Wakefield Council – Helping you to find extra care and support to manage your life and the daily tasks in order to remain independent

You might find you need extra care and support to manage your life and daily tasks to help you remain independent. This might be as you start to get older, or if you have a disability, illness, or suffer from mental health problems.

This guide offers information on the support available for you in Wakefield, helping you to stay independent, well, and active.

What are Adults and Older People Services?

Adult Social Care gives extra care and support to people who need it to manage their lives and to be independent. It involves looking at what the person needs, the services we offer or funds available, to help you to buy your own care and support. It includes: • Residential care • Home care • Personal assistants • Day services • Aids and adaptations • Personal budgets Our main aim is to make sure you can: • live independently and stay healthy. • maintain your living circumstances. • play an equal part in your local community. • enjoy the best quality of life. • can have choice and control over your life. You can discover more information on the choices and pathways open to you at www. wakefield.gov.uk/health-care-and-advice/ adults-and-older-people-services

Care needs assessment

Care Needs assessments are carried out by Social Care Direct for adults (aged 18+) to find out what help, and support is needed. When you first contact us, we will ask you questions to find out what is happening in your life, such as the help you have now and the things that you think you need help with. We might also put you in touch with other services that we think may be able to help you. If we think that you have care and support needs, we will arrange for a full assessment which has three stages: 1. Your assessment 2. Creating a care and support plan 3. Start using your personal budget You can contact social care direct on 03458 503 503.

Paying for Care

Care arranged by your local council isn’t usually free. Following a care needs assessment there will be a financial assessment where the council will look at your income, savings and property to calculate how much you can afford to contribute towards the cost of your care and support. Currently if you have capital over £23,250 you must pay the full cost. You won’t ever be asked to pay more towards the cost of your support and care than your financial assessment shows you can afford. Should you choose not to tell us about your finances then you will be charged for the full cost of your care. You may think about giving away some of your savings, income or property to your relatives or charity, for example to avoid paying likely care costs. If the council thinks that you have done this to avoid paying care fees, they may still assess you as if you still had the money or property that you have given away. This is referred to as deprivation of assets.

Choosing how to pay for your care can be a big decision. We would advise you to get good and impartial financial advice. The Money Advice Service may be able to help. Visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk or call them on 0300 500 500. There are several national organisations who can help, including:

National Careline

www.thenationalcareline.org 0800 0699 784.

Which? Elderly Care

www.which.co.uk/later-life-care 029 2267 0000.

Age UK

www.ageuk.org.uk 01977 552114.

Citizens Advice

www.wakefielddistrictcab.co.uk 03444 111 444. If you would like to talk to someone about anything outlined, please call Social Care Direct on 0345 8 503 503 as a first point of call.

Out and about

It’s important to make sure you continue to get out and about, meet with family and friends and be part of your local community. If you’re looking for something new to take part in, you can find activities and groups near you through Nova. They have a useful directory of local community groups and services that are available across the district. To find out more visit www.nova-wd.org.uk or call 01924 367 418. Don’t forget for help with travelling around, West Yorkshire Metro offers discounted and free passes: www.wymetro.com

Mental Health and Wellbeing

1 in 4 adults experience at least one mental health problem in any one year. Poor mental health can lead to many problems, including low mood and depression, anger, and anxiety. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing mental health problems, getting help and support is essential. You can find support by visiting: www.wakefield.gov.uk/health-careand-advice/public-health/mental-healthwellbeing/mental-health-support

Caring for someone

There is support available for carers through Carers Wakefield. Whether you’re looking for someone to simply listen and talk things over with, or gain advice on groups, services, and benefits that could help, the team is on hand. Call 01924 305 544 or visit www.carewakefield.org.uk

Respite - breaks for carers

Respite or short-term care offers care for service users that also gives carers a break. The respite care service gives carers the freedom to decide when and where they take a break from caring and to take a break when they need it, with peace of mind that the person they look after is safe and receiving good care. For more information or contact Social Care Direct on 03458 503 503

Home Care Services

Many people find that there are times when they have difficulty coping with daily life and need support. This can be because of illness, disability, frailty, whether temporary or permanent. Often families, friends and neighbours are able to help, but some people may need more support to keep living at home and this is where Wakefield home care services may be able to help. The service can be provided within the Wakefield District by either our Personal Care Teams or by outside providers who have been approved by us. You may be given a cash budget so you can arrange your own care and support to meet needs identified in your assessment. An assessment is needed for this service and you will need to contact Social Care Direct on 03458 503 503 who can advise you further on this. If you don’t meet our standards for support, we will give advice and information about other, private care providers; this includes support from voluntary agencies and groups.

Telecare

Telecare is the use of technology and support systems to help vulnerable people to live at home. Telecare can improve and maintain well-being, self-esteem, and independence, letting people live safely and securely at home.

What is the difference between assistive technology and telecare?

Assistive technology is any piece of equipment that can help a person in their daily living. It becomes telecare when it is connected to a call system (onsite carer alert) or call centre that can alert a responder. For example, a vulnerable person may need an alarm that is connected to a call centre should they fall, which could raise the alarm and action could be taken to deal with the issue. For an information on Care Link please visit carelink@wdh.co.uk or contact the team directly on 01977 788 000.

Safeguarding adults from abuse

Safeguarding adults refers to: Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. If you feel someone you know may be being abused please contact Social Care Direct. The service is available 24 hours 7 days a week, please call 0345 8 503 503.