionship, support and personal care and assistance that would normally be provided by the carer. Soldiers, Sailors & Air Force Families Assoc. - SSAFFA 0845 2417141 A National Charity helping serving and ex-servicing members and their dependants. Mon-Fri 9am-5.30 www.ssafa.org.uk Email: somerset@ssafa.org.uk Telephone 01823 255911
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SOMERSET CHOICES - www.somersetchoices.org.uk Website containing local services and information to help you find out about and choose the right care and support in your area. If you do not have access to the internet you can call Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224 SOMERSET COMMUNITY CARE MATTERS (SCCM) 01823 282 538 Specialising in Community Care Law, with a Legal Aid mandate, Somerset Community Care Matters advises on a wide range of health and social care subjects, relevant to community care law. www.sccm.org.uk (see inside front cover) SOMERSET DEMENTIA ADVISOR SERVICE 01458 251 541 For all Advice regarding Dementia www.dementiasomerset.org.uk email: somersetDAS@alzheimers.org.uk SOMERSET DIRECT (Adult Social Care Services) 0300 123 2224 Call Somerset Direct to get in touch with Adult Social Care; supporting adults of a working age and older people who have physical disabilities, mental health problems, a sensory loss or general frailty and their carers. Monday-Friday 8am-6pm Saturday 9am-4pm
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SOMERSET PARTNERSHIP NHS FOUNDATION TRUST Carers can be referred or self-refer for a Carers’ Assessment providing the person that they support is registered with Somerset Partnership mental health services. www.sompar.nhs.uk/what-we-do/carers-service Carers’ Assessment Worker for Adults: Mendip Tel: 01749836597 Taunton: Tel: 01823 368396 South Somerset: Tel: 01935 428420 Somerset Coast: Tel: 01278 720238 SOMERSET SIGHT - 01823 333818 Give support and advice for people of all ages who have lost their sight or are sight impaired to maintain independence and live life to the full. We are also the agents for British Wireless for the Blind Fund supplying loan equipment to those who are eligible. www.somersetsight.org.uk SOMERSET SUPPORTERS - 0300 123 2224 Service for those caring for children & young people under 18 years with additional needs to enable respite time from caring. STROKE ASSOCIATION - 0303 3033100 (Helpline) Mon-Fri, find your local club www.stroke.org.uk (find your local group) SUCH PROJECT - 01823 334906 Service Users Complementary Holistic Project SWAN ADVOCACY - 0333 3447 928 Free independent advocacy service for adults in Somerset www.somerset-ias.org.uk Telephone 01823 255911
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TURN2US - 0808 802 2000 Charity to help people find benefits and grants. www.turn2us.org.uk UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE (U3A) - 0208 8466 6139 Creativity and fulfilment for older people www.u3a.org.uk (find your local branch) WASTE COLLECTION - Assisted collections for recycling and refuse can be arranged for people who have mobility difficulties or an impairment which means they cannot carry containers to the kerbside and there is no-one in the household who can assist. A clinical waste collection service is available to private households. Contact your local district council customer services to request either of these services: Mendip District Council - 0300 303 8588 Email: customerservices@mendip.gov.uk, Sedgemoor District Council - 0845 408 2543 Email: customer.services@sedgemoor.gov.uk South Somerset District Council - 01935 462462 Email: ssdc@southsomerset.gov.uk Taunton Deane Borough Council - 01823 356346 Email: enquiries@tauntondeane.gov.uk West Somerset Council - 01643 703704 Email: customerservices@westsomerset.gov.uk WESSEX HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS - 01823 461099 Providing finance for essential maintenance and improvement works. Email: enquiries@wrcic.org.uk www.wrcic.org.uk 52
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My Numbers
Telephone 01823 255911
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DO YOU EMPLOY PERSONAL ASSISTANTS TO ASSIST YOU? ARE YOU AWARE THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY FREE FUNDED TRAINING FOR DIRECT PAYMENT RECIPIENTS, TO ALLOW YOUR CARERS TO DEVELOP NEW SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS? Would you like to offer your personal assistants free training? Bridgwater College is able to offer a wide variety of training events, which often can be delivered within the home environment; free of charge to direct payment recipients. These courses are flexible, and can be delivered at times and dates convenient to yourself. Courses include Hoist Training, First Aid, Food Safety, Handling of Medication, Dementia Awareness, End of Life Care, Moving People Safely, Infection Prevention and Control, Relaxation, Health and Wellbeing, Awareness of Epilepsy; this list is not exhaustive. The procedure is extremely simple to apply and Bridgwater College is able to guide and support you with the application form. If you would like a member of the Personal Assistant (Care) team to contact you, without any obligation, please telephone
Gail 01278 441358 or mobile 07808243148 Members of the team are happy to visit you at home to discuss your training and support needs. 54
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Ceri-Ann Taylor is a Trustee for Compass Disability, and an associate solicitor at Foot Anstey LLP. Ceri specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence. If you think you have suffered injuries as a result of a medical or nonmedical accident, Ceri can advise you as to whether you may have a claim and guide you through the process. In addition to arranging for compensation, Ceri can obtain funding for rehabilitation, aids and adaptations, care packages and alternative accommodation which is often a priority. Ceri recommends that everybody has a Lasting Power of Attorney in place. This is a legal document that lets you appoint attorneys (usually friends or family) to make decisions on your behalf regarding your finances, health and welfare, just in case you lose the ability to make those decisions yourself. Making sure you put in place a comprehensive Will is essential. This ensures that your assets will go to whom you want to after your death in a tax-efficient way, that reflects your own personal circumstances. A Disabled Person's Trust can provide a suitable solution to the obstacles that can arise if you want to provide for somebody in your Will who suffers with a disability. The trust can be created in your Will with the individual as the primary beneficiary. Probate is the process of administering the estate of a deceased person. This can be a difficult time for many reasons. Often assistance is required in resolving claims and distributing an estate left under somebody's Will. You can contact Ceri with any legal queries that you may have on 01823 625648 or email ceri-ann.taylor@footanstey.com.
Telephone 01823 255911
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