Options Leicestershire and Rutland Spring 2022

OPTIONS Leicestershire and Rutland A guide to care and independent living

Leaving hospital What’s next?

NHS continuing healthcare Who’s eligible?

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SOCIAL CARE

tips

Healthcare services Choosing the right one

Spring 2022

FREE

guide

Contents Leicestershire County Council – supporting you to stay well and independent................. 4-5 Rutland County Council – Healthy and Independent in Rutland............................................ 6 Leicester City Council – A Personalised Approach to Independence in Leicester.................. 7 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust - The right place for your care....................... 8-11 Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust - Lung patients benefit from daily monitoring....12-13 The Care Quality Commission Social Care and GP top tips...............................................16-17 NHS continuing healthcare...................................................................................................18-19 Personal budgets and direct payments...............................................................................24-25 NHS-funded nursing care........................................................................................................... 25 Paying for your own care (self-funding).............................................................................28-29 Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland Services and Projects....................................................32-33 Do you have dementia? Do you support someone living with dementia? Get personal advice and practical support in Leicestershire from the Alzheimer’s Society..................34-35

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.

Read online

To view this guide online as an interactive ebook visit: www.regionalcare.co.uk/options/leicestershire/spring2022

OCTAGON DE S IG N & M A R KE T ING LT D

Leicestershire County Council knows that being at home with the right support is the best way for people to recover and stay well following a hospital admission. We work closely with the NHS and other partners across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to make health and care services sustainable for the future.

If you are worried that you might need help and you are not sure that it has been arranged, speak to a member of staff on the ward. You may benefit from short-term support to get dressed or with meal preparation – this is often called reablement and is designed to help you increase your independence in a variety of ways. This could be through the provision of equipment to help you with day-to-day tasks or practice to get back the skills you need for daily living.

Independence in your own home There are practical ways to make your home more accessible and maintain your independence. Sometimes the simplest things can improve your daily life, like moving items onto lower shelves, or fitting a second stair rail. Investing in specially designed equipment and products known as Care Technology can also make a difference. These include discreet lifeline alarms which connect to round-the-clock assistance as well as a range of equipment to support people to remain safe and

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independent both at home and in the community. These can provide reassurance for you and help carers keep the people they are caring for safe and supported. Find out more at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/care-technology Most district councils provide a chargeable community lifeline service, find out more at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ lifelines-telecare-and-alarms.

For more advice about staying independent in your home please visit www.safeandwell.co.uk/leicester. Other suppliers of Care technology and equipment can be viewed in our online information and support directory at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/lisd.

Staying well First Contact Plus is a service that offers online information, advice and support on improving your health, preventing falls, feeling safe, living independently, debts and benefits, work, learning and volunteering, families and relationships and

your home. Visit www.firstcontactplus.org.uk to see the full range of services and support available to Leicestershire residents. If you need extra help, you can use the ‘make a referral’ button and a member of the team will call you back within two working days.

The website also includes links to the Warm Homes service for help and advice on making your home warmer and more energy efficient visit www.firstcontactplus.org.uk/ yourhome/warm-homes or call 0116 305 4286.

If you have had a fall or are worried about falling, First Contact Plus can refer you to the free service offered by the NHS Falls team. They can help you to improve your balance and mobility and reduce the risk of falling. For more information visit www.firstcontactplus.org.uk/our-services/falls.

Local Area Co-ordination (LAC) can also offer help to people who live in the county to be strong, more connected to their local community and in control of their own lives preventing further crisis or problems. For more information call 07951 486 235.

Leicestershire’s Shared Lives Service offers an alternative care service for adults with disabilities and older people.

Individuals move into or regularly visit their Shared Lives carer’s home and together they share family and community life.

To find out more visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/sharedlives-placements or call 0116 305 0004.

Visit https://www.carechoices.co.uk/publication/ leicestershire/ to access the Leicester, Leicestershire and

Rutland Adult Care and Support Services Directory and Dementia Friendly Leicestershire - a practical guide to living with dementia.

Looking after someone If you look after a family member or friend, it is vital that you recognise yourself as a carer. Caring for others can be very demanding and can affect your health and wellbeing. We know your priority is the person you are caring for, but you need to keep well and look after yourself too.

Register as a carer with your GP practice, as they may be able to offer flexible appointments and yearly health checks. Make a plan in case of emergencies and let family members and friends know where to find essential personal and medication information by using the Message in Bottle scheme or the Herbert Protocol for anyone living with a memory problem visit www.leics.police.uk/notices/af/herbert-protocol.

The County Council has a range of online tools and information designed to support carers and commissions a support service for adult carers across the county. For more information on local and national support services and our online carer’s assessment form visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/looking-after-someone.

If you live in the county and need more information and advice on adult care services visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/adult-social-care-andhealth or call 0116 305 0004.

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Healthy and Independent in Rutland To maintain health and wellbeing throughout your life you need access to the right information, advice and support.

The Rutland Information Service website offers self-help advice and information. This includes information such as falls prevention and links to home exercises. ris.rutland.gov.uk/kb5/rutland/directory/home.page Rutland’s Adult Social Care If you would like a broader chat about support to help you to manage at home longer term or if you are a carer for a loved one, you can contact Rutland’s Adult Social Care team who may signpost, offer advice, guidance or recommend a social care assessment.

To contact call 01572 758341 or email adultduty@rutland.gov.uk.

Rutland Housing Options Team If you or a relative are in need of rehousing, the Housing Options team can talk to you about the options available via the Council’s Housing Register. The Council manage a Housing Register for residents of Rutland that require social housing. To contact call 01572 758 157 or email housingoptions@rutland.gov.uk Hospital Discharge If you or a relative are admitted to hospital and require support on discharge, the Rutland Integrated Hospital Team will be notified by the Hospital. The team will work closely with you and those involved in your care to identify the support you require, ensuring your timely discharge from hospital. You can contact the team by calling 01572 720992.

Rutland Admiral Nurse Service Admiral Nurses provide the specialist support that families need to face dementia. When things get challenging or difficult, our Nurses work alongside people with dementia, their families and carers, giving them compassionate oneto-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions. Tel: 01572 758220 email AdmiralNurse@Rutland.gov.uk 6

Rise - Social Prescribing The Rise service is integrated with Rutland G.Ps. Social prescribing connects people with a link worker who helps to identify needs and access support. Typically support is provided by the voluntary and community sector such as arts, gardening, befriending, cookery and sports. Social prescribing is designed to support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs, to include people with mild or long-term mental or physical health problems, newly diagnosed, vulnerable groups, people who are socially isolated, and those who frequently attend primary or secondary health care services.

If you think RISE could support you, discuss a referral with your Rutland G.P, Partner and Community Voluntary Services or self-refer by emailing: Rise@rutland.gov.uk Rutland’s Therapy Offer • Therapy Assessment for equipment provision, moving and handling, falls risks and adaptations.

• The Reablement Service is a therapy led approach to prevent hospital admission or facilitate discharge home.

• The Housing and Prevention Grant is a non means tested grant for home adaptations to minimise risks.

• The Housing MOT Service offers a home check service supporting residents to maintain their independence and live as safely as possible at home.

• The Assistive Technology Service provides access to a range of technologies to help you stay safe at home.

• Exercise referral by Active Rutland to a range of exercise opportunities depending on need.

To access these services Tel: 01572 758324 or email TDUTY@rutland.gov.uk

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Digital Communication Please can you provide your email address to your social care team. This will help as we provide access to more digital communication methods (where this is appropriate to do so). Thank you 7

The right place for your care Acute Hospitals, such as the Royal Infirmary, Glenfield and General Hospitals, are for people who require emergency, medical or surgical treatment within a hospital environment.

When your treatment has been completed it is 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

• hospital beds are needed for people who are very unwell, and who may be waiting in the Emergency Department for a bed to become available • people waiting for surgery, both urgent and nonurgent, may have their operations cancelled if a bed is unavailable.

Photograph taken pre-pandemic

• t here is a risk of acquiring infections in hospital,

so leaving at the earliest opportunity means this is less likely

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Since the 23 October 2017 there is a legal requirement on NHS staff to make sure that those they are treating are eligible for free NHS treatment/care.

We should not be treating any known overseas visitors without securing payment for their treatment in advance unless doing so would prevent or delay the provision of immediately necessary or clinically urgent care. This is in line with current national policy.

Photograph taken pre-pandemic

Overseas patients’ changes

We have an Overseas Visitor Team who help and support frontline staff should they believe any patient could potentially be an overseas visitor and need to pay for their treatment.

Please do not be offended if you are asked questions to establish whether you are entitled to free NHS treatment.

Your stay in hospital A few days before you are due to come in to hospital for a planned stay please call the number on your admission letter to discuss whether you are well enough for treatment if you have had any of the following in the three days running up to your admission date: • COVID-19 symptoms, or a positive lateral flow or PCR test.

• Contact with somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19 • exposure to an infection such as chickenpox, measles, mumps or rubella • signs or symptoms of such infections • a cough or a cold, or other breathing or chest problems.

Make sure you also check your admissions letter for all the details you may need to know such as where to go when you arrive and for any special instructions, for example not eating or bringing a urine sample.

It is a good idea to phone the hospital number on your hospital letter to make sure everything is ready for your arrival. Bring your admission letter with you and if you have any questions or concerns, write them down and bring them with you.

What to bring Bringing the following items with you will make your stay as comfortable as possible: • any medication you have been taking • nightwear, a dressing gown and and supportive slippers with no open backs

• bring toiletries, including a toothbrush, toothpaste and a hand towel, to assist in washing • spectacles and a hearing aid (and spare batteries) if you need them - it’s a good idea to label or mark them with your name • dentures if you need them, ideally with a pot labelled with your name (a pot can be provided on request) • daywear, underwear, socks and comfortable shoes • a separate set of outdoor clothes, including coat and foot wear, for you to wear when you are discharged.

Please do not bring large amounts of money or valuables with you.

We encourage our patients to get dressed and mobile as soon as they are able to protect their dignity and to help them recover quicker. We would love to see more patients in their own clothes as it helps them feel more positive and has a beneficial effect on well-being. Getting patients moving, if they are able to, often reduces the length of time they need to spend in hospital, aids recovery and reduces de-conditioning through muscle wasting.

Your hospital team In hospital you will find a multi-disciplinary team which may include doctors, matron, ward nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dietitians and social workers who could all be involved in your care.

The relevant therapist will talk 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 9

Photograph taken pre-pandemic

or support is available to improve your independence. The therapists will discuss with other members of the hospital team their findings and together with you and your family/ carer make a plan for your discharge from hospital.

Dementia Support Being admitted into hospital or attending as an outpatient can be disorientating and frightening for someone living with dementia and their families.

We have Admiral Nurses in the Trust to support people living with dementia and their families and carers.

Our Meaningful Activity Facilitators are available at Leicester Royal Infirmary to engage and support people living with Dementia with activities.

Our Know Me Better Documents can be completed by families and carers to support staff in caring for the person with dementia.

Chaplaincy Many people find that the stress of coming into hospital raises all sorts of questions, anxieties and fears. Everyone has spiritual needs and these can often go unrecognised until times of crisis. Our Chaplaincy Team is here to listen in confidence and offer emotional support to our patients and their families and carers, whatever their faith, tradition or outlook. The team includes Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh chaplains as well as a nonreligious Pastoral Carer. Our chaplains are supported by volunteers from various faiths and beliefs.

The team visit the wards regularly, so if you would like a visit, please speak to a member of staff who will help organise it for you.

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Helping prevent the spread of infections The risk of getting an infection in hospital is very low.

When you stay in hospital you can do your bit to help cut the spread of infections by following a few simple rules: • Keep your hands and body clean when you are in hospital, ensure that you bring your own toiletries and razor • Wash your hands with soap and warm water and alcohol gel before you eat a meal • Make sure you always wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet • If you use a commode ask for a bowl of warm water and soap to wash your hands afterwards • If you visit the bathroom or toilet and it does not look clean, report this immediately to the nurse in charge of the ward. Request it is cleaned before you use it, and use an alternative (if available) in the meantime • Try to keep the top of your locker and bedside table free from clutter. Too many things left on top make it difficult for staff to clean properly • Your bed-area should be cleaned regularly. If you or your visitors see something that has been missed during cleaning, report it to the nurse in charge and ask for it to be cleaned • Always wear something on your feet when walking around in hospital. A comfortable pair of slippers is fine, but make sure they have some grip on the bottom, as hospital floors can be a little slippery sometimes.

Going home Most patients can return home after their hospital stay, however if more time is needed to assess your longer term needs, you may be offered additional support at home for “reablement” or you may be transferred to a bed within a non-hospital setting.

Reablement is a service that helps you to regain mobility and daily living skills after a hospital stay. It will help build your stamina, confidence and ability to remain independent in your own home.

If you no longer require consultant led care and there is a delay in the start of your care package or preferred community based placement, you will be transferred to a bed 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.

Before you leave hospital, our staff will help you to plan your departure and will give you advice on how to take care

If you are supplied with a walking aid, wheelchair or crutches during your stay please return these to our Outpatient Department when you have finished with them.

The hospital loses thousands of pounds each year through patients not returning appliances.

Here to help If you, your family or carer has any questions or concerns or wish to understand more about what is happening at any stage during your stay, please speak to your nurse, doctor or other member of staff involved in your care.

If those staff cannot help you or you are not comfortable speaking to them you can contact PILS. Our Patient Information and Liaison Service is available to help and will liaise with hospital staff, internal departments and other relevant organisations to resolve any concerns or issues you have raised as quickly as possible. We can also advise you about how to make a formal complaint about our service should you feel that we have not provided the appropriate support.

You can call PILS free on 08081 788 337 or email them via pils@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

Photograph taken pre-pandemic

of yourself. You may need details about your condition, medication and the treatment that you will need once you are back at home.

Depending on your diagnosis, dietitians, occupational therapists and physiotherapists may be available to help before you leave the hospital.

Staff will also tell you about follow up appointments, rehabilitation and support services that can help with problems you may have after leaving hospital. Sometimes patients need help with health and social care after leaving hospital. A social worker will visit you if you have additional needs once you are back at home.

Don’t forget to ask your nurse for any medical certificates you need and any valuables you handed in for storage before you go.

We also recommend that if you are a day patient and having any form of sedation that you arrange for someone to take you home.

Whilst you are waiting for your relatives or transport to take you home you may wait in our Discharge Lounge. Our staff will provide you with refreshments whilst you are waiting and a nurse is available to help with your medical needs and give further advice about leaving hospital.

All photographs courtesy of Medical Illustration Leicester Hospitals.

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Digital project keeps patients safely monitored at home A project launched during the pandemic to help patients stay safe at home is being turned into the usual way of providing care.

When coronavirus first hit, it was soon clear that people with long term heart and lung conditions were among the most vulnerable. In those pre-vaccine days, there was a premium on keeping them away from possible sources of infection – such as they might experience when travelling to clinics or even staying in hospital.

Yet their original conditions were serious and required regular monitoring to ensure their medicines and exercises were working appropriately.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Leicester-based technology company Spirit Digital worked together to launch a series of “virtual wards” to care for these patients.

in familiar surroundings.

“It was reassuring that the nurses were monitoring my condition every day, it was like a comfort blanket.”

As the number of inpatients with Covid got to its peak, the virtual ward concept was used so that some of them could be discharged home early under supervision while being gradually eased off oxygen.

This involved the patients using simple gadgets at home to measure their vital signs such as blood pressure and oxygen levels, and then communicating these to clinicians who could offer the patients tailored advice to help them.

One of these patients was Philip Walker from Leicester.

He said: “Because I had Covid I was just stuck in my hospital bed. I wasn’t allowed any visitors and couldn’t go for a walk, so when I was told I could go home I felt like I’d won the lottery! It was a great relief.”

The results have been patients spending more time in their home surroundings, reduced infection risks, and outcomes which were better than the previous clinicbased way of managing their care. In some cases the virtual wards meant inpatients could leave hospital sooner than expected.

Patients are given access to software which enables them to fill out a daily questionnaire about their symptoms, using their mobile phone or tablet. If they don’t have access to one, they are loaned one for as long as they need it. They are also given a thermometer and an oxygen monitor which clips on to their finger in order to record these details on the system.

Barry James, a heart patient, would advise others to use the technology instead of spending more time in ? hospital. He said: “There’s nothing like being at home 12

Virtual ward patients l-r: Barry James and Philip Walker

Patients are monitored for at least 14 days, and can contact the team at any time if they have concerns.

Patients complete simple questionnaires asking them about their condition The first virtual ward set up in response to the pandemic was so successful that rates of readmission to hospital were half those seen in settings where this service wasn’t available. More than 360 patients have now been discharged onto this service, with around 50 being monitored at any one time during the peak of the pandemic. More than 1,000 patients have benefited from all remote monitoring schemes since the beginning of the pandemic.

Alex Woodward, deputy cardio-respiratory lead at Leicestershire Partnerships Trust, said: “The virtual ward has been a real success. Not only has it eased some pressure on the hospitals, it has had an immeasurable impact on patients’ wellbeing and recovery.

“The success of this service is purely down to how much effort and hard work every member of the respiratory, heart failure, rehab and admin teams have put into supporting their patients during the pandemic.

They have all really gone above and beyond to ensure their patients got the absolute best possible care.”

Irene Valero-Sanchez, consultant respiratory physician and clinical lead for integrated care at University Hospitals of Leicester, said: “The feedback we have received from patients has been fantastic. Readmission rates were really low, in part because people felt confident that they were being supported and because they had direct access to a specialist team to address their concerns.

“Evidence shows that people recover better in the comfort of their own homes and for the Covid patients in particular, it was so important to get them back home and out of hospital where they’d been through what was, for many, one of the most frightening experiences of their lives.”

The project was shortlisted for a Health Service Journal award – the healthcare version of an Oscar.

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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)?

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Look for care homes and home care agencies where the staff involve people who use services and their families and carers, and treat individuals with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

Whether you are being cared for in your own home or in a residential setting, the staff looking after you need to be skilled, kind and supportive. They should also be capable and confident in dealing with your particular needs. You should always feel that their support is helping you to live the life you want to.

A care home will be a home for you or your loved one. Residents should be treated as individuals with their likes and dislikes taken into account.

Think about whether a home is close enough to family, friends, and community facilities.

Look at how well-led and managed a home is.

What does it have in place to ensure that it delivers high quality care? Does it promote meaningful activity and connect the home with the community?

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If you or a loved one needs help with day-to-day 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 H 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.

T. 0300 123 0918 E. springfields@emhcareandsupport.org.uk www.emhcareandsupport.org.uk/springfields

@emhspringfields

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Editorial content supplied by: the NHS

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 own home or in a 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 cannot be met by existing universal or specialist services alone.

Find out more about the children and young people’s continuing care national framework on GOV.UK

Your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare depends on your assessed needs, and not on any particular diagnosis or condition.

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 for a full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare should usually be made within 28 days of an initial assessment or request for a full assessment.

If you are not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you can be referred to your local council 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.

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 your needs can be • how unpredictable they are, including any risks to your health if the right care is not 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.

Information and advice The process involved in NHS continuing healthcare assessments can be complex. 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.

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

For most people, there’s an initial checklist assessment, which is used to decide if you need a full assessment.

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 do not 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 does not 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 (MDT) made up of a minimum of 2 professionals from different healthcare professions. The MDT should usually include both health and social care professionals who are already involved in your care.

You should be informed who is co-ordinating the NHS continuing healthcare assessment.

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The team’s assessment will consider your needs under the following headings: • breathing • nutrition (food and drink) • continence • skin (including wounds and ulcers)

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 from GOV.UK

• mobility • communication • psychological and emotional needs • cognition (understanding) • behaviour

If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, the next stage is to arrange a care and support package that meets your assessed needs.

• drug therapies and medicine • altered states of consciousness

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.

• other significant care needs These needs are given a weighting marked “priority”, “severe”, “high”, “moderate”, “low” or “no needs”.

If you have at least 1 priority need, or severe needs in at least 2 areas, you can usually expect to be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.

You may also be eligible if you have a severe need in 1 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

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 1 local care home that’s suitable.

Your CCG should work collaboratively with you and

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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.

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.

NHS continuing healthcare reviews If your needs have changed, the review will also consider whether you’re still eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.

If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, your needs and support package will normally be reviewed within 3 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.

If you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare 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.

Refunds for delays in NHS continuing healthcare funding

This means that the NHS will pay a contribution towards the cost of your registered nursing care. NHSfunded nursing care is available irrespective of who is funding the rest of the care home fees.

CCGs will normally make a decision about eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare within 28 days of getting

Find out more about NHS continuing healthcare from NHS England

Frequently asked questions about

NHS continuing healthcare

Q

FAQ’s

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 1 option being a “direct payment for healthcare”.

Q

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 cannot 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 types 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.

Q

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.

Q

Is it possible to pay top-up fees for NHS continuing healthcare?

No, it is not 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’re assessed as needing from the NHS. These private services should be provided by different staff and preferably in a different setting.

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Oak House Residential Home Oak House is a warm and welcoming family run care home in Greetham, Rutland. For over 30 years we have provided care to those struggling with daily life activities. Everyone living at Oak House is treated as part of our family and provided the best care, support and attention.

The home is registered with the Care Quality Commission and maintains a Good CQC rating in all areas. We offer services to the frail elderly and people with physical disability or sensory impairment.

Call us on 01572 812647 to speak to one of the team or email info@oakhouse-carehome.co.uk www.oakhouse-carehome.co.uk

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Editorial content supplied by: the NHS

Personal budgets and direct payments You’ll be given a personal budget to spend if your local council decide you’re eligible for help with any social care and support you need. You can request an assessment from the council to establish your needs.

The money in your personal budget can be paid to you, to help you make more decisions about how it’s spent. This is known as a direct payment.

What is a personal budget?

Your personal budget is the amount of money your local council will pay towards any social care and support you need.

The amount of money in your personal budget is decided by your local council after a needs assessment to work out: • what kind of care and support you need • how much it will cost • how much you’re able to afford yourself

If you’re a carer, you may be entitled to receive a personal budget after having a carer’s assessment to see what might help make your life easier.

Carers and personal budgets If you’re a carer, you may be entitled to receive a personal budget after having a carer’s assessment to see what might help make your life easier.

A carer’s assessment is free and anyone over 18 can ask for one.

Choosing how to receive your personal budget

You can also choose a combination of these options.

For example, the council could arrange some of your care but send you the rest of the money. This is often called a mixed package or “mix and match”.

If the council manages your money The money in your personal budget will be spent for you by the council. They will arrange all your care and support based on your agreed care plan.

They still need to check you’re happy with the care they’re arranging for you.

If your money is paid to another organisation The organisation you choose, such as your care provider, will speak to the council and arrange the payments.

Sometimes other organisations charge you extra money to arrange payments from the council.

The benefits of direct payments Direct payments give you more flexibility over how your care and support is arranged and provided.

For example, you could choose to hire care workers or personal assistants who:

You can ask the council to either:

• are always the same people and available when you need them

• manage your personal budget for you

• speak the same language as you

• pay the money to another organisation – such as a care provider

• have experience working with your care needs

• pay the money directly to you or someone you choose – this is known as a direct payment

• are a specific person that has been recommended to you • can help you get to shops or social events

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There are many ways you could choose to use the money. It’s your choice as long as you’re spending your personal budget on things that meet your agreed care plan.

Most councils will ask for evidence of how you’ve spent your money every 3 months.

When to consider other options You may decide direct payments are not helpful if:

You could also consider having someone else manage your direct payments, for example a friend or family member.

• you’re worried about managing money or the people you employ • you spend a lot of time in hospital • you would rather the council arranged your care If you’re not confident about keeping records or managing the people who care for you, your local council should be able to provide support.

You could also consider having someone else manage your direct payments, for example a friend or family member. You’ll need to set up a trust for payments that are managed by someone else.

The Money Advice Service has information about setting up a trust.

How to apply for direct payments You should be offered direct payments as an option after your needs assessment.

You can also ask your local council’s social services department about direct payments.

How direct payments work If you choose direct payments, the council will send you the money in your personal budget by either: • paying it directly into a bank, Post Office, building society or National Savings and Investments account • sending you a pre-paid card You can then choose how you spend the money on your own care and support, as long as it matches the care plan you’ve agreed with the council.

Signing a direct payment agreement The council might ask you to sign a document called a direct payment agreement. This says: • how the council want you to record your spending – for example, keeping receipts

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• your responsibilities as an employer - if you’re paying for a care worker If you spend direct payments on something that isn’t agreed in your care plan, the council could take the money back or end the direct payments.

If you’re struggling to manage your money Ask your local council for advice or call the Money Advice Service on 0800 138 7777.

If you want someone else to receive the direct payment You could speak to the council and agree for the money to be sent to someone who will spend it for you. For example: • a carer

When choosing an agency, decide what sort of service you’re looking for and the tasks you need help with.

• a friend or family member • someone else who speaks up for you (an advocate) You may need to write down how they will spend the money and which decisions they can make for you.

This is known as a decision-making agreement.

Employing your own carer or personal assistant If you decide to hire a carer or personal assistant yourself, it’s important to know the responsibilities you’ll have as an employer.

Although support from the council should be available, you may need to arrange:

• background checks or references • tax • National Insurance • pension contributions Read more about employing someone to work in your home on GOV.UK. Disability Rights UK also have more information on getting a personal assistant.

If you don’t want to become an employer You could choose to hire care workers through an agency instead. This removes the legal obligations of being an employer, but could: • cost you more money • remove some of the benefits - such as having the same person provide your care

How to research a care agency When choosing an agency, decide what sort of service you’re looking for and the tasks you need help with.

It’s a good idea to contact more than one agency, as they may offer different types of services.

You can find out about local home care agencies by: • speaking to your local council’s social services department • contacting the UK Homecare Association

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There are also organisations that inspect care agencies to see how well they are doing. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates all health and adult social care in England.

How to complain about personal budgets

You might see a CQC inspection rating when you search online for care home agencies. Their 4 ratings are:

You still have the right to complain if you:

• Outstanding • Good

• don’t agree with the amount of money in your personal budget

• Requires improvement

You could either:

• Inadequate

• speak to your social worker about being re-assessed

You could also search for care home agencies on the CQC website to see their full reports.

It’s worth speaking to your council’s social services before making an official complaint to see if they can help.

• have been told you’re not eligible to receive money towards your care and support

• call your local council social services and request a complaints form

Telephone helplines

Your council should also have a formal complaints procedure on its website.

If you would like support to help you manage your personal budget or direct payments, speak to your council or call:

If you’re not happy with the council’s response Contact your Local Government Ombudsman. They investigate all adult social care complaints.

• the Disability Rights UK personal budgets helpline on 0330 995 0404

• Age UK have a detailed fact sheet on personal budgets and direct payments in social care

• the Age UK advice line on 0800 055 6112 (for older people)

• The Money Advice Service has a guide to direct payments

NHS-funded nursing care NHS-funded nursing care is when the NHS pays for the nursing care component of nursing home fees. The NHS pays a flat rate directly to the care home towards the cost of this nursing care.

Who is eligible for NHS-funded nursing care?

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.

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, ask your CCG to review the decision.

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

The cost of NHS-funded nursing care

• you’re not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare but have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse

NHS-funded nursing care is paid at the same rate across England. In April 2021, the rate was set at £187.60 a week (standard rate).

• you live in a nursing home

If you moved into a care home before 1 October 2007, and you were on the previous high band, NHS-funded nursing care is paid at a higher rate.

In April 2021, the higher rate was set at £258.08 a week. You’re entitled to continue on this rate unless:

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. Find your local CCG.

• you no longer have nursing needs • you no longer live in a care home that provides nursing

Outcome of the assessment

• your nursing needs have reduced and you’re no longer eligible for the high band, when you would change to the standard rate of £187.60 a week, or

If you’re eligible for NHS-funded nursing care, the NHS will arrange and fund nursing care provided

• you become entitled to NHS continuing healthcare instead

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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

Having a carer who lives with you costs from around £650 a week. But it can cost as much as £1,600 a week if you need a lot of care.

• you own your own property (this only applies if you’re moving into a care home)

Paying for a care home

You can ask your council for a financial assessment (means test) to check if you qualify for any help with costs.

• residential homes have staff that help with everyday tasks such as getting dressed and supply all your meals

You can choose to pay for care yourself if you don’t want a financial assessment.

A room in a care home costs:

There are 2 types of care home:

• nursing homes also offer 24-hour nursing care

How to arrange your care as a self-funder • £600 a week in a residential home

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.

You can:

• £840 a week in a nursing home

• arrange and pay for care yourself without involving the council

The price will vary according to where you live and the type of care you need.

• 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)

For example, serious health problems like dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase the cost.

Find out what care you need

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.

You may be eligible for benefits, like Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which aren’t means-tested.

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.

You can use them to pay towards the cost of your care.

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.

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.

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Releasing money from your home (equity release) Equity release lets you take money that’s tied up in your home without selling it. It’s available if you’re over 55.

But you have to pay interest on the money you take out, which can be expensive.

The Money Advice Service has more information on equity release.

Renting out your home You can rent out your home and use the income to help pay your care home fees.

A deferred payment scheme A deferred payment scheme can be useful if you have savings less than £23,250 and all your money is tied up in your property.

Contact your local council about 3 months before you think your savings will drop to below £23,250 and ask them to reassess your finances.

Find a specialist care fees adviser in your area with: • PayingForCare, a free information service for older people • the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) on 0333 2020 454

Telephone help Get advice on paying for care from: • Age UK on freephone 0800 169 6565 • Independent Age on freephone 0800 319 6789 • the Money Advice Service on freephone 0800 138 7777

If your savings run out If your savings fall below £23,250, your council might be able to help with the cost of care.

The council pays for your care home and you repay it later when you choose to sell your home, or after your death.

Contact your local council about 3 months before you think your savings will drop to below £23,250 and ask them to reassess your finances.

Ask your council if you’re eligible for a deferred payment scheme.

Councils provide funding from the date you contact them. You won’t be reimbursed if your savings are less than £23,250 before you contact them.

You can get more information from: • the Money Advice Service: deferred payment schemes • Independent Age: guide to care home fees and your property

Get expert financial help You can get unbiased expert advice from a specialist care fees adviser.

They’ll help you compare all your options before you decide what’s right for you.

What you can get for free You might be able to get some free help regardless of your income or if you’re paying for your care.

This can include: • small bits of equipment or home adaptations that each cost less than £1,000 • NHS care, such as NHS continuing healthcare, NHSfunded nursing care and care after you have been discharged from hospital

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland

Support for your independence and wellbeing As Spring blossoms and we look forward to warmer, sunnier days ahead, now is the perfect time to get a helping hand with the garden and other tasks around the home.

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland’s experienced and friendly Home Care team is here to help you blossom, providing a range of support, care and services to meet all your needs.

Our fully trained team offer a variety of services including shopping, cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, gardening, personal care, footcare, companionship to appointments and much more.

Handyman & Gardening Our house is our home and something we take great pride in. With the help of our team of professional and skilled handymen and gardeners, we can help with all your domestic and gardening tasks so you can keep your home safe, secure and looking at its best. Our experienced gardeners complete a variety of jobs to a high standard including cutting grass, trimming hedges, pruning shrubs and painting fences, allowing you to continue to enjoy your garden all year round.

Got a small job that needs doing? Our handyman service can help with most household jobs including the smaller tasks that many traders will not such as putting up shelves or curtain rails, installing handrails, repairing fences, fitting key safes, lightbulbs and smoke alarms.

Personal Care If you’re looking for a helping hand with your own or your loved one’s daily personal care routine, from getting in and out of bed, bathing, using the toilet, dressing, medication management and much more, our friendly care team can support you. We offer personalised care to meet your individual needs, maintaining dignity and respect to ensure you are up and ready to face the day.

many of our customers comment that they look forward to their cleaning day, as our friendly cleaners ensure they leave your home clean and fresh.

Shopping and Meal Preparation Enjoying a hot home cooked meal is something we all enjoy and is a big part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We can help you or loved one with meal planning and preparation, devise a menu of meals, do the shopping or simply ensure the fridge is full of nutritious food for you to prepare your own meals and snacks. With our support we can provide you with the help you need so you can have peace of mind that you or loved one can enjoy nutritious meals everyday.

Footcare It’s important to take good care of your feet and give them a little TLC. As you get older your nails grow more slowly meaning they become thicker, more brittle, and harder to cut.

Our footcare service is here to assist and maintain good foot health with a nail trim and foot soak, leaving your feet softer, more comfortable and ready for summer.

Domestic Help

Companionship

We take pride in cleaning your home to a standard that will meet your expectations, whether that’s changing the bed, ironing, helping with the laundry or giving it a clean and refresh. We understand that these things are essential for comfortable and healthy living, making it an enjoyable place to live. Our domestic care is flexible to fit with what you want and

Whether you would like someone to visit you at home, accompany you to an appointment or go out on a day trip, our friendly team can help. We can join you to ensure you can access and enjoy almost any pursuit from rekindling a hobby, doing activities you enjoy, attend faith services, go to the garden centre and much more.

Carer Respite We all need a little break now and then, a change of scenery or chance for some ‘me time’; it can work wonders for how we feel, leaving us replenished and energised. Carers can look forward to some time for themselves in the knowledge that their loved one is being well looked after by our experienced care workers from our specialist Carers Respite service.

You may be eligible for funding towards these services, please speak to your local council for more information.

To find out how we can help you or your loved ones, contact our friendly team on 0116 299 2266 or email homecare@ageukleics.org.uk

In addition to the support we can give you at home, our range of services and projects can help you get the most out of later life.

Information & Advice Line

Support in the Community

Free, independent and confidential information and advice for people aged over 50, including benefit entitlement checks, care, housing, carers support and more.

Telephone: 0116 299 2278 Email: enquiries@ageukleics.org.uk Open: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 13:00

Resource Centres

Dementia Support Service Leicester and Leicestershire Our Dementia Support Service in Leicester and Leicestershire offers information, advice and signposting; personalised one to one support; post diagnostic support; carer support; opportunities to get involved in social groups, memory cafes and activities for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0116 223 7360 Email: dementia.support@ageukleics.org.uk Open: Mon – Fri 08:30 – 17:30

Rutland Our Dementia Support service in Rutland offers support for those living with dementia and their carers and actively promotes the wellbeing of those living with dementia through one-to-one support and group activities.

Telephone: 01572 823942 Open: Mon, Wed & Thurs 09:00 - 15:00

Support for Carers Leicester Carers Support Service Support and information for all carers in Leicester aged 18+ looking after a family member or friend.

Contact: 0116 222 0538 Email: carers@ageukleics.org.uk

Independent Care Act Advocacy We can provide support and empower individuals, living in the City of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, who have substantial difficulty in being involved in local authority care and support processes and who have no appropriate person to support them.

The service operates on an open referral basis but, in the main, referrals will be received from Leicestershire and Rutland County Councils and Leicester City Council.

Telephone: 0116 204 5110 Open: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00

A community focal point offering a range of services and activities such as classes and social activities, restaurant, information and advice surgeries. Please phone ahead for latest information about the centre opening hours.

Clarence House: 0116 299 2233 Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4 pm Gloucester House: 01664 410253 Opening hours: 8.30am to 5pm (Monday to Thursday) and 8.30am to 4.30pm (Fridays) Earl Shilton Centre: 01455 847666 Opening hours: 8.30am to 5pm (Monday to Thursday) and 8.30am to 4.30pm (Fridays)

Last Orders Promoting responsible drinking and giving people over the age of 50 easier access to various support services in relation to substance use. If you are concerned about your own or another person’s substance intake, please contact us.

Telephone: 0116 223 7366 Open: Mon – Fri 09:00 - 17:00

Day Clubs An opportunity to enjoy spending time out of the home engaging in fun activities whilst providing respite for carers.

Companionship and support for older people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Free taster sessions are available. Please call our friendly team for more information.

Telephone: 0116 222 0572 Open: Mon - Fri 08:30 - 17:00

Befriending Befriending services support older people who may be lonely or socially isolated and would benefit from a friendly face calling on a regular basis at a mutually convenient day and time.

NW Leicestershire: 01530 833000 Email: nwlbefriending@ageukleics.org.uk

Men in Sheds & Women in Sheds A place to pursue practical interests with a high degree of autonomy. Members share tools and resources to work on projects of their own choosing, at their own pace and in a safe, friendly and inclusive venue. Please call the Shed for latest opening days and times Charnwood Shed: 01509 211 603 Rutland Shed: 01572 720319

Contact Us Get in touch and find out what is available from Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland.

0116 299 2233 • www.ageukleics.org.uk @ageukleics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

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.

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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.

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

“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

Registered office: 43-44 Crutched Friars, London EC3N 2AE. Registered charity no. 296645. A company limited by guarantee and registered in England no. 2115499

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A place to really live!

“We are passionate about putting residents first!”

Here at Orchard Manor View we are passionate about our ability to bring in high quality care into a high-quality environment. That is why our mission is to bring warmth, independence, care and support to our service user’s so that we can improve their quality of life and provide peace of mind in a clean, comfortable, safe and friendly environment.

Orchard Manor View is a stunning purpose built care home with a difference. We provide care for adults aged 55+, for those living with Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and people who are elderly or frail and need of care and assistance.

Beautifully furnished to a very high standard throughout the home to create peaceful and luxurious living space, Orchard Manor View has an abundance of unique décor and style.

From themed lounges for residents to relax in, to a spacious dining room with fully trained chefs to offer freshly prepared tasty, nutritious meals and delicious baked goods.

Our service users will also have access to a new state of the art residents’ kitchen which features a dining area as well as doors out onto a patio area for Al-fresco dining.

At Orchard Manor View, we understand that everyone is an individual and as such have different interests, hobbies and needs. Our landscaped gardens with greenhouse and raised planting beds offer the ideal surroundings for those green fingered gardeners. We also have beautifully well-kept gardens which boast mature, fruit producing trees.

These supply the apples for some rather scrumptious apple pies from our chefs.

We are proud to have a quiet sensory courtyard which features a central fountain, wind chimes and seating area surrounding the courtyard, offering a quiet relaxing area to either, soak up the sun or simply to sit and read.

All ground floor bedrooms have patio doors leading out into either,

the courtyard or into the gardens.

All 26 high spec bedrooms have ensuites with wet room style shower facilities. For those who prefer to soak the day away however, we have 4 hydro therapy baths which have the facility to play music via Bluetooth and soft lighting to enhance the ambiance.

Our beautifully fitted multi-sensory room is an ideal place to retreat and just sit back, relax and enjoy the therapeutic light displays and bubble tube with music. We also have visiting professionals for the ease and convenience of the service user’s and even have an in-house hairdressing salon, ideal for all special occasions or just because…

Our spacious multi-functional recreation room offers an array of daily games and meaningful activities. There is also a reminiscence corner with memorabilia and interesting activities. Our service users will encounter “areas of interest” along our corridors, especially designed to offer purpose.

Telephone: 0116 3194460 Email: manager@orchardmanorview.co.uk www.orchardmanorview.co.uk 34 Robert Hall Street (off Abbey Lane, near the Space Centre) Leicester LE4 5RB

Vision

0116 367 3875 • 07570 105047 information@visionhomecare.org www.visionhomecare.org

HOMECARE

We’re here to care for you At Vision Homecare we thrive in making people’s lives better and want to empower people to take control of their lives. This is why we mainly focus on caring for those seeking supported living, residential care, and domiciliary care around the East Midlands. We create environments where the residents can feel at home and where our staff can give the best care and support to our residents.

Our Support Our well trained staff team are work hard everyday to ensure that each individuals ambitions and goals are met. With this person centred approach, it ensures that each individual in our care is always our top priority. We also recognise the complexities of each individuals distinct needs right from the assessment stage which allows us to place our clients in the right suitable support enviroment and accomodations. At the same time we ensure that their future goals and ambitions are achieved when they are in our care. We seek to rehabilitate back into the community those who are eventually able to live on their own and be able to look after themselves.

We also recognise that peoples needs may change from time to time which is why we are also very flexible and responsive in our support to ensure that our clients always receive the best care possible.

Understanding We provide different kinds of support and accommodation which allow us to make sure that we provide the right support package and the right accommodation depending on each individual’s needs. This also allows our staff to support residents with a broad range of mental health conditions and learning disabilities, specific to their needs. Our long term goal is for those who are eventually able to live in the community, on their own, can do so with confidence. We are also very flexible in our support as we understand that needs can change as time goes on.

ST BENNETT’S CARE HOME 346-348 LONDON ROAD, STONEYGATE, LEICESTER LE2 2PL

Telephone: 0116 274 5959

www.stbennettscare.co.uk • info@stbennettscare.co.uk

St Bennett’s is located in the heart of Stoneygate and is a spacious residential care home with large rooms and lounges and an enclosed garden. We provide the highest standards of personal care to enable residents to maintain their independence and privacy in a friendly family environment.

We can accommodate 27 residents on a short term or a long term basis. We have single and double rooms, many with ensuite facilities. We accept residents in the older persons category as well as people with sight impairment, dementia or learning disabilities.

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. ©2022. Rossington Hall, Great North Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN11 0HR. Telephone: 01302 714528 Options Leicestershire and Rutland is published by Octagon Design and Marketing Ltd with editorial contributions from Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, the CQC, Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland, Alzheimer’s Society and the NHS. 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.

Provides full range of high quality care tailored to suit the needs of the individual • All aspects of personal care, including the use of hoists and other equipment where necessary.

• Shopping, prescription collection and similar errands.

• Household cleaning, washing, ironing, making and changing beds.

• Preparing and assisting with the cooking and serving meals.

• Sitting service and escort duties.

We have a large team of dedicated carers covering the Shepshed and Coalville area who are committed to providing a service for elderly, disabled or seriously ill people who wish to remain in their own homes.

The services we provide help them to maintain maximum independence, dignity and choice. All of our carers are fully trained and comply with all necessary regulations.

Field House • 19-23 Field Street • Shepshed Leicestershire • LE12 9AL

Tel: 01509 505243 • Fax: 01509 651193 38

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Leicestershire Health

UNISON’S PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY Cover for health workers

UNISON is a stronger union and we’re here when you need us To join contact: Email leicestershirehealthunison@gmail.com

0116 255 8890 Designed & Compiled by Octagon Design and Marketing Ltd., Rossington Hall, Great North Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN11 0HR. Tel: 01302 714528