Issuu

OPTIONS A guide to care and independent living

Leaving hospital

Berkshire

Autumn 2016

FREE

guide

What’s next?

NHS continuing healthcare Who’s eligible?

SOCIAL CARE

tips

CONTRIBUTORS: Age UK Berkshire Berkshire Healthcare NHS FT Royal Berkshire NHS FT NHS Choices

Healthcare services Choosing the right one Options Berkshire | 1

NHS hospitals and services in Berkshire Contact information and where to find them

Berkshire

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Age UK Berkshire Huntley House 119 London St Reading RG1 4QA 0118 959 4242 www.ageuk.org.uk/berkshire

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust Craven Road Reading RG1 5AN 0118 322 5111 www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Windsor & Maidenhead West Berkshire

Reading

Bracknell Forest Wokingham

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Fitzwilliam House, Skimped Hill Ln, Bracknell RG12 1JX 01344 415600 www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk

Slough

Contents Inside this guide n Going home.......................................................4 n Need Orthopaedic Surgery?...............................5 n Think PharmacyFirst..........................................6 n Anyone can have a fall.......................................7 n Community based mental health care for older people............................................. 8-9 n NHS continuing healthcare..............................10 n Assessment for NHS continuing healthcare......11 n What is NHS-funded nursing care?..................12 n Paying for permanent residential care..............14 n Paying for temporary care in a care home........15 n Personal budgets and direct payments - more control over your care..........................15 n Care services in your home....................... 16-17 n Age UK Berkshire Services......................... 18-19 n Care Quality Commission.................................20 n Useful contacts.......................................... 21-22

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

Berkshire

Berkshire Healthcare

Royal Berkshire

NHSâ€ˆFoundation Trust

OCTAGON DES IG N & M A R K E T ING LT D

Going home

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

When can I go home?

Opening hours The Discharge Lounge is open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm and staffed by a professional health care team who will assist you where necessary and answer questions about your transport arrangements and medication requirements.

Parking for the Discharge Lounge One of the most common questions patients ask when they first come into the Royal Berkshire Hospital is “when can I go home?” Coming into hospital can be an anxious time for anyone, and knowing when you are due to go home can be comforting. It means you can let friends and family know what is happening so they can plan visiting, or how long they may need to keep an eye on your home, help out with other family members, and take care of a pet. Members of the health care team looking after you will discuss your discharge plans soon after you are admitted. Before you are discharged they will provide information on followup appointments, medication regimes and other instructions necessary to follow at home. On the day of your discharge, if you are unable to leave the hospital by 10am, but are due to leave later in the day, you may be transferred to our Discharge Lounge on the ground floor by the Craven Road entrance. You will be transferred by wheelchair or on foot and be accompanied by a porter or a nurse. You will cared for in the Discharge Lounge while you wait to be collected by your family, friend or by hospital transport. Some patients may also be sent to the lounge whilst they wait for medication to be dispensed. There are refreshments available in the Discharge Lounge and, depending on the time of day, you might be offered a hot meal.

The Discharge Lounge offers • comfortable chairs • refreshments • toilets • a selection of newspapers and magazines • radio and television 4 | Options Berkshire

If you are being collected from the Discharge Lounge, your escort can park on levels 0-3 of the multi-storey car park. (Discharge Lounge is on Level 1) or there are a small number of spaces in the ‘pick up zone’ next to the Discharge Lounge on the access road to the Emergency Department (A&E).

Home Early - Settled and Safe: how families can help It’s better for our patients to travel home early in the day when they are less tired, when it is warmer and when there is daylight. This means the earlier in the day we can discharge our patients and have them sent home, the safer and better it is for them. The additional benefit of earlier discharge, is that patients who are being admitted via our Emergency Department are not waiting for long periods to get to a hospital bed. At the Royal Berkshire Hospital, we aim to complete patient discharge medications and paperwork in good time to allow for an early discharge or transfer to the Discharge Lounge early in the day.

Need Orthopaedic Surgery?

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Choose Redlands The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust’s Redlands Elective Orthopaedic Unit is a stand alone facility with its own dedicated theatres and 30 bedded elective orthopaedic ward, separate from the rest of the Royal Berkshire Hospital. It has one of the most envious rates of infection control in the region. This is because all patients are tested prior to admission, and we will not admit a patient who has an infection. This means that we continue to provide a safe environment which is infection free for all patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. ‘Redlands’ has two side rooms and seven bays which have just four beds in each. All bays and side rooms have en-suite shower and toilet, so there are plenty of facilities for everyone to use, and, with its own lift, there is just a short journey from theatre to ward. The team on Redlands is made up of Consultants, Nurses, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists, all supported by a Ward Doctor. Procedures carried out at the unit include: • joint surgery, including replacements for hip, knee and shoulder • spinal surgery • foot and ankle surgery. For more information about having your orthopaedic surgery at Redlands, talk to your GP or call 0118 322 7415 - 8am to 6pm to speak to the orthopaedic clinical administration team.

• great modern facilities • high quality • lowest infection rates • low waiting times from referral to surgery.

Waiting times There are very low waiting times for operations at Redlands which compare favourably with the private sector. However, Redlands has the added comfort and reassurance of having a standby emergency team in place, in the unlikely event that it is needed, which the majority of private providers do not have. From referral to operation, our waiting times can be as low as 3-6 weeks for spinal surgery, 4-6 weeks for foot and ankle, and hands, 6-8 weeks for hip and knee surgery and 8-12 weeks for shoulder. Orthopaedic operations on children can be carried out within 8 weeks.

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Think PharmacyFirst

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Try your local Pharmacy Every year, millions of us visit healthcare providers with minor health problems that our local pharmacist could resolve. All pharmacists can recognise many common health complaints. They can give advice or, where appropriate, medicines that will help clear up the problem. If your problem is more serious and needs further attention, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you of the best action to take. What's more, many pharmacies are open in the evenings and on the weekends. So, if you have a common health problem, a trip to your local pharmacy is a good and time efficient option.

All pharmacies provide the following services: • dispensing • repeat dispensing • disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines • advice on treatment of minor conditions and healthy living.

Other services your pharmacy may provide include: • medicines reviews • new medicine service • flu vaccination service • advice on alcohol consumption • carer support • emergency supply of prescription medicines • independent prescribing by pharmacists – some pharmacists can now prescribe prescription-only medicines for certain medical conditions • minor ailment service • needle and syringe exchange service • NHS Health Check (blood pressure, cholesterol or blood glucose testing) • stop smoking service • stop smoking voucher service • supervised consumption of prescribed medicines • weight management service. You can talk to your pharmacist in confidence, even about the most personal symptoms, and you don't need to make an appointment. It is possible to walk into any community pharmacy and ask to speak with the pharmacist. Most pharmacies now have a private consultation area where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.

Minor ailment services Some pharmacies run a minor ailment scheme, which means they can supply medicines for certain conditions on the NHS. If your pharmacy runs a minor ailment scheme that includes eczema, for example, it means your pharmacist can supply medicines for this condition and you'll only pay the standard prescription charge. If you're exempt from paying prescription charges – because you're under 16 or over 60, for example, or you have a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – you won't pay for the medicine. Just ask at your local pharmacy.

6 | Options Berkshire

Anyone can have a fall

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Prevention tips Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. Falls are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury. Around one in three adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year, and about half of these will have more frequent falls.

What causes a fall? Older people are more likely to have a fall because they may have: • balance problems and muscle weakness • poor vision • a long-term health condition, such as heart disease, dementia or low blood pressure (hypotension), which can lead to dizziness and a brief loss of consciousness.

Avoiding falls at home Tips for preventing falls in the home include: • immediately mopping up spillages • removing clutter, trailing wires and frayed carpet • using non-slip mats and rugs • using high-wattage light bulbs in lamps and torches, so you can see clearly • organising your home so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum, and to avoid bumping into things • getting help to do things that you're unable to do safely on your own • not walking on slippery floors in socks or tights • not wearing loose-fitting, trailing clothes that might trip you up • wearing well-fitting shoes that are in good condition and support the ankle • taking care of your feet by trimming your toenails regularly and seeing a GP or chiropodist about any foot problems.

A fall is also more likely to happen when: • the floor is wet or recently polished, such as in the bathroom or kitchen • the lighting in the room is dim or there is poor/low light • rugs or carpets aren't properly secured • the person is reaching for storage areas, such as a cupboard, or going down stairs • the person is rushing to get to the toilet during the day or at night. Another common cause of falls, particularly among older men, is falling from a ladder while carrying out home maintenance work. In older people, falls can be particularly problematic because of osteoporosis – a weakening of the bones which makes them more fragile and likely to break.

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Community based mental health care for older people 'Outstanding' service Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of community and mental health services in Berkshire, and our mental health care for older people service was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission this year. You can find out more about this award-winning service, and how to access it, below.

What can we do to help? There are a number of ways we can help you should you, or someone you know, have a mental health condition, including dementia. This might include: • Assessing and diagnosing your condition • Providing medical care • Psychological therapies • Group and one-on-one therapy • Occupational therapy • Providing support and information for your carers • Inpatient services (for 24 hour care). Our care can be provided at a variety of locations, including: • Your home, including residential and nursing homes • outpatient clinics • community hospitals • GP surgeries. We also work with external services such as social services, and support your carers and family members with education, practical support and therapy.

Why were we rated outstanding? The Care Quality Commission rated this service as Outstanding because: • Dealings between staff and patients were respectful, kind and considerate • Patients told the CQC that they felt supported by staff and that staff involved patients in their care • The service offers a six week ‘Understanding Dementia’ education course to relatives and carers • A range of information is available to both patients and their families • Feedback received from patients shows that the service is centred around them and provides personalised and holistic care.

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Berkshire Healthcare NHSâ€ˆFoundation Trust

Memory clinics We have one memory clinic in each area of Berkshire which can help you if on-going changes in your thinking skills are making it harder for you to manage daily tasks at home. These are based in: Bracknell, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, WAM (Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead) and Wokingham. We can provide you with an assessment of your memory and other skills if you think you might have dementia. If you are subsequently diagnosed with dementia, we can then offer treatment and support for you and your family and carers. We will also offer you a follow up appointment in a yearâ€™s time if no diagnosis is made but you are showing signs of difficulties. We can also support you if your dementia diagnosis was made elsewhere.

Our dementia charity Our service has also setup a charity called Young People with Dementia (YPWD) to try and plug the gap for those diagnosed with dementia who are under 65. It is a common misconception that dementia only affects older people, but we work with adults who are as young as 41. This often causes a bigger impact for the family as it affects work, children who are quite young, active lifestyles and more. Activities run by the charity include gardening, water sports and a running club.

How can I get help? During the first session we will start the assessment process and discuss an appropriate care plan to meet your specific needs. This initial session is also an opportunity for you to talk about your thoughts, worries and expectations, and for us to be able to answer any questions you may have. You can refer yourself to our service or you can be referred by a healthcare professional to our Common Point Entry (CPE) team: Phone: 0300 365 0300 Fax: 0300 365 0200 Email: Bks-tr.referralhub@nhs.net

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NHS continuing healthcare Free care package NHS continuing healthcare is a free package of care for people who have significant ongoing healthcare needs. It is arranged and funded by the NHS. You can receive NHS continuing healthcare in any setting outside hospital, including in your own home or in a care home. If you receive care in your own home, the NHS will cover the cost of the support you need from health professionals and the cost of personal care which can include help with washing and getting dressed. If you receive NHS continuing healthcare in a care home, the NHS will also pay your care home fees. Eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare When assessing your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare, staff must follow certain processes. You must be assessed by a team of healthcare professionals as having a ‘primary health need’ for care. This means that you need care primarily because of your health needs.

This is assessed by looking at: • The type and particular characteristics of your needs. • How intense and severe they are. • The complexity of your needs. • How unpredictable your needs are; including any risks to you and others if adequate and timely care is not provided. Eligibility is always based on these needs, rather than any particular diagnosis or condition.

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When should I be considered for NHS continuing healthcare?

If you have ongoing health needs, there are times when staff should consider whether you may be eligible. These include: • When you are ready to be discharged from hospital and your long-term needs are clear. • Once a period of intermediate care or rehabilitation following a hospital stay have finished and it’s agreed your condition is unlikely to improve. • Whenever your health or social care needs are being reviewed as part of a community care assessment. • If your physical or mental health deteriorates significantly and your current level of care seems inadequate. • When your nursing needs are being reviewed. This should happen annually if you live in a nursing home. • If you have a rapidly deteriorating condition and may be approaching the end of your life. In these circumstances, your discharge staff, staff coordinating your intermediate care, GP or a member of the social work team should raise the issue of NHS continuing healthcare and assess your eligibility. If they don’t, make sure you ask for an assessment.

Assessment for NHS continuing healthcare Are you eligible? You should be fully involved in the assessment and have your views taken into account. You can ask a relative or carer to help and support you throughout the process. Most people will start by completing a checklist. This assesses your needs and indicates whether or not you should have a full assessment. If you’re referred for a full assessment, evidence will be collected from all relevant health and social care professionals to give a full picture of your physical, mental health and social care needs. Then a team of health and social care professionals involved in your care will look at this evidence and recommend whether or not you’re eligible. You and / or your representative can attend and participate at this meeting.

If you are eligible The team will forward their recommendation to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that is responsible for funding your care. The CCG will then discuss and agree a care and support package with you. This care and support package will be reviewed after 3 months and then at least every year. If your care needs change, your funding arrangements may also change.

Personal Health Budgets

If you’re not eligible If you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you’ll be referred to your local authority to decide whether you’re eligible for help to arrange or pay for care. However, you may be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care.

If you’re not happy with the decision If you’re turned down, you should be sent a letter telling you why. It should also tell you what steps to take and who to contact if you’re unhappy with the decision. • If you weren’t given a full assessment, you can ask the CCG to reconsider your case. If you are still dissatisfied you can use the NHS complaints system to pursue your case. • If you’re not happy after a full assessment, you can ask for the CCG to reconsider its decision. If you are still dissatisfied, you can ask for an independent review of your case. • If you’re not happy with any help you receive from the NHS, you have a right to complain. Details of the complaints procedure are available from the relevant organisation.

Fast Track If you are approaching the end of your life, you may be eligible for ‘fast tracking’ which allows you to bypass the full assessment process mentioned above. You must have a rapidly deteriorating condition that may be entering a terminal phase. If you’re eligible, a care package should be put in place as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours.

If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you have the right to a Personal Health Budget. Personal Health Budgets allow more choice and control over the services and care you receive and can be used to pay for a wider range of items and services, including therapies, personal care and equipment. If you choose this, you will develop a care plan with your NHS team that will meet your personal health and wellbeing needs. See NHS Choices for more information about Personal Health Budgets.

Content supplied by: Age UK has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does Age UK endorse any of the products or services.

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What is NHS-funded nursing care? The facts NHS-funded nursing care is care provided by a registered nurse for people who live in a care home. The NHS will pay a flat rate contribution directly to the care home towards the cost of this registered nursing care.

Who is eligible for NHS-funded nursing care? You may be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care if: • You are not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare but have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse. • You live in a care home registered to provide nursing care.

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. Most people don’t need a separate assessment for NHS-funded 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.

Outcome of the assessment 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. If you’re not eligible for NHS-funded nursing care and you don’t agree with the decision about your eligibility, you can ask your CCG to review the decision.

Content supplied by: NHS Choices has 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 figures correct at the time of going to print.

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What is the rate of payment for NHSfunded nursing care? NHS-funded nursing care is paid at the same rate across England. For 2015/16, the rate is £112.00 a week (standard rate). Before October 1 2007, there were three 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. 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. For 2015/16, the higher rate is £154.14 a week. You’re entitled to continue on this rate unless: • You no longer have nursing needs. • 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 £112.00 a week, or • You become entitled to NHS continuing healthcare instead.

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Paying for permanent residential care The facts Lots of people worry about paying for care for themselves or for a loved one. Most people will be expected to pay something towards the costs. If your care is being organised by the local authority, then the main steps of the process are: 1. Your local authority will firstly do a care needs assessment to identify what help you need. 2. They will make recommendations about your needs and whether or not you need residential care – this is called a Care Plan. 3. They will then work out a budget to ensure you get what you need – this is called a Personal Budget. 4. Then, they will do a means test, also called a financial assessment, to work out how much you should pay towards your care home fees and how much they will cover. If your care is arranged by the NHS or social services, you may not have to pay for some or all of the care. For more information, see our page on NHS continuing healthcare.

What does the means test look at? The means test will look at your capital and income, such as your savings and your property. Certain types of income, such as money from certain benefits and pensions, may not be counted. If you and someone else jointly hold capital, such as a savings account, it’ll be treated as divided equally between the two of you. In some circumstances your home won’t be included in the means test, for example, if your partner still lives there.

What if I give away some of my money? You may be thinking about giving away some of your savings, income or property to avoid higher care costs, and to give something to your relatives or charity, for example. If the council thinks that you have done this to avoid paying care fees they may still assess you as if you still had the money or property that you have given away. This is referred to as deprivation of assets.

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What amount of capital will make me eligible to pay for my care? Amount of your capital, savings and income Over £23,250 Between £14,250 and £23,250 Less than £14,250

How much you have to pay You must pay full fees (self-funding) Your fees will be calculated on a sliding scale You won’t have to pay fees

After the means test the local authority should give you a written record of their decision of what you will have to pay and what they will pay, and how they calculated it.

What if I prefer a more expensive care home than the local authority will pay for? If you’d prefer to live in a care home that costs more than the local authority would usually expect to pay, it can arrange this, provided that someone else is willing to meet the difference in cost. This is usually known as a top-up or third-party payment. You could also choose a care home in another area to be closer to family or friends. Find out more about having choice of accommodation.

How do I pay my part of the fees? Generally the local authority will pay the full amount to the home and collect from you the amount that you need to pay. This may be different if you are paying a ‘top-up’ fee.

What if I run out of money? If you are paying fees yourself (called self-funding) and your capital goes down to under £23,250, the local authority may assist with funding. You should request an assessment a few months before that happens. They should arrange one as soon as possible so you don’t have to use up your capital below that amount.

Paying for temporary care in a care home The facts Local authority charging rules differ when a stay in a care home is temporary, rather than permanent.

Paying for care if you have a partner

Some people go into a care home on a temporary basis to give themselves or their carers a break‚ or while they are recuperating from an illness.

Being part of a couple can affect a care home resident’s eligibility for local authority assistance with care home fees and both partners’ eligibility for social security benefits during the period in care.

Others enter a home temporarily for a ‘trial’ period to decide whether they want to live permanently in that home. A more detailed account of the charging rules can be found in our factsheet Paying for temporary care in a care home which you can download below. This factsheet is aimed at individuals who are aged 60 and over.

We have produced a factsheet that addresses this issue and includes sections on the valuation of jointly owned capital, temporary admissions and where both members of a couple go into a care home.

Personal budgets and direct payments - more control over your care Direct payments When your personal budget is paid directly to you this is called a Direct Payment. Direct Payments allow you to arrange your care as you wish. There are rules about what you can and can’t use direct payments for. The money must be used to meet the eligible needs identified in your assessment. You can use direct payments for anything that meets those needs, for example: • Employ your own care workers. • Buy services from a voluntary or private agency. • Buy equipment or pay for home adaptations. • Purchase other types of support to meet your assessed needs. • Get to a café to meet your friends, a place of worship, or other places that are important to you.

You can’t use direct payments to: • Pay a spouse, civil-partner, live-in partner, or a close relative who lives in the same household as you to care for you (although there may be exceptions to this). • Buy services from your local council. • Pay for permanent care in a care home. You can, however, pay for a short stay of up to four consecutive weeks within any 12-month period if that meets an assessed need. Not everyone will feel comfortable or capable of managing their direct payments themselves, and you don’t have to if you don’t want to. You can always choose the option for the council to arrange care for you, and you can still have a say in what will best meet your needs.

You can be personal and creative with your budget. For example, if one of your assessed needs is help with shopping, you could pay for someone to help you go shopping yourself rather than just pay someone to do it for you.

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Care services in your home The facts If you need help around the home, a good option is to have a care worker come in to your home to help you.

Types of care and support Care and support comes in many forms and has many names used to describe it, including home help, care attendants and “carers” (not to be confused with unpaid family or friends who care for you). Care and support can suit you if you need: • Personal care, such as washing or dressing. • Housekeeping or domestic work, such as vacuuming. • Cooking or preparing meals. • Nursing and health care. • Companionship. Care and support can be very flexible, in order to meet your needs, and the same person or agency may be able to provide some or all of these options for the duration of your care: • Long-term 24-hour care. • Short breaks for an unpaid family carer. • Emergency care. • Day care. • Sessions ranging from 15-minute visits to 24-hour assistance and everything in between. If you already know what you want, you can search NHS Choices directories for: • Local care and support services and agencies. • A list of national care and support organisations. • Services that can help you stay safe and well in your home on a long-term basis; these services, often known as “supported living services”, can include financial, help with medication, advocacy, social and practical support. • A place to live in a family who will care for you, known as “shared lives services” or adult placement services. If you believe that you might benefit from some help at home, the first thing to do is to contact your social care department to ask for an assessment of your care and support needs. To contact social care, go to GOV.UK: find your local authority. If you are eligible for care and support services, the local authority may provide or arrange the help themselves. Alternatively, you can arrange your own care, funded by the local authority, through direct payments or a personal budget. If you have chosen direct payments or a personal budget, or you aren’t eligible for local authority help and want to get care privately, you can arrange it in several different ways.

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Independent care and support agencies If you use an independent care and support agency, you or the person you’re looking after has to find the care agency and pay them. The agency will provide a service through a trained team of care workers, which means you may not always have the same person visiting your home, although the agency will do its best to take your choices into account. Independent care and support providers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Care and support agencies must meet CQC’s national minimum standards and regulations in areas such as training and recordkeeping. The CQC has the power to inspect agencies and enforce standards.

Care and support agencies must vet care and support workers before engaging them by taking up references and carrying out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on potential employees. Care and support agencies can also: • Take over the burden of being an employer – for example, payroll, training, disciplinary issues and insurance. • Train their care and support workers through national qualifications and service-specific training. • Replace workers when they are ill, on holiday or resign. • Put things right when they go wrong. An agency will want to see you and the person you’re looking after so that they can assess your needs. This also means that a joint decision can be made about the most appropriate type of care and support.

Hiring a personal assistant You can hire a “personal assistant” to act as a care and support worker for you. Personal assistants can offer you all that you’ll get from an agency worker, but you’ll also get the continuity, familiarity and ongoing relationship with your assistant. However, if you employ a personal assistant, you will then have the legal responsibility of an employer. This will include arranging cover for their illness and holidays. GOV.UK has more information on becoming an employer, while Which? Elderly Care also has advice on employing private individuals.

Employing a care worker on a private basis If you employ a care worker privately, you will not be obliged to use the DBS scheme, but you can use it if you choose to. You need to ask social care or the police to make the checks on your behalf. The care worker must have already applied to be vetted, and must consent to the check. If you have concerns about the suitability of someone you employ privately as a personal assistant, you can ask Adult Social Care to look into the matter.

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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.

Memory Loss Support

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. 18 | 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

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.

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 /homeand-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. There’s also useful advice on the Social Care Institute for Excellence’s Find me good care website www.scie.org.uk/findmegoodcare/

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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Useful contacts Important numbers A Action on Elder Abuse 020 8835 9280 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 020 7380 6500 Working with and for all people with arthritis to put them in control of their arthritis and their lives. Arthritis Care, Floor 4, Linen Court, 10 East Road, London N1 6AD. 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

Cruse Bereavement Care 0844 477 9400 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 â€“ 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 020 8519 2122 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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Useful contacts Important numbers N

NHS Choices

Stroke Association 0845 3033 100 Advice and information for stroke patients and their families. I www.stroke.org.uk

I www.nhs.uk P Parkinson's Disease Society

0800 800 0303

I www.parkinsons.org.uk

The Department of Work and Pensions I w ww.dwp.gov.uk

R Royal Voluntary Service

0845 608 0122

A volunteer organisation that enriches the lives of older

The Pension Service 0845 606 0265 I w ww.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customerdelivery/ the-pension-service

people and their families across Britain. We support

older people by giving time and practical help to help

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

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

Notes

Every possible care has been taken to ensure that the information given in this publication is accurate. Whilst the publisher would be grateful to learn of any errors, it cannot accept any liability over and above the cost of the advertisement for loss there by caused. No reproduction by any method whatsoever of any part of this publication is permitted without prior written consent of the copyright owners. Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd. ÂŠ2016. Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN10 6AB. Telephone: 01302 714528

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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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Designed & Compiled by Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd., Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster DN10 6AB. Tel: 01302 714528