Options Leeds - A guide to care and independent living Summer 2018

OPTIONS A guide to care and independent living

Leeds Summer 2018

Leaving hospital What’s next?

NHS continuing healthcare Who’s eligible?

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SOCIAL CARE

tips

Healthcare services Choosing the right one

CONTRIBUTORS: Age UK Leeds Alzheimer’s Society British Red Cross Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust NHS Choices

enquiries@aventus-law.com Telephone: 0113 249 9000

LET US HELP YOU GAIN PEACE OF MIND AND PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY Let’s protect the decision making process for you and your family, in respect of your health and welfare and property and finance, with a legal power of attorney!

HOW IT WORKS A power of attorney enables the person or persons chosen by you as “attorney”, also known as “deputy”, to make decisions for you in relation to your health and welfare and property and finance, in circumstances where through ill-health or injury you lose the mental capacity to make decisions for yourself. Should a person lose the capacity to make decisions relating to their health or welfare or property and finance where no power of attorney is in place then the family would have to apply to the Court of Protection to help someone without mental capacity with regard to either one-off or long-term decisions. Such applications to the Court can be costly and time-consuming and much more complicated than simply appointing a chosen deputy with a power of attorney.

HOW WE CAN HELP The solicitors fees for preparing and submitting a power of attorney for either health and welfare or for property and finance are just £450 plus vat, for preparing and submitting both the solicitors fees would be £650 plus vat and for preparing and submitting both for a married couple the cost would be just £1,000 plus vat. The fee of the Office of the Public Guardian with regard to the application of each power of attorney is presently £82 (as at July 2018). This cost is much lower than the cost of having to apply to the Court once mental capacity has sadly been lost.

TRUST US Many persons consider that the cost of applying for a power of attorney is a small price to pay for the peace of mind which is achieved in knowing that a loved one will be able to make

decisions for you about your health and welfare or property and finance in circumstances where you lose your mental capacity and cannot make decisions for yourself any longer.

Government assessments report that many persons leave it too late to apply for a power of attorney, as a person must still have mental capacity in order to appoint an attorney / deputy.

It is very important that everyone who would wish for their loved ones to be in control of making decisions about their health or welfare or property and finance, where they might lose capacity to act for themselves, should act now to ensure peace of mind and Aventus Law would be proud to help.

Telephone: 0113 2675444 Email: admin@ecocleanleeds.co.uk www.ecocareleeds.co.uk Help with: • Personal Care • Meal preparation • Shopping or errands • Companionship & Trips out • Cleaning/housekeeping All the support required to ensure our customers remain healthy and happy in their own home.

Cookridge, Horsforth, Adel, Headingley.

WHAT TO DO NEXT To secure peace of mind today please call 0113 249 9000 or email enquiries@aventus-law.com to begin the process.

Please simply provide your contact details and notify us that you wish for assistance with applying for a power of attorney and we shall contact you promptly, answer any questions that you might have promptly and commence the process straight away, should you so wish.

Our skilled advisors at Aventus Law will help in a caring and friendly way and make sure that the process is as swift and easy as possible for you. On conclusion of the process Aventus Law will also make a payment to a charity of your choice, or if no charity is chosen by you then a donation will be made to an Alzheimer’s or dementia care related charity. Let’s protect you and your family today and provide peace of mind for you and your family with a legal power of attorney.

Aventus Law also help people with Residential and Commercial Conveyancing, Wills and Probate, Business Law, Employment matters, Dispute Resolution and Mediation, with excellent service standards and wonderful client care.

High quality legal services enquiries@aventus-law.com • www.aventus-law.com 0113 249 9000 and excellent client care

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ECOCARE

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Contents The right place for your care...............................................................................................4 Our commitment to you......................................................................................................4 The Assessment Process.......................................................................................................5 Leaving hospital................................................................................................................5-6 Your Hospital Team..............................................................................................................6 Dementia Support................................................................................................................7 Neighbourhood Team Therapy...........................................................................................7 Friends and Family Test.....................................................................................................7-8 Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)..........................................................................8 Our formal complaints process............................................................................................9 Chaplaincy............................................................................................................................9 NHS continuing healthcare.......................................................................................... 10-12 Taking charge of your own personal budget............................................................. 12-13 What is NHS-funded nursing care?.................................................................................. 14 Self-funding: paying for your own care and support................................................ 15-16 Care and support: what’s available..............................................................................16-17 Driving and using public transport..............................................................................18-19 The Care Quality Commission Social Care and GP top tips.........................................20-21 Age UK Leeds............................................................................................................... 22-23 Alzheimer’s Society - Specialist support for people with dementia.......................... 24-25 British Red Cross........................................................................................................... 26-27 NHS Hospitals and services in Leeds..................................................................................28 Useful contacts...................................................................................................................29

Welcome and

introduction

This guide is intended to help you, your carer and your relatives understand how your local health services can help you after discharge from hospital. Also information to help you to live independently or access support and care services in your area.

Leeds OCTAGON DE SIGN & M A R K E T I NG LTD

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Hospitals are the right place to be when you are in need of acute medical or surgical care.

However, when your treatment is completed it’s important your stay is not delayed for any reason. It is beneficial to your health to start planning your discharge from hospital at the earliest opportunity, which may be when you arrive or even before if your admission to hospital is for elective surgery.

This means we can; • L isten to any concerns you may have at the earliest opportunity •A ssess what your needs are likely to be when you are ready to leave

• I nvolve relevant staff who can help meet those needs •G ive an indication of when you should be ready to leave hospital •M ake arrangements for equipment or services to be ready when you leave •M ake sure that your family or carer is given any information, help or advice that is needed to aid your recovery.

This Information is intended to help you, your carer, relatives and friends understand how your discharge from hospital takes place. We hope you can help us so that this happens as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

The right place for your care Acute hospital services are for people who require emergency, medical or surgical treatment within a hospital environment.

When your treatment has been completed it’s important that your stay is not delayed for the following reasons; • S ome people find it harder to return home the longer they stay in hospital.

• P atients tell us they prefer to be at home in their familiar surroundings and this is often the best place for recovery.

• T here is a risk of acquiring infections in hospital, so leaving at the earliest opportunity means this is less likely.

•H ospital beds are needed for people who are very unwell, and who may be waiting in the emergency department for a bed to become available.

• P eople awaiting surgery, both urgent and non-urgent, may have their operations cancelled if a bed is unavailable.

Our commitment to you • Patients should receive the right treatment, at the right place and by the right professional • We place a high priority on keeping your stay in an acute hospital bed to a minimum • O nce your consultant led team assesses that you are medically fit for transfer, we will aim to transfer you from hospital on the same day • Y ou will be transferred from hospital when you are ready to leave as there are more appropriate services and facilities available to you.

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The Assessment Process Your assessment begins as you are admitted to the ward and is a way of working out what your ongoing needs will be.

Nurses looking after you on the ward will have discussions with you and your family or carer. We would like to know if you were receiving support from community health or social care before you were admitted, or whether there are any issues that may impact on your discharge from hospital.

We also have a team of nurses called Discharge

Facilitators and Discharge coordinators who visit you on the ward to ensure that you are well supported in understanding every step of the way towards your transfer from hospital to home or ongoing care. They will help to go through your Home Planner document with you and your family and work with you to highlight any support requirements. If you or your family have any concerns about going home, please ask to speak to the ward staff and they will be able to contact the discharge team to support you.

Leaving hospital You will be discharged from hospital when your consultant-led team decides that you are clinically ready and that you no longer require acute hospital services.

All staff will work with you and your carer or relatives as a team to discuss your discharge with you. Being discharged home is often very straightforward but if you have ongoing health

and social care needs you may require a more detailed assessment. If this is the case, you will be supported by staff working together from both health and social care. We need to discuss any concerns or needs you have at the earliest opportunity, for example the things that you want to be able to do when you go home.

These may include managing your personal care, 5

domestic tasks, carer responsibilities, returning to work or leisure, staying safe and any equipment or care you feel you may require.

A supply of your current medication will be

You will be given an expected date for discharge based on when your treatment is due to be complete. It is important that everyone involved is aware of this date so that we can all work towards it and so the necessary arrangements can be made such as;

questions about your medication please ask to

• T ransport home. Patients are normally expected to arrange their own transport, however if this is not possible please tell us as soon as possible.

ordered from the hospital pharmacy to tide you over until you see your GP. If you have any speak to your pharmacist or a member of the nursing team. Relatives or carers coming to collect you can meet you in the lounge or a nurse can escort you to the main reception area.

It is important to know that the majority of patients will be transferred home directly from hospital.

• S uitable clothing and footwear (if you are not already using them in hospital).

If you no longer require consultant led care and

• Access to a key to your property.

or preferred community based placement, you

• Adequate basic food stocks.

will be transferred to a bed

• Adequate heating in your home.

•A dequate support for your carer or family members.

We aim for patients to be discharged in the morning but if this is not possible you may be moved to the discharge lounge where this is available. The discharge lounge is a comfortable and safe place to wait and is staffed by nurses who will provide light refreshments throughout the day, as well as keeping you informed.

there is a delay in the start of your care package

within a non-hospital setting whilst this is arranged. We will only transfer you when the appropriate place has been identified and confirmed but this should be within 48 hours.

Your Hospital Team In the hospital you will find a multi–disciplinary team which may include doctors, ward nurses, a member of the discharge team, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dietitians and social workers and you may be referred to any of these as part of your care.

The relevant team member will discuss with you and assess what you are able to do and what you might need more help with. They will then discuss with you what treatment, help or support is available to improve your independence. They will discuss with the other members of the hospital team their findings and together with you and your family make a plan for your discharge from hospital.

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Dementia Support If you have dementia our hospital staff will provide support for you and your relatives and carers. You will receive a document called ‘Know who I am’ which asks for details about your specific needs and personal preferences. This information will help our staff to deliver specific care needs during your stay in hospital.

A referral to Carers Leeds may also be made should support be needed for your family members.

Neighbourhood Team Therapy It may be that you are medically well enough to leave hospital but are not yet at a level where you can manage at home without support. A period of further rehabilitation may be beneficial to you, and is delivered in the community by Neighbourhood Team Therapy.

This care can be provided in your own home if you are able to manage or is provided in an alternative location such as a care home.

The aim is to support patients as they are discharged to reduce the length of time in hospital, to allow a more accurate assessment of ongoing care needs and to help re-learn daily living skills.

There is a multi-disciplinary team approach which comprises of community nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists with access to your GP and community based Consultant Geriatricians.

Friends and Family Test When you receive care at any of the services provided by us, you will be given the opportunity to give your feedback by answering a simple question about your experience.

by choosing one of six options, ranging from ‘extremely likely’ to ‘extremely unlikely’.

The results will provide a way for you to easily compare NHS hospitals so that you know where you and your family can get the best possible care.

Your answer will not be traced back to you, and your details will not be passed on to anyone, so please tell us exactly what you think. A member of your family or a friend is welcome to help you give your feedback to the question if you are unable to.

The information will also give the NHS invaluable information on what patients think of services, which can be used to help make improvements if required.

How will it work?

When you are discharged you will either receive an automated phone call or text message survey and you will be asked to answer the following question: “How likely are you to recommend our services to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?”

You will be invited to respond to the question

It is really important to us that you tell us why you gave your answer, so please answer any follow-up questions.

Responses to the surveys are free.

Do you have to respond to the question?

Your feedback is extremely important and will help to continually improve our services.

However, you do not have to respond to the question. You can opt out at any time by simply replying STOP when you receive the text message or by pressing # if you receive an automated call.

You will be opted out from receiving any future survey unless you change your contact details.

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How will the results be used?

We will gather the results and analyse them rapidly to see if any action is required. The NHS will publish the results and you will also be able to see results for other hospitals to see how they compare.

Where will the results be published?

The results will be published on the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk). We will also publish our results on our website (www.leedsth.nhs.uk), displayed within the trust and also in our annual reports and quality accounts.

Does this replace the existing compliments or complaints procedure, or other forms of feedback used by the hospital?

No, you can still pass your compliments or complaints to your hospital in the normal way.

Hospitals can continue to use existing ways of gathering feedback, in addition to the Friends and Family Test.

Where can I get more information?

For more information on the Friends and Family Test, please visit www.nhs.uk/friendsandfamily.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Welcome to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service We know that it can be a worrying and confusing time when you or someone you know is unwell.

If you have concerns or questions about any aspect of your care, or the service you receive, it is best to first speak with a member of staff involved with your/their care. If you find that staff cannot help you, or you are not comfortable speaking with them, you can contact PALS. PALS is a confidential, on-the-spot, advice and support service for patients, relatives and carers.

You can ask a friend or relative to contact us on your behalf but we must have your permission before we can discuss your personal circumstances with anyone else.

PALS act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers, or relevant organisations, to negotiate immediate or prompt solutions.

If necessary we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national based support agencies.

PALS will:• Help answer your questions about the Trust or your care • Offer advice and support if things go wrong • Respond to your concerns if you are unhappy about any aspect of your care • Provide information about our services • Listen to your suggestions for improving our services for patients and visitors • Pass on your compliments to staff • Provide advice on the NHS complaints procedure

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Our formal complaints process We aim to resolve all complaints to the satisfaction of the person making the complaint. This may be the patient or anyone else/advocacy organisation making a complaint on behalf of the patient. If the latter, the patient will be required to give consent.

Complaints should ideally be in writing, sent by either email or post to: Patient Experience Department, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust St James’s University Hospital Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF Email: patientexperience.leedsth@nhs.net Telephone 0113 2066261

We are able to support those wishing to complain but are unable to put their complaint in writing.

Upon receipt of your complaint, we will send you an acknowledgement within three working days. You will also receive a phone call from one of our Complaints handlers, to confirm the key issues you would like resolved, your preferred method of response (e.g. letter, meeting) and the timeframe (typically 40 working days). This may be longer or not as long, depending on complexity of the case).

You will also be given a contact name, direct telephone number and e-mail address, to make it easy for you to find out how the processing of your complaint is progressing or if you need to give us additional information.

Chaplaincy Welcome to the chaplaincy service The chaplaincy department has the responsibility of providing for the pastoral, religious and spiritual care of all patients, their relatives and carers, as well as the staff on all hospital sites. We are there for all people of any faith or none.

Pastoral and spiritual care is an integral part of the holistic care provided within our hospitals. If you would like a visit from one of the chaplains whilst you are in hospital, then either make a referral in advance of your admission to hospital or ask a member of your healthcare team on the ward to contact a chaplain on your behalf.

In addition, chapel and prayer room facilities are available for quiet prayer and reflection. We are pleased to welcome people of all faiths and none, who wish to use these areas for personal times of quiet, prayer and reflection. These areas are open to all, day and night.

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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 home or in a registered 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 or severe 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 should usually be made within 28 days of it being decided that the person needs a full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare.

If you aren’t eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you can be referred to your local authority 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.

NHS continuing healthcare assessments Clinical commissioning groups, known as CCGs (the NHS organisations that commission local health services), 10

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.

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 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.

Full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare Full assessments for NHS continuing healthcare are undertaken by a “multidisciplinary team” made up of a minimum of two health or 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: • behaviour • cognition (understanding) • communication • psychological/emotional needs • mobility • nutrition (food and drink) • continence • skin (including wounds and ulcers) • breathing • s ymptom control through drug therapies and medication • altered states of consciousness • other significant 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 two areas, you should 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.

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.

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.

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 three 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.

Refunds for delays in NHS continuing healthcare funding 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 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 your CCG decided that you weren’t eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, but then revised this decision after a dispute, it should refund your care costs for the period between their original decision and their revised decision. >> 11

If you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare

Taking cha

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 your local authority agre control over how your nee

Read more information from NHS England about NHS continuing healthcare.

Frequently asked questions about NHS continuing healthcare 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”.

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 type 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.

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?

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 to arrange an alternative placement, they should provide a reasonable choice of homes.

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 get from the NHS. These private services should be provided by different staff and preferably in a different setting.

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You’ll be given a personal budget, and can choose to receive it as a direct payment.

Personal budgets A personal budget is the amount of money the local authority allocates for your care, based on its assessment of your needs.

You can be put in charge of this budget either by telling the local authority 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).

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 councilarranged care and support), often called a mixed package.

Find out how personal budgets work.

Direct payments Direct payments give you the most control over your care.

If you’re unhappy with the services you’re getting, you can decide to change who gives you the care services without having to go through the local authority.

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.

arge of your own personal budget

ees to pay for some or all of your home care needs, it must offer you choice and eds are met.

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.

Read more about how to choose care services.

Creating your care plan You and your social worker or care manager need to work together to create a care plan. This plan details your care and support needs, and can be used to work out the value of your personal budget.

Your care plan should include: • what’s important to you, including your interests, lifestyle, personal tastes and the people in your life • your hopes for the future, such as whether you’d like to study or take on more hobbies outside the home • what limitations you currently have and how you want to change • what you want to achieve by managing your own support Make sure you include information about how you’ll manage your money and what you’ll spend the money on (including personal assistants, transport, housing adaptations, therapists and respite services).

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.

The local authority 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 local authority can advise you on how to make your money work best for you.

Check your care plan is working Meet with your local authority at least once a year to discuss whether your care plan is working.

This is an opportunity to discuss whether your needs are being met in the best way, and it’s also your chance to talk about changes you want to make for the future.

You don’t have to wait for a review meeting to change the way you spend your budget. You can change things as you go along.

If you want to make a big change, consult your care manager or social worker, who may arrange a review.

You can ask for a review meeting about your care plan at any time. To prepare for a review, provide any receipts you have kept since you were awarded a personal budget.

Clarify how you’ll receive your money. If you choose to receive your personal budget as a direct payment, the local authority 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.

If someone is managing your funds for you, get them to join the review meeting.

Alternatively, you may prefer your personal budget to be managed by the local authority or by someone else, such as: • a friend or family member (the local authority must agree to this) • a broker, independent social worker or an advocate • your care manager or social worker

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 can ask for a reassessment.

Discuss these options with your social worker or carer to

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Disagreements about care plans and personal budgets

Speak to your social worker or care manager about being reassessed, or phone your local authority social services department and request a complaints form.

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What is NHS-funded nursing care?

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?

What is the rate of payment for NHS-funded nursing care?

You may be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care if:

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 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.

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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. In April 2018, the higher rate was set at £217.59 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 £158.16 a week, or • you become entitled to NHS continuing healthcare instead.

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Self-funding: paying for your own care and support If you have more than £23,250 in savings (not including the value of your home or your pension), you may have to pay the full cost of your care. This is known as being a self-funder.

The number of people paying for their own care is growing. While some people are eligible for funding from their council, many end up paying for all of their care.

Arranging your care as a self funder If you’re paying for your own care, you do not need to have a needs assessment first - you can go directly to a homecare agency or care home and organise it yourself without involving social services.

But, it’s a good idea to have a needs assessment before arranging your care. This is because you will then have a clear idea of what your care needs are. You will know, for example, whether you need a professional carer to come in for 2 hours a day or 2 hours a week - and what specifically they should help you with.

Ask for a copy of your needs assessment, so you have a record of your assessed needs.

Request a needs assessment from your local council’s social services department.

Once you know what your care needs are you can either: • organise your care package yourself or • ask social services to commission and arrange it on your behalf (this option depends on where you live, some councils do not offer this service)

These prices will vary according to where you live and the type of care you need. For example, serious medical conditions like dementia can increase the cost.

Will I have to sell my home?

• no, you won’t have to sell your home to pay for help in your own home • yes, you may have to sell your home if you need to move permanently into a care home.

Social services works out how much you’re expected to pay towards your care and support through a financial assessment - or means test.

Your property will not be included in the means test if you’re arranging for help in your home.

Your property will usually be included in the means test if you need to move permanently into a care home.

Sometimes it won’t be included, for example if it’s still the main home of your partner.

Alternatives to selling your home

How much will care cost?

The main ways to avoid selling your home to pay care home fees are: • releasing money from your home • renting out your home • deferred payments

Care is expensive and the bills can mount up. Knowing how much you’ll pay and how costs might change will make things less stressful.

Releasing money from your home Equity release allows you to release money from your home without selling it.

Homecare Homecare is where a professional carer comes to your home, for example for a couple of hours a day, to help you with tasks like getting washed and dressed, and household chores like preparing meals, cleaning and gardening.

Make sure you get independent financial advice before considering this.

The Money Advice Service has more information on equity release.

Live-in homecare costs from around £650 a week. It can cost as much as £1,600 a week if you have complex needs.

Renting out your home If you need to fund your care in a care home but don’t want to sell your home, you could consider renting it out and using the income to help pay your care home fees.

Care homes There are 2 types of care home. A residential home offers only personal care. A nursing home offers nursing care as well as personal care.

• a room in a residential home costs around £600 a week • a room in a nursing home costs around £840 a week

Deferred payments Where there is a delay in selling your property, or if you don’t want to sell it immediately, you may be eligible to have your care fee payment postponed. This is known as deferred payments. It’s where the council temporarily covers >> the cost of your care and you repay them later.

The recommended hourly rate is around £17.00, but this will vary according to where you live.

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If the local council agrees to the deferred payment and pays your care home fees, it will take payment from the money raised once the property is sold. This can be: • during your lifetime if you choose to sell your home • once you die, in which case the local council can be repaid from your estate A deferred payment scheme is only available if you don’t have enough money to cover your care home fees, and you have less than £23,250 in savings. In these circumstances, the savings don’t include the value of your property, but do include money in bank accounts.

Care and support:

What you may be able to get for free

Care and support can suit you if you need: • personal care, such as washing or dressing • housekeeping or domestic work, such as vacuuming • help with cooking or preparing meals • nursing and healthcare • companionship

Even if you are a self-funder, you may be eligible for some free care and support regardless of your income, including: • NHS care such as NHS continuing healthcare, NHS-funded nursing care and care after you’ve been discharged from hospital • benefits such as Attendance Allowance. Make sure you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to with this online benefits calculator: https://independentage.entitledto.co.uk/ home/start • equipment or home adaptations that cost less than £1,000

If your savings run out If your savings fall below £23,250, you might be eligible for council help.

Contact your local council about 3 months before you think your savings will reach this level and ask for a reassessment of your finances and care needs. Councils will only provide funding from the date you contact them for help. So if your capital has already dropped below £23,250 before you contact them, you won’t be reimbursed.

Get advice on paying for care The system of paying for care is complex and every case is different.

You can get independent advice about paying for care from: • The Money Advice Service. Call their helpline on 0300 500 5000.

• The Society of Later Life Advisers • Age UK • Which? Elderly Care • Independent Age

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If you need help around the home, a good optio Home care costs around £18 an hour. Depending on your circumstances, this may be funded by your local council or you may have to pay yourself.

Types of care and support Care and support comes in many forms and there are 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 be very flexible. 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 • supported living services – these are services that can help you stay safe and well in your home on a long-term basis, including financial help, help with medicines, advocacy, social support and practical support • a place to live with a family who will care for you – this is known as shared lives services or adult placement services

Funding home care If you believe you might benefit from some help at home, the first thing to do is to contact your local authority’s social services department to ask for a care needs assessment.

If you’re eligible for care and support services funded by your local council, your local council may provide or arrange the help themselves.

Alternatively, you can arrange your own care, funded by the council, through direct payments or a personal budget.

If you choose direct payments or a personal budget, or you aren’t eligible for council funding and want to get care privately, you can arrange it in several different ways: • using a care and support agency • hiring a personal assistant

what’s available

on is to have a care worker come into your home to help you.

•g etting care and support from a charity, such as Age UK

Independent care and support agencies If you use an independent care and support agency, you or the person looking after you 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.

Care and support providers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They must meet the CQC’s national minimum standards and regulations in areas such as training and record keeping.

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: • t ake 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’re ill, on holiday or resign • put things right when they go wrong An agency will want to see you and the person looking after you so they can assess your needs.

This also means you can make a joint decision about the right type of care and support.

• What training and supervision do they provide?

• What’s their complaints policy?

• Who’s responsible for insurance?

• Is there any out-of-hours or emergency contact if needed?

• Will they be able to provide staff if your own care worker is ill or away? If an agency is contracted to provide care every day, it must do that.

Hiring a personal assistant Instead of using an agency, 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 continuity, familiarity and an ongoing relationship with an assistant.

But if you employ a personal assistant, you have the legal responsibility of an employer. This includes arranging cover for their illness and holidays.

Which? Elderly Care has advice on employing private individuals.

Get more information on becoming an employer.

Care and support from charities Charities such as Age UK and Carers Trust can provide home help.

Carers Trust also supports carers by giving them a break from their caring responsibilities through care and support services.

Marie Curie Nurses can provide practical and emotional support for people near the end of their lives in their own homes.

Content supplied by:

Find out more from the UK Homecare Association.

How much does a care and support agency cost?

Using a care and support agency can be expensive. The agency will charge a fee on top of the payment made to the care worker to cover their running costs and profits.

You normally have to make a regular payment to the agency, which includes both the worker’s earnings and the agency’s fee.

Questions to ask when using a care and support agency Before deciding to go ahead with an agency, you should ask questions about the fee and what it covers.

These include: •D oes the agency check references?

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Driving and using public transport Although mobility problems make it harder to get around, transport has been getting more accessible for disabled and elderly people over the years.

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

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 wheelchair-accessible vehicles if you ask for one when you book a vehicle.

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.

Some councils also give free taxi vouchers to people who find it difficult to use public transport because they’re frail or disabled.

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.

NHS help with travel and transport costs

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.

The 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.

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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 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.

Find out more about the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme and who’s eligible.

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.

Some schemes require you to register and may charge a fee. Carers may be able to travel with you for an additional charge.

Check with your local council whether your area has a community transport scheme.

The British Red Cross runs a similar transport service in some areas. Contact your local Red Cross branch for information.

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

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.

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) • the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) • the enhanced rate mobility component of Armed Forces Independence Payment.

• 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.

Editorial content for pages 10-19 supplied by:

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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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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GP Top tips

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If you are new to an area you can find details of local GP services such as doctors’ practices, out-of-hours services and walkin centres in our online directory of care services www.cqc.org.uk/content/doctorsgps

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You can search any of these services by the name of the service, a place name or your postcode at www.cqc.org.uk

After an inspection, CQC publishes its findings in a report on its website. You can use these reports to check and compare services in your area.

Telephone: 03000 616161 • Web: www.cqc.org.uk

CQC rates all GPs to help people make choices about where they get treatment. This will be on a four-point scale:

Outstanding Good ● Requires improvement ● Inadequate ●

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There are already over 1,000 reports about GP practices published on the CQC website.

Last year, CQC launched its new-style inspection reports for GPs – looking at the five key areas SAFE, EFFECTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIVE and WELL-LED – you can use the reports to compare local GPs and choose services.

You can also use these new style inspection reports to find out more about local services and choose the one that is best for your needs.

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CQC will also look at how specific population groups are treated and give a rating. For instance how well they serve: Mothers, children and young people, vulnerable older people (over 75s) and people with long-term conditions.

People will be able to choose a GP service that rates highly on the areas that matter to them.

We welcome your feedback (good and bad) on the services you, or a loved one, receives from your GP. You can share information with us online at http://www.cqc.org.uk/share-yourexperience-finder or call us on 03000 61 61 61.

/CareQualityCommission

@CareQualityComm

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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Leeds Age UK Leeds has been working with older people in Leeds since 1975. We are an independent charity that wants to see a society where older people are respected, valued and able to contribute to their community. We work with all older people who live in Leeds to improve the quality of later life.

from 9am to 8pm.

We offer a number of services and activities that recognise you want choice in how you are supported, and that are designed to help you keep your independence and quality of life.

The team is based in Chancellor Wing and can be contacted on 0113 2065052 or internal bleep 2148

Independence at Home We have an experienced team of Wellbeing Coordinators and Caseworkers who will arrange to meet you in your home, find out what kind of assistance you require and then help you to gain the assistance. This could include help with managing your finances and claiming the benefits you’re entitled to, housing information, arranging for aids and adaptations, or getting involved in social and activity groups. We are able to identify what other services there are in your area and can help you access them. This service is available to older people who feel isolated or are finding it harder to get out and about.

Our current projects include: Aged Veterans - supporting Veterans born before 1950 who have served in the Armed Forces or completed National Service.

Supporting Wellbeing - for those aged 50 + requiring support with engaging in new opportunities, improving health & wellbeing, reducing social isolation.

Connect Well – Social Prescribing service with Well-Being Coordinators based in GP Surgeries within the North Leeds area.

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The service offers support to Leeds residents aged 60+ following an attendance at A&E. It aims to prevent unnecessary admissions and readmissions to hospital, reduce delays in being discharged home and improve the patient experience. Our team can also provide one to one support once back home to promote independent living.

Information and Advice We offer face to face appointments, a drop in and telephone advice on a range of issues including benefits and pensions, housing, care and local services. We also offer home visits to help with completion of Attendance Allowance forms.

We also offer free legal sessions once a fortnight delivered by local solicitors.

Advocacy Age UK Leeds provides specialist advocacy services for older people as part of a Partnership with Advonet – all requests for Advocacy support must be directed to ADVONET Tel: 0113 244 0606 Text: 07397 939820 Email: Office@advonet.org.uk

Ageing Well Age UK Leeds provides opportunities for older people to get more active, take part in social activities and learn new skills. Come and take part in our Creative Writing sessions, or join our Healthy Walking Group.

Hospital to Home service

Join our Silver Surfers IT Classes if you want to learn about getting online or using technology such as smart phones or tablets. There are courses for absolute beginners as well as people wishing to develop their skills.

The Age UK Leeds Hospital to Home service is based at St James Hospital in Leeds and operates 7 days a week, including bank holidays

Our new One Digital service offers support from Digital Champions across the city to help you to get online and develop your technology skills.

Our Sage project offers a range of support and social opportunities for older lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people.

Products and Services

Leeds In partnership with

Not yet made your Will?

Already have a Will, but is it correct?

Age UK Leeds have partnered with McClure Solicitors to provide FREE Wills and FREE Will Reviews.

Take the opportunity to get your affairs in order at one of our upcoming Will Clinics. All we ask is that you consider a donation to Age UK Leeds.

Spaces are limited so book your place now by calling 0800 852 1999

To find out more about Age UK Leeds:

Visit our website: www.ageukleeds.org.uk or call us on 0113 389 3000

The Arch Café The Arch is our café sharing the Bradbury Building in Leeds city centre. Open six days a week for breakfast, lunch and our special afternoon teas, we serve delicious homemade food available to eat in or take out. Why not visit next time you’re in town? All profits from the café help Age UK Leeds continue their vital work in communities across Leeds.

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Specialist support for people with dementia If you have dementia, our Memory Support Workers can help you to stay active and participate in the community to help you live well.

Our Memory Support Worker service is a joint partnership with the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust developed to provide personalised information, support and advice to people with dementia, their families and carers.

This can include signposting to local services like our activity groups, and helping you to strengthen existing support networks so you can maintain your independence for as long as possible.

Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading support and research charity, providing information, advice and support to people with dementia, their families and carers. We are committed to putting you at the heart of everything that we do, and our services are continually informed by our growing understanding of dementia and what you need to live well with it.

Get in touch with us today to find out more.

Lynn Welsh, Memory Support Team Manager Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust T: 0113 8555351 E: memorysupport.lypft@nhs.net

‘As a Memory Support Worker, I’m here to help people with dementia stay connected to their local community and living at home for as long as possible. It’s rewarding to see how the information and support I give can make such a difference to the lives of people with dementia and those around them.’

Gemma Stones, Memory Support Worker for the Leeds area In partnership with

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

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“My Support Worker has seemingly put herself out to help me, and is always able to help and support. She is the ‘lighthouse in the stormy sea’” Person with dementia

alzheimers.org.uk 25

The British Red Cross has been delivering health and social care services since the NHS was established. We provide vital support to help people live safely and independently in their own homes. Our team, based within Leeds General Infirmary, offers short-term support and advice in the initial weeks following a hospital stay to help you regain your independence and the confidence to get back in to your daily routine. We can also help you reconnect with your community and

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find new interests and activities. Our staff and volunteers will work with you to discuss how we can help you and build a support plan to suit your needs.

Practical Support We are here to lend a hand with practical tasks in the home that you may be finding difficult.

We can help you with a range of tasks, such as assisting with shopping, prescription collection,

Photograph courtesy of Rawles, Simon (BRC)

Local Advice Our team of staff and volunteers have excellent knowledge of local services and organisations and can help you access financial advice, nutrition, wellbeing, legal advice, benefit entitlement and other types of support. They can also assist by connecting you to other organisations that can help you live safely and independently in your own home for longer, including home adaptations, fire safety checks, trips and falls pendent alarms and home safety equipment.

Mobility Aids We can provide short-term loans of wheelchairs and other mobility aids to people experiencing difficulty with mobility. The wheelchairs can also be used by the staff and volunteers to help you attend hospital appointments or events.

Contact

opening letters and paying household bills, signposting to other organisations and escorting to local clubs or medical appointments.

Emotional Support British Red Cross staff and volunteers will visit you at home to offer company and friendly chats.

They can provide you with information on social groups in your local area and help you to build new friendships.

If you are interested in finding out more about how we can support you or a family member or friend, please contact us on 0113 392 5799.

Volunteer with us We are always looking for new and enthusiastic volunteers to join our team. If you’re caring, compassionate and up for a natter, this could be the perfect role for you. Just a few hours a week of your time can change someone’s life.

Visit www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved/ Volunteer/Independent-living for more information or give us a call on 0113 392 5799.

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NHS Hospitals and services in Leeds St James’s University Hospital

Beckett Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF

Wharfedale Hospital

Newall Carr Road, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 2LY

Tel: (0113) 243 3144

Tel: (01943) 465522 Wetherby

Chapel Allerton Hospital

Wharfedale

Chapeltown Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 4SA

Bardsey

Tel: (0113) 262 3404

Leeds Dental Institute The Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9LU

Shadwell

Seacroft Hospital

Horsforth HEADINGLEY

Tel: (0113) 244 0111

CHAPEL ALLERTON

York Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS14 6UH

Whinmoor

Tel: (0113) 264 8164

KIRKSTALL

LEEDS

Pudsey

Micklefield

Morley Methley

Humanity House, 2 Armley Court, Armley Road, Leeds, LS12 2NB Tel: (0113) 201 5240

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Leeds Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3EX

Age UK Leeds, Bradbury Building, Mark Lane, Leeds LS2 8JA

Tel: (0113) 243 2799

Tel: (0113) 389 3000

The locations on the map indicate where services operate out of.

HOLBECK

Useful contacts A

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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

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.

I www.mind.org.uk I contact@mind.org.uk

Admiral Nurses 0800 888 6678 Admiral Nurses provide the specialist dementia support that families need. When things get challenging or difficult, our nurses work alongside the entire family, giving them one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions.

I www.dementiauk.org I direct@dementiauk.org Age UK Leeds Bradbury Building, Mark Lane, Leeds LS2 8JA I www.ageukleeds.org.uk

0113 389 3000

B British Red Cross 0113 201 5240 Humanity House, 2 Armley Court, Armley Road, Leeds LS12 2NB I www.redcross.org.uk

National Rheumatoid 0800 298 7650 Arthritis Society (NRAS) or 0845 458 3969 Provide information, support and advice for people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I www.nras.org.uk NHS 111

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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) National Correspondence, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PA I www.cqc.org.uk I enquiries@cqc.org.uk

N National Osteoporosis Society 0845 450 0230 Advice, information and support group for people with osteoporosis.

I www.nos.org.uk

03000 616161

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 DIAL 0113 378 2990 (Disability Information Advice Line) DIAL Leeds provide information and advice to disabled people, their family and professionals on all aspects of living with a disability.

DIAL (LEEDS), The Mary Thornton Suite, Armley Grange Drive, Leeds, LS12 3QH I www.dial-leeds.org.uk Disability Benefits – for Disability 0845 712 3456 Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance I Textphone: 0845 722 4433 I www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories DG_10011169

Parkinson's Disease Society I www.parkinsons.org.uk

0800 800 0303

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

S 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 www.dwp.gov.uk The Pension Service 0845 606 0265 I www.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customerdelivery/thepension-service

E Elderly Accommodation Counsel 0800 377 7070 Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) is a national charity that aims to help older people make informed choices about meeting their housing and care needs.

I www.eac.org.uk I info@firststopadvice.org.uk

I Integrated Care Council 01379 678243 The Integrated Care Council (ICC) is a body that brings together British health and social care, public and independent sector organisations that commission or directly provide support for people living at home.

I www.integratedcarecouncil.co.uk

L Leeds Citizens Advice Bureau City Centre Bureau, Westminster Buildings, 31 New York Street, Leeds LS2 7DT I www.leedscab.org.uk

0113 223 4400

OCTAGON DE S IG N & M A R K E T I NG LT D

Every possible care has been taken to ensure that the information given in this publication is correct at the time of going to print. 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. ©2018.

Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN10 6AB. Telephone: 01302 714528 Options Leeds is published by Octagon Design and Marketing Ltd with editorial contributions from The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Age UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, British Red Cross, the CQC 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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V

icarage

Court

Care Home Ca r e , C o m f o r t & C o m pa n i o n s h i p

A premier care home providing the finest care for general nursing, elderly residential, dementia residential, young physically disabled, day care and respite care Front view • Award winning care home established over 36 years • Registered Nurse Manager with over 35 years of nursing experience.

• Purpose built home with beautiful large 2 acre garden, set in beautiful English countryside.

• Majority of staff have worked here for 10 years+. All staff are NVQ trained.

• Registered for 80 beds which include 25 bed dementia residential unit, 20 bed nursing unit and 25 general residential and young physically disabled unit. Facilities include 9 luxury lounges, 11 self-contained apartments, luxury bedrooms, spa baths and state-of-the-art facilities.

• Free wi-fi access in all rooms.

• Day Care available from 8am - 8pm everyday, from £65 per day.

• Respite care provided in all units.

• Families welcome 24 hours a day.

• Activities 6 hours everyday. Regular parties and entertainers.

• Quality food from two experienced cooks. All diets catered for.

Special meals always available.

• Excellent 5 star hygiene rating.

• Physiotherapy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Reiki & Massage available onsite.

• A warm, homely, caring yet fun atmosphere to enjoy.

• Regular visits by GP, district nurses, dentist, opticians, etc.

• Service includes nursing care, residential care, dementia care, bariatric care, care for residents with physical disabilities.

We offer end of life palliative care including for residents with cancer.

• See care home blog on website for more information

For more information & testimonials, please visit our website: www.thevicaragecourt.com Contact Care Manager on 01977 792253/708368 or email: info@thevicaragecourt.com

Rear garden

VICARAGE GARDENS, NORTH FEATHERSTONE, PONTEFRACT, WEST YORKSHIRE WF7 6NH

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