A guide to care and independent living NHS
Can’t go to Specsavers? They’ll come to you
We caught up with Kejal Shah who has been an Optometrist with Specsavers Home Visits for 8 years. She explains to us how this much-needed service works.
So, tell me more about the Home Visits service…
Our at-home eye test is very similar to what you would have experienced in-store, just with a few adjustments and specialist equipment to make it home-friendly.
Optometrists, like myself, carry out the eye test, adjusting it to your individual needs. If glasses are needed, experienced colleagues will help with frame selection and then return to fit them. And, it goes without saying, all customers are supported with ongoing aftercare.
In response to demand, we’ve also now launched a new audiology home visits service. So far, we have home hearing services in 24 locations in the UK, with plans to expand this nationally over the coming months. Who is able to benefit from a home eye test?
Put simply, it’s about bringing the service to your door, if you can’t get to one of our stores. So if you, a friend, or loved one, are unable to leave your home or care home unaccompanied, due to a physical or mental illness or disability, we can come to you.
There are a wide range of conditions and reasons why someone might not be able to leave their home. You can speak to us about your situation and we can help you understand if you or your loved one qualifies. What if someone is bedbound, or struggling with communication? Can you still help them?
The Home Visits service is designed to provide eyecare which is as individual as our customers are.
Some customers might be clinically vulnerable or they might be non-verbal or living with dementia. Depending on the situation, we might use pictures instead of letters for example. Even with a customer who is bedbound, we can change the position of the chart so we’re still getting completely accurate results. All the tests are adapted to fit the customer’s environment and comfort level. We can also speak to the customer or their loved one ahead of the visit, to address any questions or talk through the process.
Given that you provide such a personal and tailored service, does your care go beyond just an eye test?
Every colleague I know sees our services as something beyond just a job. Whether it’s sharing stories over a cuppa, popping something in the post for them, or passing them something out of reach, going that extra mile is such a rewarding part of our role. I only need to see a customer’s smile to know I’ve made a difference.
That’s a big part of what we do. Provide a personal service, tailored care and expertise, right to people’s homes, no matter what their situation – in homes, care homes or sheltered housing.
How do I find out whether someone is eligible?
You can head to our website at www.specsavers.co.uk/home-visits which features a simple step-by-step guide to eligibility and a wealth of information. Alternatively, you can call 0800 0890144
needs, and whether you are able or willing to carry on caring. Following this conversation, you will be given recommendations of services and actions that may help you as a carer.
Not all services recommended from your carers assessment are free, although you may be eligible for a carer personal budget to give you a break from your caring role or to buy something that makes your life easier. It is not means tested and if your application is successful, you have a wide choice about how the money is spent.
• Community Occupational Therapy Service
• Community Equipment Store
To ensure you access the correct service, contact Social Care Direct.
How to get mobility equipment
The council’s equipment service delivers equipment to people who meet agreed eligibility criteria on a loan basis.
Talk to the social worker that is working with the person you care for (if they have one) or phone Social Care Direct and ask for a carers needs assessment.
Equipment and adaptations
Several services can assist with equipment and adaptations to your property such as wet rooms, grab rails, ramps, and stair lifts – with differing eligibility criteria.
The services available are:
• Adaptations Service
• Wakefield District Housing Special Needs and Disability Service
The council’s equipment service delivers equipment to people who meet agreed eligibility criteria on a loan basis. You’ll be assessed by a health or social care professional such as an occupational therapist or district nurse who will request the most suitable equipment. This must be returned when no longer required so that it can go on to support other people in need.
DIAL also have small pieces of equipment available such as zimmers, rollators, walkers, and portable ramps that can be loaned for short periods. Call DIAL on 01977 723933 to enquire.
Wheelchair service
The council’s wheelchair service can provide manual and powered wheelchairs and specialist seating to help people with clinical needs for posture and mobility. Speak to your GP or other healthcare professional about making a referral for you.
Stay Healthy Falls prevention
Falling as you get older is quite common, and although most falls don’t cause serious injury, they can be distressing. Positively, there are lots of things you can do and small changes you can make in the home to help you stay steady on your feet.
The Aspire Health Referral Service provides access to a free exercise programme which is tailored to you to improve your strength and balance and reduce your risk of having a fall. This may include seated exercises. For more information call 01924 307811 or email aspirereferral@wakefield.gov.uk.
Out and about
Find details of activities and local groups at wakefield.connecttosupport.org.
Healthy housing
The Wakefield Healthy Housing Pathway assists with issues around fuel poverty, problems with inefficient heating systems, and cold or damp homes.
In some cases, there may be grants and loans available to help, particularly if you are:
• Aged over 60
• Have a child aged under 16 in your household
• Have a condition or illness that is made worse by cold or damp living conditions
To find out more email healthyhousing@wakefield.gov.uk.
Positively, there are lots of things you can do and small changes you can make in the home to help you stay steady on your feet.
Nova Wakefield also has a useful directory of local community groups available across the district at communitywakefield.org. Just don’t forget – for help with travelling around, West Yorkshire Metro offers discounted and free passes. Visit www.wymetro.com.
Care link
Care Link can improve and maintain wellbeing, self-esteem, and independence, letting people live safely and securely at home, by providing an alarm connected to a call centre should they fall. Telephone 01977 788000 or email carelink@wdh.co.uk. Care Link services have a fee.
For information on all Wakefield Council adult social care services contact Social Care Direct on 0345 8 503 503 or email social_care_direct@wakefield.gov.uk.
The Connect to Support Wakefield website also provides a wealth of information and advice. Visit wakefield.connecttosupport.org.
If you would like support in keeping healthy after your stay in hospital Live Well Wakefield can signpost you to find the right help. You can access the service by calling 01924 2553631.
Live Well Wakefield Social Prescribing Service
Live Well Wakefield is a social prescribing and self-management service that aims to connect individuals to local services and organisations, to meet an individual’s non-medical needs, and offers support to those living with a long-term condition to improve self-management of their conditions.
At Live Well Wakefield we understand that many factors can affect a person’s overall wellbeing, including finances, housing, and isolation. Therefore, we offer support to help people identify the factors in your life that may be negatively impacting on their wellbeing, and provide support to create connections to local services, activities, and information to address any issues.
We work with those who meet all of the following:
• Aged 18+
• Live in the Wakefield District (or have a Wakefield District GP)
You can access our social prescribing support by:
• contacting the Live Well Wakefield Team on 01924 255363
• completing the secure online referral form at https://www.livewellwakefield.nhs.uk/pages/referrals
• asking a professional you are working with, or a trusted friend/relative/carer to submit a referral via the above options.
“I found the workshop really useful. With day-today living, and so much going on, everyone just needs some time out to re-charge batteries, and I found that this workshop did exactly that.”
• Have a non-clinical need
Social Prescribing Support
A member of our social prescribing team will talk with you about your health, wellbeing & independence on a one-to-one basis, usually over the telephone, or face to face.
They will listen to what matters to you and help you prioritise any support needs that you identify. They will also help you set a goal you would like to work towards. From there, they will help you to create a personalised action plan and discuss local support options and offer help to access this support where required.
The social prescribing team can make referrals on your behalf or provide you with further information to enable you to access the services independently. People tend to access our support for up to 6 months.
Feedback from individuals who have accessed our social prescribing support: “It’s a really good service. I think its not always the medical side of things people need support with. People can almost get ‘stuck in a rut’ and this helps to open up doors.”
Arranging care before you leave hospital
If you or someone you know goes into hospital, help and support should be arranged before you go home (are discharged).
This means:
• any extra help is arranged, such as visits from a district nurse or paid home help
• any equipment is fitted, such as a raised toilet seat
• any home adaptations are made, like grab rails in the bathroom
What
happens while you’re in hospital
Hospital staff should contact social services to arrange a discharge assessment. This is so they can find out what help you need when you go home.
It doesn’t matter if your hospital stay was planned or an emergency.
The assessment can happen in hospital, or they might visit your home.
It helps to have a key safe at home, or to leave keys with family or friends.
You’ll be involved in the assessment and agree a care plan together.
This should include things like:
• treatment and care when you get home
• who’s in charge of your care and how to contact them
• when and how often you need care
Preparing to leave hospital
If you have had a short illness or an operation, you might only need care for a short time to get back to normal.
Hospital staff should make sure:
• you can get home
• you have your care plan and your care home has a copy, if you live in one
• you have any medicine you need and know how to take it
• you can use new equipment, such as crutches
• your GP knows you have been discharged
• you know how to get help from a district nurse if you need it, or when to expect a visit
When you get home from hospital
Temporary care
If you have had a short illness or an operation, you might only need care for a short time to get back to normal. This is called intermediate care, reablement or aftercare.
The aim of this type of short-term care is to help you:
• look after yourself rather than having someone care for you
• stay as independent as possible
• avoid unnecessary hospital stays
Intermediate care is free for a maximum of 6 weeks. Most people receive this care for around 1 or 2 weeks. Ongoing care
Soon after you leave hospital, social services will check if your care plan is right.
If you’re likely to need care for longer than 6 weeks, they’ll work with you to put a care plan in place. This care isn’t free.
What to do if you’re unhappy with your hospital discharge
You can complain if you’re unhappy with your hospital discharge, or the discharge of someone you know.
For example, if:
• the hospital plans to discharge you before you think it’s safe
• you don’t think your discharge assessment was done correctly
Speak to the hospital staff who arranged your discharge.
It might help to get advice from the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or the charity POhWER who can provide help with NHS health complaints.
Read more about the NHS complaints process here: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-tocomplain-to-the-nhs/.
Care after illness or hospital discharge
If you or someone you know has been in hospital or had an illness or fall, you may need temporary care to help you get back to normal and stay independent.
This temporary care is called intermediate care, reablement or aftercare.
Most people who receive this type of care do so for around 1 or 2 weeks, although it can be free for a maximum of 6 weeks. It will depend on how soon you are able to cope at home.
If you need care for longer than 6 weeks, you may have to pay for it.
When
you can get free short-term care and how to get it
After leaving hospital
Care can help you recover from an illness or an operation.
Hospital staff should arrange care before you leave hospital.
Speak to the person in charge of you going home (discharge co-ordinator) to make sure this happens.
After a fall or short illness
Care can help you avoid going into hospital if you do not need to.
What care you’ll get
A team with a mix of people from the NHS and social services will help you do the things you need to do to stay independent.
This might include getting dressed, preparing a meal, or getting up and down stairs.
They might care for you at first, but will help you practise doing things on your own.
Your team might include:
• a nurse
• an occupational therapist
• a physiotherapist
• a social worker
• doctors
• carers
They’ll start with an assessment that looks at what you can do. You’ll agree together what you want to do and set out a plan.
The plan will include a contact person who’s in the team and the times and dates they’ll visit you.
When aftercare finishes, your team should work with you and your family or carers to agree what happens next.
If you or someone you know falls or needs help because they’re ill, speak to your GP surgery or social services.
They should be able to arrange for someone to come to your home and discuss what you need.
If you have started to find everyday tasks difficult
You can get help with daily tasks. This can help you learn new ways of doing things before needing paid home help.
If you find everyday tasks difficult, contact social services at your council and ask for a needs assessment. This will identify the type of care or equipment you need.
What happens when aftercare finishes
When aftercare finishes, your team should work with you and your family or carers to agree what happens next.
This should include:
• other care you might need, such as home help
• how you can refer yourself again if you need to
• what you should do if something goes wrong
• information about what other types of support or equipment might help
Ask your team’s contact person about what happens next if your aftercare is coming to an end.
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.
1 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
2 You can search any of these services by the name of the service, a place name or your postcode at www.cqc.org.uk
3
4
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
There are already over 1,000 reports about GP practices published on the CQC website.
5 CQC launched its new-style inspection reports for GPs – looking at the five key areas SAFE, EFFECTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIVE and WELLLED – you can use the reports to compare local GPs and choose services.
6
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.
CQC rates all GPs to help people make choices about where they get treatment. This will be on a four-point scale:
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. 8
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.
Telephone: 03000 616161 • Web: www.cqc.org.uk
Paying for your own care (self-funding)
You will not be entitled to help with the cost of care from your local council if:
• you have savings worth more than £23,250 – this is called the upper capital limit, or UCL
• you own your own property (this only applies if you’re moving into a care home)
You can ask your council for a financial assessment (means test) to check if you qualify for any help with costs.
You can choose to pay for care yourself if you don’t want a financial assessment.
How to arrange your care as a self-funder
You can:
• arrange and pay for care yourself without involving the council
• ask the council to arrange and pay for your care (the council will then bill you, but not all councils offer this service and they may charge a fee)
Having a carer who lives with you costs from around £800 a week. But it can cost as much as £1,600 a week if you need a lot of care.
Paying for a care home
There are 2 types of care home:
• residential homes have staff that help with everyday tasks such as getting dressed and supply all your meals
• nursing homes also offer 24-hour nursing care
A room in a care home costs:
• around £700 a week in a residential home
• over £850 a week in a nursing home
The price will vary according to where you live and the type of care you need.
For example, serious health problems like dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase the cost.
Benefits can help with care costs
Even if you choose to pay for your care, your council can do an assessment to check what care you might need. This is called a needs assessment.
Find out what care you need
Even if you choose to pay for your care, your council can do an assessment to check what care you might need. This is called a needs assessment.
For example, it’ll tell you whether you need home help from a paid carer for 2 hours a day or 2 hours a week and precisely what they should help you with.
The needs assessment is free and anyone can ask for one.
How much will care cost?
Social care can be expensive. Knowing how much you’ll have to pay will help you budget.
Paying for carers at home
A typical hourly rate for a carer to come to your home is around £20, but this will vary depending on where you live.
You may be eligible for benefits, like Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which aren’t means-tested.
You can use them to pay towards the cost of your care.
Can I avoid selling my home?
You won’t have to sell your home to pay for help in your own home.
But you may have to sell your home to pay for a care home, unless your partner carries on living in it.
Sometimes selling your home to pay care home fees is the best option.
But there may be other ways to pay care home fees if you don’t want to sell your home straight away.
Coming home from hospital can be a difficult adjustment. We are here to help you, your carers and your family through this transition
Hospital Transport Support and Wheelchair Loan Services
When you are medically fit to be discharged from hospital, our service will...
Provide transport home for you from A&E and hospital wards
A fully trained member of the team will take you home
Escort you into your own home
Ensure you are safe, secure and comfortable
Provide support for unexpected emergency issues, such as faulty locks, heating not working, small food shop, etc.
Offer to make a hot drink, or simple meal, to help you settle in at home
Ensure further support is offered
This service is FREE for patients being discharged from hospital every day of the year. You will need to request a referral from the hospital staff who will check your eligibility.
Wheelchair Loan
If you need the use of a wheelchair we have a service which loans them for a small weekly fee. The service includes:
Delivery and collection
Wheelchairs that are regularly serviced to ensure they are safe and reliable
Delivered by a trained member of staff who will demonstrate how to use it safely
For further information about this service please contact our main office on 01977 522114.
Information & Advice
Here to support people aged 50 and over, and their carers, our service operates five days a week with telephone lines open 9am-5pm Monday - Friday.
By contacting us you can:
• Talk your problem through with an information adviser
• Arrange a time for a telephone advice session
• Get help to complete application forms for benefits, pensions, etc
Connecting Care
There are two Connecting Care Hubs across the Wakefield District made up of specialist workers from different health and social care and voluntary organisations across Wakefield. For the first time, they work seamlessly together as a team, from the same location and provide joined up care to help those people most at risk stay well and out of hospital.
Offering help, information and advice over the telephone and as part of a home visit, covering issues such as, but not limited to:
Pension credit & benefits
Housing applications
Wheelchair & equipment loan
Changes to TV licences
Falls Assessment
Blue Badge application
Adaptations to your home
Setting up ongoing support
Liaising with other agencies
Home Support Services
At Age UK Wakefield District, we provide a range of care and support to suit your needs. Our trained staff are here to support you to live your life the way you want and to remain as independent as possible in your own home. The care team make time for you, our visits are flexible which allows them to carry out the tasks you need, really to get to know you and your routine, and provide the best possible service for you.
We understand that your needs may vary from day to day and over time, so we work with you to make sure your care plan meets your changing needs. We’re so much more than just a care company.
Personal Care:
Getting in & out of bed
Dressing & undressing
Bathing or showering
Washing & Shaving
Oral hygiene
Hair washing and care
Support with eating and drinking
Assisting with toileting needs
Catheter care
Support with medication at home
Domestic Support:
General Housework (Vacuuming and dusting)
Laundry: Washing, drying and ironing
Preparing and cooking food
Shopping either with you or on your behalf
Making and changing beds
Pet Care
Assisting with social contact e.g. phone calls, emails and internet use
Sitting Service/ Companionship
Accessing the community
United Against Dementia
Alzheimer’s Society wants everyone affected by dementia to know that whoever you are, whatever you are going through, you can turn to them for support, help and advice.
Dementia Connect
Dementia Connect, from Alzheimer’s Society, is a personalised support service for anyone with dementia, their carers, families and friends.
We understand that dementia affects everyone differently. So whether you, a loved one, a friend or neighbour needs dementia support, we’re here for you.
We’ll connect you to a whole range of dementia support, by phone, online and face to face. Our highlytrained dementia advisers can help people come to terms with their diagnosis and navigate the complicated maze of health and social care services.
It’s free, easy to access, and offers you the support you need. Whether it’s advice on legal documents, help understanding dementia or someone to talk to when things get tough, we’re here to help.
We can keep in touch with you to make sure you keep getting the support you need. And because we know it’s never easy to tell your story, you’ll only ever need to tell it to us once.
Phone support
Our dementia advisers are available to talk to on the phone seven days a week. They will listen and give you the support and advice you need, including connecting you to help in your local area and online.
We can offer you the option of regular calls so we can keep in touch, to find out how you are and help when things change.
Support line opening hours*
Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Thursday – Friday: 9:00am – 5.00pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
*Calls charged at standard local rate.
Online support
Dementia Connect online support is available round the clock through our website. Answer a few simple questions about yourself, or someone you know, to get personalised, relevant information and advice. From guides on dementia to advice on making your home dementia friendly, get the information about the things that matter to you.
‘The Dementia Adviser was lovely and full of information. Without Alzheimer’s Society and the Dementia Adviser we’d have nothing. She is a major networker and knows everything and everyone local. I feel in charge and empowered.’ Katherine, living with dementia
If you need further support, you can request a call from our dementia advisers, who should be in touch with you within a week. Our online support includes Talking Point, our online community where you can connect with others in a similar situation, and our Dementia Directory where you can search for local services.
Face to face support
Where possible, our local dementia support workers can meet you in person to offer further support, advice and information. They will also connect you to other face to face services in your area, including local support groups.
Notes: Dementia Connect phone and online support is available wherever you live. As the service is new, some parts of the service may not be available in your area just yet.
How can you support Alzheimer’s Society?
1) Fundraising and events
From Memory Walk and Cupcake Day to challenging yourself in marathons and treks. There’s plenty of ways you can get involved to help raise money. Search ‘get involved’ on alzheimers.org.uk
2) Donate
Our dementia support services are made possible thanks to generous donations from the public. However, you don’t have to join an event or seek sponsorship to do this. Simply head to alzheimers.org.uk and donate what you can to unite against dementia.
3) Become a campaigner
At Alzheimer’s Society, we work to amplify the voices of people affected by dementia, to create a world where they get the support and care they deserve. We can’t do this alone. Whether you have dementia, you have a personal connection to dementia or you want to stand with those who do. Together we can make a difference, register to become a campaigner at alzheimers.org.uk
“Dementia can and does affect so many families, including mine.
“My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in the summer of 2012. He passed away in September 2018.
“I wanted to do something to help raise awareness of the condition and tackle the stigma associated, so I reached out to Alzheimer’s Society to see if I could help. It gives me an enormous sense of pride being an Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society and I feel like I’m making a difference.
“I have also personally enjoyed taking part in fundraising activities like Cupcake Day and Memory Walk, as there is a real sense of togetherness for a good cause.
“For anyone wanting to know how they can help, I’d say get involved. Whatever you can give, be that your time, voice or money, you’ll know you’ve made a difference to the lives of people affected by dementia.”
Meera
Syal, actor and Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador
Get in touch
If you are affected by dementia in and would like information and support, contact us:
T: 0333 150 3456
W: alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect
E: dementia.connect@alzheimers.org.uk
Leeds 07310 696211
Competent Care Service Ltd
Premium Domiciliary or Home Care Services in the comfort of your own home.
Enabling Independence. Exceeding Expectations. Empowering Lives.
Our Mission: Raise standards in the sector by delivering exceptionally outstanding at home care with a team who have real passion for delivering person centred care with dignity and respect.
Our Signature Care Services include:
✓ Hospital Discharge
✓ 24 hour / Live in Care
✓ Hourly Care
✓ Round the Clock Care
✓ Day &Night Care
✓ Personal Care
✓ Respite/Holiday Care ✓ Cancer care
✓ Mental Health/wellbeing
✓ Physical disabilities
✓ Sensory difficulties
✓ Dementia /Alzheimer’s Care Commitment to providing “safe, effective, compassionate, responsive, and well-managed services.”
Mobile: 07310 696211
info@competentcareservice.co.uk www.competentcareservice.co.uk
