OPTIONS A guide to care and independent living
Berkshire
Wnter 2018/19
Leaving hospital
What’s next?
NHS continuing healthcare Who’s eligible?
10
SOCIAL CARE
tips
Healthcare services Choosing the right one
FREE
guide CONTRIBUTORS: Age UK Berkshire Berkshire Healthcare NHS FT Bracknell Forest Council NHS Choices
2 | Options Berkshire
Contents Inside this guide n Choose Berkshire Healthcare’s Adult Hearing Service.................................................4 n Looking after your health this winter..................5 n NHS continuing healthcare............................ 6-7 n Personal budgets...............................................8 n NHS-funded nursing care..................................9 n Paying for your own care (self-funding)...... 10-11 n Driving and using public transport............. 12-13 n Care at Home Services (Domiciliary Care).. 14-15 n Age UK Berkshire Services......................... 16-17 n Care Quality Commission........................... 18-20 n Useful contacts.......................................... 22-23
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Options Berkshire is published by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd with editorial contributions from the Berkshire Healthcare FT, Royal Berkshire NHS FT, the CQC, Age UK Berkshire, and NHS Choices. The editorial contributors have not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor do the editorial contributors endorse any of the products or services.
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NHS continuing healthcare Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for free social care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. This is known as NHS continuing healthcare.
Where can NHS continuing healthcare be provided? NHS continuing healthcare can be provided in a variety of settings outside hospital, such as in your own home or in a care home.
Am I eligible for NHS continuing healthcare? NHS continuing healthcare is for adults. Children and young people may receive a “continuing care package” if they have needs arising from disability, accident or illness that can’t be met by existing universal or specialist services alone. To be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you must be assessed by a team of healthcare professionals (a multidisciplinary team). The team will look at all your care needs and relate them to: • what help you need • how complex your needs are • how intense your needs can be • how unpredictable they are, including any risks to your health if the right care isn’t provided at the right time Your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare depends on your assessed needs, and not on any particular diagnosis or condition. If your needs change then your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare may change. You should be fully involved in the assessment process and kept informed, and have your views about your needs and support taken into account. Carers and family members should also be consulted where appropriate. A decision about eligibility for a full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare should usually be made within 28 days of an initial assessment or request for a full assessment. If you aren’t eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you can be referred to your local council who can discuss with you whether you may be eligible for support from them. If you still have some health needs then the NHS may pay for part of the package of support. This is sometimes known as a “joint package” of care.
Information and advice The process involved in NHS continuing healthcare assessments can be complex. An organisation called Beacon gives free independent advice on NHS continuing healthcare. Visit the Beacon website or call the free helpline on 0345 548 0300.
NHS continuing healthcare assessments Clinical commissioning groups, known as CCGs (the NHS organisations that commission local health services), must assess you for NHS continuing healthcare if it seems that you may need it. For most people, there’s an initial checklist assessment, which is used to decide if you need a full assessment. However, if you need care urgently – for example, if you’re terminally ill – your assessment may be fast-tracked. 6
Initial assessment for NHS continuing healthcare The initial checklist assessment can be completed by a nurse, doctor, other healthcare professional or social worker. You should be told that you’re being assessed, and be asked for your consent. Depending on the outcome of the checklist, you’ll either be told that you don’t meet the criteria for a full assessment of NHS continuing healthcare and are therefore not eligible, or you’ll be referred for a full assessment of eligibility. Being referred for a full assessment doesn’t necessarily mean
Full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare Full assessments for NHS continuing healthcare are undertaken by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) made up of a minimum of 2 professionals from different healthcare professions. The MDT should usually include both health and social care professionals who are already involved in your care. You should be informed who is co-ordinating the NHS continuing healthcare assessment. The team’s assessment will consider your needs under the following headings: • breathing • nutrition (food and drink) • continence • skin (including wounds and ulcers) • mobility • communication • psychological and emotional needs • cognition (understanding) • behaviour • drug therapies and medication • altered states of consciousness • other significant care needs These needs are given a weighting marked “priority”, “severe”, “high”, “moderate”, “low” or “no needs”. If you have at least one priority need, or severe needs in at least 2 areas, you can usually expect to be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. You may also be eligible if you have a severe need in one area plus a number of other needs, or a number of high or moderate needs, depending on their nature, intensity, complexity or unpredictability. In all cases, the overall need, and interactions between needs, will be taken into account, together with evidence from risk assessments, in deciding whether NHS continuing healthcare should be provided. The assessment should take into account your views and the views of any carers you have. You should be given a copy of the decision documents, along with clear reasons for the decision. You can download a blank copy of the NHS continuing healthcare decision support tool.
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you’ll be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. The purpose of the checklist is to enable anyone who might be eligible to have the opportunity for a full assessment. The professional(s) completing the checklist should record in writing the reasons for their decision, and sign and date it. You should be given a copy of the completed checklist. You can download a blank copy of the NHS continuing healthcare checklist from GOV.UK.
Fast-track assessment for NHS continuing healthcare If your health is deteriorating quickly and you’re nearing the end of your life, you should be considered for the NHS continuing healthcare fast-track pathway, so that an appropriate care and support package can be put in place as soon as possible – usually within 48 hours.
Care and support planning If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, the next stage is to arrange a care and support package that meets your assessed needs. Depending on your situation, different options could be suitable, including support in your own home and the option of a personal health budget. If it’s agreed that a care home is the best option for you, there could be more than one local care home that’s suitable. Your CCG should work collaboratively with you and consider your views when agreeing your care and support package and the setting where it will be provided. However, they can also take other factors into account, such as the cost and value for money of different options.
NHS continuing healthcare reviews If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, your needs and support package will normally be reviewed within 3 months and thereafter at least annually. This review will consider whether your existing care and support package meets your assessed needs. If your needs have changed, the review will also consider whether you’re still eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.
Q.
I have a local authority support package that works well. I’m now eligible for NHS continuing healthcare – will my support package change? If you’re concerned about changes to your care package because of a move to NHS continuing healthcare, your CCG should talk to you about ways that it can give you as much choice and control as possible. This could include the use of a personal health budget, with one option being a “direct payment for healthcare”.
Q.
Can I refuse an assessment for NHS continuing healthcare? If I refuse, will I be able to get services from my local authority? An assessment for NHS continuing healthcare can’t be carried out without your consent, so it’s possible to refuse. However, if you refuse, although you’ll still be entitled to an assessment by the local authority there’s no guarantee that you’ll be provided with services. There’s a legal limit on the types of services that a local authority can provide. If you refuse to be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare, the CCG should explore your reasons for refusing, and try to address your concerns. If someone lacks the mental capacity to consent to or refuse an assessment, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act will apply and in most circumstances an assessment will be provided in the person’s best interest.
Q.
Refunds for delays in NHS continuing healthcare funding
My relative is in a care home and has become eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. The CCG says the fees charged by this care home are more than they would usually pay, and has proposed a move to a different care home. I think a move will have a negative effect on my relative. What can we do?
CCGs will normally make a decision about eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare within 28 days of getting a completed checklist or request for a full assessment, unless there are circumstances beyond its control.
If there’s evidence that a move is likely to have a detrimental effect on your relative’s health or wellbeing, discuss this with the CCG. It will take your concerns into account when considering the most appropriate arrangements.
If the CCG decides you’re eligible, but takes longer than 28 days to decide this and the delay is unjustifiable, they should refund any care costs from the 29th day until the date of their decision.
If you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare If you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, but you’re assessed as requiring nursing care in a care home (in other words, a care home that’s registered to provide nursing care) you’ll be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care. This means that the NHS will pay a contribution towards the cost of your registered nursing care. NHS-funded nursing care is available irrespective of who is funding the rest of the care home fees.
If the CCG decides to arrange an alternative placement, they should provide a reasonable choice of homes.
Q.
Is it possible to pay top-up fees for NHS continuing healthcare?
No, it isn’t possible to top up NHS continuing healthcare packages, like you can with local authority care packages. The only way that NHS continuing healthcare packages can be topped up privately is if you pay for additional private services on top of the services you’re assessed as needing from the NHS. These private services should be provided by different staff and preferably in a different setting. 7
Personal budgets If your local council agrees to pay for some or all of your home help, it must offer you choice and control over how your needs are met. You’ll be given a personal budget, and can choose to receive it as a direct payment.
If you choose to receive it as a direct payment, the local council may pay the money straight into a bank account that you control (you must set up a new bank account to do this) or they may give you a pre-paid card.
Personal budgets
Alternatively, you may prefer your personal budget to be managed by the council or by someone else, such as:
A personal budget is the amount of money the local council allocates for your care, based on its assessment of your needs.
• a friend or family member (the local council must agree to this)
You can be put in charge of this budget either by telling the council how you would like it spent, or by the council giving you the money so you can directly pay for your own care (a direct payment).
• a broker, independent social worker or an advocate
It can also be given to a separate organisation (such as a usercontrolled trust) that will spend the money on your care as you see fit, if you prefer. You can choose a combination of the above (for example, a direct payment with some council-arranged care and support), often called a mixed package.
Direct payments Direct payments give you the most control over your care. If you’re unhappy with the care you’re getting, you can decide to change it without having to go through the local council. But you have to be able to account for how you spend the budget. And you have responsibilities as an employer if you hire a personal assistant with your direct payment. The Money Advice Service has a guide to using direct payments.
The pros and cons of taking charge of your personal budget Being in control of your own personal budget means you have to spend some time and effort thinking about your care and support needs and the outcomes you want. There may be extra responsibilities. For example, if you decide to request a direct payment to cover the cost of homecare, you could use the payment to hire an individual, giving you the responsibilities of an employer. Alternatively, you could hire care workers through an agency. This removes the legal obligations of being an employer, but may cost more and may remove some of the benefits of having the same person provide your care.
How to receive your personal budget Clarify how you want to receive your personal budget. 8
• your care manager or social worker Discuss these options with your social worker or carer to work out which option is best for you. If someone else will be looking after your money, you may need to create a decision-making agreement. This should state how they’ll look after your money and what decisions they can and can’t make on your behalf.
Keep receipts The council may want to check what you do with your money to make sure you’re spending your budget appropriately, and your care and support needs are being met. You may need to keep receipts (especially for large purchases) so you can show them you have spent your money responsibly. If you choose a direct payment, the council will give you a direct payment agreement that sets out the terms and conditions. If you’re struggling to manage your money, the council can advise you on how to make your money work best for you.
Disagreements about care plans and personal budgets If you have been told that you’re not eligible for services, or you don’t agree with the amount allocated to you in your personal budget, you have the right to complain. Speak to your social worker about being re-assessed, or phone your local council social services department and request a complaints form. Your council should have a formal complaints procedure on its website. If you’re not happy with the way the council handles your complaint, you can take it to the local government and social care ombudsman. An ombudsman is an independent person who’s been appointed to look into complaints about organisations.
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NHS-funded nursing care NHS-funded nursing care is when the NHS pays for the nursing care component of nursing home fees. The NHS pays a flat rate directly to the care home towards the cost of this nursing care.
If you’re not eligible for NHS-funded nursing care and you don’t agree with the decision about your eligibility, ask your CCG to review the decision.
Who is eligible for NHS-funded nursing care?
NHS-funded nursing care is paid at the same rate across England. In April 2018, the rate was set at £158.16 a week (standard rate).
You may be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care if: • you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare but have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse • you live in a nursing home
How will my needs be assessed? You should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare before a decision is made about whether you are eligible for NHS-funded nursing care.
The cost of NHS-funded nursing care
Before October 1 2007, there were 3 different levels or bands of payment for NHS-funded nursing care – low, medium and high. If you moved into a care home before October 1 2007, and you were on the low or medium bands, you would have been transferred to the standard rate from that date.
Most people don’t need a separate assessment for NHSfunded nursing care. However, if you do need an assessment or you haven’t already had one, your clinical commissioning group (CCG) can arrange an assessment for you.
If you moved into a care home before October 1 2007, and you were on the high band, NHS-funded nursing care is paid at a higher rate. In April 2018, the higher rate was set at £217.59 a week. You’re entitled to continue on this rate unless:
Outcome of the assessment
• you no longer have nursing needs
If you’re eligible for NHS-funded nursing care, the NHS will arrange and fund nursing care provided by registered nurses employed by the care home. Services provided by a registered nurse can include planning, supervising and monitoring nursing and healthcare tasks, as well as direct nursing care.
• you no longer live in a care home that provides nursing • your nursing needs have reduced and you’re no longer eligible for the high band, when you would change to the standard rate of £158.16 a week, or • you become entitled to NHS continuing healthcare instead. 9
Paying for your own care (self-funding) You will not be entitled to help with the cost of care from your local council if: • you have savings worth more than £23,250 • you own your own property (this only applies if you’re moving into a care home)
Benefits can help with care costs You may be eligible for benefits, like Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which aren’t means-tested. You can use them to pay towards the cost of your care.
You can ask your council for a financial assessment (means test) to check if you qualify for any help with costs.
Can I avoid selling my home?
You can choose to pay for care yourself if you don’t want a financial assessment.
You won’t have to sell your home to pay for help in your own home.
How to arrange your care as a self-funder
But you may have to sell your home to pay for a care home, unless your partner carries on living in it.
You can: • arrange and pay for care yourself without involving the council • ask the council to arrange and pay for your care (the council will then bill you, but not all councils offer this service and they may charge a fee)
Sometimes selling your home to pay care home fees is the best option. But there may be other ways to pay care home fees if you don’t want to sell your home straight away.
Find out what care you need
Releasing money from your home (equity release)
Even if you choose to pay for your care, your council can do an assessment to check what care you might need. This is called a needs assessment.
Equity release lets you take money that’s tied up in your home without selling it. It’s available if you’re over 55.
For example, it’ll tell you whether you need home help from a paid carer for 2 hours a day or 2 hours a week and precisely what they should help you with.
But you have to pay interest on the money you take out, which can be expensive.
The needs assessment is free and anyone can ask for one.
How much will care cost? Social care can be expensive. Knowing how much you’ll have to pay will help you budget. Paying for carers at home A typical hourly rate for a carer to come to your home is around £20, but this will vary depending on where you live. Having a carer who lives with you costs from around £650 a week. But it can cost as much as £1,600 a week if you need a lot of care. Paying for a care home There are 2 types of care home: • residential homes have staff that help with everyday tasks such as getting dressed and supply all your meals • nursing homes also offer 24-hour nursing care A room in a care home costs: • £600 a week in a residential home • £840 a week in a nursing home The price will vary according to where you live and the type of care you need. For example, serious health problems like dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase the cost. 10
The Money Advice Service has more information on equity release.
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Renting out your home
Telephone help
You can rent out your home and use the income to help pay your care home fees.
Get advice on paying for care from:
A deferred payment scheme
• Independent Age on freephone 0800 319 6789
A deferred payment scheme can be useful if you have savings less than £23,250 and all your money is tied up in your property.
• the Money Advice Service on freephone 0800 138 7777
The council pays for your care home and you repay it later when you choose to sell your home, or after your death.
If your savings fall below £23,250, your council might be able to help with the cost of care.
Ask your council if you’re eligible for a deferred payment scheme.
Contact your local council about 3 months before you think your savings will drop to below £23,250 and ask them to reassess your finances.
You can get more information from: • the Money Advice Service: deferred payment schemes • Independent Age: guide to care home fees and your property
• Age UK on freephone 0800 169 6565
If your savings run out
Councils provide funding from the date you contact them. You won’t be reimbursed if your savings are less than £23,250 before you contact them.
Get expert financial help
What you can get for free
You can get unbiased expert advice from a specialist care fees adviser.
You might be able to get some free help regardless of your income or if you’re paying for your care.
They’ll help you compare all your options before you decide what’s right for you.
This can include:
Find a specialist care fees adviser in your area with: • PayingForCare, a free information service for older people • the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) on 0333 2020 454
• small bits of equipment or home adaptations that each cost less than £1,000 • NHS care, such as NHS continuing healthcare, NHSfunded nursing care and care after you have been discharged from hospital 11
Driving and using public transport Although mobility problems make it harder to get around, transport has become more accessible for disabled and elderly people. You can get help: • using public transport • getting discounts on public transport • from the NHS with travel costs • finding community transport schemes If you have mobility problems and you need a car to get around, you may be able to get help with costs through: • discounted or free road tax • a Blue Badge parking permit • help with the cost of leasing a vehicle through the Motability scheme
Using public transport with a disability All public transport vehicles have to be “accessible” so disabled passengers can use them. Public transport also has to accept guide dogs or assistance dogs. But if you’re using public transport, it’s worth contacting the transport operator before you travel to make sure they’re able to offer the assistance you require. Buses and trains usually have priority seating for older people and people with disabilities. They also usually have space and wide doors for wheelchairs. Some buses, trains and trams are fitted with automatic ramps. London Underground is being upgraded to improve step-free access. Staff at Underground stations are also trained to help people move around the underground system – for example, by helping you avoid escalators and calling ahead to arrange for assistance at your destination.
Discounts on public transport for older people and disabled people Older people and people with disabilities can travel free on local buses anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and at any time during the weekend and on bank holidays. Some authorities offer free travel for longer, and some allow a companion to travel with the pass holder for free. You may have to apply through your local authority, but in most areas you can apply online for an older person’s bus pass or for a disabled person’s bus pass. If you often travel by train, it’s probably worth getting a Disabled Railcard Card. This gives you a third off the price of rail tickets. Check the criteria to see if you’re eligible. Children aged 5 to 16 with disabilities are eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. This lets an adult to travel with them for a third of the cost of an adult fare, while the child pays the normal child fare. Taxi and private hire companies can provide wheelchairaccessible vehicles if you ask for one when you book a vehicle.
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Some councils also give free taxi vouchers to people who find it difficult to use public transport because they’re frail or disabled.
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Cars and parking Road tax reductions If you’re disabled or have a serious long-term condition, you might be eligible for a reduction in your road tax, or even be exempt from it altogether. Find out more on GOV.UK about vehicle tax exemption and vehicle tax reduction. Blue Badge disabled parking scheme If you have severe mobility problems that make using public transport difficult, you may be able to get a Blue Badge parking permit for your car. This lets you park closer to places you wish to visit, such as in marked disabled parking bays. You may also be able to: • park for free within certain time limits in some places • park on single and double yellow lines • stay longer in on-street time-limited parking bays Blue Badge schemes are run by councils. Most councils will let you apply for a Blue Badge online. Central London is exempt from the national Blue Badge regulations and the central London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, Westminster and City of London don’t fully operate the Blue Badge scheme. But if you’re exempt from road tax or have a Blue Badge permit, you may be able to get an exemption from paying the central London congestion charge.
NHS help with travel and transport costs If you pay to travel to a hospital or other NHS premises for NHS-funded treatment or diagnostic tests, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs.
Community transport schemes These schemes provide transport to and from hospitals, doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries, and opticians and chiropodists. Many areas offer a free “Dial-a-Ride” service, offering door-to-door transport for people unable to use normal buses.
Motability scheme The Motability scheme allows disabled people to use their mobility benefits to lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You can also pay an extra amount of money if you want a more expensive vehicle. The Motability Scheme is open to anyone who gets: • the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Some schemes require you to register and may charge a fee. Carers may be able to travel with you for an additional charge.
• the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
Check with your local council whether your area has a community transport scheme.
• the enhanced rate mobility component of Armed Forces Independence Payment
The British Red Cross runs a similar transport service in some areas. Contact your local Red Cross branch for information.
NHS Choices have not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does NHS Choices endorse any of the products or services. All information and figures correct at the time of going to print.
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Care at Home Services (Domiciliary Care) Providing care and support in your own home
What is Care at Home?
What do you need?
Care at Home Services assist in enabling people to live as independently as possible in their own home, (including sheltered or Extra Care housing).
Care at Home is all about helping you to continue living comfortably, safely and independently in the way you have always done. Care and support is available for as short or as long a period as you need.
The Social Services Departments of each of the Berkshire Unitary Authorities seek to give individuals a greater say in how they live their lives and in the services they require to meet their everyday needs. The Care at Home Service is designed to provide care and support to people living in their own home. It doesn’t matter whether your home is owner-occupied, rented, sheltered housing or supported living. Whilst considering the different care and support services available it may sometimes appear that a residential care home is the only option. It is possible, however, with the right assistance at the right time, to continue living independently in your home. Care at Home (also referred to as Domiciliary Care or Home Care) aims to promote independence in as many aspects of daily living as possible for people who require personal care and support in their home. Independent sector organisations and the Local Authorities’ Adult Social Care Services offer care and support to enable people to remain in their own homes as independently as possible. Specialist care staff work with frail and elderly adults, those with physical or sensory impairments, disabled children, and families, in their own homes. They help people to regain skills and independence following illness or a hospital admission, and may also help prevent the need for residential home care. Care staff are also trained in the use of hoists, manual handling, food hygiene and first aid, where these form part of the care required. A range of specialist training is also required to provide care to some user groups, such as people with a learning disability or dementia. Care at Home should be considered if you require assistance with aspects of personal care, including getting up in the morning and going to bed at night, dressing, washing and maintenance of personal hygiene, and preparing drinks and meals. Care assistants also offer emotional support and encouragement. All Care at Home organisations providing personal care are required to be registered with the Care Quality Commission. Inspection reports on each organisation are available from Care Quality Commission (including the Care Quality Commission website: www.cqc.org.uk) or from the Care at Home organisation itself and account should be taken of the report in making your choice. 14 | Options Berkshire
Services may include: • Some housework and help to do chores around the home (and even in the garden), doing the washing and cleaning • Cooking, shopping, collecting prescriptions and other tasks • Providing a Community Meals Service (i.e. Meals-on-Wheels) • Helping you to get out and about, or being company for you while your family go out • Staying overnight if this would be helpful • Helping you to get up in the morning, and get ready for bed in the evening, help with washing and bathing (we call this personal care) • Help to settle back in when you come home from hospital, or if you need to get ready to go on holiday • Providing equipment and adaptations to help with daily living for disabled people • Help with exercises your doctor or another health professional has recommended • Support with your medication • Attending a Day Care Centre (i.e. Social and Personal Care, Rehabilitation and/or recreation in a Centre) • Short-term (respite) care at home or in a care home (residential or nursing) (i.e. providing a break for carers) Help can be an hour a week, or several times a day, or someone living in your home all the time (we call this a live-in service). Some elements of care and support listed above may be limited by each Local Authority’s eligibility criteria if your service is provided or purchased from an independent sector provider by the Council.
How can you find someone to help you? The Berkshire Care Directory is a good way to find which organisations might be able to help you. We have endeavoured to list all the care agencies registered with the Care Quality Commission who provide care services within the Berkshire area. Some Berkshire Councils will only work with care agencies that have been accredited by their own Accreditation and Monitoring Team. They work closely with the providers in a supportive and open way, providing advice and suggestions to help them provide better care services.
These accreditation and monitoring teams assess the quality of local care services against local and national standards. Those who meet the standards are published on accredited lists on each authority’s website. Normally a search for ‘Accreditation’ will produce the results. The individual Council’s lists are updated regularly and contain details of care service providers for: • Older People • People with a Learning Disability • People with a Physical Disability • Domiciliary agencies (Care at Home) • Employment agencies / businesses (for supplying staff to residential homes). There are various different types of service depending on what you need and want. • Personal care providers. They are listed in the Care Directory, and will provide you with some or all of the services above. You can contact them to ask more about this, and they will be happy to come and discuss your needs with you. • Live-in care providers. Some of the home care agencies listed specialise in this type of care service. They are indicated in the directory’s list of home care agencies and, they will be able to explain what they can do to help you, if you need someone living in your home to provide • Care and support. • Personal Budgets are an amount of money which the Council can allocate to help an adult with eligible social care needs to get the support they need in the form they choose. They give you more choice and control over how you want to receive your support. There are lots of different options for managing your Personal Budget. You can choose to have the money in the form of a cash payment, or the local authority can arrange services on your behalf. Other sources of information are advisory bodies like the Citizens Advice Bureau or Age Concern. Often the best source of information is someone who has used a provider before, and can recommend them personally. Checks on care services can be made with the Care Quality Commission (see section in the Care Directory), as all personal care services must, by law, be registered and inspected by this Government body.
How much will it cost? Care at Home Services vary depending on what you want and the level of skill that your care worker may need. Standards and regulations have recently been introduced to ensure that people working in Care at Home services are selected, trained and supervised to make sure that you are looked after by someone who is competent, trustworthy and reliable. The cost of these safeguards is included in the fees charged by Care at Home providers. In general, personal care is likely to cost between £16.50-£25 per hour and live-in care from around £700-£900 per week. If you are purchasing care privately you should contact the various providers to get precise information about their charges. It is quite possible that fees vary across Berkshire depending on the availability of good carers and other factors.
What do you do next? There is a wide range of services to help you continue living comfortably, independently and safely in your own home. It will be helpful, when you are choosing a service to have some idea about what you want, and it may be helpful to have someone else with you (a relative or a friend) to ensure that everything you need to know is covered. It may be that as you discuss this with the Care at Home provider, they can suggest ways to help you that you had not considered. Most providers are very experienced in helping to look after people, and they may give you good advice about things to help you in your home, that you did not know about. It is part of their job to make things easier for you, which will mean that their care workers can help to look after you better. If you choose a particular Care at Home provider, they will supply you with their customer (or service user) pack, which will include details of what you and they have agreed, and what to do if you are dissatisfied with their service. It is a statutory requirement that you have this information. The provider will also need to check with you at least twice annually in person, that you are satisfied with what you are receiving and to review your service with you.
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Age UK Berkshire Services Independence, wellbeing and enjoyment are the keys to help you love later life Age UK Berkshire is your trusted local charity to help you continue to live independently at home for as long as you want. We can also assist when you're out of the house, providing information, services and products to fit your needs.
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Information & Advice
Active Living
We’re your first contact for a complete range of confidential, free information and advice, face-to-face, by phone or email. Age UK Berkshire helps with benefits, staying independent at home, housing enquiries and information about groups and activities in your locality. Age UK also provides many free useful guides and factsheets on a range of issues that are relevant to older people. We cover the whole of Berkshire, as well as providing information to friends and families anywhere in the world.
Keeping mentally and physically fit improves your quality of life and makes older age a much more enjoyable time. Qualified instructors run a wide range of popular activity sessions which promote well-being and give participants health and social benefits, as well as a chance to meet other like-minded people.
Handyperson For when you need small jobs completed around your house, such as tap washers, fitting curtain rails, handrails or replacing light bulbs. We also fit security devices, for example, keysafes, smoke detectors and CO detectors.
Easy Shop We offer a regular shopping service over the telephone. We will call you at a prearranged time, take your order and place it with the supermarket of your choice. We arrange for the shopping to be delivered at a convenient time for you.
Home Help Plus Our home help plus service is to help with keeping you independent at home and covers cleaning, shopping and going with you to appointments, for example, hairdressers, hospital or the library.
Companionship If you’re feeling a bit lonely or isolated, we offer long-term friendship and support from our dedicated volunteers who visit regularly or make regular contact by telephone. If you’re new to the area or you’ve lost touch with your local community we offer introduction and support, accompanying you if you need, for a short time. 16 | Options Berkshire
We can support you or your family member that is living with memory loss or dementia. We provide a wide range of specialist, tailored stimulating support and encouragement, for example, cookery, gardening, accompanied trips, music and games.
Silver Surfers Our one-to-one booked sessions cover what you need to know about the internet, social media, digital photography and even the basics of modern computers, smartphones and internet tablets. The sessions are individually-tailored and planned to the correct pace and you can use your own computer/laptop/tablet.
Money Management When handling your financial affairs becomes a worry Age UK Berkshire is able to help. With your permission we will sort out and take over managing your day-to-day finances, keeping you informed and alleviating any stresses or strains. Please note there is a charge for some of our services. We can only provide these quality services through the efforts and dedication of our many volunteers. If you’d like to give something back or learn new skills, try volunteering with Age UK Berkshire. To find out more about any of our services contact us: Huntley House 119 London Street Reading Berkshire RG1 4QA 0118 959 4242 Info@ageukberkshire.org.uk www.ageukberkshire.org.uk
No one should have no one, in Berkshire
Berkshire
Age UK Berkshire is your trusted local charity to help you continue to live independently
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The Care Quality Commission is here to make sure health and adult social care services including hospitals, home and residential care as well as GPs in England provide people with safe, effective, high-quality care. We publish independent inspection reports and ratings about services – information you can use when you’re choosing care for yourself, or a loved one. You can use our website to search for services you might be interested in by geographical area, or by specialism. For example, a care home that might offer specialist care for someone who has dementia. We also welcome your feedback on the care you have received – good or bad. We use this information to help inform our inspections and can alert authorities including local social services, if there are safeguarding concerns about care being provided. You can visit our website at www.cqc.org.uk to find our inspection reports, or share an experience of care. You can also call us to share an experience of care on 03000 61 61 61. Here are some tips to help you choose your care.
Social care Top tips 1
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) registers all care homes and home care agencies. You can find out which ones support specific groups of people, such as people with a learning disability or those living with dementia. CQC’s Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe always uses ‘The Mum Test’: is a care home safe, caring, effective, responsive to people’s needs and well-led? In other words, is it good enough for my Mum (or anyone else I love and care for)? Look for care homes and home care agencies where the staff involve people who use services and their families and carers, and treat individuals with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
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Whether you are being cared for in your own home or in a residential setting, the staff looking after you need to be skilled, kind and supportive. They should also be capable and confident in dealing with your particular needs. You should always feel that their support is helping you to live the life you want to. A care home will be a home for you or your loved one. Residents should be treated as individuals with their likes and dislikes taken into account. Think about whether a home is close enough to family, friends, and community facilities. Look at how well-led and managed a home is. What does it have in place to ensure that it delivers high quality care? Does it promote meaningful activity and connect the home with the community?
If you or a loved one needs help with day-today care, you can contact your local council’s social services department. They will ‘make an assessment of your needs’ and depending on circumstances, may be able to help you access financial help. For more advice visit Age UK’s website www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care.
If you would like to organise your care yourself, you can find a care worker or personal assistant through an agency. Your local social services department should be able to provide details of approved agencies.
CQC’s ratings will identify services as:
Outstanding Good ● Requires improvement ● Inadequate ● This will help you make informed choices around your care.
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Safeguarding adults who receive social care is everybody’s business. If you are concerned about the safety of a loved one receiving care, contact the service provider in the first instance. You can also contact social services at your local council. If you feel a crime has been committed, contact the police. You can share your safeguarding concerns with us on our website or contact our National Customer Services on 03000 616161.
The Care Quality Commission has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does the Care Quality Commission endorse any of the products or services.
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0118 977 3116
Your local mobility and disability shop. Our staff will help you make the correct decisions from our wide product range to help improve your independence.
FREE PARKING
Suppliers of: • Tena • Cosyfeet shoes. Ideal for diabetics and problem feet • Everyday living aids • Adjustable chairs and beds
• Wheelchairs and scooters
Straight, Curved and Outdoor Stairlifts
Service engineer: • Scooters • Power chairs • Beds and chairs
Our hire services includes: • Wheelchairs • Walkers and crutch hire
REPAIRS ALSO UNDERTAKEN
Call Caring Comes First Mobility 01189 773 116
Visit us at 69 Rances lane Wokingham RG40 2LQ
www.ccfmobility.co.uk
LifeCarers provides dependable one-to-one support to people at home.
Enjoy one-to-one care Tailored for your wellbeing In your own home
Your trained LifeCarer visits to help with personal care and practical things like housework and shopping. Your LifeCarer offers companionship too, someone to talk to or escort you on a trip out. A trusted person who keeps an eye on your safety and helps you stay in touch with your family.
Companionship & getting out Dignified & personal care Practical & comfortable living Talk to a Care Advisor on 01344 859 148 • www.lifecarers.co.uk LifeCarers Ltd is regulated by the Care Quality Commission
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lifecarers
@life_carers
You Deserve the Best... We provide it! Care in your own home
Reliable, Friendly Care by local Carers. If you would like to discuss how we can help please call Rachael or Lorna on: 0118 942 9889 or email office@chrysaliscare.org Chrysalis Care, 23C Horseshoe Park, Horseshoe Road, Pangbourne RG8 7JW
www.chrysaliscareathome.org Terms and conditions apply
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Useful contacts Important numbers A Action on Elder Abuse 080 880 88141 We work to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults Action on Elder Abuse, PO Box 60001, Streatham SW16 9BY I www.elderabuse.org.uk I enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk Admiral Nursing DIRECT 0845 257 9406 This helpline has been set up to provide people with an opportunity to talk through their worries and concerns about themselves, friends or relatives with dementia. The lines are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11am and 9pm. Callers can leave messages any time and request a call back I direct@fordementia.org.uk Age UK Berkshire 0118 959 4242 Providing practical services and support to make later lifer better. Huntley House, 119 London St, Reading, RG1 4QA I www.ageuk.org.uk/berkshire Alzheimer's Society 0118 959 6482 The UK's leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. I www.alzheimers.org.uk I berkshire@alzheimers.org.uk Arthritis Care 0808 800 4050 Working with and for all people with arthritis to put them in control of their arthritis and their lives. Arthritis Care, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. I www.arthritiscare.org.uk I info@arthritiscare.org.uk C CareAware 0161 707 1107 A one stop shop for free advice on care fee funding for older people. I www.careaware.co.uk I enquiries@careaware.co.uk Care Quality Commission (CQC) 03000 616161 National Correspondence, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PA I www.cqc.org.uk I enquiries@cqc.org.uk Carers UK 0808 808 7777 Prevents carers from becoming emotionally drained, and from forgetting to take care of themselves. 20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX I General enquiries: 0207 378 4999 I Advice line: 0808 808 7777 www.carersuk.org I info@carersuk.org
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Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 808 1677 Cruse Bereavement Care is here to support you after the death of someone close. I www.cruse.org.uk I helpline@cruse.org.uk D Disability Benefits Helpline – 0845 712 3456 for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance I Textphone: 0845 722 4433 I w ww.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories DG_10011169 E Elderly Accommodation Counsel 020 7820 1343 The Counsel's aim is to help older people make informed choices about meeting their housing and care needs. It was founded in 1984 and became registered as a charity in 1985. It is now more commonly known as EAC. I www.eac.org.uk ENRYCH Berkshire 0844 412 7501 At ENRYCH Berkshire we believe that someone with a disability should not be prevented from living the life they want to live. Room G1 TOB1, Earley Gate, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AT I http://www.enrychberkshire.org.uk I Integrated Care Council 01379 678243 (Formerly the National Homecare Council) The Integrated Care Council is a body which brings together British public and independent sector organisations who commission or directly provide support for people living at home. M Mind (National Association 0300 123 3393 for Mental Health) The leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. www.mind.org.uk I contact@mind.org.uk N National Osteoporosis Society 0845 450 0230 Advice, information and support group for people with osteoporosis. I www.nos.org.uk NHS 111
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N NHS Choices I www.nhs.uk P Parkinson's Disease Society I www.parkinsons.org.uk
0800 800 0303
Physiotherapy (Boathouse) 0118 984 2234 I www.boathousephysiotherapy.co.uk R Royal Voluntary Service 0845 608 0122 A volunteer organisation that enriches the lives of older people and their families across Britain. We support older people by giving time and practical help to help them get the best from life. Royal Voluntary Service, Cardiff Gate, Beck Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8RP I www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Stroke Association 0845 3033 100 Advice and information for stroke patients and their families. I www.stroke.org.uk T The Department of Work and Pensions I w ww.dwp.gov.uk The Pension Service 0845 606 0265 I w ww.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customerdelivery/ the-pension-service W West Berkshire Citizens Advice Bureau 0300 222 5941 2nd Floor, Broadway House, 4-8 The Broadway, Northbrook Street, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 1BA I www.citizensadvicewestberkshire.org.uk
Notes
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Northcourt Lodge Nursing Home 65 Northcourt Avenue, Reading, RG2 7HF Tel: 0118 9875062 Fax: 0118 9755007 Email: revathy.northcourt@btconnect.com www.northcourtlodgenursinghome.co.uk Northcourt Lodge Nursing home provides nursing care to 22 service users over the age of 65 years old who require 24 hrs care. Our goal is to promote and protect physical, mental, spiritual and social well being of service users through assuring that quality services are provided by trained and responsible health care professional whereby service user’s dignity, respect, freedom of choice, privacy, confidentiality and equality are maintained at all times. There are two communal lounges in the home. One is a large lounge for those who enjoy sitting and chatting or watching television, the sun lounge is for those who prefer quiet recreation and reading.
There is a separate dining room where we encourage all service users to have their meals together and use this opportunity for socializing but those who prefer having their meals in their rooms are given the choice to do so. At the rear of the home there is a spacious garden, where service users usually do planting and have their coffee in the summer months. We plan and implement occupational therapy involving service users that enable them to continue hobbies, develop new interests, and participate in events and outings as desired. These activities are run indoors as well as outdoors. The following are examples of some of the activities that we run:
• Quizzes, puzzles & bingo • Story telling & music • Playing cards, board games such as reminiscence •K nitting, gardening, nail painting • Physical exercise Specialist Dementia Care
24 Huntercombe Lane North, Taplow near Maidenhead SL6 0LG Tel: 01628 663287 Fax: 01628 663987 Email: applegarth.care@btconnect.com www.applegarthcarehome.co.uk Applegarth care home is a small friendly 20 bed care home situated between the boroughs of Maidenhead/Windsor and Slough. A fully trained and dedicated care team provide 24 hour care allowing the home to provide a high quality standard of care and a real sense of security to its residents & families. We aim to provide a home that offers all the care , choices and opportunities that we would want for ourselves as we grow older. Residents choose to come and live at Applegarth because they want to enjoy life to the full without having to worry about day to day issues.We offer a level of care that is person centred and meets every need required whilst helping to maintain as much independence as you
desire.The “Mum Test “ as part of our audits ensures the care, respect and dignity we provide to people in our care would be the same as we would want and expect for our own love ones. We are proud to be the first care home in Berkshire to understand the importance of pets in care homes, we are registered with the Cinnamon Trust with a five star rating. At Applegarth we offer long term stay or respite care for how ever many days or weeks required. We have 20 individual rooms all with en-suite facilities, our home has a large TV lounge and a sun-lounge for reading and quiet time. We have a light and airy dining room and a communal shower and separate bathroom.Our beautiful garden is enclosed and secure. Two fully trained chefs prepare lovely home cooked meals and will cater for
all dietary needs and cultures, residents participate in menu planning and each person is involved with choosing their favourite foods . Our full time activities co ordinator offers a variety of meaningful activities suitable for individuals needs. Dedicated care staff prepare person centred care plans with each resident to ensure the care needs and requirements you need and choose will be listened to and implemented, the key worker will continue to review these plans on a monthly basis. We have regular visits from a hairdresser, chiropodist, a church service and professional entertainers. Specialist Dementia Care
Wild Acres Care Home 440 Finchampstead Road, Wokingham RG40 3RB Tel: 0118 9733670 Fax: 0118 9734581 Email: wildacres@btconnect.com www.wildacrescarehome.co.uk Wild Acres Care Home is a spacious detached bungalow set in 1 acre of grounds, in a secluded semirural setting, with superb views of the surrounding countryside. Established for over 30 years, we provide a high standard of personalised care for 26 residents. All of the rooms are on ground level. Wild Acres has 26 good size single rooms. 13 rooms with en suite facilities, the remaining 13 rooms have a wash basin with an adjacent bathroom. We are able to offer long-term care and respite care if we have a room available. All residents can be assured that they will be treated with respect and dignity to reflect their individual needs and choices. We are able to offer support for those with physical, sensory and cognitive
impairments. Our aim is to provide a welcoming, homely atmosphere with privacy, dignity and quality of life promoted and respected by our dedicated team of staff. Meaningful activity forms an important part of each day. Residents are encouraged to spend time outside in warm weather for afternoon tea or to just sit and relax and enjoy the views. The day to day running and monitoring of the home is the responsibility of the Homes Manager supported by a team of qualified staff, including two activity co ordinators. Our standards of practice are reviewed and monitored by local council commissioning teams, internal audits and by the Care Quality Commission. Details of our latest CQC Inspection Report can be found on our website –
www.wildacrescarehome.co.uk A designated G.P. from the local practice visits weekly or on request. Varied and nutritious meals are prepared and cooked on the premises, reflecting individual dietary needs. Each resident’s care plan includes a summary of their preferred daily routine, their likes and dislikes in relation to food and any specific dietary requirements. Most of the residents choose to eat their meals in the dining room but meals may be served in the resident’s room if preferred. Specialist Dementia Care
The admin for all above homes, 1 The Drive, Earley, Reading. RG6 1EG Tel: 0118 9698870 Fax: 0118 9698824
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Applegarth Care Home