Your local Health & Wellbeing Guide
Enabling people in Dudley to make more of later life ISSUE 2 Myles Court, the home of Age UK Dudley’s Daybreak Centre • Recently refurbished apartments with digital warden call service and secure video door entry • Daybreak Centre open to the public and Myles Court residents* • Regular days out and social activities including crafts, quizzes and exercise classes* • Daily three course meal service* *Daybreak Centre charges apply Myles Court has studio and one bedroom apartments available to let for people over the age of 55. To arrange a viewing, or for more information, call 0370 192 4933. Myles Court, John Street, Brierley Hill, Dudley DY5 1RJ
housingcare21 @HousingCare21 housingandcare21.co.uk Contents
Contents 3 Introduction from our Chief Executive
5 - 8 Age UK Dudley - Guide to our services
9 - 10 Patient choice of GP practice
11 Healthy eating for over 50’s
12 - 15 Staying physically active
16 Keeping mobile and preventing falls
17 - 19 Volunteering may boost mental wellbeing in adults
20 - 21 Your right to social care and support
22 - 24 Planning for your future care needs
25 - 27 Are you a carer?
28 - 29 Choosing care services
30 - 33 Funding care
34 Care and support plans
35 - 38 Care services in your home
39 - 43 Care homes
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3 Introduction
Introduction from our Chief Executive Welcome to your Age UK Dudley Health & Wellbeing Information Guide for the Dudley Borough area.
Age UK Dudley aims to enable people in As a local charity we are committed to Dudley to make more of later life. supporting older people to make informed Through the work of Age UK Dudley our choices when looking to access social care. clients are better able to:- Therefore the guide includes a listing of CQC regulated health & social care providers • Improve or maintain their independence for within the borough, as well as a list of all GP longer practices. • Feel less socially isolated and lonely I hope that you and your family or carers will • Improve or maintain their health and find this publication useful and a practical wellbeing source of contacts in one guide. • Make informed choices It’s good to be able to tell you about all the things that Age UK Dudley delivers so well, • Feel more safe and secure alongside invaluable information for all older • Enjoy a better later life people. This guide contains health and wellbeing information and guidance for the over 50’s. There is information on the services and activities provided by Age UK Dudley and how to access them. There is also information aimed at older people or their carers who may need to access social care support, either now or in the future. The contents of this guide also reflect current guidelines that have been sourced from a variety of government agencies, including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS Choices.
Christine Szygowski Chief Executive
Disclaimer: Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this guide was correct at press time, Age UK Dudley and Sure Media do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by any errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Although Age UK Dudley & Sure Media would like to thank the sponsors for their support in this publication, their inclusion within this publication does not imply any recommendation or endorsements as to the goods or services they may supply. Age UK Dudley has received no financial payments from any sponsors or supporters in the production of this guide.
4 Age UK Dudley
Age UK Dudley Guide to Our Services Who can use the service? Anyone aged 60 or over, who would ‘just like that little bit more’ out of daily life. Charge Full day £29.50 including refreshments, lunch and activities. How to access the service People can self-refer or ask a family member, friend, or carer to contact us on their behalf. Contact details For more information telephone the Daybreak team on 01384 340608 or email daybreak@ Befriending ageukdudley.org.uk. Good Neighbour Scheme Working Age Dementia The Good Neighbour Scheme offers support Support Group (WADs) to people by offering friendship in their own WADs offers a day of therapeutic person home, a Telephone Buddy service and a Home centred activities for people under the age of Buddy Service (for people living in supported 65 living with Dementia. The service runs each housing or residential care). Thursday from 10am to 3pm at the Queens Who can use the scheme? Cross network in Dudley. People aged 60 or over, living within the Dudley Charge Borough, who live alone, who are lonely, £25 per day for activities, refreshments and receive few or no visitors, or are only able to lunch. get out and about with the support of others, and enjoy chatting. How to access the service How to access the scheme By referral through a Dementia Advisor or self or family referral. People can self refer, ask a family member or health or social care professional to refer them. Contact details Contact details For more information or to book a free trial visit telephone the WADs team on 07387 593397 or For more information telephone our Good email [email protected] Neighbour team on 01384 354512 or email [email protected] Sedgley Hub Join us for hot drinks, a light snack or lunch at Day Opportunities our Sedgley Hub in Ettymore road, Sedgley. Daybreak Open Monday to Friday we also offer a range Daybreak offers the opportunity for people to of activities, talks, Information sessions and a come together to socialise, have a good meal Will writing service. Pop in anytime between and enjoy activities at our centre and/or get out 9.30am - 3.30pm. and about taking one of our afternoon trips. Contact details We enable people to still enjoy activities which Telephone 01902 883847 they are no longer able to do on their own. Daybreak is held at Myles Court, John Street, Brierley Hill, Monday to Friday. 5 Age UK Dudley
Contact details For more information telephone the Stepping Out team on 01384 267009 or email [email protected] Handy Person Services Staysafe helps people to maintain their independence and feel safe and secure in their own home. Many accidents are preventable. Staysafe offers advice and practical help in reducing the risks of having accidents in the home, particularly falls. Staysafe offers a number of services including the Small Tasks Handyperson Scheme and Fix- A-Home directory. Foot Care Small Tasks Handyperson Scheme Stepping Out If people have no one to ask, we can carry out Stepping Out helps to keep people mobile a range of small, minor household repairs and and maintain their independence by providing maintenance, which they are no longer able to a basic foot care service. The service is manage themselves. provided in partnership with Dudley Clinical The Scheme prioritises its work around the Commissioning Group and Dudley NHS main causes of falls and accidents at home. Podiatry Service, through our trained staff and volunteers. The service is delivered from the Who can use the scheme? Age UK Dudley Foot Care clinic in Mill Street, People aged 60 or over, living in the Dudley Brierley Hill Monday to Friday and also at Borough, who do not have family members to outreach clinics in Halesowen and Sedgley. help them and who are unable to do D.I.Y. jobs Who can use the service? due to ill health, disability or frailty. We provide toe nail cutting and filing of hard How to access the scheme skin to people who are: People can refer themselves or be referred by • aged 60 or above their healthcare professional, doctor or social worker to request an assessment by contacting • registered with a Dudley GP the Staysafe team. • not eligible for NHS Podiatry Services Contact details • have difficulty looking after their own feet. For more information telephone the Staysafe To ensure that someone is suitable for this team on 01384 267004 or email staysafe@ service, an initial assessment by an NHS ageukdudley.org.uk. Podiatrist will be undertaken, before any treatment is given. Charges There is no charge for the initial NHS Podiatry assessment. If someone qualifies for the service, he/she will then need to purchase their own personal nail care kit from us, which is a one off cost. There is also a charge each time you receive foot care treatment. How to access the service? People can: • self refer by contacting us directly • ask a family member or carer to contact us for them • be referred by an NHS Podiatrist, their GP or a Health or Social Care professional.
6 Age UK Dudley
Fix-A-Home Individuals requiring a specialised job not covered by the Small Tasks Handyperson Scheme can ask for a copy of the Fix-A-Home directory, a Trading Standards approved scheme produced by Age UK Dudley and Dudley Trading Standards which details Contractors across a wide variety of different trades. Contact details: for more information telephone the Staysafe team on 01384 267004 or email [email protected]. Health and Wellbeing Services Eat Well!...in later life LEAP over 50, Exercise and Eat Well!...in later life enables people to take Activities steps towards a healthier lifestyle. This service provides opportunities for older We aim to help individuals understand healthy people to improve and maintain their health eating, follow a balanced diet and increase and wellbeing. their activity levels. LEAP works with individuals, groups and We deliver free 6 week Get Cooking! Courses organisations across the Dudley Borough and a 12 week Community Fit Club nutrition to create and promote exercise and activity and fitness programme. opportunities for people, whatever their ability. Who can use the service? We deliver a weekly walking and cycling programme, can issue activity information for People age 50 and over and living in the your postcode area and we are constantly Dudley Borough developing a variety of sports and social How to access the service activities for older people. People can contact us directly or be referred by Who can access the activities? a health care professional or social worker. Anyone aged 50 or over living in the Dudley Contact details Borough who would like to: For more information telephone the Eat • meet and socialise with like minded people Well Coordinator on 01384 354651 or email • try something new and have fun [email protected]. • take steps towards a healthier lifestyle. How to access the activities People can contact us directly. Contact details For more information telephone the LEAP team on 01384 343535 or email leapover50@ ageukdudley.org.uk.
7 Age UK Dudley
Shopmobility Shopmobility is a chargeable service which provides manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers to members of the public with limited mobility to enable them to get the most from their days out at the Merry Hill Shopping Centre. Who can use Shopmobility? Anyone who needs a bit of help with their mobility whilst visiting the Merry Hill Centre. It doesn’t matter what age you are and you do not need to be registered disabled. Charges Information and Advice There are registration and hire charges for We offer a free, independent and confidential this service but some equipment can be hired information and advice service for older people, without being registered. their families and carers on a wide range of How to access Shopmobility issue. People can contact us directly to discuss their Common enquiries include advice on benefits, requirements. coping with money matters, housing rights, Contact details health and social care, family and personal matters. For more information telephone the Shopmobility team on 01384 267007 or email Who can use the service? [email protected]. People aged 60 and over living in the Dudley Borough. Will Writing and Legal Advice How to access the service Clinics People can self refer or we accept referrals Working with Guardian Wills, we offer special from the following sources: weekly appointments for people 50 and over wishing to arrange their Will(s) or Lasting • Family, friends and neighbours Power of Attorney. • Carers We also provide Free Legal Advice Surgeries • Social Services Contact details • GP Practices and healthcare professionals For further information telephone our head If you are referring yourself please contact us to office on 01384 354508 or email mail@ make an appointment. ageududley.org.uk. Contact details For more information telephone the Information and Advice team on 01384 267006 or email [email protected].
8 Patient choice of GP practice
Patient choice of GP practice
Following changes to GP contracts, all GP practices in England will be free to register new patients who live outside their practice boundary area from January 2015. This means that you are able to join practices in more convenient locations, such as a practice near your work. The idea is to provide you with greater choice and to improve the quality of GP services. These new arrangements are voluntary for GP practices.
A good GP practice should provide the started you should ask at the reception desk of following to all patients: your practice. • A professional and helpful team of GPs, Cancelling and missing appointments. practice staff and other Please always try to let the healthcare professionals. Groups can represent GP practice know when • A practice that is accessible patients through collecting you are unable to attend to everyone and provides patient feedback, sharing an appointment. It is your a comfortable and organised best practice by working responsibility as a patient to environment. with other similar groups cancel any appointment you • A flexible and efficient and working with the have made in reasonable time appointment booking system. practices to improve so that another patient can patient services. They also benefit from the appointment • Assurance of systems to help to run courses within slot. monitor and improve the the practice, volunteer safety and quality of care. Making an appointment support services and Be polite to receptionists. They • Appropriate, respectful and awareness events and are busy people who often have legal management of patient provide newsletters and information. to deal with unhappy patients. information directories Being polite to them will • A private consultation room encourage them to help you. that provides reassurance and builds a patient’s confidence and trust. If you have a complaint or concern about your GP or Practice? • Opportunities for patients to get involved and have their say. First raise it with the staff member concerned or the Practice Manager. It may just be an issue Patient involvement groups of poor communication. Ask your practice for a Most GP practices have patient involvement copy of their Complaints process to follow. groups. These groups are made up of If you are not happy with how they respond individual patients who take an active interest to your concerns then you can write to NHS in patient healthcare and are sometimes known England and they will allocate someone to look as Patient Participation or Partnership Groups into your complaint. (PPGs). Write to: NHS England The involvement groups can have many PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT functions and each group and practice sets its Tel: 0300 311 22 33 own terms of reference. To find out about your Email: [email protected] local patient involvement group or to get one
9 Patient choice of GP practice
GP SURGERIES Postcode Name Address Town/City Phone number B62 0HP Lapal Medical Practice 95 Goodrest Avenue Halesowen 01214 222345 B62 9DR Feldon Lane Surgery Feldon Lane Halesowen 01214 224703 B62 9LR Clement Road Medical Centre 4a Clement Road Halesowen 01215 592044 B63 1AB Meadowbrook Surgery 4, Meadowbrook Road Halesowen 01215 501034 B63 2DH Crestfield Surgery 39 Highfield Road Halesowen 01384 566789 B63 3HN Halesowen Health Centre 14 Birmingham St Halesowen 01215 501010 B63 3RN Feldon Practice (Hawne Lane Branch) 6 Hawne Lane Halesowen 01215 502207 B63 3UH Alexandra Medical Centre 1 Short Street Halesowen 01215 855188 B63 4WD Halesowen Medical Practice 2 Quarry Lane Halesowen 01215 504917 DY1 1RN Cross Street Health Centre Cross Street Dudley 01384 459044 DY1 1RT Steppingstones Medical Practice Stafford Street Dudley 01384 458229 DY1 2BY St James Medical Practice Malthouse Drive Dudley 01384 252729 DY1 2ER Keelinge House Surgery 176 Stourbridge Road Dudley 01384 77194 DY1 2HQ Dudley Urgent Care Centre Pensnett Road Dudley 01384 456111 DY1 2QD Eve Hill Medical Practice 29 Himley Road Dudley 01384 254423 DY1 2TY Castle Meadows Surgery 100 Milking Bank Dudley 01384 234737 DY1 3QZ The Greens Health Centre 100 Maple Green Dudley 01902 667949 DY2 0EF Dudley Partnerships for Health LLP 10 Quarry Road Dudley 01384 569050 DY2 7BX The Surgery Central Clinic, Hall Street Dudley 01384 253616 DY2 8TH Bean Road Medical Practice 5 Bean Road Dudley 01384 252229 DY2 9PS Netherton Surgery 84 Halesowen Road Dudley 01384 239657 DY2 9PU Netherton Health Centre Halesowen Road Dudley 01384 884030 DY3 1AF Woodsetton Medical Centre 40 Bourne Street Dudley 01902 883346 DY3 1LS Bath Street Medical Centre 73 Bath Street Dudley 01902 887870 DY3 1UX Tandon Medical Centre Kent Street Dudley 01902 882243 DY3 2NQ Lower Gornal Medical Practice Bull Street, Dudley 01384 322422 DY3 3QY Northway Medical Centre 8 Alderwood Precinct Dudley 01902 885180 DY3 3UH The Ridgeway Surgery 175 The Ridgeway, Dudley 01902 886500 DY5 1RU The Waterfront Surgery Venture Way Brierley Hill 01384 321288 DY5 2AE Quarry Bank Medical Centre 165 High Street Brierley Hill 01384 566651 DY5 2JS Thorns Road Surgery 43 Thorns Road Brierley Hill 01384 484894 DY5 3EE AW Surgeries Albion Street Brierley Hill 01384 884031 DY5 3JR Quincy Rise Surgery 30 Sandringham Way Brierley Hill 01384 422688 DY5 3RJ Withymoor Surgery 1 Squires Court Brierley Hill 01384 884031 DY5 4DS High Oak Surgery 120 High Street Brierley Hill 01384 366155 DY6 8DN Kingswinford Health Centre Standhills Road Kingswinford 01384 271241 DY6 8PN Rangeways Road Surgery 33 Rangeways Road Kingswinford 01384 366166 DY6 9HS Moss Grove Surgery - Kingswinford 15 Moss Grove Kingswinford 01384 277377 DY6 9JG The Summerhill Surgery Summerhill Kingswinford 01384 273275 DY8 3DB Norton Medical Practice 9, Whittington Road Stourbridge 01384 393120 DY8 3SS Worcester Street Consultancy 2 Lowndes Road Stourbridge 01384 322249 DY8 4JB Stourbridge Health and Social Care Centre John Corbett Drive Stourbridge 01384 322501 DY8 5PD Wordsley Green Health Centre Wordsley Green Stourbridge 01384 277591 DY9 8BT Chapel Street Medical Centre 87 Chapel Street Stourbridge 01384 897668 DY9 8DJ Pedmore Medical Practice 22 Pedmore Road Stourbridge 01384 422591 DY9 8LL The Limes Medical Centre 172 High Street Stourbridge 01384 426929 DY9 9DS Wychbury Medical Centre 121 Oakfield Road Stourbridge 01384 322300 WV14 9DJ Coseley Medical Centre 32-34 Avenue Road Bilston 01902 882070 10 Healthy eating for over 50s
Healthy eating for over 50s Healthy eating can improve your quality of life and help you avoid diseases associated with ageing. There’s a lot you can do to introduce healthier foods into your diet without giving up all of your favourites. A change in your food requirements • limit your consumption of food and drinks A major reason for age-related weight gain is that are high in sugar, or in saturated fats that the rate at which you burn calories in food - like butter and drink, known as your metabolic rate, slows • choose lower-fat meat, poultry and dairy down with age. The extra calories will turn into foods surplus body fat over time if you don’t adjust • eat more fish – aim for two portions a week, your diet or exercise more. including one portion of oily fish such as How much should you eat? salmon, fresh tuna, mackerel, sardines Weight gain is all about how much energy you or trout take in to your body and how much energy • drink less alcohol your body uses. To lose weight you need to • limit your salt intake to a maximum of six take less energy (calories) into your body from grams a day – try not to add it to your food food and drink than the amount your body uses and beware of added salt in processed foods up by being active. Remember that you’ll need and ready-made meals fewer calories in your 50s and 60s than you did in your 30s. • try not to skip meals, particularly breakfast • eat a variety of foods to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs How much you can eat without putting on weight is also linked to how much you Links between diet, exercise and health exercise. Being active burns calories, so Increased activity is perhaps the key to weight it can help you to lose weight. control as you age. Eating a balanced diet, not overeating and eating the right foods is important. Manage your weight with a balanced diet You may have to reduce your calorie intake Research shows, for example, a link between slightly and ensure that you keep active. It’s diet and many major diseases, like coronary not a good idea to follow fad diets. It can make heart disease and cancer. By walking regularly it even harder to manage your weight over the you cut your rate of physical decline by half. long term. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise five times a week is what the experts recommend. It can be To get the best from your diet: all in one half-hour, or split into smaller bouts of • eat at least five portions of fruit and activity throughout your day. vegetables a day base meals on starchy foods like bread, potatoes, rice or pasta Remember, before changing your diet or starting an exercise regime, it’s a good idea to • drink plenty of water and cut out fizzy, sugary talk to your doctor. drinks - watch out for hidden sugars added to many soft drinks
11 Staying physically active
Staying physically active Keeping physically active improves your health and quality of life, and can also help you to live longer. It’s never too late to start doing some exercise.
Health benefits The risks of physical inactivity Inactivity puts Physical activity means anything from everyday you at greater risk of: tasks, like cleaning the house, heavy gardening • heart disease or walking the dog. Or specific exercise like • some cancers keep fit, swimming, golf, football, gym-based activity or tennis. The best type of activity is • diabetes one that makes you feel slightly warmer and • osteoporosis, leading to fractures (half the breathe a bit heavier, getting your heart and number of hip fractures could be avoided pulse pumping faster than usual. with regular physical activity) Some of the benefits of keeping active • obesity and related health problems include: Getting started • a reduced risk of developing a There is no reason life-threatening disease If you haven’t done any exercise to give up a sport or for years - and it’s estimated that • a greater likelihood of exercise you enjoy just four out of 10 people over 50 do maintaining or reaching a because you are getting little or no exercise - then start healthy weight older. You should aim to gently and build up gradually. • a greater sense of well-being do at least 30 minutes If you’re exercising for the first • improved sleep and increased of moderate physical time or are unsure if you should day-time vitality activity five or more try a particular activity, talk to times a week. your GP. • stay independent Experts recommend thirty • have a healthy heart minutes of moderate exercise • reduce falls a day at least five times a week. It can be all • keep up with children you know in one half-hour, or split into three periods of ten minutes or in smaller bouts of activity • meet people and share the company of throughout your day. others A good starting point may be to begin with a • feel happier and keep your brain sharp short five-minute brisk walk in your local park. • age better Then build up gradually, increasing slowly to the full 30 minutes over a number of weeks. If you stay physically active, you’re also likely Walking is great for your health. There are to stay independent longer. Exercise can make walking groups open to different ages around you stronger. You’ll feel more confident and the country. involved in life. Remember, before beginning a new exercise regime, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first. Your GP is also a good place to start to learn about exercise for your health.
12 Staying physically active
Age guidelines How much activity is enough? There is no reason to give up a sport or Try to be active for 2 hours each week and do exercise you enjoy just because you are getting activities to improve muscle strength at least older. You should aim to do at least 30 minutes twice a week.” A little activity every day (a ‘daily of moderate physical activity five or more times dose’) can make a big difference. a week. Even if you haven’t been particularly Remember: athletic at a younger age, there are many benefits of improved fitness as you get older. • routine activities like carrying the washing or Remember to keep moving and retain your shopping can help improve muscle strength mobility and flexibility through daily activity as • regular walking can improve your health well. • go at your own pace If you’re in your 80s or 90s, regular, gentle exercise can help retain muscle strength and • listen to your body improve mobility. Through daily activity you can • Little and often, preferably in short periods retain mobility and flexibility. of at least 10 minutes - all the little periods of Daily activities activity add up It’s easy to boost your physical activity without Physical activity guidelines for older adults making huge changes to your lifestyle. You can How much physical activity do older adults begin by incorporating it into your everyday life aged 65 and over need to do to keep with little effort or planning. You can: healthy? • walk upstairs - don’t use the lift or escalator To stay healthy or to improve health, older • get off the bus or train a stop or two earlier to adults need to do two types of physical activity walk home or to work each week: aerobic and strength exercises. • spend more time enjoying active interests, Guidelines for older adults aged 65 and over like gardening or golf Older adults aged 65 or older, who are • leave the car at home more generally fit and have no health conditions that limit their mobility, should try to be active daily • clean the car by hand and should do: • vacuum the house • At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic • use email less and walk to talk to people in activity such as cycling or walking every your office week, and strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles • play movement games with children you (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders know – children can always come up with and arms). great ideas • take a walk with friends rather than sitting with them for a chat • move around the house, for example every time you make a cup of tea, walk up the stairs while the kettle boils or the tea brews Organised activities There are lots of other ways to stay fit. You could take up a weekly Tai Chi class, play bowls, go swimming, ramble or cycle. In some areas, your local council might offer free or cut-price gym-based exercise at the local sports or leisure centre.
13 Staying physically active
• 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity such One way to tell if you’re exercising at a as running or a game of singles tennis every moderate level is if you can still talk, but you week, and strength exercises on two or more can’t sing the words to a song. days a week that work all the major muscles Daily chores such as shopping, cooking or (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders housework don’t count towards your 150 and arms). minutes, because the effort isn’t enough to OR raise your heart rate, but they are important • A mix of moderate and vigorous aerobic nonetheless, as they break up periods of activity every week. For example, two 30 sitting. minute runs, plus 30 minutes of fast walking, What counts as vigorous aerobic activity? equates to 150 minutes of moderate aerobic There is good evidence that vigorous activity activity, and strength exercises on two can bring health benefits over and above that or more days a week that work all the major of moderate activity. muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms). Examples of activities that may require vigorous effort for most people include: A rule of thumb is that one minute of vigorous activity provides the same health benefits as • jogging or running two minutes of moderate activity. • aerobics You should also try to break up long periods of • swimming sitting with light activity, as sedentary behaviour is now considered an independent risk factor • riding a bike fast or on hills for ill health, no matter how much exercise you • tennis do. Find out why sitting is bad for your health. • football Older adults at risk of falls, such as people with • hiking uphill weak legs, poor balance and some medical conditions, should do exercises to improve • energetic dancing balance and co-ordination on at least two days • martial arts a week. Examples include yoga, tai chi and dancing. Try the aerobic workout videos in the NHS Fitness Studio. What counts as moderate aerobic activity? Vigorous activity makes you breathe hard and Examples of activities that require moderate fast. If you’re working at this level, you won’t effort for most people include: be able to say more than a few words without • walking pausing for breath. • water aerobics In general, 75 minutes of vigorous activity can give similar health benefits to 150 minutes of • ballroom and line dancing moderate activity. • riding a bike on level ground or with few hills What activities strengthen muscles? • playing doubles tennis Muscle strength is necessary for: • pushing a lawn mower • all daily movement • canoeing • building and maintaining strong bones • volleyball • regulating blood sugar and blood pressure Try the aerobic video workouts in the NHS • maintaining a healthy weight Fitness Studio. Muscle-strengthening exercises are counted Moderate activity will raise your heart rate and in repetitions and sets. A repetition is one make you breathe faster and feel warmer. complete movement of an activity, like a bicep curl or a sit-up. A set is a group of repetitions.
14 Staying physically active
For each strength exercise, try to do: You can do activities that strengthen your • at least one set muscles on the same day or on different days as your aerobic activity – whatever’s best for you. • eight to 12 repetitions in each set Muscle-strengthening exercises are not an To gain health benefits from strength exercises, aerobic activity, so you’ll need to do them in you should do them to the point where you find addition to your 150 minutes of aerobic activity. it hard to complete another repetition. Some vigorous activities count as both an There are many ways you can strengthen aerobic activity and a muscle-strengthening your muscles, whether at home or in the gym. activity. Examples of muscle-strengthening activities include: Examples include: • carrying or moving heavy loads, such as • circuit training groceries • aerobics • activities that involve stepping and jumping, • running such as dancing • football • heavy gardening, such as digging or • rugby shovelling • netball • exercises that use your body weight for • hockey resistance, such as push-ups or sit-ups It is always best to discuss your options with • yoga your GP or health profession when planning to • lifting weights engage in any exercise regime
STAIRLIFTS SMS & MOBILITY
• Stairlifts - Straight & Curved • Mobility Scooters • Wheelchairs • Rise & Recliners • Daily Living Aids EVERYDAY LOW • Instore Demonstrations PRICES SALES • SERVICE • REPAIRS ALL WORK CARRIED OUT BY QUALIFIED ENGINEERS Call us: 01384 356 356 VISIT OUR SHOWROOM Just around the Visit our showroom: 3 Middlepark Road | Dudley | DY1 2LW corner from the Open: Mon - Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm | Sat 9.30am - 12.30pm hospital also at BILSTON INDOOR MARKET | Mon, Thurs, Fri & Sat
15 Keeping mobile
Keeping mobile and preventing falls
There’s a lot you can do to maintain your mobility and independence as you age. You can take steps to improve safety and prevent falls.
Who is at risk? Some organisations, for example, your local Council, Housing association or a local private About one third of people over 65 fall each community alarm provider may offer a 24-hour year, with higher rates for over 75s. community alarm service. Up to 20 per cent of falls require medical The service provides help and reassurance in attention. Falls make up half of the hospital an emergency to people who are elderly and at admissions for accidental injury, especially hip risk of falls. You can keep your alarm with you fractures. at all times as a pendant around your neck or Half of the falls reported by older people follow on your wrist. a trip or an accident. Some 90 per If you fall you press the button cent of hip fractures are caused Exercise is one of the on the pendant to activate a by a fall. best ways to prevent separate alarm unit. This alarm Around 50 per cent of falls are falls, as well as making unit has a powerful microphone preventable. you more confident and and loud speaker, letting you talk Assessing your level of risk able to enjoy life. to a member of staff who will get help. There are things to look out for that can help you, your family or You might also consider the option of carers know whether you are at risk of having a sheltered housing, where you maintain your fall. To find out what the risks are, you can ask independence but have background support for a falls risk assessment at your GP’s surgery when you need it. or at a specialist clinic. Keeping yourself steady The falls assessment aims to discover anything that might cause you to fall and highlights To stay firmly on your feet, a few simple specific things that can be done to help. changes - like making sure stairs are kept clear and well lit - can make all the difference and Following the assessment, the doctor or nurse keep you mobile. will prepare a plan for you to help reduce your risk of falling in future. What to do if you have a fall You should ask your GP for more information if Try not to panic, but get help by making a noise you think you need an assessment. like banging or shouting, using your personal alarm or dialling 999. Make your home safer • make sure you keep warm, even just by There are changes you can make at home that tensing your arm and leg muscles will help you to prevent falls, like installing hand rails to keep you steady in the bathroom or out • wrap yourself with anything warm to hand in the garden. Afterwards, it’s important to tell your doctor what’s happened - that way you can receive the correct medical assistance.
16 Volunteering
Volunteering may boost mental wellbeing in older adults
“Giving up time for charity work found to boost The demand for volunteers remains high and mental wellbeing as people get older,” the there is always somebody you can help or Mail Online reports. A new UK-based study something you can do to make the world a found that volunteering was associated with better place. Read more about options for increased mental wellbeing; but mainly in volunteering, whatever your age. adults aged between 40 and 70. Where did the story come Researchers used data from the Researchers used from? British Household Panel Survey, data from the British The study was carried out by which is an ongoing survey Household Panel three researchers from the designed to track social and Survey, which is University of Southampton and public health trends. an ongoing survey University of Birmingham, and Researchers found that, designed to track was funded by the Economic generally, people’s health social and public health and Social Research Council, the Office for the Third Sector, and mental wellbeing score trends. got worse as they got older. and the Barrow Cadbury However, when people got over Trust through the Third Sector the age of 40-45, while scores Research Centre. generally continued to get worse The study was published in the peer-reviewed for those who never volunteered, they got BMJ Open journal, which as the name better for those who did any volunteering. suggests, is openly available for access to all. The study’s main limitation is that this can’t The media generally takes quite a simplistic prove cause and effect, or tell the direction of view on these findings which do not prove the relationship. People who volunteer may that volunteering boosts wellbeing. The Mail have better health scores because those includes messages such as “if you want to who feel healthy, active and in a good state get the most out of charity work wait until of wellbeing are more likely to go out and you are at least 40”, “younger people view volunteer to help others than those who feel helping others as a duty and a chore” and “as in poor health. It’s not necessarily the case people get older, volunteering really boosts that the reverse is true; that volunteering has their mental wellbeing” – not one of which is caused the good health state. demonstrated by the findings of this study. It could be that the association works both Similarly, The Daily Telegraph reports that ways – better wellbeing probably makes you “Volunteering is not beneficial until you hit more inclined to help others, and helping 40, study finds.” The implication that you others probably boosts your sense of should only do charitable work if you are wellbeing. guaranteed to benefit from it seems a little, well, uncharitable.
17 Volunteering
What kind of research was this? Researchers adjusted for potential confounding This was a cohort study based on data factors including income, marital status, collected during the British Household educational level and social group. Panel Survey which aimed to see whether What were the basic results? volunteering was associated with mental After excluding those with missing exposure wellbeing among British people across the or outcome data, the researchers had data for course of life. 66,343 people (47% male). Previous research has suggested that freely Most people (80%) did not do any volunteer giving to benefit another person, group or work each survey year. About a quarter of organisation can boost a person’s self-rated those aged 60-74 volunteered compared with health, though most studies have looked at 17% in the youngest 15-29 age group. Also, older adults. This study aimed to see whether it more women (22%) volunteered than men affects all age groups. (19.5%). What did the research involve? Those who did any volunteering had slightly The British Household Panel Survey started better (lower) GHQ scores than those who in 1991, selecting a nationally representative did none (10.7 vs. 11.4). Scores were lowest sample of 5,000 households. Those aged 15 among those who frequently volunteered. or over were interviewed annually until 2008. When looking at the interaction between The study captures 18 waves of data covering volunteering, GHQ score and age, they found various age groups followed up over time. that generally, regardless of volunteer status, all The survey collected data on various areas people’s GHQ score got worse (higher) as they of the participants’ life, including occupation, aged. However, when you got above the age education, health, household consumption, of 40-45, scores generally continued to rise for and social life. Information on volunteering those who never volunteered, but went down was collected in alternative years starting from again for all those who volunteered – rarely, wave 6 (1996). This was assessed by asking if infrequently or frequently. people “do unpaid voluntary work”. How did the researchers interpret the Response categories were: results? • at least once a week The researchers conclude: “volunteering may • once a month be more meaningful for mental well-being at • several times a year some points of time in the life course”. • once a year or less Conclusion • never This research doesn’t prove that volunteering will improve your sense of health and For the purpose of this analysis the researchers wellbeing. combined groups 2 and 3 to give four overall groups – frequent, infrequent, rare or never. The study does have several strengths in that it is a high quality nationally representative survey The outcome of interest was the General Health that collected regular and comprehensive data Questionnaire (GHQ) response, which includes for a large number of UK citizens. However, the 12 questions covering happiness, mental main limitation is that it’s unable to prove cause distress (anguish or depression) and well-being and effect, or suggest the direction of the to give a total score of between 0 and 36. The relationship. Those who volunteered had better lower the GHQ score, the better a person’s (lower) GHQ scores than those who didn’t – health is judged to be. and this was most marked in middle aged to older adults.
18 Volunteering
But this may mean that those who feel healthy, Additionally, while this study has data for more active and in a good state of wellbeing are than 66,000 people, this still only represents more likely to go out and volunteer to help two-thirds of those taking part in the surveys, others than those who feel in poor health. Not the rest had incomplete data. Those with necessarily the reverse, that volunteering has missing data tended to be younger, female, of caused the good health state. lower education and occupational level. The The score difference was also marginal – on researchers say that GHQ scores did not differ average 11.4 for those who never volunteered between drop-outs and those analysed, but the compared with 10.7 for those who did. How full data-set may still have had some difference. much of a meaningful difference this small The relationship between a person’s self- difference would make to the person’s rated health and wellbeing and whether or everyday life is not possible to say. These not they volunteer is likely to be a complex are also of course subjective scores – not relationship influenced by many other factors confirmed diagnoses of depression. and personal characteristics. It most probably When looking at the volunteer work, the survey works both ways – better wellbeing probably did not prompt respondents with examples makes you more inclined to help others, and of what might be meant by “unpaid voluntary helping others probably boosts your sense of work”. Neither did it look into the types of wellbeing. work they did. Therefore, it isn’t certain that You can register to become a volunteer via this is a reliable estimate of the frequency of our website www.ageukdudley.org.uk volunteering in Britain. or by contacting us on 01384 356150
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19 Your right to social care
Your right to social care and support
If you think you need social care support, you’ll need to think about what types of support you need – be it homecare workers, equipment or respite breaks. Your first step to getting this sort of help should be to ask your local authority social services department for an assessment of your needs. This assessment will help you decide on the type of services you may want, as well as helping the local authority understand which services you need. Your local authority may be able to offer you some care services for free. It’s worth finding out if you can get free services from your local After this, if you are eligible for care and authority because the cost of buying care support, social services or an independent services is likely to be high if you have long- adviser will work with you to create a care and term care needs, and they could increase as support plan. you get older. If you feel that your needs have changed As part of the CARE ACT Your local authority over time, you can request a review of your now has an obligation to assess anyone who care plan, or a re-assessment if you were not appears to care & support needs. originally eligible for care and support. Contact the social care team at your local authority to The authority should: discuss this. • Make an assessment of your needs Assessing your care and support needs regardless of your personal financial circumstances. If you have care and support needs and find it difficult to look after yourself, your local • Provide you with information about services authority may be able to advise you and and options available to you in your area. provide you with some help. • Offer you a carer’s assessment if you are an The best way to get help from your local unpaid informal/family carer. authority is to ask for a care and support needs The assessment by the local authority is assessment. You can do this by contacting the important because it helps them work out local authority adult social services department. what your difficulties are and what services will When you get assessed by the local authority, help you most. Often, only minor assistance is as a minimum you may be given information needed – such as meals on wheels and help and signposting to other services, and ways with washing or dressing, yet these services that you might find funding to pay for them. could make a big difference to your life. However, if your needs meet the national If your local authority decides you are eligible eligibility criteria, your local authority will have for social care support, they will carry out a to meet these needs. financial assessment to determine how much you will need to pay towards your care, if anything.
20 Your right to social care
Local authorities must consider whether the person’s needs: • arise from or are related to a physical or mental impairment or illness • make them unable to achieve two or more specified outcomes • as a result of being unable to meet these outcomes, there is likely to be a significant impact on the adult’s wellbeing An adult’s needs are only eligible where they meet all three of these conditions. The specified outcomes measured include: The local authority will involve you throughout the assessment to identify what your needs are • managing and maintaining nutrition, such as and how these impact on your wellbeing. They being able to prepare and eat food and drink will also discuss with you how you wish to live • maintaining personal hygiene, such as being your life and whether there are certain aims you able to wash themselves and their clothes would like to achieve but you are unable to do • managing toilet needs so because of your care and support needs. • being able to dress appropriately, for The assessment will start to consider how example during cold weather your care needs might be met. This could include identifying how preventative services • being able to move around the home safely, like simple aids (such as devices to open jars including accessing the home from outside and tins more easily), adaptations to your • keeping the home sufficiently clean and safe home (such as handrails) or information about support available in the community might meet • being able to develop and maintain family or your need. It will also identify if you have a other personal relationships, in order to avoid higher level of need where you may need help loneliness or isolation in your own home or care in a care home. • accessing and engaging in work, training, The assessment should be carried out in a way education or volunteering, including physical that ensures your involvement and that takes access the right amount of time to capture all of your • being able to safely use necessary facilities needs. or services in the local community including If you have a friend or family member looking public transport and recreational facilities or after you as an unpaid carer, they can have a services carer’s assessment to see if they need support • carrying out any caring responsibilities, such to carry on their caring role. as for a child The local authority must give you a copy of Local authorities do not have responsibility your needs assessment or carer’s assessment. for providing NHS services such as patient What are the national eligibility criteria for transport, but they should consider needs for care and support? support when the adult is attending healthcare appointments. The eligibility threshold for adults with care and support needs is based on identifying how a person’s needs affect their ability to achieve relevant outcomes, and how this impacts on their wellbeing.
21 Planning for your future care needs
Planning for your future care needs
There may be times in your life when you think about the consequences of becoming seriously ill or disabled. This may be at a time of ill health or as a result of a life-changing event. It may simply be because you are the sort of person who likes to plan ahead. You may want to take the opportunity to think about what living with a serious illness might mean to you, your partner or your relatives, particularly if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. You may wish to record what your preferences and wishes for future care and treatment might be.
The costs of long-term care The Care Act 2014 creates new provisions Care has never been free and everyone should that will come into force from April 2020. It will think about the care they might need in the introduce a “cap on care costs” that, for the future. The long-term costs of care can be first time ever, will offer you protection from the significant, and while none of us like to think risk of losing everything you have to meet your that we will become old, ill or disabled, it does care costs. happen. It does this by setting a maximum amount that Just like your pension, it is never too early you will have to pay towards your eligible care to start thinking and planning your care and needs. This amount will be set nationally, but support needs and their costs. if you are eligible for local authority support to meet your costs, you will pay much less. Even if you’re generally fit and healthy and Once you reach the cap, your local authority of working age, don’t ignore your future will take over meeting the cost. However, this care. If you’re making long-term financial only applies directly to care services you are arrangements, you may want to take into eligible for, and you will still have to pay other account the potential costs of your future care costs such as a contribution towards your needs. accommodation. Alongside this, the point at which you may be eligible for financial help from your local authority with your care costs is being extended. Currently, if you have more than £23,250 in assets, such as your home or savings, you will need to meet the full cost of your care. From April 2020 this will increase so that more people benefit from financial help. How your local authority can help with planning your care The Care Act 2014 makes clear that local authorities must provide or arrange services that help to prevent people developing care and support needs, or delay people deteriorating to the point where they would need ongoing care and support.
22 Planning for your future care needs
Even if you don’t want or need financial If you think you need care now, or in the very assistance with your care, your local authority near future, the best way to plan your care and can still help you plan your care, so it is worth find out about your care needs is to ask your contacting the adult social services of your local authority for an assessment. local council to find out the options available to The sooner you ask for an assessment, the you and your family. sooner that plans for your care can be made. Local authorities must work with people in their These plans should include what should be areas to provide or arrange services that help done in the event of an emergency. to keep people well and independent. This Financial planning for future care needs should include identifying the local support and resources already available, and helping Local authorities have to help people get people to access them. They should make independent financial advice, to enable clear: planning and preparation for future care costs. This encompasses a range of services from • what types of care and support are generic sources of information and advice, available – such as specialised dementia such as websites or helplines, to tailored care, befriending services, reablement advice relating to specific financial products, (short-term care time, for example, to which can only be provided by a regulated get someone safe, happy and able financial advisor. Some of these services may to live independently in their home after they charge a fee. have been discharged from hospital), personal assistance and residential care The Money Advice Service website has tips on planning ahead for a time when you can’t • the range of care and support services manage your own finances. available to local people – in other words, what local providers offer certain Making decisions about your future care types of services needs and wishes • what process local people need to use to get If you are nearing retirement age, it’s important care and support that is available that you take account of your likely care needs and plan accordingly. You may wish to consider • where local people can find independent setting up a Power of Attorney or an advanced financial advice about care and support and decision (living will). These will help people to help them to access it take account of your preferences if you lose the • how people can raise concerns about the capacity to make decisions. You will also want safety or wellbeing of someone who has care to ensure that you have thought about how you and support needs might pay for the care you need. Many of us will put off planning for care and support arrangements until the last possible moment. Having an urgent need for care and support after a crisis may mean that we and our families feel pressured into making decisions quickly. Under such pressure, asking the right questions, thinking and planning for your future needs – including options for meeting the cost of care – are vital. It is important that you seek good advice on these subjects so that you can consider your best short-term and long-term options.
23 Planning for your future care needs
There are several factors to consider when Independent advice on planning your care planning social care. These include: If you are making plans for your future care – • the type of condition you have, and the best at whatever stage – it is worth getting advice. ways for you to stay healthy and independent You may want to get specific care advice from • the type of care you would prefer, and a charity, general advice from Citizens Advice whether it would meet your needs or specialist legal, financial or welfare rights advice. If you have difficulty communicating • where you would like to be cared for – in or exerting your rights, you may want to have your own home, in a residential care setting an advocate to deal with these issues on your such as a care home, or in the community behalf. Your local authority social services while you are living at home department should have information about • how much your care is likely to cost and organisations in your area that help people whether you may be entitled to free care or who have social care needs. They may offer an financial help advocacy service. • who you want to care for you, and whether, If you have a specific condition, you may want if you want friends or family to be your to get in touch with a national organisation carers, they are able and willing to do so that supports people with this condition. Your GP surgery should have information on the You will need to weigh up the pros and cons of relevant groups and organisations. each care option against these factors. For more information read, “Choosing Care Services” (page 28). One of the common decisions people are faced with is whether they should sell their home to pay for their care. If you are thinking about moving into a Make sure your assets are residential care home and are worried in capable hands. about meeting the costs, ask your council for information about a “deferred payment agreement”. This is an arrangement whereby the person agrees, with their local authority, to pay some of their care fees at a later date. This means they should not be forced to sell their home during their lifetime to pay for their care. A person or their estate usually repays the local authority from the sale of their property at a later date. The Care Act 2014 introduces rules that mean councils have to offer deferred For over 21 years Age UK Dudley, Age UK Wolverhampton, and Age UK Sandwell have been offering a payments to people. “ Wills/Lasting Power of Attorney service in conjunction with Guardian Wills Ltd. The service is available by
appointment for those aged over 50 every Tuesday at Wolverhampton and every Thursday at Merry Hill Centre.
A single Will starts from £90 and Wills for a couple from £115. Home visits are also available from £120 for a single and £145 for a couple. All prices include VAT. For further information or to book an appointment please “ telephone Age UK Dudley on 01384-354508 & Age UK Wolverhampton on 01902-572060 or Guardian Wills on 01384-291527. Guardian Wills Tel: 01384 291 527 Email: [email protected] www.guardianwills.co.uk
24 Are you a carer?
Are you a Carer?
Carers’ assessments Eligibility for care and support services What to do when you first become a carer A carer’s assessment looks at the different If you provide care and support to an adult ways caring affects your life, and works out friend or family member, you may be eligible for how you can carry on doing the things that support from your local council. are important to you and your family. It covers your caring role, your feelings about caring, This support could include being offered your physical, mental and emotional health, money to pay for things that make caring and how caring affects your work, leisure, easier. Or the local council might offer practical education, wider family and relationships. support, such as arranging for someone to step in when you need a short break. It could also Your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing put you in touch with local support groups so should be at the heart of this assessment. This you have people to talk to. means that you can tell the council how caring for someone is affecting your life and what you The Care Act 2014 makes carer’s assessments want to be able to do in your day-to-day life. more widely available to people in caring roles. When the assessment is complete, the local Local councils now have a legal duty to assess council will decide whether your needs are any carer who requests one or who appears to “eligible” for support from them. After the need support. assessment, your council will write to you If you are a carer and you need some support, about their decision and give you reasons to get in touch with the council covering the explain what they have decided. area where the person you care for lives. The If you have eligible needs, your council will council will be able to give you information and contact you to discuss what help might be advice about how the assessment will work. available. This will be based on the information A carer’s assessment is a discussion between you gave them during your assessment. you and a trained person either from the If you do not have needs that are eligible, your council or another organisation that the council council will give you information and advice, works. including what local care and support is The assessment will consider the impact available. This could include, for example, help the care and support you provide is having from local voluntary organisations. on your own wellbeing, as well as important aspects of the rest of your life, including the things you want to achieve day-to-day. It must also consider other important issues, such as whether you are able or willing to carry on caring, whether you work or want to work, and whether you want to study or do more socially. The assessment could be done face-to-face, over the telephone or online. The council will use the assessment to identify your support needs, and to discuss how these could be met. This might mean that the council will give you help or put you in touch with other organisations, such as local charities, that you can talk to.
25 Are you a carer?
Before your carer’s assessment It is vital that it considers whether the role of a If you have arranged to have a carer’s carer is affecting your health or safety. assessment of your needs, give yourself plenty Carers sometimes take on physical tasks, such of time to think about your role as a carer and as lifting and carrying, which can cause long- note your thoughts down. You might consider: term health problems. Others can find that the • whether you want to continue being a carer stress of the role can lead to depression or other mental health problems. In some cases, safety • if you were prepared to continue, what can be an issue; for instance, because of the changes would make your life easier behaviour of the person they look after. • if there is any risk that you will not be able to During your assessment, explain any mental or continue as a carer without support physical health problems you are experiencing. • whether you have any physical or mental Social services will consider all aspects of your health problems, including stress or health and safety, including caring tasks that depression, which make your role as a carer might put your health or wellbeing at risk. more difficult Some of the things you might need help with • whether being a carer affects your include: relationships with other people, including • support to ensure you’re able to attend any family and friends medical appointments • if you are in paid work, whether being a carer • support if you need to go into hospital for an causes problems at your work (such as often operation (including recovery after surgery) being late) that you might have been putting off because • if you like more time to yourself so that you of your caring commitment. can have a rest or enjoy some leisure activity • training for you, such as safely lifting • if you like to do some training, voluntary work A carer’s assessment should also look at your or paid work own interests and commitments to see if and Your decision to be a carer how they are disrupted by your role as a carer. When your carer’s assessment is done, no If they are disrupted, a social worker could assumptions should be made about your discuss with you whether some support could willingness to be a carer. This can be a very improve matters for you. sensitive area, because many of us feel that we The assessment should look at: have a duty to those we care for. We sometimes rule out other options because we feel we have • marriage or other such relationships no choice. You have the right to choose: • friendships and community role • whether to be a carer at all • paid employment or voluntary work • how much care you are willing to provide • interests, sport, leisure and hobbies • the type of care you are willing to provide • time for yourself There may be some parts of the role that you One of the most important parts of your carer’s find more difficult than others. assessment will be a discussion about your Take a step back and think about your role as a wishes concerning paid work, training or leisure carer. This can be useful in the discussion you activities. have during a carer’s assessment. You may wish to ask in advance for the assessment to happen in private, so that you can speak freely.
26 Are you a carer?
The local council must consider the support Your support plan should consider whether you may need if you want to stay in your paid your situation is likely to change, but you may job or return to paid work. They must also want to contact social services and ask them to consider the support you may need if you want reassess you if this happens. to continue or start studying or training. Carer's assessments and hospital discharge During and after a carer’s assessment You might have a carer's assessment or a If you are looking after someone, the local review of your support plan if the person you council will consider a broad range of issues care for has been in hospital and is being that can affect your ability to provide care as discharged. part of their assessment of your needs. Carer's assessments and NHS When assessing your needs, social services continuing care must consider whether your role as a carer As well as care and support organised by is sustainable. The assessment is about your the council, some people are also eligible to needs and therefore you should: receive help from the NHS. This help may • have a reasonably detailed discussion about be a nursing service for people who are ill all the matters relevant to you or recovering at home after leaving hospital. • have the assessment in private if you want to, It could include things like changing the at a convenient time and place for you dressings on wounds or giving medication. • get relevant information, including about If you are eligible for this kind of help, a health welfare benefits you could claim and details professional such as your GP or community of other services nurse should be able to tell you. • have a chance to identify the outcomes that In exceptional circumstances, where an you want; any services should be adult has a complex medical condition and appropriate for you and meet your needs substantial ongoing care needs, the NHS • be given flexibility and innovation in provides a service called NHS continuing identifying services that may meet your healthcare. NHS continuing healthcare needs provides care and support in a person’s home, • have an opportunity to give feedback about care home or hospice. the assessment • be told about any charges before services are arranged Support planning for carers After your assessment, you and the local council will agree a support plan, which sets out how your needs will be met. This might include help with housework, buying a laptop to keep in touch with family and friends, or becoming a member of a gym so you can look after their own health. It may be that the best way to meet a carer’s needs is to provide care and support directly to the person that they care for, for example, by providing replacement care to allow the carer to take a break. It is possible to do this as long as the person needing care agrees.
27 Choosing care services
Choosing care services
Choosing your care services can be a daunting prospect. There are many care options available, but which kind of support is right for you?
Think about what you get most out of in life. You may want to get help at home, perhaps You may have particular interests that you want through having home help come in to help you to keep up, or you may simply want to spend with daily tasks. time with your family or friends. You may have a To stay independently at home, you may job that you want to keep on doing, or a social need to have care services in the form of activity, sport, religion or a political group that adaptations to your home (to help with mobility, you want to keep up with. for example) or perhaps just equipment to help Your social care support should – as much as you out. possible – help you to continue to do these However, your home may not always be the things, and may help you find new things to do. best environment if you have care needs. It When choosing the type of care, you also need may not be safe for you, particularly if you do to think about: not have a friend or relative around to help (if • location you live in an isolated rural area, for example). Or you may have particular needs that cannot • services be easily met in your home. • standards and quality If you do need to move out of your home • price for care reasons, there is a variety of Location of your care accommodation options that you may want to consider. These include sheltered housing, Your own home is often the best place for you extra care housing and residential care homes to get care services. At home is where you or nursing homes. may have family and friends and you’ll be in a familiar and hopefully safe environment. If you are thinking about moving, it’s worth considering whether it is best to stay in the area you are in now, which you will be familiar with, or whether you should move elsewhere to be nearer family or friends. You may also want to think about the location from a practical perspective (whether it’s on a bus route, for example) or for more personal reasons (such as whether you like the surroundings). The kinds of care services on offer If you are choosing a care service – particularly if it’s an ongoing service such as home care or a place in a care home, you should think about the particular things you want from the service (this will often be referred to as your “outcomes”).
28 Choosing care services
Use the services search to find out about The price of your care the location, services, facilities, staff and When choosing social care services, you will performance of a Care Quality Commission have to consider how much the services may (CQC) registered care home or homecare cost. The cost of your care may reflect each of provider. Your search results should tell you the aspects listed above: location, quality and whether a service can support you if you have the kinds of services offered. particular needs, such as a sensory impairment or a learning disability. If you have had an assessment from your local council, you may get services for free. However, If the service is not registered with the many people have to pay for their own care CQC, you may have to ask them directly for services (self-funders), and even people who information about the services, and you may have care funded by the local council will need want to get independent verification, if any is to know about the costs of care if they are available. Your local council may have a list of using a personal budget or a direct payment. local support providers, with information on each. More information Standards and quality of care The Money Advice Service has more information on choosing the right sort of care Everyone has a right to expect certain services. standards in their care. Your care services should help keep you safe and well, but also treat you with dignity and respect. You should always be able to express a choice in your care. The standards for social care providers, such as care homes, are set out by the CQC. The CQC’s inspection reports will tell you which services are meeting the minimum requirements. If you do not think the service is meeting these requirements, you may want to make a complaint. Good quality services, in whatever form they take, will treat you as an individual and attend to your personal needs. If you have homecare, for instance, the care workers who come into your home should listen to your wishes and include you and your family in decisions and care. When choosing care, you might want to look out for services that are signed up to the social Refused Treatment for care commitment. the surgery you need? Check how well your local council social services are performing. Treatment not funded on the NHS? Fed up of waiting?
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Call us on 01384 880 174 to find out more about our different surgeries and treatments and book an appointment with us now. Colman Hill, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 2AH
29 Funding care
Funding care Care and support services in England have never been free. Most people have to pay something towards their own care and some will have to pay for all of the costs.
Your local authority (council) may cover some NHS continuing healthcare or all of the cost of care in some circumstances, If the person you care for has very severe and but its help is “means-tested”. This means that complex health needs, they may qualify for who pays depends on what your needs are, NHS continuing healthcare. This is an ongoing how much money you have, and what level and package of care that’s fully funded by the NHS. type of care and support you require. In some areas of the country, you can arrange For most people needing social care services, your NHS Continuing Healthcare using a the first place to start is by asking your local personal health budget – similar to the personal authority for an assessment of your social care budgets for social care outlined above. (care and support) needs. NHS-funded nursing care If the local authority considers that you need support that it can provide, it may also carry You should receive NHS-funded nursing care if: out an assessment of your finances. This • you live in a care home registered to provide assessment will determine whether the local nursing care, and authority will meet all the cost of your care, or whether you will need to contribute towards your • you don’t qualify for NHS continuing care cost or whether you will have to meet the healthcare but have been assessed as full costs yourself. Find out about needing care from a registered nurse support paid for by your local The NHS will make a payment authority. NHS care could be directly to the care home to fund Currently, local authorities won’t provided in hospital, but care from registered nurses who provide care services if you have it could be in someone’s are usually employed by the care more than £23,250 in savings own home or elsewhere home. and property (your “capital”). in the community. NHS aftercare However, from April 2020, this People who were previously threshold will rise alongside the detained in hospital under certain introduction of the cap on care costs, so more sections of the Mental Health Act will have their people will be eligible for help sooner. aftercare services provided for free. Alternatives to care funded by the local Help from charities and funds authority There are other sources of funding you might NHS care be able to access to help you with funding The NHS is responsible for funding certain care. Some charities can help with funding types of healthcare equipment you may need. In care needs. For example, the Family Fund is a some situations, the NHS is also responsible for government-backed charity that can help with meeting care needs. This is usually when your grants if you care for a severely disabled child need is mainly for healthcare rather than social aged 17 or under. You can get an application care pack from the Family Fund website. NHS care could be provided in hospital, but it Get personal advice on care funding could be in someone’s own home or elsewhere The cost of care and support is likely to be a in the community. long-term commitment and may be substantial, particularly if you choose to go into a care home, or if you have care needs at an early age.
30 Funding care
If you or a member of the family need to pay for The ‘cap on care costs’ care at home or in a care home, it’s important Currently, it is not easy to plan for your future to understand the alternatives. This makes care needs, as it’s hard to estimate how advice tailored to your individual needs vital. long you will need care for and how your You can get advice from: circumstances may change. From April 2020, a • your local authority – through an assessment “cap” on the costs of meeting your eligible care of your care and support needs, as well as needs (but not accommodation associated advice on which services are available locally with care or nursing costs) is being introduced. • financial advice from a qualified, independent The cap means that, once reached, the local source – there are independent financial authority will take over paying the cost of their advisers who specialise in care funding eligible care needs. advice; they are regulated by the Financial The cap will not cover your daily living costs. Conduct Authority and must stick to a These costs include expenses such as rent, code of conduct and ethics, and take shared food and utilities and the costs you would responsibility for the suitability of any product face even if you did not have care needs. It they recommend is important to note that daily living costs will Paying for your own care and support be a nationally set figure. This figure will be a “notional” amount rather than the actual costs. Many people who use care and support This is designed to support consistency and services will pay for all of the costs. This is enable people to plan. known as being a “self-funder”. To benefit from the cap once it comes in, you The cost of your care will vary depending on will need to contact your local authority to see if its type, intensity, specialisation, location and your needs are eligible. If you are seen to have duration. For example, a place in a residential eligible care needs, the local authority will open care home will cost hundreds of pounds a a “care account” for you. This account records week. your progress (the amount of costs you have To make decisions that have such major incurred) towards the cap. The cap does not financial implications, you may want to seek begin until April 2020 and any costs incurred independent financial advice and it’s always before this will not count towards the cap. worth researching the costs of alternatives The BBC’s care calculator can estimate how first. For example, if you are considering a much you may have to pay for care services care home place, the cost should be weighed depending on where you live in England, once against the cost of care and support that may the new rules are in place. This will give you help you remain in your current home, such as an idea of how the cap will work for you, but homecare. actual costs will vary to reflect your individual How much will care cost? circumstances and needs and how they change over time. If you are thinking about your future care needs or are facing immediate decisions about care For more information on how paying for care is options, it can be helpful to get an idea how changing from 2020, read about the changes in much care can cost. the Care Act. Inevitably, the price you would pay will depend Ask for help from your local authority on your particular circumstances and needs. It’s worth checking whether you’re eligible for The costs also vary depending on where you means-tested support from your local authority live. Unfortunately, care homes and homecare or other financial support – for example, agencies tend not to provide this information through a care needs assessment and a publicly but you may find it helpful to search for financial assessment. and contact care services in your area to get some idea of likely costs. 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 re- mortgaging any property you may own. 31 Funding care
The new Care Act 2014 means more people • The Society of Later Life Advisers: the society may be able to benefit from “deferred can also help you find advice on how to payments”. make financial plans for care in your old age. Deferred payments can help people avoid • Find Me Good Care: a website of the Social being forced to sell their home in a crisis in Care Institute for Excellence. It has advice on order to pay for their care by having the council all aspects of planning and funding social temporarily cover the cost – usually until you care. sell your property. Following the Care Act, • Age UK: has great advice for older people and every local authority in England has to make those planning for their later years. deferred payment agreements available. • Carers UK: an excellent resource of advice for As an alternative, you may be able to enter carers who need to help someone else. an “equity release scheme” with a financial • Which? Elderly Care has a guide to financing organisation. Equity release can pay for the care. fees from the value of property you own. Deferred payments if you are unable to pay However, you should consider which of these for care services options best meets your needs, and what the Care home fees are a big financial commitment, overall costs to you will be. and the decision to go into a care home is often Before taking such significant financial steps made at a moment of crisis or urgency, such as as equity release, you might want to get when being discharged from hospital. This can independent financial advice. make finding the money to pay for fees (usually several hundred pounds a week) challenging for You can find information on equity release people funding their own care. for care at home from Which? Elderly Care or the Money Advice Service’s equity release In particular, if you own property outright but information. have little in the way of savings, you may be expected to fund your own care but have little If you’re planning ahead, you may consider immediately available money to pay for it. Some arranging an investment or insurance plan to people going to stay in a care home for a long fund your care. Again, it may be worth taking time find that they have no option but to sell their independent advice on financial arrangements property to pay the care home fees. before making major changes. Because of the Your council may be able to help you if you new rules, there are likely to be more financial are at risk of having to sell your home. Where products emerging that are designed to help there is a delay in selling the property, or you people pay for care. don’t want to sell the property immediately, you You may also want to explore whether the may be eligible to have your care fee payment NHS would meet some or all of your care and “deferred”. This is where the local authority support costs, or you may have entitlement to helps you to pay your care fees temporarily, and benefits that may help you meet costs. Read you repay the costs to the local authority at a about other ways of funding care. later date. If the local authority agrees to the deferred Advice on paying for care payment and pays the care home fees, it will Even if your local authority is not able to help take payment from the money raised once the fund your care, it will be able to make an property is sold. This can be: assessment of your care and support needs. • during your lifetime if you choose to sell your From this, the local authority can provide you home with access to a range of information and advice available locally. • once you die, the local authority can be repaid from your estate You can also get independent advice from: All councils must offer people the chance to • The Money Advice Service website: offers defer payment if they meet a set of eligibility information on paying for care or the option criteria. to speak to an online adviser. You can call the Money Advice Service on 0300 500 5000.
32 Funding care
A deferred payment scheme is only available if worth bearing in mind that choosing deferred you don’t have enough income to cover your payments can impact on some welfare benefits. care home fees, and you have less in savings Protection for self-funders than £23,250. In these circumstances, the While you may have the savings in place to savings don’t include the value of your property, afford care services, if you lack the capacity to but does include money in bank accounts. The make the arrangements, the local authority can local authority will put a “legal charge” (similar step in to help. to a mortgage) on the property and will then pay the remaining care fees in full. You will The local authority can also help people who then be assessed to see whether they are able lack capacity by negotiating fees with a care to pay a weekly charge to the authority. Your provider and paying them directly. The local authority will need to be reimbursed. ability to pay is based on your income less a set “disposable income allowance” (currently £144 Anyone entering into a contract for care services per week). should be given adequate information about the fees. Care providers should supply: Before considering deferred payments, you should look into whether the property will • information about the fees charged for various or won’t be counted in how your capital is services provided calculated. For instance, it may be disregarded • arrangements for paying the fees because your partner still lives there, and if it • the fees charged for any additional services is a deferred payment agreement wouldn’t be If your capital falls below the set levels for local necessary. authority funding (currently £23,250), you will be It’s wise to get independent financial advice eligible for reassessment for help with funding before agreeing to a deferred payment, and it’s your care.
175 YEARS
ESTABLISHED 1843 1843 - 2018 Planning ahead
Before a person goes into residential One of the few allowable items care, the local authority carries out a of expenditure when it comes to means test of their assets and income, deprivation of assets is a prepaid funeral in order to calculate whether they can plan - which typically costs between afford to contribute some or all of the £3,500 to £4,500. overall care costs. In addition to helping lower your Deprivation of assets is a term used assets, a prepaid funeral plan could be to describe the process of reducing your a worthwhile investment considering the assets to avoid them being included in way funeral costs are continuing to rise the local authority means test; hence way above the rate of inflation, so it may the reason you are probably wanting be something you want to consider for to understand more about it. you or your relative.
Call 01384 395048 and let us take care of it www.hporter.co.uk
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33 Care and Support Plans
Care and support plans
If you are assessed by social services and are found to be eligible for support, the next stage is to draw up a care and support plan, or in the case of a carer with eligible needs, a support plan. What is a care plan? • keep as much dignity and respect as A care plan (sometimes called a care and possible It’s worth remembering that if there support plan, or support plan if you’re a carer) are different options that would meet your sets out how your care and support needs will assessed needs equally well, the local be met. authority can choose what it believes are the most cost-effective options. You should be fully involved in the preparation of your care plan, and you and anyone else Reviews of your care plan Your care plan you request should also get a written copy. The should be reviewed by social services within care plan must set out: • the needs identified the first three months, and then at least by the assessment whether, and to what annually. The review looks at whether the extent, the needs meet the eligibility criteria the outcomes identified in the care plan are being needs that the authority is going to meet, and met. It should also review these goals to make how it intends to do so for a person needing sure they’re still appropriate (and for instance, care, for which of the desired outcomes care that your care and support needs haven’t and support could be relevant for a carer, the changed), and check that any risk assessments outcomes the carer wishes to achieve, and are up to date. If, after the review, it is clear their wishes around providing care, work, that things have changed that affect the detail education and recreation where support could within the care plan, then the local authority be relevant the personal budget information will conduct a revision of the plan. This may and advice on what can be done to reduce also involve a needs assessment and financial the needs in question, and to prevent or delay assessment. the development of needs in the future where If it’s decided that you no longer qualify for needs are being met via a direct payment, the local authority support, you should receive needs to be met via the direct payment and the written reasons for this, with information about amount and frequency of the payments. other help available, including funding your Your care plan should be individual to you, own care. and you should be allowed to have as much Challenging your care plan involvement in the development of your plan as If you’re not happy with a care plan, the you wish. services provided, or the way an assessment Care and support should help you to: was carried out, you will need to use the • live independently local authority’s complaints process. It can sometimes be helpful to get support when • have as much control over your life as you’re making a complaint. Sources of help possible can include an advocacy organisation. • participate in society on an equal level, with access to employment and a family life • have the best possible quality of life
34 Care services in your home
Care services in your home If you need help around the home, a good option is to have a care worker come in to your home to help you. Types of homecare Homecare can be very flexible, in order to meet Homecare comes in many forms and has many your needs, and the same person or agency names used to describe it, including home may be able to provide some or all of these help, care attendants and “carers” (not to be options for the duration of your care: confused with unpaid family or friends who • long-term 24-hour care care for you). • short breaks for an unpaid family carer Homecare can suit you if you need: • emergency care • personal care, such as washing or dressing • day care • housekeeping or domestic work, such as • sessions ranging from 15-minute visits to 24- vacuuming hour assistance and everything in between • cooking or preparing meals If you already know what you want, you can • nursing and health care search NHS Choices directories for: • companionship • local homecare services and agencies • a list of national homecare organisations • services that can help you stay safe and well in your home on a long-term basis; these services, often known as “supported living services”, can include financial, help with medication, advocacy, social and practical support • a place to live in a family who will care for you, known as “shared lives services” or adult placement services If you believe that you might benefit from some Myles Court, the home of Age UK help at home, the first thing to do is to contact your social services department to ask for an Dudley’s Daybreak Centre assessment of your care and support needs. • Recently refurbished apartments with digital warden call To contact social services, go to GOV.UK: find service and secure video door entry your local authority. • Daybreak Centre open to the public and Myles Court residents * If you are eligible for homecare services, the • Regular days out and social activities including crafts, local authority may provide or arrange the help quizzes and exercise classes* themselves. Alternatively, you can arrange • Daily three course meal service* *Daybreak Centre charges apply your own care, funded by the local authority, through direct payments or a personal budget. Myles Court has studio and one bedroom apartments available to let for people over If you have chosen direct payments or a the age of 55. personal budget, or you aren’t eligible for local To arrange a viewing, or for more information, authority help and want to get care privately, call 0370 192 4933. you can arrange it in several different ways. Myles Court, John Street, Brierley Hill, Independent homecare agencies Dudley DY5 1RJ If you use an independent homecare agency, housingcare21 @HousingCare21 you or the person you’re looking after has to housingandcare21.co.uk find the care agency and pay them.
35 Care services in your home
The agency will provide a service through a • replace workers when they are ill, on holiday trained team of care workers, which means you or resign may not always have the same person visiting • put things right when they go wrong your home, although the agency will do its best to take your choices into account. Independent An agency will want to see you and the homecare providers are regulated by the person you’re looking after so that they can Care Quality Commission (CQC). Homecare assess your needs. This also means that a agencies must meet CQC’s national minimum joint decision can be made about the most standards and regulations in areas such as appropriate type of care and support. training and record-keeping. The CQC has You can find out more from the UK Homecare the power to inspect agencies and enforce Association. standards. What are the disadvantages of using a Homecare agencies must vet homecare homecare agency? workers before engaging them by taking up The main disadvantage is the cost of using an references and carrying out Disclosure and agency. The agency will charge a fee on top of Barring Service (DBS) checks on potential the payment made to the care worker to cover employees. Homecare agencies can also: their running costs and profit. You normally • take over the burden of being an employer have to make a regular payment to the agency, – for example, payroll, training, disciplinary which includes both the worker’s earnings and issues and insurance the agency’s fee. • train their homecare workers through Questions to ask when using a homecare national qualifications and service-specific agency training The fees some agencies charge can be quite high. Before deciding to go ahead with an agency, you should ask questions about the fee and what it covers, including: • Does the agency check references?
Care and Nursing at Home • What training and supervision do they provide? • What is their complaints policy? • Who will be 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 Do you need a Helping Hand? contracts to provide care every day, it must ensure that it does.) If you are looking for an alternative to residential care or extra support for those everyday tasks Hiring a personal assistant (P.A.) that are becoming difficult for you or a loved one You can hire a “personal assistant” to act – then we’re here to help in your local area from as a homecare worker for you. Personal 30 minutes per week to full-time Live-in Care. assistants can offer you all that you’ll get Our care teams have been providing award from an agency worker, but you’ll also get the winning quality home care since 1989 and can continuity, familiarity and ongoing relationship help with: with your assistant. However, if you employ a personal assistant, you will then have the legal • Getting out & about • Personal care responsibility of an employer. This will include • Housekeeping • Respite care arranging cover for their illness and holidays. GOV.UK has more information on becoming an Looking for care? More information employer, while Which? Elderly Care also has 01384 505 872 www.helpinghands.co.uk advice on employing private individuals.
36 Care services in your home
Homecare from charities Manual handling Charities such as Age UK and Carers Trust can If you need help to move, or you need provide home help and domestic assistance someone to lift you (such as getting out of services. The Carers Trust supports carers bed or getting on to the toilet), this can put the by giving them a break from their caring person doing the lifting at risk of injury. responsibilities through homecare services. This “manual handling” can result in back pain Marie Curie Nurses can provide practical and and in the most serious cases, permanent emotional support for people near the end of disability if not done correctly. their lives in their own homes. The law says that employers must take Safeguarding vulnerable groups reasonable precautions to ensure their The DBS makes decisions about who is employees don’t do any manual handling unsuitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable that carries a risk of them being injured. This adults or children. It makes this decision based applies to you if you directly employ a personal on information held by various agencies and assistant to care for you (but most likely will not government departments. The service decides if you hire someone through an agency). It is who is unsuitable to work or volunteer with particularly important to consider insurance in vulnerable adults or children. this situation. This would cover any risk of the If someone who is barred from working with care worker injuring themselves, as well as any children or vulnerable adults is working, risk of them causing an injury. volunteering or trying to work or volunteer with these groups, they are breaking the law. They could face a fine and up to five years in prison. Employers must apply for an enhanced DBS check (formerly known as a CRB check) when taking on new employees or volunteers to work with vulnerable adults or children. This includes a check of the barred lists. If an organisation fails to make the relevant checks, they can be penalised. If an organisation dismisses an employee or volunteer for harming a child or vulnerable Domestic Cleaning Services for your Home adult, they must tell the DBS. The DBS must also be notified if any employee or volunteer Struggling to keep your house clean or harms a child or vulnerable adult, but isn’t just need a little extra help? dismissed because they leave voluntarily. If their organisation does not tell DBS, they will Merry Maids of Dudley be acting illegally. Questions can be answered and Wolverhampton provide professional domestic cleaning by the DBS call centre on 0870 909 0811. services to homes in Dudley Employing a care worker on a private basis and the surrounding areas. We can offer regular weekly, If you employ a care worker privately, you will fornightly or four-weekly not be obliged to use the DBS scheme, but cleans, as well as one off you can use it if you choose to. You need to spring cleans and end of tenancy cleaning. ask social services or the police to make the checks on your behalf. The care worker must • Bespoke service • Regular & one off cleans have already applied to be vetted, and must • Trained & uniformed teams • Locally owned & operated since 2001 consent to the check. • Satisfaction guaranteed • Equipment & supplies provided If you have concerns about the suitability of All of our staff are highly trained and are a regular employed team someone you employ privately to work with a Merry Maids of Dudley and Wolverhampton vulnerable adult or child, you can ask social 01384 242809 or 01902 489420 - [email protected] services to investigate the matter. They can refer the worker to the ISA on your behalf. .co.uk /dudley
37 Care services in your home
HOME CARE AGENCIES Postcode Name Address Town/City Phone number B62 9DX DHC Midlands Ltd 1 Newlands Drive Halesowen 0796 654 5598 B62 9JH P&T Cares 4 U 124c Nimmings Road Halesowen 01215 598182 B63 2QB ELR Homecare Cradley Enterprise Centre Halesowen 0771 894 4238 B63 3JP Home Heroes Mill House, Mill Lane Halesowen 01212 279855 B63 3TT Direct Care Church Court, Stourbridge Road Halesowen 01162 436424 DY1 1DU Newbury Care Services 193 Wolverhampton Street Dudley 0771 893 3969 DY1 1JJ Lorac Healthcare 2 Parsons Street Dudley 01384 624553 DY1 2HD Unique Centred Care 2 Abbotsford Drive Dudley 01215 675461 DY1 3AN Ashton Home Care Rear of 62-64 Wolverhampton Street Dudley 01384 230288 DY2 7DJ Langstone Society 98-99 Dixons Green Road Dudley 01384 243665 DY2 7DJ CHADD 98-99 Dixons Green Road Dudley 01384 456465 DY2 8PS Nationwide Care Services 47-49 King Street Dudley 01384 211444 DY2 8ST Grazebrook Homes Limited 39 Adshead Road Dudley 01384 240502 DY2 9AF Courage Health Care Anchor House Dudley 01384 211141 DY2 9AF Martworld Care Services Limited Anchor House, New Road Dudley 01384 230677 DY2 9ER Zanta Healthcare Limited Northfield Road Dudley 01384 913223 DY2 9ES Home Instead Senior Care Northfield Road, Netherton Dudley 01213 668990 DY3 1SA Awarding Care 17 Dudley Street Dudley 01215 056104 DY3 2UH V.i.P Homecare Musk Lane Trading Estate Dudley 0797 355 0707 DY5 1HA Lily Healthcare 23 Dudley Road Dudley 0745 098 6528 DY5 1TA LJM Homecare Ltd Two Woods Lane Brierley Hill 01384 263731 DY5 2HP Home Matters Supporting People 82A Park Road Brierley Hill 01384 340441 DY5 3JA Elm Home Care High Street, Brockmoor Brierley Hill 01384 850205 DY6 7NA A C Homecare Pensnett Trading Estate Kingswinford 01384 400123 DY6 7YB Bluebird Care Second Avenue, Pensnett Trading Estate Kingswinford 01384 297839 DY6 7YD Dudley Crossroads 6 Watt House Kingswinford 01384 298513 DY6 8AP Academy Homecare Services High Street Kingswinford 01384 403003 DY8 1EQ Midcare Services Seba House, 97 High Street Stourbridge 0747 046 3994 DY8 1QY Oriel Care Home 87 Hagley Road Stourbridge 01384 375867 DY9 8NX Ricco Care 7 The Hayes Stourbridge 079 099 86317 WV14 9EE Woodford Homecare Bean Road Bilston 01902 677444
We are the independent regulator of health and social care services in England
We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve. www.cqc.org.uk
38 Care Homes
Care homes If you’re looking for a residential care home, there’s a huge variety of options available. There are permanent care homes for older people, homes for younger adults with disabilities, and homes for children. Care homes may be privately owned or run by charities or councils. Some will be small care homes based in home-like domestic dwellings, while others will be based in large communal centres. One of the first options you have to consider when choosing residential care is whether you need the care home to provide nursing care, or just standard personal care.
Consider other options for care first Choice of care home Going into a care home is a major commitment The law says that where the local authority is for your future – it involves changing where funding accommodation, it must allow a person you live and potentially committing to paying entering residential care to choose which care a considerable amount of money for your home they would prefer, within reason. ongoing accommodation and care needs. Social services must first agree the home is Before you opt for a move to a care home, you suitable for your needs and it would not cost should think about other less disruptive – and more than you would normally pay for a home potentially less costly – options, including: that would meet those needs. • home care Local authority help with the cost of residential care is means-tested. You are free to make your • help to live independently at home own arrangements if you can afford the long- You should also consider whether you really term cost. However, it is worth asking the local need the amount of care on offer at a care authority for a financial assessment, because it home, and look at alternatives such as "extra might pay some or all of your care costs. care" housing schemes or warden-controlled In the financial assessment, the local authority sheltered accommodation. These options offer can only take into account income and assets independence with an increased level of care you own. The local authority cannot ask and support. members of your family to pay for the basic Personal care or nursing care? cost of your care. Read more about local Care homes for older people may provide authority funding for care and funding your own personal care or nursing care. A care home care. registered to provide personal care will offer If you choose a care home that costs more support, ensuring basic personal needs are than the local authority usually expects to pay taken care of. A care home providing personal for a person with your needs, you may still care only can assist you with meals, bathing, be able to live in the care home if a relative or going to the toilet and taking medication, if you friend is willing and able to pay the difference need this sort of help. Find care homes without between what the local authority pays and the nursing. amount the care home charges – this is known Some residents may need nursing care, and as a "top-up" fee. some care homes are registered to provide However, if their situation changes and they this. These are often referred to as nursing are no longer able to pay the top-up, the local homes. For example, a care home might authority may have no obligation to continue to specialise in certain types of disability or fund the more expensive care home place and conditions such as dementia. Find care homes you may have to move out. It is worth thinking with nursing. about this potentially difficult situation when deciding on care home options.
39 Care Homes
Do not cancel your tenancy or sell your home • Is the care home focused on the residents' until the final decision has been made by individual needs, or do they insist that the local authority. The value of your home residents adapt to their routine? must not be included in the local authority's • What arrangements are there for visitors? means-testing until 12 weeks after you've Can residents come and go as they confirmed that the care home placement will be please, as far as it is safe to do so? Are staff permanent. able to help residents to go out? Are outings The Care Act 2014 is changing how people arranged? are able to pay for their own care, introducing • What involvement would you have in the the right for you to ask for the local authority care home? How would you communicate to pay for the cost of your care while you try to with staff? Are there any support groups or sell your home. This is known as a "deferred regular meetings? payment scheme". • If safety and security are issues, what Choosing a care home if you're funding your arrangements or supervision can the care own care home provide? If you are funding your own care, you have a • Will the care home meet your specific great deal of options, and you will need to do religious, ethnic, cultural or social needs? a lot of research on which care home provides Will the correct diet be provided? the best options for you in terms of its cost, Will the right language be spoken? Will there location, services, and a host of other potential be opportunities to participate in religious factors. Read on for tips on choosing your care activities? Do they allow pets? home. • When you are choosing accommodation it Choosing a care home if you're having care may be a lifelong decision, so you may provided by the local authority want to think about planning for end of After a needs assessment from social life care at the same time. services, you will be provided with a care plan, • You might also want to check what people which should make clear whether you need who have used the care home say about residential care and what other options, if any, it from online feedback and review services, might be available and most appropriate based such as those put together on NHS Choices on your needs. Website. Even if you're unlikely to be eligible for financial • Ask for a temporary stay in the care home help with residential care home fees, it could before you decide. Temporary stays in still be worth involving social services. The care homes can also be arranged needs assessment, and information they in certain circumstances, such as after a stay provide, are likely to be very helpful in making in hospital. decisions about care. A good care home will: Tips on choosing a care home • offer new residents and their families or • Check the most recent inspection report carers a guide (in a variety of accessible to see how well the care home is doing and formats) describing what they can expect if there is anything of concern. You can get while they're living there inspection reports by searching for the care • have staff who have worked there for a long home on the Care Quality Commission time, know the residents well, and are website friendly, supportive and respectful • Consider the location of a care home. Is the • employ well-trained staff, particularly where care home near family and friends? Are there specialist care such as dementia nursing is shops, leisure or educational facilities in the required area? Is the area noisy? • involve residents, carers and their families in decision-making
40 Care Homes
• support residents in doing things for You should also: themselves and maximising their • contact the benefits office, if you have one independence (including disability benefits, as these can be • offer a choice of tasty and nutritious food, affected by care home stays) and provide a variety of leisure and social • make sure other services at your previous activities taking residents' needs into account address have been notified • be a clean, bright and hygienic environment • let friends and family know your know that's adapted appropriately for residents, contact details and when you might feel up to with single bedrooms available receiving visitors • respect residents' privacy, modesty, dignity Rights of care home residents and choices The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the • be accredited under the Gold Standards regulator of health and adult social care Framework for end of life care in England, whether it's provided by the An unsatisfactory care home might: NHS, local authorities, private companies or • have a code of practice, but not adhere to it voluntary organisations. Under existing rules, • fail to take into account residents' needs and independent healthcare and adult social wishes, with most decisions made by staff services must be registered with the CQC. NHS providers, such as hospitals and ambulance • let residents' care plans become out of date, services, must also be registered. or fail to reflect their needs accurately • have staff who enter residents' rooms without The registration of organisations reassures knocking, and talk about residents within the public when they receive a care service or earshot of other people treatment. It also enables the CQC to check that organisations are continuing to meet CQC • deny residents their independence – for standards. example, by not allowing someone to feed themselves because it "takes too long" Standards for care homes are outlined on • have staff who don't make an effort to interact the CQC website. These standards are with residents and leave them sitting in front underpinned by regulations governing the of the TV all day quality and safety of services. • be in a poorly maintained building, with The regulations are enforceable by law – the rooms that all look the same and have little CQC can enforce fines, public warnings, or choice in furnishings even suspend or close a service if they believe • need cleaning, with shared bathrooms that people's basic rights or safety are at risk. aren't cleaned regularly Care home closures If you move into a care home Care homes will sometimes close. This can When you go into a care home, make sure the be because the owner decides not to carry management and staff of the home know about on providing the service in that location (for your condition, disability and other needs. They instance, if they retire), or because the home may have some of this information already – for has been sold or failed to meet legal standards. example, if the local authority has set up the Proposals to close a care home can obviously placement after a care needs assessment. cause great distress. If the care home is operated by the local authority, it has to follow Moving home can be unsettling at the best of a consultation process with residents and times, so when you move into a care home, it's families. good to have it planned in advance and have family or friends around you when you move to It may be best to get specialist legal advice make you feel more comfortable. in this situation. You can find an appropriate solicitor through the Law Society.
41 Care Homes
NURSING HOMES Postcode Name Address Town/City Phone number B62 9SJ Allenbrook Nursing Home 209 Spies Lane Halesowen 01214 225844 B63 1EN Woodview House Nursing Home Waugh Drive Hayley Green 01215 856440 DY1 2RU Castle Meadows Care Home 112 Dibdale Road Dudley 01384 254971 DY1 3EA Broadway Halls Care Home The Broadway Dudley 01384 215190 DY2 0DA Ashgrove Nursing Home 9 Dudley Wood Road Dudley 01384 413913 DY2 0PH Nethercrest Nursing Home Brewster Street Dudley 0345 293 7653 DY2 9LY Netherton Green Care Home Bowling Green Road Dudley 01384 410120 DY6 7DA Holbeche House Care Home Wolverhampton Road Kingswinford 01384 288924 DY6 7QJ Oaklands Care Home Wartell Bank Kingswinford 01384 291070 DY6 9HU Wyncroft House 16 Moss Grove Kingswinford 01384 291688 DY8 1HB Highbury House Nursing Home Parkfield Road Stourbridge 01384 354455 DY8 1ND Hollycroft Nursing Home 8-10 Red Hill Stourbridge 01384 394341 DY8 4EP Comberton Nursing Home 2 King William Street Stourbridge 01384 262027 DY8 4HZ Hollybush House Nursing Home John Corbett Drive Stourbridge 01384 442782 DY8 5QS Hillcroft Nursing Home 135 High Street Stourbridge 01384 271317 WV14 9EJ Jubilee Court Central Drive Coseley 01902 883426 WV14 9HN Island Court Bourne Street Dudley 01902 886300
42 Care Homes
RESIDENTIAL HOMES Postcode Name Address Town/City Phone number B62 0ES Lapal House and Lodge Lapal Lane South Halesowen 01215 030326 B62 8PQ Gower Gardens Kent Road Halesowen 01212 893965 B63 2LJ Two Gates House 40-44 Two Gates Lane Halesowen 01384 567448 B63 2PQ Everley Residential Home 15 Lyde Green Halesowen 01384 566686 DY1 1UB Greenleigh Care Home 120 Wellington Road Dudley 01384 70275 DY1 2AG Nelson House 1-3 Nelson Road Dudley 01384 237717 DY1 2DH Belvidere Residential Care Home 41-43 Stourbridge Road Dudley 01384 211850 DY1 2ER Camelot Rest Home 152 Stourbridge Road Dudley 01384 214290 DY1 2QF Himley Manor Care Home 133 Himley Road Dudley 01384 238588 DY1 2RS Ashbourne Care Home Lightwood Road Dudley 01384 505392 DY1 3JD Richmond Court Residential Home 16 St James’s Road Dudley 01384 254442 DY1 4AD Castleview Residential Care Home 6 Priory Road Dudley 01384 253426 DY1 4AD The Keepings 12 Priory Road Dudley 01384 253560 DY2 0PH Nethercrest Residential Home Brewster Street Dudley 01384 234463 DY2 7TB Edmore House Residential Home 20 Oakham Road Dudley 01384 255149 DY2 9LJ Oak House 36 Oak Street Dudley 01384 413622 DY2 9QD Micron House 41 Halesowen Road Dudley 01384 230504 DY3 1AB Park Lane House 163 Tipton Road Dudley 01902 884967 DY3 1QR Greenleigh 219 Wolverhampton Road Dudley 01902 664023 DY3 1ST Stanford House 15 Dudley Road Dudley 01902 880532 DY3 1SX Ridgeway Court Care Home 2-4 Dudley Road Dudley 01902 883130 DY5 1LB Amberley Care 481-483 Stourbridge Road Brierley Hill 01384 482365 DY5 1RB Victoria Lodge Bent Street Brierley Hill 01384 572567 DY5 3UR Abbeygate Care Centre 2 Leys Road Brierley Hill 01384 571295 DY5 4EA Rosewood Care Home 139-143 High Street Brierley Hill 01384 77441 DY5 4LE Tiled House 200 Tiled House Lane Pensnett 01384 813425 DY5 4RS Abercarn Care Home 56 High Street Pensnett 01384 480059 DY6 0HJ The Cherries 2B Beachcroft Road Kingswinford 01384 291100 DY6 9HP Castlewellan House 41 Moss Grove Kingswinford 01384 298321 DY6 9NP New Bradley Hall Stream Road Kingswinford 01384 278689 DY6 9PB Highfield Residential Home Stream Road Kingswinford 01384 288870 DY8 1QY Oriel Care Home 87-89 Hagley Road Stourbridge 01384 375867 DY8 2AH Avondale Residential Care Home 45 Norton Road Stourbridge 01384 442731 DY8 2HA Holly Lodge 9 Rectory Road Stourbridge 01384 373306 DY8 2TA Norton Lodge Care Home Ltd 142 Norton Road Stourbridge 01384 376666 DY8 3XF Tudor Manor 2 Brook Street Stourbridge 01384 379165 DY8 4BQ The Mount Residential Home 226 Brettell Lane Stourbridge 01384 265955 DY8 4JA Brambles Rest Home 69-69a Vicarage Road Dudley 01384 379034 DY8 4NP Rosemary Retirement Home 65 Vicarage Road Stourbridge 01384 397298 DY8 4QE Woodlands Retirement Residence 66 Bridle Road Stourbridge 01384 394851 DY8 4QJ Abbeymere Care Centre 12 Eggington Road Stourbridge 01384 395195 DY8 5SD Redbrick Court High Street Stourbridge 01384 485444 DY8 5SX Wordsley Hall Mill Street Stourport On Severn 01384 571606 DY9 0QY Wychbury Care Home 350-352 Hagley Road Stourbridge 01562 885106 DY9 0RS Woodlands Gate Rest Home 12 Dingle Road Stourbridge 01562 885546 DY9 0SA The Cedars Christian Residential 20-22 Redlake Road Stourbridge 01562 882299
43 Age UK Dudley 3 Dudley Court North, The Waterfront, Level Street Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 1XP 01384 354 508 [email protected] www.ageukdudley.org.uk