Wakefield Council – Helping you to find extra care and support to manage your life and the daily tasks in order to remain independent

Sometimes you might find you need extra care and support to manage your life and the daily tasks in order to remain independent. This might be as you start to get older, or if you have a disability, illness, or suffer from mental health problems.

This guide is here to offer some great information on the support that’s available for you in Wakefield.

Adult social care

Wakefield Council’s Adult Social Care gives extra care and support to people who need it to manage their lives and be independent. This includes older people, people with a disability or long term illness, people with mental health problems, and carers. The service looks at what a person needs, against the services or funds available, to let you to buy your own care and support. It includes: • Residential care • Home care • Personal assistants • Day services • Aids and adaptations • Personal budgets The aim is to make sure you, as an adult or older person, in Wakefield: • Live independently and stay healthy • Maintain your living circumstances • Play an equal part in your local community • Enjoy the best quality of life • Are able to have choice and control over your life If you think you, or a loved one, need any help with care and support contact Social Care Direct on 0345 8 503 503. Depending on your circumstances they may carry out a care needs assessment. Carers are also entitled to an assessment in their own right. Discover more information on the choices and pathways open to you at www. wakefield.gov.uk/health-care-and-advice/ adults-and-older-people-services.

The places to start

The Connect to Support and Live Well Wakefield websites are great places to start to discover really useful information on services, groups, and activities available for you throughout the district. W: www.wakefield.connecttosupport.org T: 0345 8 503 503 W: www.livewellwakefield.nhs.uk T: 01924 255363

Out and about

It’s important to your wellbeing to make sure you continue to get out and about, meet with family and friends (when it is safe to do so), and be a part of your local community. If you’re looking for something new to take part in, you can find activities and groups near you on Connect to Support and Live Well Wakefield. Your local library is also on hand to help. Don’t forget if you need help travelling around, West Yorkshire Metro offers fantastic discounted and free passes, including help planning journeys: www. wymetro.com.

Well and active

Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by: • Raising your self esteem • Helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them • Causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood For ideas on staying active whilst following the latest guidance visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/exercise/.

Mental health and wellbeing

Mental health is just as important as

physical health. So, it’s important to follow a few simple steps to improve and protect mental wellbeing. Plus by giving them a try, you may feel happier, more positive, and able to get the most from life. Find out more at www.wakefield.gov.uk/ health-care-and-advice/public-health/ mental-health-wellbeing/five-ways-topositive-mental-wellbeing. You can also request a free Wellbeing at Home pack from the Health Improvement Team to help kick-start a healthier lifestyle. Email Theppenstall@wakefield.gov.uk. If you or a loved one are currently experiencing mental health problems, there are several services which can offer support, find these at www. wakefield.gov.uk/health-care-and-advice/ public-health/mental-health-wellbeing/ mental-health-support.

Caring for someone

If you help take care for someone, or have a family member or friend who helps you with your care, Carers Wakefield can support. Whether it’s a listening ear, or advice on groups, services, and benefits that could help, the team is on hand. Call 01924 305544 or visit www.carewakefield.org.uk.

Home care services

Many people find that there are times when they have difficulty coping with daily life and need help from someone. This can be because of illness, disability, or frailty – whether temporary or permanent. Often families, friends, and neighbours are able to help, but some people may need more support to keep living at home, and this is where Wakefield Home Care Services may be able to help. This service operates across the district either through Wakefield Council’s Personal Care Teams or approved providers. An assessment is needed to access this service which you can contact Social Care Direct on 0345 8 503 503 to discuss. If you don’t meet the standards for support, advice and information about other, private care providers will be provide – this includes support from voluntary agencies and groups.

Making life easier

If you look to get help with cleaning and shopping, handypersons, or other trades be careful of bogus scams and check IDs to stay safe. A good way to be reassured is by sourcing someone through the government backed TrustMark at trustmark.org.uk or call 0333 555 1234. You might also find that equipment and assistive technology can help make life easier. Visit Connect to Support at www. wakefield.connecttosupport.org to see what could benefit you.

Community meals

There are a number of organisations that can provide meals to adults and older people who have difficulty in preparing a meal in their own homes. You do not need an assessment from Adult Social Care Services to access these services. For a full list contact Age UK Wakefield District on 01977 552114.

Living Independently

Understandably, most of us will want to live independently in our own home for as long as we’re able, but sometimes that’s just not possible. If you are unable to remain living in your home you may wish to consider other housing options like Independent Living Schemes that allow people to retain an independent lifestyle, but with the security of 24 hour assistance in emergencies. Extra Care schemes also offer a higher level of support than sheltered housing. However, an assessment may be carried out to look at your suitability for these schemes and age restrictions often apply. Of course for those where it is necessary, there is also residential care.

Paying for Care

Care arranged by your local council isn’t usually free. Following a care needs assessment there will be a financial assessment where the council will look at your income, savings, and property to calculate how much you can afford to contribute towards the cost of your care and support. Currently if you have capital over £23,250 you must pay the full cost. You won’t ever be asked to pay more towards the cost of your support and care than your financial assessment shows you can afford. Should you choose not to tell us about your finances then you will be charged for the full cost of your care. You may think about giving away some of your savings, income, or property to your relatives or charity, for example to avoid paying likely care costs. But if the council thinks that you have done this to avoid paying care fees they may still assess you as if you still had the money or property that you have given away. This is referred to as deprivation of assets. Choosing how to pay for your care can be a big decision. We would advise you to get good and impartial financial advice. The Money Advice Service may be able to help. Visit their website at www.money. adviceservice.org.uk, or call them on 0300 500 500. There are also a number of national organisations who can help, including: • National Careline: 0800 0699 784 www.thenationalcareline.org • Which? Elderly Care: 029 2267 0000 www.which.co.uk/later-life-care • Age UK: 01977 552114 www.ageuk.org.uk • Citizens Advice: 03444 111 444 www.wakefielddistrictcab.co.uk If you would like to talk to someone about anything outlined please call Social Care Direct on 0345 8 503 503 as a first point of call.