Self-directed support and personal budgets continued If your disability or illness is so serious that you cannot realistically stay in your own home, we can help you to move into supported housing or a care home. If you would like more information about self-directed support and personal budgets, please contact your care manager or contact Adult Social Care on
01670 536 400 for an information pack and a chat about how self-directed support and personal budgets could benefit you. Alternatively you can email us on socialcare@northumbria.nhs.uk with any questions and requests for information.
Equipment If you have a disability or illness that makes daily life difficult, you may be able to get equipment, such as a walking aid, or home adaptations, such as handrails, to make life at home easier for you and anyone who helps you with care tasks. Northumbria Healthcare provides equipment free to meet both social and health needs through its Joint Equipment Loans Service (JELS). To get equipment a health or social care professional will assess the needs of the person who needs help and the needs of the carer. You can ask to see an occupational therapist by contacting Adult Social Care. If you choose to buy your own equipment you still have the right to ask for an assessment beforehand so that you can choose equipment with the benefit of skilled professional advice.
Adaptations to your home may be recommended following an assessment by an occupational therapist, who will pass on any recommendation to the Home Improvement Agency or Housing Department who will offer help. If you would like more details about JELS ask your care manager or call Adult Social Care on 01670 536 400. Alternatively, you can purchase equipment yourself, trying it before you buy. Two voluntary providers are: • Disability North, Dene Centre, Newcastle Tel: 0191 284 0480 • Independability Project, Morpeth Tel: 01670 515200
Telecare Telecare is equipment that can detect falls, inactivity, smoke, flooding, gas or extreme temperatures in the home. Sensors are triggered, and an alert is received either by trained operators at a 24 hour call centre, or directly by a relative or carer. Telecare can allow users to remain independent and relatives and carers are reassured, safe in the knowledge that should an incident occur, they will know about it. Some devices can also help monitor particular health conditions and reduce the need for a hospital admission. Telecare can help restore confidence for people who feel vulnerable in their own homes for a variety of reasons – including living alone, frailty or the need to summon help in an emergency. It could also be as a short-term measure during a period of convalescence. A number of organisations provide telecare services in
Northumberland, including the council’s own county wide service, Northumberland Telecare (formerly known as Valley Care). If you would like to find out more speak to your care manager or contact Northumberland Telecare on 01670 827100.
Social care and health information points We have five information points based in libraries in Morpeth, Amble, Berwick and Haltwhistle and the Council information point in Cramlington. These are staffed by our support planners, on specific days, who can offer you advice and information about local support groups for people living with a disability or illness. They can also advise on issues that you may have about getting around at home
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or going out, activities available nearby, your entitlement to support and organisations who provide care and support. You can drop in for advice or make an appointment by calling Adult Social Care on 01670 536 400 or email socialcare@northumbria.nhs.uk . To find out opening times visit the library website at infopoint.mylibrary.co.uk or call Adult Social Care.
This Directory’s helpline 0800 389 2077 – information on choosing and paying for care