Thursday, 10 August 2023
Monday, 7 August 2023
wife
my wife is currently on Tarka Ward NDDH Barnstaple ,Devon
i sighlty uncomfortable with being told second hand information abour my wifes health through her daughthers,i wished to be informed of any reverant information about my wiffes health .
at some stage i expect she will get an assentment about coming home ,hopefully this will increase care visits and let us look into medical aids for helping her
yors
enids husband
mark
please reply
Care needs assessment
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/arranging-care/care-needs-assessment/
Care needs assessment
If you're finding it hard to manage and think you need social care, a care needs assessment is the first step. The assessment determines the kind of social care that would meet your care needs, whether this means adapting your home or moving into a care home.
How do I get a care needs assessment?
What does the care needs assessment involve?
How can I prepare for the assessment?
Will I be eligible for help from social services?
What happens after the assessment?
How do I get a care needs assessment?
Get in touch with the adult social services department of your local council and ask for a care needs assessment.
There’s no charge for a care needs assessment and you’re entitled to one regardless of your income, savings or level of need.
You can arrange a care needs assessment on behalf of a relative or friend, but they have to agree to the assessment (unless they don't have the capacity to make or communicate that decision themselves).
You can apply for a care needs assessment by contacting your local council.
If you’re a carer, you're entitled to a carer’s assessment, too.
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What does the care needs assessment involve?
A social care professional will usually come to see you to find out how you're managing everyday tasks. You may be offered an assessment online or over the phone – if you feel this isn't right for you, ask for a face-to-face assessment. They'll consider:
your health, and what you can and can't do, or struggle to do
your cultural and religious background and support network
your current living arrangements
how you'd like to be supported
information about your needs from your carer, if you want them to be involved in your assessment.
The assessor will also talk to other professionals who care for you, like your GP or nurse, if you’re happy for the council to do so. This is to make sure everyone is on the same page with the support you need.
Your local council must do their best to help you. They should consider what support you need right now, and what might help in the future.
How can I prepare for the assessment?
Think about the kind of help you need. Be specific, for example:
‘I need someone to help me get up and dressed in the mornings’
‘I need help to shower regularly’
‘I need to be reminded to take my medication’
Think about your cultural, social, religious and emotional needs too, for example:
‘I want to go to my place of worship once a week’
‘I want to visit my brother twice a month’
Ask a friend or carer to be with you at your assessment if you can.
The local council must provide you with someone to support you if you can’t speak up for yourself or have difficulty understanding others. This only applies if you don't have a friend or carer there to help you.
Will I be eligible for help from social services?
Local councils have their own assessment procedures, but they follow national criteria to decide who's eligible for care and support. In making their decision, they'll look at whether you're unable to do, or have difficulty with, daily living tasks, and whether this has a significant impact on your wellbeing.
Do you have care and support needs as a result of a physical or mental condition?
Are you unable to achieve two or more desired outcomes?
Is there, or is there likely to be, a significant impact on your wellbeing?
The daily living tasks include things like:
eating properly
going to the toilet
being safe at home
keeping your home clean and safe
seeing family and friends
going to work, volunteering, education or training
using services in your area.
If you have eligible needs, your local council has a legal duty to meet them.
What happens after the assessment?
After the assessment, a care plan should be agreed with you and a copy given to you. This will detail what needs you have and what could help to meet those needs.
Then there will be a means test to find out how much you need to contribute towards your care and support.
Sunday, 6 August 2023
Care after illness or hospital discharge (reablement)
Care after illness or hospital discharge (reablement)
If you or someone you know has been in hospital or had an illness or fall, you may need temporary care to help you get back to normal and stay independent.
This short-term care is sometimes called intermediate care, or aftercare. Reablement is a type of care that helps you relearn how to do daily activities, like cooking meals and washing.
Most people who receive this type of care do so for around 1 or 2 weeks, although you get free, short-term care for a maximum of 6 weeks. It will depend on how soon you are able to cope at home.
If you need care for longer than 6 weeks, you may have to pay for it.
When you can get free short-term care and how to get it
After leaving hospital
Care can help you recover from an illness or an operation.
Hospital staff will assess your health and help you to decide if you need further help to recover. If they think you do, they will arrange care before you leave hospital.
Speak to the person in charge of you going home (discharge co-ordinator) to make sure this happens.
Information:
Contact social services if you have been discharged and care hasn't been arranged.
The hospital will not get involved after you leave.
After a fall or short illness
Care can help you avoid going into hospital if you do not need to.
If you or someone you know falls or needs help because they're ill, speak to your GP surgery or social services.
They may be able to arrange for someone to come to your home and discuss what you need.
If you have started to find everyday tasks difficult
You can get help with daily tasks. This can help you learn new ways of doing things before needing paid home help.
If you find everyday tasks difficult, you can apply for a needs assessment at GOV.UK. This will identify the type of care or equipment you need.
What care you'll get
A team with a mix of people from the NHS and social services will help you do the things you need to do to stay independent.
This might include getting dressed, preparing a meal, or getting up and down stairs.
They might care for you at first, but will help you practise doing things on your own.
Your team might include:
a nurse
an occupational therapist
a physiotherapist
a speech and language therapist
a social worker
doctors
carers
They'll start with an assessment that looks at what you can do. You'll agree together what you want to do and set out a plan.
The plan will include a contact person who's in the team and the times and dates they'll visit you.
What happens when aftercare finishes
When aftercare finishes, your team should work with you and your family or carers to agree what happens next.
This should include:
other care you might need, such as home help
how you can refer yourself again if you need to
what you should do if something goes wrong
information about what other types of support or equipment might help
Ask your team's contact person about what happens next if your aftercare is coming to an end.
How to move, lift and handle someone else
How to move, lift and handle someone else
If you look after someone who has an illness or disability, you may need to help them move around.
In the bedroom:
getting in or out of bed
turning over in bed
sitting up in bed
In the bathroom:
bathing
showering
using the toilet
Elsewhere:
sitting in a chair
standing
walking
getting up from the floor after a fall
getting in and out of a vehicle
Common carers' injuries
It's essential to know about safe moving and handling so you don't hurt yourself or the person you look after.
The most common injuries carers get are back injuries. Injuring your back will limit your movement and your ability to care for someone. It could take a long time for you to recover.
Lifting someone incorrectly can also damage fragile skin, cause shoulder and neck injuries, increase existing breathing difficulties, or cause bruising or cuts.
Lifting checklist
If you regularly lift or move someone, it's best to get training or have someone demonstrate the correct techniques.
Before attempting to move someone, ask yourself:
do they need help to move?
do they require help or supervision?
have you told them you're moving them?
how heavy are they?
are you healthy and strong enough to move them?
is there anyone who could help you?
how long will it take?
is there enough space around you?
are there any obstacles in the way?
are you wearing suitable clothing and shoes – for example, if you're on a slippery or damp surface?
If you've assessed the situation and have decided to move the person, make sure you:
never lift above shoulder height
keep your feet stable
have a firm hold
keep any weight close to your body
keep your back straight and bend your knees
lift as smoothly as possible
How the council can help
Your local council has an obligation to help carers avoid health and safety risks.
Contact your local council and ask for a needs assessment for the person you look after, as well as a carer's assessment to help you.
For advice and guidance on moving and handling, ask for an occupational therapy assessment.
Training
Your council may run free training courses on safe handling.
If it doesn't offer manual handling courses, ask for a direct payment so you can pay for a course of your choice.
Equipment
The council may also provide free equipment – such as hoists, stand aids, transfer boards or slide sheets – to make moving someone safer and easier.
Buying equipment to lift or move someone
If you decide to buy any equipment, get advice beforehand from an occupational therapist or a social worker.
Try any equipment before you buy it. If you're considering buying an expensive item, ask to use the equipment for a trial period in the home of the person you're looking after.
The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) has information on buying different types of equipment used to move or lift someone safely
Getting a care needs assessment
Getting a care needs assessment
If you think you, or someone you know, needs help to cope day-to-day, the first step is to get a needs assessment from your local council.
You'll need to have this assessment before the council can recommend a service such as:
equipment like a walking frame or personal alarm
changes to your home such as a walk-in shower
practical help from a paid carer
day care for your child if either you or they are disabled
access to day centres and lunch clubs
moving to a care home
The needs assessment is free and anyone can ask for one.
How to get a needs assessment
Contact social services at your local council and ask for a needs assessment. You can call them or do it online.
Apply for a needs assessment on GOV.UK
What happens in the assessment
Someone from the council such as a social worker or occupational therapist will ask you how you're managing everyday tasks like washing, dressing and cooking.
They might ask you to describe how well you do certain things like making a cup of tea and getting out of a chair.
If it seems you may need some alterations in and around your home such as grab rails in the bathroom, you might also be referred for a separate assessment of your home.
The needs assessment can happen:
face-to-face
over the phone or online
Assessments usually last at least an hour.
How to prepare for your assessment
This is your chance to have your say.
Give as much detail as you can about all the everyday tasks you struggle with, even the little ones like turning taps on and off. Leaving out things might reduce the care recommended for you.
Which? Later Life Care has a checklist of typical questions you might be asked in the assessment regardless of your age.
Independent Age has a step-by-step guide to getting help from your council which may help you prepare for the assessment.
Have someone with you
Have a friend or relative with you, if possible. It will help if you're not confident explaining your situation. They can also take notes for you.
If you can't have a friend or relative with you, you could use an advocate. Advocates are people who speak up on your behalf. They can help you fill in forms and sit with you in meetings and assessments. They're often free.
Telephone help
If you want to talk to someone over the phone about needs assessments, call:
your local council's social services department – find your local council on GOV.UK
Age UK's free helpline on 0800 055 6112
Independent Age's free helpline on 0800 319 6789
The Family Rights Group's free helpline on 0808 801 0366
Getting the results
After the assessment, the local council will decide whether you need help, and you'll get the results of the assessment.
It identifies what kind of care and support would help you, such as a paid carer or meals delivered to your home (meals on wheels).
Paying for care
You'll generally be expected to pay toward the cost of social care.
If the assessment identifies you need help, you will have a financial assessment (means test) to see if the council will pay towards it. This will be arranged for you.
What if I'm told I don't need care?
If the needs assessment finds that you don't qualify for care and support, the council should still give you free advice about where you can get help in your community. Ask if this doesn't happen.
How to complain about a needs assessment
If you disagree with the results of your needs assessment or how it was done, you have a right to complain.
First complain to your local council. Your council should have a formal complaints procedure on its website. It should also tell you about it at your assessment.
If you're not happy with the way the council handles your complaint, you can take it to the local government and social care ombudsman. An ombudsman is an independent person who's been appointed to look into complaints about organisations.
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