Options Lancashire - A guide to care and independent living Spring 2018

OPTIONS A guide to care and independent living

Leaving hospital

Lancashire Spring 2018

FREE

guide

What’s next?

NHS continuing healthcare Who’s eligible?

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SOCIAL CARE

tips

Healthcare services Choosing the right one

CONTRIBUTORS: Age UK Lancashire Alzheimer’s Society Lancashire Care NHS FT University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS FT NHS Choices

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Contents University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust – Caring for you in hospital and in the community............................................................. 4-5 Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust providing health and wellbeing services across Lancashire................................................................................................... 6-7 NHS continuing healthcare............................................................................................... 8-10 Personalised care............................................................................................................. 11-12 What is NHS-funded nursing care?..................................................................................... 13 Paying for your own care and support.......................................................................... 14-15 Care and support: what’s available................................................................................ 16-17 Getting out and about.................................................................................................... 17-18 The Care Quality Commission Social Care, GP and Mental Health top tips................ 19-21 Welcome to Age UK Lancashire..................................................................................... 22-23 Is your life affected by dementia? We’re here for you, and provide a range of support services throughout Lancashire................................................................... 24-25 Useful contacts..................................................................................................................... 26 NHS hospitals and services in Lancashire............................................................................ 27 If you need medical help fast, but it is not life threatening – call 111............................. 28

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.

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

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

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Caring for you in hospital and in the community For people living in south Cumbria and north Lancashire, there are three general hospital sites; Furness General Hospital in Barrow in Furness, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in Lancaster and Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) operates these three sites, providing planned care for patients with a wide range of medical and surgical needs. These include outpatient services, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. Furness General Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary also have Accident and Emergency departments, while Westmorland General Hospital has a Primary Care Assessment Service.

Hospitals are the right place for patients that require specialist or urgent treatment. However once this treatment is complete, the best place to continue your care is often at home or in a community setting.

The “Supporting Patients’ choices to avoid long hospital stays” policy, which was launched locally in August 2017, helps hospital staff to effectively manage and plan for any ongoing care patients might need once they are well enough to leave hospital. This process begins from the moment of admission and continues once you have left hospital.

It is a good idea to start planning for your discharge as

soon as you arrive in hospital, or even before you arrive if possible. This will help the hospital discharge teams to accurately assess what your needs are likely to be once you leave hospital, and allow enough time for any arrangements, such as equipment, services, a domiciliary care package or care home to be in place for when you are ready to leave hospital.

If you are admitted to hospital, you will be made aware of how long you are expected to be in hospital at the beginning of your stay so you will be able to plan better with your family and/or carer.

For most patients, they will return to their own home when they leave hospital but for those with additional health and care needs, they may need further support out of hospital.

For these patients, the hospital staff will work closely with them and their families and/or carers to help them understand their options.

Whilst the hospital Trust will do everything possible to ensure patients are discharged to their preferred setting, this may not always be immediately available. In these cases, an alternative option will be explored. Although this may not be ideal, our teams will continue to work towards the patient’s preferred choice of accommodation in order to transfer patients at the earliest opportunity.

This new way of working will help you and your family to make informed decisions about your next steps after leaving hospital.

If you have any questions or would like any information leaflets regarding your discharge from hospital, please do not hesitate to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01539 795497.

What Is Discharge Planning?

When you are admitted to hospital, your treatment plan, including details for discharge or transfer, is developed and discussed with you. A discharge assessment will determine whether 4

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

you need more care after you leave the hospital.

• You have any medication or other supplies you’ll need

Discharge planning is the process used to decide what a patient needs for their transition from hospital to their home or another community care setting. This process is completed by the hospital discharge team, with support from social workers, nurses, case managers, and other relevant teams in the hospital and wider community.

•Y ou’ve been trained how to use any equipment, aids or adaptations needed

Will I be discharged before my care has ended?

No, we will never discharge a patient that still requires acute hospital treatment. The Consultant in charge of your care will assess your health regularly during your time in hospital, and will only give approval for your discharge once you are well enough to leave. Once you no longer need acute hospital treatment, you will be discharged to the most suitable setting for your needs. This could mean that your treatment continues at home or in the community, for example if you need physiotherapy sessions or a course of antibiotics.

•Y ou have money and any keys necessary for your destination A family member or care should also ensure that: •Y ou have appropriate clothes to wear to your destination • Suitable transport is arranged to get you there If you are being discharged to a care home, the care home should also be told the date and time of your discharge, and have a copy of the care plan.

What happens once I have been discharged from hospital?

Your care should be monitored and reviewed as set out in your care plan. The care plan should also include details of who to contact if things don’t work as planned, this is usually a next of kin.

Once people no longer need hospital care, it is best to get home or to another community setting as quickly as possible because:

If your care plan includes community care services from a local authority, it should check that their care package is working well within two weeks of discharge. If you live alone, this should take place within the first few days of discharge. Following this, your care plan should be reviewed at least annually.

• Severely ill patients may be unable to access services if hospital beds are occupied with patients who no longer need them

Your experience of Morecambe Bay Hospitals

• There is less risk of catching a hospital-acquired infection, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections

We are committed to providing you and your loved ones safe, high quality and compassionate care.

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

We would like to hear from you if you think we have done something well, or if you have suggestions on how we could do something differently. Equally we want to know if you are unhappy with the service provided or have a complaint.

Why do I need to leave hospital?

• Once people are aged 80 years and over, ten days spent in a hospital bed equates to ten years of muscle wasting

What will happen when I am ready to leave hospital?

Once you are well enough to leave hospital, the person co-ordinating your discharge should make sure that: • You (and a carer if you have one) have a copy of your care plan. Your care plan should include details of any treatment or support you will be getting once you have left hospital, including who will provide it and how often • Any carers or family members will be available if needed • Your GP is notified in writing

You have several options to raise concerns, but first of all we would ask that you speak with the Doctor involved in your care, Ward Manager or Matron in the department. Many problems can be resolved quickly by talking things over.

If you do not want to discuss your concerns with the staff or their manager, or if you have tried this and are unhappy with the outcome, please ask to speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).

You can also contact PALS directly by calling 01539 795497 or emailing pals@mbht.nhs.uk.

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Providing health and wellbeing services across Lancashire Lancashire Care provides health and wellbeing services for a population of around 1.4 million people, including community services such as health visiting, podiatry, sexual health and dentistry as well as inpatient and community mental health services. The Trust covers the whole of the county and employs around 6,500 members of staff across more than 400 sites.

Here are some of our community services for adults in Central Lancashire:

Intravenous Therapy Service – Home Administration This service is an extension of the current outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service that allows us to treat a limited number of patients at home. It is particularly helpful for frail or immobile patients, and people who are unable to return regularly to hospital for outpatient antibiotics.

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Lancashire Care

NHS Foundation Trust

Integrated Neighbourhood Teams Integrated Neighbourhood Teams provide coordinated nursing and specialist care to patients with complex and long-term conditions in the community. The service comprises the following teams: Community Therapies, Community Matrons and District Nurses. District Nurses visit patients with various nursing needs that include general wound care, pressure area and catheter care, palliative and end of life care, and other medical and surgical interventions. Community Matrons use specialist clinical diagnostic and assessment skills for patients with long-term conditions, with the aim of them selfmanaging their conditions to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. The teams work alongside GP practices, local hospices, nursing and residential care homes and treatment rooms.

24 hour, 7 day a week community nursing services Community nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are able to conduct overnight visits to patients with a range of nursing needs that include symptom management, end of life care and wound care. The team meets any unpredicted nursing needs that might arise and works alongside GP practices, Community Matrons, local hospices, nursing and residential care homes and treatment rooms.

Rapid Response The Rapid Response team is therapy led, supporting patients with various support needs, such as patients who may need a frame to allow them to move around at home, or other clinical situations requiring home based support. The team is also able to access community beds where the person is unsafe to remain in or return to their own home.

Community Rehabilitation Services The Central Lancashire Rehabilitation service currently provides a range of therapy services across Integrated Neighbourhood team footprints. Therapy services provided by the team include: Occupational therapy and physiotherapy provision to residential rehabilitation beds, domiciliary rehabilitation; Rapid Response function for urgent and admission avoidance work; Falls Service/Steady On for patients at risk of falling or have previously fallen.

Cardiac & Respiratory The Cardiac and Respiratory Service was formed in 2013 and comprises the Respiratory Intensive Home Support (COPD IHS), Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Heart Failure services. COPD IHS is a community based nurse and physiotherapy service. The service is mainly for patients with COPD and is a sub-acute service designed to manage the patient for a period of stabilisation. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a community based physiotherapist-led service providing Pulmonary Rehabilitation over six weeks.

Heart Failure is a community based nurse led service currently delivered by a combination of community clinics and home visits.

Diabetes Service The Diabetes Service covers the Preston and South Ribble area, and works with patients who live outside of this area in the acute setting at Royal Preston Hospital and also patients who are under the care of the local Diabetologist in the community. The service works closely with diabetes dietitians, consultants and podiatrists.

Rheumatology The Rheumatology service is a multi-disciplinary consultant led service caring for patients with a wide range of Rheumatological conditions. The service offers a wide range of treatment on site, including outpatient clinics, joint injection and intravenous infusion clinics, and a wide range of therapist interventions including physiotherapist and occupational therapist led groups and acupuncture.

For further information about Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, visit www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk or telephone 01772 695300. You can also follow us on Twitter using the handle @LancashireCare and Facebook by searching for Lancashire Care and liking our page.

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NHS continuing

healthcare

Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for free social care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. This is known as NHS continuing healthcare.

Where can NHS continuing healthcare be provided?

NHS continuing healthcare assessments

NHS continuing healthcare can be provided in a variety of settings outside hospital, such as in your home or in a registered care home.

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.

Am I eligible for NHS continuing healthcare?

NHS continuing healthcare is for adults. Children and young people may receive a “continuing care package” if they have needs arising from disability, accident or illness that can’t be met by existing universal or specialist services alone.

To be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you must be assessed by a team of healthcare professionals (a “multidisciplinary team”). The team will look at all your care needs and relate them to: • what help you need • how complex your needs are • how intense or severe your needs can be •h ow unpredictable they are, including any risks to your health if the right care isn’t provided at the right time Your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare depends on your assessed needs, and not on any particular diagnosis or condition. If your needs change then your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare may change.

You should be fully involved in the assessment process and kept informed, and have your views about your needs and support taken into account. Carers and family members should also be consulted where appropriate.

A decision about eligibility should usually be made within 28 days of it being decided that the person needs a full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare.

If you aren’t eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you can be referred to your local authority who can discuss with you whether you may be eligible for support from them. If you still have some health needs then the NHS may pay for part of the package of support.

This is sometimes known as a “joint package” of care.

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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.

• psychological/emotional needs

Initial assessment for NHS continuing healthcare

• nutrition (food and drink)

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.

• skin (including wounds and ulcers)

Depending on the outcome of the checklist, you’ll either be told that you don’t meet the criteria for a full assessment of NHS continuing healthcare and are therefore not eligible, or you’ll be referred for a full assessment of eligibility.

Being referred for a full assessment doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. The purpose of the checklist is to enable anyone who might be eligible to have the opportunity for a full assessment.

The professional(s) completing the checklist should record in writing the reasons for their decision, and sign and date it. You should be given a copy of the completed checklist. You can download a blank copy of the NHS continuing healthcare checklist from GOV.UK.

Full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare Full assessments for NHS continuing healthcare are undertaken by a “multidisciplinary team” made up of a minimum of two health or care professionals who are already involved in your care.

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

The team’s assessment will consider your needs under the following headings: • behaviour • cognition (understanding) • communication

• mobility • continence • breathing • s ymptom control through drug therapies and medication • a ltered states of consciousness • other significant needs These needs are given a weighting marked “priority”, “severe”, “high”, “moderate”, “low” or “no needs”.

If you have at least one priority need, or severe needs in at least two areas, you should be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. You may also be eligible if you have a severe need in one area plus a number of other needs, or a number of high or moderate needs, depending on their nature, intensity, complexity or unpredictability.

In all cases, the overall need, and interactions between needs, will be taken into account, together with evidence from risk assessments, in deciding whether NHS continuing healthcare should be provided.

The assessment should take into account your views and the views of any carers you have. You should be given a copy of the decision documents, along with clear reasons for the decision.

You can download a blank copy of the NHS continuing healthcare decision support tool.

Fast-track assessment for NHS continuing healthcare If your health is deteriorating quickly and you’re nearing the end of your life, you should be considered for the NHS continuing healthcare fast track pathway, so that an appropriate care and support package can be put in place as soon as possible – usually within 48 hours.

An organisation called Beacon gives free independent advice on NHS continuing healthcare. Visit the Beacon website or call the free helpline on 0345 548 0300.

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

Depending on your situation, different options could be suitable, including support in your own home and the option of a personal health budget. If it’s agreed that a care home is the best option for you, there could be more than >> one local care home that’s suitable.

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Your CCG should work collaboratively with you and consider your views when agreeing your care and support package and the setting where it will be provided. However, they can also take other factors into account, such as the cost and value for money of different options.

because of a move to NHS continuing healthcare, your CCG should talk to you about ways that it can give you as much choice and control as possible. This could include the use of a personal health budget, with one option being a “direct payment for healthcare”.

NHS continuing healthcare reviews

Can I refuse an assessment for NHS continuing healthcare? If I refuse, will I be able to get services from my local authority?

If you’re eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, your needs and support package will normally be reviewed within three months and thereafter at least annually. This review will consider whether your existing care and support package meets your assessed needs. If your needs have changed, the review will also consider whether you’re still eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.

Refunds for delays in NHS continuing healthcare funding CCGs will normally make a decision about eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare within 28 days of getting a completed checklist or request for a full assessment, unless there are circumstances beyond its control.

If the CCG decides you’re eligible, but takes longer than 28 days to decide this and the delay is unjustifiable, they should refund any care costs from the 29th day until the date of their decision.

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

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.

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

Read more information from NHS England about NHS continuing healthcare.

Frequently asked questions about NHS continuing healthcare

An assessment for NHS continuing healthcare can’t be carried out without your consent, so it’s possible to refuse. However, if you refuse, although you’ll still be entitled to an assessment by the local authority there’s no guarantee that you’ll be provided with services. There’s a legal limit on the type of services that a local authority can provide.

If you refuse to be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare, the CCG should explore your reasons for refusing, and try to address your concerns. If someone lacks the mental capacity to consent to or refuse an assessment, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act will apply and in most circumstances an assessment will be provided in the person’s best interest.

My relative is in a care home and has become eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. The CCG says the fees charged by this care home are more than they would usually pay, and has proposed a move to a different care home. I think a move will have a negative effect on my relative. What can we do?

If there’s evidence that a move is likely to have a detrimental effect on your relative’s health or wellbeing, discuss this with the CCG. It will take your concerns into account when considering the most appropriate arrangements.

If the CCG decides to arrange an alternative placement, they should provide a reasonable choice of homes.

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

No, it isn’t possible to top up NHS continuing healthcare packages, like you can with local authority care packages.

The only way that NHS continuing healthcare packages can be topped up privately is if you pay for additional private services on top of the services you get from the NHS. These private services should be provided by different staff and preferably in a different setting.

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 10

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Personalised

care

If your local authority agrees to pay for some or all of your home care needs, it must offer you choice and control over how your needs are met. This is known as personalised care.

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

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

You can be put in charge of this budget either by telling the local authority how you would like it spent, or by the council giving you the money so you can directly pay for your own care (a direct payment).

It can also be given to a separate organisation (such as a user-controlled trust) that will spend the money on your care as you see fit, if you prefer. These are known as Individual Service Funds.

You can choose a combination of the above (for example, a direct payment with some council-arranged care and support), often called a mixed package.

agency. This removes the legal obligations of being an employer, but may cost more and may remove some of the benefits of having the same person provide your care.

Read more about how to choose care services.

How does personalised care work?

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

Your care plan should include: • what’s important to you, including your interests, lifestyle, personal tastes and the people in your life • your hopes for the future, such as whether you’d like to study or take on more hobbies outside the home • what limitations you currently have and how you want to change

Find out how personal budgets work.

• what you want to achieve by managing your own support

Direct payments

Make sure you include information about how you’ll manage your money and what you’ll spend the money on (including personal assistants, transport, housing adaptations, therapists and respite services).

Direct payments give you the most control over your care.

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

But you have to be able to account for how you spend the budget. And you have responsibilities as an employer if you hire a personal assistant with your direct payment.

Clarify how you’ll receive your money. If you choose to receive your personal budget as a direct payment, the local authority may pay the money straight into a bank account that you control (you must set up a new bank account to do this) or they may give you a pre-paid card.

The Money Advice Service has a guide to using direct payments.

Alternatively, you may prefer your personal budget to be managed by the local authority or by someone else, such as:

The pros and cons of personalised care

• a friend or family member (the local authority must agree to this)

Personalised care means you have to spend some time and effort thinking about your care and support needs and the outcomes you want.

• a broker, independent social worker or an advocate

There may be extra responsibilities. For example, if you decide to request a direct payment to cover the cost of homecare, you could use the payment to hire an individual, giving you the responsibilities of an employer.

Alternatively, you could hire care workers through an

• your care manager or social worker Discuss these options with your social worker or carer to work out which option is best for you.

If someone else will be looking after your money, you may need to create a decision-making agreement. This should state how they’ll look after your money and what decisions >> they can and can’t make on your behalf.

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The local authority may want to check what you do with your money to make sure you’re spending your budget appropriately, and your care and support needs are being met.

You may need to keep receipts (especially for large purchases) so you can show them you have spent your money responsibly.

If you choose a direct payment, the council will give you a direct payment agreement that sets out the terms and conditions.

If you’re struggling to manage your money, the local authority can advise you on how to make your money work best for you.

Check your care plan is working

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

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

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

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

Disagreements about care plans and personal budgets

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

If you have been told that you’re not eligible for services or you don’t agree with the amount allocated to you in your personal budget, you can ask for a reassessment.

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

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

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Notes

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What is NHS-funded nursing care?

NHS-funded nursing care is care provided by a registered nurse for people who live in a care home. The NHS will pay a flat rate contribution directly to the care home towards the cost of this registered nursing care.

Who is eligible for NHS-funded nursing care?

If you moved into a care home before October 1 2007, and you were on the low or medium bands, you would have been transferred to the standard rate from that date.

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

If you moved into a care home before October 1 2007, and you were on the high band, NHS-funded nursing care is paid at a higher rate. In April 2017, the higher rate was set at £213.32 a week. You’re entitled to continue on this rate unless:

• y ou are not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare but have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse • you live in a care home registered to provide nursing care

How will my needs be assessed?

You should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare before a decision is made about whether you are eligible for NHS-funded nursing care.

Most people don’t need a separate assessment for NHS-funded nursing care.

However, if you do need an assessment or you haven’t already had one, your clinical commissioning group (CCG) can arrange an assessment for you.

• you no longer have nursing needs • you no longer live in a care home that provides nursing • your nursing needs have reduced and you’re no longer eligible for the high band, when you would change to the standard rate of £155.05 a week, or • you become entitled to NHS continuing healthcare instead.

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Outcome of the assessment If you’re eligible for NHS-funded nursing care, the NHS will arrange and fund nursing care provided by registered nurses employed by the care home. Services provided by a registered nurse can include planning, supervising and monitoring nursing and healthcare tasks, as well as direct nursing care.

If you’re not eligible for NHS-funded nursing care and you don’t agree with the decision about your eligibility, you can ask your CCG to review the decision.

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

NHS-funded nursing care is paid at the same rate across England. In April 2017, the rate was set at £155.05 a week (standard rate).

Before October 1 2007, there were three different levels or bands of payment for NHSfunded nursing care – low, medium and high.

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Paying for your

own care and support

Many people who use care and support services will pay for all of the costs.

This is known as being a “self-funder”.

The cost of your care will vary depending on its type, intensity, specialisation, location and duration. For example, a place in a residential care home will cost hundreds of pounds a week.

To make decisions that have such major financial implications, you may want to seek independent financial advice and it’s always worth researching the costs of alternatives first. For example, if you are considering a care home place, the cost should be weighed against the cost of care and support that may help you remain in your current home, such as homecare.

How much will care cost?

If you are thinking about your future care needs or are facing immediate decisions about care options, it can be helpful to get an idea how much care can cost.

Inevitably, the price you would pay will depend on your particular circumstances and needs. The costs also vary depending on where you live. Unfortunately, care homes and homecare agencies tend not to provide this information publicly but you may find it helpful to search for and contact care services in your area to get some idea of likely costs.

The ‘cap on care costs’ Currently, it is not easy to plan for your future care needs, as it’s hard to estimate how long you will need care for and how your circumstances may change. From April 2020, a “cap” on the costs of meeting your eligible care needs (but not accommodation associated with care or nursing costs) is being introduced. The cap means that, once reached, the local authority will take over paying the cost of their eligible care needs.

The cap will not cover your daily living costs. These costs include expenses such as rent, food and utilities and the costs you would face even if you did not have care needs. It is important to note that daily living costs will be a nationally set figure. This figure will be a “notional” amount rather than the actual costs. This is designed to support consistency and enable people to plan.

To benefit from the cap once it comes in, you will need to contact your local authority to see if your needs are eligible. If you are seen to have eligible care needs, the local authority will open a “care account” for you. This account records your progress (the amount of costs you have incurred) towards the cap.

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The cap does not begin until April 2020 and any costs incurred before this will not count towards the cap.

The BBC’s care calculator can estimate how much you may have to pay for care services depending on where you live in England, once the new rules are in place. This will give you an idea of how the cap will work for you, but actual costs will vary to reflect your individual circumstances and needs and how they change over time.

For more information on how paying for care is changing from 2020, read about the changes in the Care Act.

Ask for help from your local authority It’s worth checking whether you’re eligible for means-tested support from your local authority or other financial support – for example, through a care needs assessment and a financial assessment.

Few of us will have the income or ready access to the cash to pay for our ongoing care needs, and you may need to look at selling or remortgaging any property you may own.

The new Care Act means more people may be able to benefit from “deferred payments”.

Deferred payments can help people avoid being forced to sell their home in a crisis in order to pay for their care by having the council temporarily cover the cost – usually until you sell your property.

Following the Care Act, every local authority in England has to make deferred payment agreements available.

As an alternative, you may be able to enter an “equity release scheme” with a financial organisation. Equity release can pay for the fees from the value of property you own. However, you should consider which of these options best meets your needs, and what the overall costs to you will be.

Before taking such significant financial steps as equity release, you might want to get independent financial advice. You can find information on equity release for care at home from Which? Elderly Care or the Money Advice Service’s equity release information.

If you’re planning ahead, you may consider arranging an investment or insurance plan to fund your care. Again, it may be worth taking independent advice on financial arrangements before making major changes. Because of the new rules, there are likely to be more financial products

emerging that are designed to help people pay for care.

You may also want to explore whether the NHS would meet some or all of your care and support costs, or you may have entitlement to benefits that may help you meet costs. Read about other ways of funding care.

Advice on paying for care Even if your local authority is not able to help fund your care, it will be able to make an assessment of your care and support needs. From this, the local authority can provide you with access to a range of information and advice available locally.

You can also get independent advice from: • T he Money Advice Service website: offers information on paying for care or the option to speak to an online adviser. You can call the Money Advice Service on 0300 500 5000.

• The Society of Later Life Advisers: the society can also help you find advice on how to make financial plans for care in your old age.

• Find Me Good Care: a website of the Social Care Institute for Excellence. It has advice on all aspects of planning and funding social care.

• Age UK: has great advice for older people and those planning for their later years.

• Carers UK: an excellent resource of advice for carers who need to help someone else.

• Which? Elderly Care has a guide to financing care.

Deferred payments if you are unable to pay for care services Care home fees are a big financial commitment, and the decision to go into a care home is often made at a moment of crisis or urgency, such as when being discharged from hospital. This can make finding the money to pay for fees (usually several hundred pounds a week) challenging for people funding their own care.

In particular, if you own property outright but have little in the way of savings, you may be expected to fund your own care but have little immediately available money to pay for it. Some people going to stay in a care home for a long time find that they have no option but to sell their property to pay the care home fees.

Your council may be able to help you if you are at risk of having to sell your home. Where there is a delay in selling the property, or you don’t want to sell the property immediately, you may be eligible to have your care fee payment “deferred”. This is where the local authority helps you to pay your care fees temporarily, and you repay the costs to the local authority at a later date.

If the local authority agrees to the deferred payment and pays the care home fees, it will take payment from the money raised once the property is sold. This can be: • during your lifetime if you choose to sell your home • once you die, the local authority can be repaid from your estate All councils must offer people the chance to defer payment if they meet a set of eligibility criteria.

A deferred payment scheme is only available if you don’t have enough income to cover your care home fees, and you have less in savings than £23,250. In these circumstances, the savings don’t include the value of your property, but does include money in bank accounts.

The local authority will put a “legal charge” (similar to a mortgage) on the property and will then pay the remaining care fees in full. You will then be assessed to see whether they are able to pay a weekly charge to the authority. Your ability to pay is based on your income less a set “disposable income allowance” (currently £144 per week).

Before considering deferred payments, you should look into whether the property will or won’t be counted in how your capital is calculated. For instance, it may be disregarded because your partner still lives there, and if it is a deferred payment agreement wouldn’t be necessary.

It’s wise to get independent financial advice before agreeing to a deferred payment, and it’s worth bearing in mind that choosing deferred payments can impact on some welfare benefits.

Protection for self-funders While you may have the savings in place to afford care services, if you lack the capacity to make the arrangements, the local authority can step in to help.

The local authority can also help people who lack capacity by negotiating fees with a care provider and paying them directly. The local authority will need to be reimbursed.

Anyone entering into a contract for care services should be given adequate information about the fees. Care providers should supply: • information about the fees charged for various services provided • arrangements for paying the fees • the fees charged for any additional services If your capital falls below the set levels for local authority funding (currently £23,250), you will be eligible for reassessment for help with funding your care.

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Care and support: what’s available If you need help around the home, a good option is to have a care worker come into your home to help you.

• getting care and support from a charity, such as Age UK Types of care and support Care and support comes in many forms and there are Independent care and many names used to describe it, including home help, care support agencies attendants, and “carers” (not to be confused with unpaid family or friends who care for you).

Care and support can suit you if you need: • personal care, such as washing or dressing • housekeeping or domestic work, such as vacuuming • help with cooking or preparing meals • nursing and healthcare • companionship Care and support can be very flexible. The same person or agency may be able to provide some or all of these options for the duration of your care: • long-term 24-hour care • short breaks for an unpaid family carer • emergency care • day care • s essions ranging from 15-minute visits to 24-hour assistance and everything in between If you already know what you want, you can search NHS Choices directories for: • local care and support services and agencies • a list of national care and support organisations • supported living services – these are services that can help you stay safe and well in your home on a long-term basis, including financial help, help with medicines, advocacy, social support and practical support • a place to live with a family who will care for you – this is known as shared lives services or adult placement services If you believe you might benefit from some help at home, the first thing to do is to contact your local authority’s social services department to ask for a needs assessment.

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

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

If you choose direct payments or a personal budget, or you aren’t eligible for local authority help and want to get care privately, you can arrange it in several different ways.

These include: • using a care and support agency • hiring a personal assistant 16

If you use an independent care and support agency, you or the person looking after you has to find the care agency and pay them.

The agency will provide a service through a trained team of care workers, which means you may not always have the same person visiting your home, although the agency will do its best to take your choices into account.

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

The CQC has the power to inspect agencies and enforce standards. Care and support agencies must vet care and support workers before engaging them by taking up references and carrying out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on potential employees.

Care and support agencies can also: • take over the burden of being an employer – for example, payroll, training, disciplinary issues and insurance • train their care and support workers through national qualifications and service-specific training • replace workers when they’re ill, on holiday or resign • put things right when they go wrong An agency will want to see you and the person looking after you so they can assess your needs.

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

Find out more from the UK Homecare Association.

How much does a care and support agency cost?

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

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

Questions to ask when using a care and support agency Before deciding to go ahead with an agency, you should

ask questions about the fee and what it covers.

These include: • Does the agency check references?

•W hat training and supervision do they provide?

• What’s their complaints policy?

• Who’s responsible for insurance?

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

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

Hiring a personal assistant Instead of using an agency, you can hire a personal assistant to act as a care and support worker for you.

Personal assistants can offer you all that you’ll get from an agency worker, but you’ll also get continuity, familiarity and an ongoing relationship with an assistant.

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

Which? Elderly Care has advice on employing private individuals.

Get more information on becoming an employer.

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

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

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

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Getting

out and about

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

You can get help: • using public transport • getting discounts on public transport • from the NHS with travel costs • finding community transport schemes If you have mobility problems and you need a car to get around, you may be able to get help with costs through: • discounted or free road tax • a Blue Badge parking permit • help with the cost of buying or hiring a vehicle through the Motability scheme

Using public transport with a disability All public transport vehicles have to be “accessible” so disabled passengers can use them. Public transport also has to accept guide dogs or assistance dogs.

But if you’re using public transport, it’s worth contacting the transport operator before you travel to make sure they’re able to offer the assistance you require.

Buses and trains usually have priority seating for older people and people with disabilities. They also usually have space and wide doors for wheelchairs. Some buses, trains and trams are fitted with automatic ramps.

The London Underground is being upgraded to improve step-free access.

Staff at Underground stations are also trained to help people move around the underground system – for example, by helping you avoid escalators and calling ahead to arrange for assistance at your destination.

Discounts on public transport for older people and disabled people Older people and people with disabilities can travel free on local buses anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and at any time during the weekend and on bank holidays.

Some authorities offer free travel for longer, and some allow a companion to travel with the pass holder for free.

You may have to apply through your local authority, but in most areas you can apply online for an older person’s bus pass or for a disabled person’s bus pass.

If you often travel by train, it’s probably worth getting a Disabled Railcard Card. This gives you a third off the price of rail tickets. Check the criteria to see if you’re eligible.

Children aged 5 to 16 with disabilities are eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. This lets an adult to travel with them for a third of the cost of an adult fare, while the child pays the normal child fare.

Taxi and private hire companies can provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles if >> you ask for one when you book a vehicle.

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

NHS help with travel and transport costs If you pay to travel to a hospital or other NHS premises for NHS-funded treatment or diagnostic tests, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs.

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

Community transport schemes These schemes provide transport to and from hospitals, doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries, and opticians and chiropodists.

Many areas offer a free “Dial-a-Ride” service, offering doorto-door transport for people unable to use normal buses.

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

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

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

Cars and parking Road tax reductions If you’re disabled or have a serious long-term condition, you might be eligible for a reduction in your road tax, or even be exempt from it altogether.

Find out more on GOV.UK about vehicle tax exemption and vehicle tax reduction.

Blue Badge disabled parking scheme If you have severe mobility problems that make using public transport difficult, you may be able to get a Blue Badge parking permit for your car.

This lets you park closer to places you wish to visit, such as in marked disabled parking bays.

You may also be able to: •p ark for free within certain time limits in some places 18

• park on single and double yellow lines • stay longer in on-street time-limited parking bays Blue Badge schemes are run by councils. Most councils will let you apply for a Blue Badge online.

Central London is exempt from the national Blue Badge regulations and the central London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, Westminster and City of London don’t fully operate the Blue Badge scheme.

But if you’re exempt from road tax or have a Blue Badge permit, you may be able to get an exemption from paying the central London congestion charge.

Motability scheme The Motability scheme allows some disabled people receiving a mobility allowance to get a car, powered wheelchair or scooter.

The scheme uses some or all of your mobility benefit payments to cover the cost of contract hire or hire purchase of an appropriate vehicle.

You can also pay an extra amount of money if you want a more expensive vehicle.

Find out more about how the scheme works and who can join.

Editorial content for pages 8-18 and 28 supplied by: NHS Choices have not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does NHS Choices endorse any of the products or services. All information and figures correct at the time of going to print.

The Care Quality Commission is here to make sure health and adult social care services including hospitals, home and residential care as well as GPs in England provide people with safe, effective, high-quality care.

We publish independent inspection reports and ratings about services – information you can use when you’re choosing care for yourself, or a loved one.

You can use our website to search for services you might be interested in by geographical area, or by specialism. For example, a care home that might offer specialist care for someone who has dementia.

We also welcome your feedback on the care you have received – good or bad. We use this information to help inform our inspections and can alert authorities including local social services, if there are safeguarding concerns about care being provided.

You can visit our website at www.cqc.org.uk to find our inspection reports, or share an experience of care. You can also call us to share an experience of care on 03000 61 61 61.

Here are some tips to help you choose your care.

Social care Top tips 1

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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) registers all care homes and home care agencies. You can find out which ones support specific groups of people, such as people with a learning disability or those living with dementia.

CQC’s Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe always uses ‘The Mum Test’: is a care home safe, caring, effective, responsive to people’s needs and well-led? In other words, is it good enough for my Mum (or anyone else I love and care for)?

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

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-today care, you can contact your local council’s social services department. They will ‘make an assessment of your needs’ and depending on circumstances, may be able to help you access financial help. For more advice visit Age UK’s website www.ageuk.org.uk /home-and-care.

If you would like to organise your care yourself, you can find a care worker or personal assistant through an agency. Your local social services department should be able to provide details of approved agencies.

CQC’s ratings will identify services as:

Outstanding Good ● Requires improvement ● Inadequate ● This will help you make informed choices around your care. There’s also useful advice on the Social Care Institute for Excellence’s Find me good care website www.scie.org.uk/findmegoodcare/

Safeguarding adults who receive social care

10 is everybody’s business. If you are concerned about the safety of a loved one receiving care, contact the service provider in the first instance. You can also contact social services at your local council. If you feel a crime has been committed, contact the police.

You can share your safeguarding concerns with us on our website or contact our National Customer Services on 03000 616161.

The Care Quality Commission has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does the Care Quality Commission endorse any of the products or services.

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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.

GP Top tips

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

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

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

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

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

Outstanding Good ● Requires improvement ● Inadequate ●

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

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

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

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

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

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

/CareQualityCommission

@CareQualityComm

The Care Quality Commission has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does the Care Quality Commission endorse any of the products or services.

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Mental health Top tips

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If you are concerned about your mental health you should first visit your GP.

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Outstanding Good ● Requires improvement ● Inadequate ●

Your GP will assess you and offer appropriate advice or treatment. They can refer you to a psychological treatment service or a specialist mental health service for further advice or treatment.

Mental health services are free on the NHS but you will usually need a GP referral. If you don’t want to go to your GP you may also have the option of self-referral. This means you can go directly to a professional therapist. The NHS Choices website has a searchable directory of services which you can use to find a service near you.

If you are referred to a specialist mental health service, you can ask which other providers offer the same service in your local area and make a choice.

CQC rates mental health providers to help people make choices about where they get treatment. They will use a four-point scale:

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CQC uses information from the public and holds listening events across the country where people can talk with inspectors about their experience of services.

You can look at our inspection reports and ratings for mental health services or share your experiences of care (good or bad) by visiting www.cqc.org.uk

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

@CareQualityComm

In April CQC launched its new-style inspection reports for mental health providers – looking at five key areas of Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led – you can compare reports on CQC’s website to help choose a provider.

The Care Quality Commission has not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor does the Care Quality Commission endorse any of the products or services.

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Welcome to Age UK Lancashire We are a local independent charity dedicated to providing support and information to all older people living in Lancashire.

We believe that it is important to enable older people and their carers to have support to remain independent and to live interesting and fulfilled lives. We offer a range of services to help older people across Lancashire make more of their lives. Our care services are available to help frailer older people or those who feel lonely or isolated. These include access to social groups, exercise classes, activity groups, Home Help services and much more assist older people in remaining active, independent and linked in to their local community.

Our mission is to make Lancashire a great place to grow old and aim to support as many older people across the county as we can. We are able to provide services by generating income from; shops, trading, fundraising, donations and grants. Without the support of the general public we would not be able to continue the vital work we do.

Information and Advice Age UK Lancashire provides an information and advice service for older people aged 65+ and their carers. The service is free of charge, confidential, independent and impartial. We are able to help you with a range of issues.

This may be about claiming benefits, housing or health and care issues or local services. You may be facing a crisis, or

just considering your options. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination in all that we do. We respond to an individual’s needs without regard to their gender, sexual orientation, disability, race or religion.

Hospital Aftercare Service This service provides short term practical and emotional support to adults, 18 years and over. Our well trained staff and volunteers provide help and support to individuals on discharge from hospital and rehabilitation units. We provide support such as crisis shopping, assistance with light household duties, emotional support, providing information and advice etc. We also offer supported discharge from hospital to your own home. This service can be accessed by self-referral or through hospital and NHS staff.

Daytime support We provide support in a comforting and welcoming environment to encourage social interaction, inclusion and engagement in a variety of meaningful activities. This is a full day with lunch and refreshments provided. Enhanced and dementia support is also available from some of our centres, which can provide carers with much needed respite during the day. This service is provided by qualified support workers. There is a cost to this service.

Love later life 22

Lancashire Older Veterans The Service aims to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of older veterans aged 65+. Our team of Navigators will help older veterans to identify their needs and overcome a range of barriers to accessing support.

We can provide access to social activities and groups, practical support at home, information and advice.

Dementia Support This service enables individuals and their carers with memory problems to maintain or re-develop daily living skills, have opportunities to be involved in educational, leisure or creative activities and be supported in maintaining or developing contacts in their own community.

Home Help The service includes household chores, cleaning, shopping, assisted shopping and help with general tasks.

We accompany to appointments, social events, activities; we support with interests and hobbies; Just tell us what you would like us to do, as we can be flexible in meeting your needs. There is a cost to this service.

Charity Shops Our shops are crucial to the work of our organisation.

They help us raise much-needed cash which we can use to provide services which are not funded by other agencies. They are also a great place to find good quality clothes, books and other items and very reasonable prices and also provide information on a range of issues relevant to older people. Anyone interested in donating items to be sold can drop things in to their local shop.

Donations & Fundraising To continue our work for older people across the county, Age UK Lancashire is dependent on the generous support of the people of the local area and beyond.

Although we receive grants for some of our activities, we have no regular guaranteed income.

Ways to support us are: making a one off or regular donation, donation in memory, participating in our fundraising events, taking on your own challenge or organising your own fundraiser, leaving a gift in your Will or a legacy. 100% of the money donated and raised stays in Lancashire.

Contact us If you would like any information about our services and the support we provide: Call: 0300 303 1234 (charged at local rate) Visit: www.ageuklancs.org.uk Email: referrals@ageuklancs.org.uk

Case Study

One way in which a person can feel lonely We recently met a gentleman & his wife at the Hub in Lancaster.

Mr K explained that his wife had recently been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. (They are both in their early 70s) It was in September this year that Mr K started to notice that Mrs K was becoming forgetful in particular with times and places. It was this that led to Mr & Mrs K‘s GP making a referral to the memory clinic. Having now had the appropriate assessments, Mrs K is being supported in her own home and Age UK Lancashire’s Dementia Support Team are providing access to appropriate events in their own local community, which are all working very well.

The sad part to this synopsis is what Mr K stated to me that he has now “lost the women he married to vascular dementia & that there are many occasions that he feels very lonely.

Case Study

Advice Line

Mrs P was living on her own since her husband of 47 years passed away. With no family close by Mrs P felt very isolated and low on confidence. This led to Mrs P not wanting to go out and socialise or even visit the local shops. Having previously been quite active and involved with local community groups, the affect to Mrs P’s mental wellbeing became progressively worse until her daughter, who lives abroad, decided to contact Age UK Lancashire to look for support.

The Advice line team arranged a telephone meeting with Mrs P and were able to provide her with information about Age UK Lancashire and other services that would help her to get out of the house and gain confidence.

Mrs P decided to try out the Home Help service to help with jobs around the house and as a consequence the regular visits helped her regain confidence to speak to people and want to start going out. Age UK Lancashire was able to put her in contact with a local library group who meet weekly and encouraged her to go.

Mrs P now enjoys the weekly group and has met some new friends who act as a support network for each other.

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Is your life affected by dementia?

We’re here for you, and provide a range of support services throughout Lancashire.

Alzheimer’s Society will: ■ Listen to your needs and offer tailored information and advice to support you to live well with dementia ■ Help you maintain independence and wellbeing ■ Link you up with professionals and services, including everything from social groups to help identifying practical supports We provide one-to-one supports and groups activities and can tell you about what’s available locally and happening in your area.

Along with the Lancashire services listed overleaf you can also reach support from Alzheimer’s Society nationwide.

National Dementia Helpline If you have concerns about dementia, Alzheimer’s Society National Dementia Helpline can provide information, support, guidance, and signposting.

The Helpline is open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Wednesday; 9am to 5pm Thursday to Friday; and Saturday to Sunday 10am to 4pm on 0300 222 11 22

Alzheimers.org.uk Alzheimer’s Society web site is an extensive resource with information, news, and guides on a wide range of subjects. You will also find a directory of local supports at www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect and a supportive community and discussion forum at www.alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint 24

Other ways to get involved Making Lancashire Dementia-Friendly Become a Dementia Friend or Dementia Champion and gain knowledge and confidence to help people living with dementia feel understood and included in your community.

What is a Dementia Friend?

A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action – anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend.

What is a Dementia Champion?

A Dementia Friends Champion is a volunteer who encourages others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their community.

They do this by giving them information about the personal impact of dementia, and what they can do to help.

To get involved visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk or contact your local Alzheimer’s Society office.

What is a Dementia Friendly Community (DFC)?

Everyone, from governments and health boards to the local corner shop and hairdresser, share part of the responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community.

For more information please contact your local Society office.

For advice and support or for information about local services and activities please contact us

Live well with dementia

Central and West Lancashire 01772 788700 North Lancashire 01253 696854 East Lancashire 0333 150 3456 Or our national helpline 0300 222 11 22 Or visit our web site www.alzheimers.org.uk

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Useful contacts A

E

Action on Elder Abuse 080 880 88141 We work to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults.

Action on Elder Abuse, PO Box 60001, Streatham SW16 9BY I www.elderabuse.org.uk I enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk

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

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

Admiral Nursing DIRECT 0800 888 6678 This helpline has been set up to provide people with an opportunity to talk through their worries and concerns about themselves, friends or relatives with dementia.

I www.dementiauk.org I direct@dementiauk.org Age UK Lancashire (locations countywide) 0300 303 1234 Railway House, Railway Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 0HW I www.ageuklancs.org.uk I referral@ageuklancs.org.uk Alzheimer’s Society Central and West Lancashire 01772 788 700 I centrallancashire@alzheimers.org.uk 1st Floor, West Wing, Derby House, Lytham Road, Fulwood, Preston PR2 8JE Alzheimer’s Society North Lancashire 01253 696854 I northlancashire@alzheimers.org.uk Alzheimer’s Society East Lancashire 0333 150 3456 I eastlancashire@alzheimers.org.uk I www.alzheimers.org.uk Arthritis - National Rheumatoid 0800 298 7650 Arthritis Society (NRAS) or 0845 458 3969 Provide information, support and advice for people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I www.nras.org.uk

C Citizens Advice North Lancashire 0344 488 9622 Morecambe office: Oban House, 87-89 Queen Street, Morecambe, Lancashire LA4 5EN Lancaster office: 87 King Street, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 1RH I www.northlancashirecab.org.uk I enquiries@northlancashirecab.org.uk Citizens Advice Lancashire West 0344 245 1294 Chorley Office: 35-39 Market Street, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 2SW Leyland Office: 78 Towngate, Leyland, Lancashire PR25 2LR Fleetwood Office: 122 Poulton Road, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 7AR Skelmersdale Office: Unit 47, The Concourse Shopping Centre, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 6LN I www.citizensadvicelancashirewest.org.uk Care Quality Commission (CQC) 03000 616161 National Correspondence, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PA I www.cqc.org.uk I enquiries@cqc.org.uk Carers UK 0808 808 7777 Prevents carers from becoming emotionally drained, and from forgetting to take care of themselves.

20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX I General enquiries: 0207 378 4999 I Advice line: 0808 808 7777 I www.carersuk.org I info@carersuk.org Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 808 1677 Cruse Bereavement Care is here to support you after the death of someone close.

I www.cruse.org.uk I helpline@cruse.org.uk

D Disability Benefits – for Disability Living 0845 712 3456 Allowance and Attendance Allowance I Textphone: 0845 722 4433 I www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories DG_10011169 26

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

M Mind (National Association 0300 123 3393 for Mental Health) The leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.

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

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

I www.nos.org.uk NHS 111

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

0800 800 0303

R Royal Voluntary Service 0845 608 0122 A volunteer organisation that enriches the lives of older people and their families across Britain. We support older people by giving time and practical help to help them get the best from life.

Royal Voluntary Service, Cardiff Gate, Beck Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8RP I www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

S Stroke Association 0845 3033 100 Advice and information for stroke patients and their families.

I www.stroke.org.uk

T The Department of Work and Pensions I www.dwp.gov.uk The Pension Service 0845 606 0265 I w ww.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customerdelivery/ the-pension-service Every possible care has been taken to ensure that the information given in this publication is correct at the time of going to print. Whilst the publisher would be grateful to learn of any errors, it cannot accept any liability over and above the cost of the advertisement for loss there by caused. No reproduction by any method whatsoever of any part of this publication is permitted without prior written consent of the copyright owners.

Octagon Design & Marketing Ltd. ©2018.

Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN10 6AB. Telephone: 01302 714528 Options Lancashire is published by Octagon Design and Marketing Ltd with editorial contributions from University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, the CQC, Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society and NHS Choices. The editorial contributors have not vetted the advertisers in this publication and accepts no liability for work done or goods supplied by any advertiser. Nor do the editorial contributors endorse any of the products or services.

NHS Hospitals and

services in Lancashire University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay

NHS Foundation Trust

NHS Foundation Trust

Ulverston Community Health Centre University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay

Westmorland General Hospital Burton Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RG. Tel: 01539 732288

Stanley St, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 7BT. Tel: 01229 484045

NHS Foundation Trust

Furness General Hospital

Newby Bridge

Dalton Lane, Barrow-InFurness, Cumbria, LA14 4LF. Tel: 01539 732288

Kendal

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

Queen Victoria Hospital

Ulverston Barrow-inFurness

Thornton Road, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 5NN. Tel: 01524 406665

Grangeover-Sands

Morecambe

Age UK Lancashire 6-8 Castle Street, Clitheroe, BB7 2BX

LANCASTER

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

Age UK Lancashire 7-11 Chapel Street, Lancaster LA1 1NZ

Clapham

Hornby

Royal Lancaster Infirmary Ashton Road, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 4RP. Tel: 01539 732288

Dunsop Bridge

Fleetwood Age UK Lancashire Preston Hub, 5-6 Cheapside, Preston PR1 2AP

Age UK Lancashire 7 St George’s Road, Lytham St Annes FY8 2AE

Colne Blackpool

Southport

Age UK Lancashire Knight Hill House, Memorial Park, Blackburn Road, Padiham BB12 8JZ

Burnley Blackburn

Ramsbottom Rufford

Rochdale

Age UK Lancashire 24 Keirby Walk, Burnley, BB11 2DE

Bolton

Lancashire Care

Skelmersdale

NHS Foundation Trust

Trust Headquarters, Sceptre Point, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit, Preston, PR5 6AW. Tel: 01772 695300

Leigh

Alzheimer’s Society Central and West Lancashire

Bootle Age UK Lancashire Moorgate, Ormskirk L39 4RY

Age UK Lancashire Unit 2, Number One Market Street, Nelson BB9 7LJ

Chipping

Preston

Age UK Lancashire Walton Lane Community Centre, Leeds Road, Nelson, BB9 8RW

Age UK Lancashire Lifestyle Centre, Gillibrand Street, Chorley, PR7 2EJ

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

Head Office: Railway House, Railway Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 0HW. Tel: 0300 303 1234

1st Floor, West Wing, Derby House, Lytham Road, Fulwood, Preston PR2 8JE. Tel: 01772 788 700

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Content supplied by:

MLS

INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Margaret Hunter Dip.F.D.

Sally Hunter Dip.F.D.

Lisa Hunter Dip.F.D.

The Hunter Family Funeral Homes in Aughton and Burscough Personal • Caring • Independent ✔ 24 hour personal service ✔ Private Chapels of Rest ✔ Memorials supplied and erected ✔ Covering all areas

01695 424888

20 Moss Delph Lane, Aughton, Ormskirk L39 5DZ

01704 891555

22a Liverpool Road North, Burscough L40 5TP

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David Tinker Chiropodist

Tel: 01282 413552 106 Briercliffe Road, Burnley BB10 1TZ tinkerfootman@aol.com

Wordsworth House Contact Aimee Green, Home Manager

01282 770101

Wordsworth House Care Home, Wordsworth Street, Hapton Burnley BB12 7JX

DESIGN & M ARKETING LT D

DESIGN PRINT SUPPORT

• 40-bedded home • Secure dementia unit • • Residential unit • Beautiful setting • • Lovely views • Friendly staff •

OCTAGON To advertise in this publication please call the sales team on 01302 714528 Hawks Nest Cottage, Great North Road, Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN10 6AB 01302 714528 | www.octagon.org.uk | info@octagon.org.uk

Arrowsmith Lodge is a privately owned rest home providing a very high standard of care and accommodation for up to 35 residents. It is situated in the centre of Gregson Lane Village in Hoghton, an area steeped in local history.

The village has many shopping facilities and is surrounded by some of Lancashire’s most beautiful countryside. It is within easy reach of local towns and motorways. The home is particularly convenient to visitors, having a large car park and also enjoying a good bus service.

Arrowsmith Lodge was first opened in the 1980’s as a care home for elderly people, accommodating 18 residents. It was extended and refurbished in 2008 to provide for a total of 22 residents and 2010 the home was further extended with additional beds, bringing the total to 35, along with a new sensory garden.

Our facilities Arrowsmith Lodge can provide accommodation and care for 35 residents and can cater for a variety of special needs, including residents with dementia. We have 32 single and 1 double bedroom with ensuite facilities. The resident’s appointed bedrooms are large enough to personalise and this is encouraged. There are 3 lounges, a pleasant sun lounge and a dining area for residents. There is a passenger lift servicing the floors and a stair lift. We have an enclosed garden with a variety of plants and shrubs. Residents and families are encouraged to use the outdoor space to promote a sense of wellbeing. The bathing facilities consist of adapted baths and walk in showers. All residents will be accompanied during the bathing or showering process.

For the safety of the residents the following features have been installed in the home: • Smoke/heat detectors in every room.

• Emergency call system in all bedrooms, bathrooms, toilets and seating areas of residents.

• Coded key pad locks on exit doors, which are linked to the fire alarm system.

The Home will endeavour to provide privacy in a private room or office when required for residents to meet with the manager, relatives and other visitors where privacy and confidentiality needs to be respected.

Telephone facilities will be made available on residents’ requests and arrangements to use the facility in private.

• Newspapers / Periodicals Any resident wishing to order a newspaper or periodical may do so by asking the manager; payment of these can be taken from the Safe Keeping Account (if the resident chooses to have one) or paid direct to the manager.

• Hairdressing facility A hairdresser visits the Home on a regular basis (this is an additional cost). An appointment can be made on request.

Bournes Row Hoghton, Preston, Lancashire PR5 0DR

01254 854 311 / 01254 854141

info@arrowsmithlodge.co.uk • www.arrowsmithlodge.co.uk

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Chirnside House registered care home Chirnside House, Abbeyfield Close, Scotforth, Lancaster LA1 4NL

Care Quality Commission – Current rating GOOD (May 2016) Chirnside House offers a friendly secure homely atmosphere, 24 hour care. All rooms en-suite. We encourage independence although staff are always on hand should you require assistance, nothing is too much trouble. Regular activities and outings by our dedicated activities team.

Respite care also offered. (On weekly basis) Chirnside house is close to local amenities, home cooked food catering for a wide variety of tastes and dietary needs. Onsite laundry.

Telephone: 01524 541720 Email: manager@abbeyfieldlancaster.co.uk to request brochure.

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