Sefton Social care and wellbeing Most people want to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. We encourage you to take care of your long term health and wellbeing by supporting and signposting you to a range of activities and events in your local community. These are available through libraries, leisure centres or through the voluntary, faith and community sector. You can find full details of what is available in your local community through The Sefton Directory www.seftondirectory.com
Adult Social Care If you think you need additional help and support to maintain your independence or are struggling to live at home then you may be entitled to help from adult social care. Your social care assessment An assessment means collecting information about you and your life and talking with you about the difficulties you have and how they affect your wellbeing. This helps us to understand your situation, what your needs are and how to plan for the future. Things we will look at during your assessment: •W ho (if anyone) you would like to be involved in your assessment. If you have a carer then we will need to speak to them •W hat you are finding difficult and how this is affecting you in your daily life •Y our daily routine and how you manage •Y our health and how it affects you, including medication, recent visits or contact with GP or hospital • L ooking after yourself (e.g. washing, dressing, meals, shopping, managing your home and finances) • T hings you enjoy doing • T hings that are important to you • S upport already available to you – what’s working 14
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well (e.g. help from family and friends, equipment and aids, paid carers) Anything that has worked well in the past If you are a carer, how your caring role affects you day to day What about things you do well? What would you like to achieve / do more of?
Who can have an assessment? Any adult who may have needs for care and support can have an assessment. Anyone who looks after another adult and may need help to enable them to continue to care can have a Carers Assessment. What if I don't want an assessment? You can refuse to have an assessment but we may still need to talk to you if we are concerned about your safety and wellbeing. We can still give you information and advice about arranging your own support and accessing activities and groups in your community. If you are offered an assessment but refuse this time, you could still change your mind at a later date. Carers Support You are a carer if you provide regular and substantial unpaid help to someone who is frail or disabled, or mentally or physically ill, and who cannot manage without your support. You may not live in the same house, and you do not have to be related to the person you look after. Carers are now able to have an assessment. The local authority will assess whether the carer has needs and what those needs may be. This assessment will consider the impact of caring on the carer. Anyone wanting help, advice or assistance completing the carers needs assessment should contact Sefton Carers Centre on 0151 288 6060 Find out more here: www.sefton.gov.uk/social-care/ care-and-support-for-adults
