Issue 1
Health & Social Care Signposting Directory 2014 Darlington
CONTENTS Contents About Us Your Voice Counts Volunteer for Healthwatch Have Your Say NHS Keep Calm Healthy Living Choosing a GP GP Surgeries & Hospitals Dentists Pharmacies Opticians & Hearing Centres Are you a Carer? Darlington Lifeline & Telecare Services Independent Living Advice on Paying for Care Legal Terms Care in Your Own Home Residential & Nursing Care Housing Options for the Over 50’s Choosing the Right Care Home Help & Advice Disclaimer This Directory has been compiled to signpost primary health and social care providers throughout the Darlington Borough. Whilst we have taken every care in compiling this publication, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. All listings are supplied via the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS Choices. Neither Healthwatch Darlington nor HealthCare Publications can be held responsible for any errors or omissions. All signposting services are up to date as of February 2014. A note on advertising: We offer businesses the chance to reach potential customers via this publication. It is our intention to clearly indicate that an advertisement is being displayed and no endorsement or approval by the promoters of any product, service or supplier should be implied.
Another quality publication by Healthcare Publications
SIGNPOSTING LOCAL HEALTHCARE
If you require extra copies of this directory or interested in advertising in future editions please contact Healthcare Publications on 0333 444 0214
ABOUT US What is Healthwatch? Healthwatch is the new Consumer Champion, or Watchdog for health and social care. It exists in two distinct forms – local Healthwatch, at local level and Healthwatch England, at national level. The aim of local Healthwatch is to give service users and communities a stronger voice to influence and challenge how health and social care services are provided locally. Who are we? Healthwatch Darlington is a brand new, independent organisation that will raise your views and opinions on Health and Social Care in Darlington and to help make your voices heard. We have a seat on the new Health and Wellbeing Board and on the Clinical Commissioning Group CCG's Community Council, ensuring that the views and experiences of patients, carers and other service users are taken into account when making and designing services. Healthwatch Darlington is representative of our diverse communities. Healthwatch Darlington has its own Board of Directors which direct its work.
The Healthwatch network is a new kind of consumer champion in health and social care. We will make sure the voice of the consumer is heard and acted upon. With our independent statutory powers, the network as a whole has a fantastic opportunity to make a difference. Healthwatch England looks forward to making sure the public’s voice is heard loud and clear by those who plan, run and regulate health and social care services.
Anna Bradley, Chair of Healthwatch England
We will • Enable local voices to influence the delivery and design of local health and social care services • Use local volunteers to gather views and experiences from local people • Involve and engage local people, putting YOU at the heart of Health and Social Care service decision making • Enable local people to make informed choices about their own, their families and friends’ health and social care • Influence the way services are planned, designed, commissioned and delivered • Have a strong relationships with Health and Social Care providers as a critical friend using community views to influence and improve planning and delivery of services • Provide information, advice and support about local services and signpost to them
YOUR VOICE COUNTS
“No decision about me, without me” Your Voice Counts and Healthwatch Darlington believes that . . . No matter who you are, where you live, or what age you are. You do have a voice and you have the right for that voice to be heard. We believe in the power of the collective voice of patients, carers, families, friends and the public to make things better. Our work will be driven by the ambition to develop a strong and thriving organisation for the people of Darlington. We will lead by example - we will be independent, constructive, transparent and inclusive. We will work collaboratory with those who can add value to our role as consumer champion. To achieve this, we need the support and involvement of volunteers to help us to contact, engage with and give support to the members of our community. This is how you fit in. You know your neighbourhood. You have relatives, friends, neighbours, colleagues and a whole network of contacts who you could ask for their views about how to influence and improve health and social care for everyone. You will also have knowledge, skills, abilities and interests that could help your local Healthwatch Darlington achieve its aim of improving the health and well being of your community. You might: • love meeting and talking to new people • enjoy helping out and organising events and activities • want the chance to represent the interests of your friends, your family and your community • know a lot about a particular illness or condition, or of using a particular service • have good computer skills • have a flair for designing publicity materials • want to learn more and gain new skills
Make that Difference Today You can become a participant of Healthwatch Darlington – all you need to do is register your interest. As a participant, we can contact you directly with news and information on local issues. You will have the opportunity to take part in projects and community forums as well as directly receive information. Your knowledge and advice may be sought on particular issues. Participants are a vital link between the Healthwatch Darlington Board and the wider public. If you have an interest in and care about your local health and social care services and want to make sure they are as good as possible reflecting the real needs of people who use them, we need you! We have lots of opportunities to get involved through our volunteering programme.
VOLUNTEER FOR HEALTHWATCH Become Involved Anyone can become involved with Healthwatch and contribute to its activities because everyone’s views matter. You can do as much or as little as you like – from filling in a survey, attending the occasional meeting about an issue of personal interest, signing up as a Healthwatch participant or becoming a Healthwatch Volunteer. What are Healthwatch Volunteers? Healthwatch volunteers are participants who act as the voice of the local community. They talk to local people about the quality of health and social care in their area and are committed to supporting Healthwatch Darlington to improve services. This role is vital to the improvement of local services by prioritising the issues that really matter to you in your own area. Healthwatch Volunteers can undertake as much or as little as they like from a range of specific roles. Roles of a Volunteer include: • Be the eyes and ears of local people and raise issues of concern • Make recommendations on how to improve local services • Tell people about Healthwatch and encourage them to become involved • Promote Healthwatch events and projects to local people • Liaise with other people/groups involved with engagement work • Attend meetings, groups and events as a Healthwatch Participant, representing your own views based on personal experience • Talk to patients about their experiences of using health and social care services • Visiting health and social care providers, as part of our Enter and View portfolio and activity
How to become a Healthwatch Volunteer No qualifications are needed to become a Healthwatch volunteer; just a willingness to listen and talk to a range of individuals, an open mind and a desire to raise the voice of local people. Volunteers who are authorised by Healthwatch Darlington such as undertaking observations of services (Enter and View) will undertake relevant training and some roles will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check (previously CRB check). You can become a Volunteer by: Contacting Healthwatch Darlington on 01325 380 145 or emailing info@healthwatchdarlington.co.uk From here we will send you an information pack with additional information about Healthwatch Darlington. This will include a role description for volunteers and an application form for you to complete and return to us. It is only with your support that Healthwatch Darlington can make a difference to the quality of local services. Anyone can apply to become a Healthwatch volunteer, however if you wish to take a less active role you can sign up to be a Healthwatch participant where you receive regular updates and newsletters.
HAVE YOUR SAY Tell us what you would like Healthwatch Darlington to do for you: 1) Have you had a good experience with the health and social care service, that you would like to share with us? 2) Do you have a relative or friend living in a Care Home? Are you/they happy with the care they receieve? 3) Can you get an appointment with your GP (Doctor) when you need to? 4) Have you had to stay in hospital recently, if so, what was it like? 5) Do you or a relative suffer from a long term illness; are you/they happy with the help and support you/they receive? Positive or negative experiences 6) Do you know what services are available and how to choose the right one when you need urgent care? Tell us your Experience. Are you a local Darlington resident? Have you used Health and Social Care services in the last 12 months? Please tell us about it here. Click here to take survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9SLCZYP
or scan the QR code with your smartphone.
Thank you for giving us your feedback. This will help Healthwatch Darlington to prioritise its work.
Contact Telephone: 01325 380 145 Text: 07525237723 Information and Signposting Freephone 0808 801 0383 Address: Freepost RTEH-TUCJ-TGCU, Healthwatch Darlington, eVOLution Building, Church Row, Darlington, DL1 5QD Email: info@healthwatchdarlington.co.uk Local Healthwatch Development Officer: Diane Lax Community Participation and Engagement Officer: Andrea Goldie
HEALTHY LIVING The choices we make about how we live can have a significant effect on our health. Eating a healthy diet, doing regular exercise, not smoking and not drinking too much alcohol can help you stay well and enjoy a long life. Keeping fit and healthy can be a challenge if you are living with a long-term condition, but it will make a big difference to your wellbeing. If you’ve been thinking about making changes to your lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, losing weight, eating healthily, drinking a little less alcohol, or doing more exercise, there’s plenty of help and support available. Talking to your GP and other healthcare workers, including pharmacists, is the first step. They’ll help you look at your lifestyle and suggest changes that are suitable for your condition and any treatment you’re having. Your health or care worker can also let you know about local services that can help you.
Get active, feel fitter, live longer Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and even happier life. Adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Young people (5-18) should do 60 minutes every day. If you do this, it can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.
Rethink your drinking Drinking too much alcohol could increase your risk of getting 14 major diseases, including mouth and throat cancers, liver cirrhosis, strokes and mental health problems. Alcohol is believed to be responsible for as many as 22,000 premature deaths in England and Wales every year. But it’s not just binge drinkers who are at risk: regularly drinking more than the recommended limit can cause significant health problems.
Stop Smoking for good For example, if you want to start exercising but you're unsure how to, your GP can put you on the Exercise on Referral scheme. These schemes are run with local gyms and fitness centres and can include swimming. Ask at your GP practice for more information. Your GP can also help you if you want to stop smoking, for instance by enrolling you in a clinic where you’ll get support from other people who are also trying to stop. Nicotine replacement therapy and other stop smoking treatments provided by your GP can also help you resist cravings and boost your chances of quitting successfully. You're never too young or too old to switch to a healthier lifestyle. Children who learn healthy habits at a young age will benefit from them throughout their life. And giving up bad habits can improve your health at any age.
Giving up smoking is probably the best thing you can do to improve your health. Research shows that smoking is responsible for almost one in five of all deaths in the UK. This means that smoking causes an estimated 110,000 deaths a year. Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack as people who have never smoked. Smoking also increases your risk of developing many cancers and lung disease.
NHS Co. Durham & Darlington Stop Smoking Service Thousands of people in your area have successfully quit smoking with the help of the NHS County Durham and Darlington Stop Smoking Service. • Free advice and support to stay motivated and on track • Medication on prescription • Carbon monoxide monitoring • Flexible to suit your needs.
Did you know that you are four times more likely to quit smoking successfully with us than if you try to quit using willpower alone?
Contact us on 0800 9171509
CHOOSING A GP Choosing a GP can seem a daunting task, especially if you have just moved into an area and don't know anything about the local health services. But there are some easy ways to find the doctor to suit you. It's important to be registered with a doctor because you'll need them to refer you for specialist hospital and community treatment services. A surgery may refuse an application to join its list of patients if: You don't reside in the surgery area It has formally closed its list of patients, eg when a practice has more patients than it can deal with or not enough doctors - this is less common than it used to be. If your application is refused, the surgery must write to you and give the reasons for this How do I find a surgery? Most surgeries operate a fairly strict catchment area system, and only those who live within the area may be able to register. This isn't to be awkward, but ensures a GP can visit a person at home in an emergency in reasonable time. How do I register? This is straightforward and far easier than most people realise. Simply take your NHS medical card along to your chosen surgery. You will then be asked to sign a registration form. Not all NHS trusts issue medical cards. If you don't have one, the receptionist will give you form GMS1 to fill in. Once you've completed and returned the forms, your local NHS will transfer your medical records to your new surgery and write to you to confirm your registration as a patient with the surgery. Many surgeries ask a new patient to attend a ‘registration medical’ that checks your general health. What if I can’t get an appointment? If you can't get a doctor's appointment or have a non-urgent health problem or query, you can contact a nurse by ringing 111 at any time.
Keep calm and be ready for winter During the winter months, the demand for NHS services increases significantly as cold weather means there are more slips, trips and injuries. Generally more of us feel unwell during the winter as we spend more time indoors and coughs and colds are passed around our family, friends and colleagues at work. This all adds up to more of us having an accident or becoming unwell with a winter bug, meaning more people want to see their GP, attend accident and emergency or call 999. ‘Keep calm and look after yourself’ is the strong message from Healthwatch Darlington this winter, to remind people that many of the common winter ailments and illnesses are easily treated at home, or with advice from a pharmacist – with no need to see a doctor or nurse. The ‘Keep Calm’ campaign which gives advice on how to treat a range of common winter conditions by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home or speaking to your local pharmacist. Healthwatch Darlington said there is no need to panic when feeling under the weather. “Most normally healthy people with a winter illness do not need to see their GP, attend A&E and absolutely do not need to call 999 – so our message this winter is ‘keep calm’. “Colds, sore throats, head-aches, hangovers, upset stomachs, coughs, aches, pains, and winter vomiting should all be treated at home or with the advice of your local pharmacist, with pain killers, rest and plenty of fluids. By doing this not only are you helping to reduce the spread of winter viruses to other vulnerable patients in NHS waiting rooms – you are also keeping appointments available for people who have serious health conditions that must see a doctor or nurse.”
GP SURGERIES & HOSPITALS
Surgery
Address
Telephone
Hospital
Address
Telephone
DENTISTS Emergency Dental Service Dental Access Centres are available to treat patients who need emergency treatment. This service gives priority to pain relief and urgent care. Please call 111. Dental charges depend on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it. If you are referred to another dentist for another, separate course of treatment, you can expect a second charge. Some minor treatments are free. Always ask your dentist whether the treatment they are recommending is available on the NHS and how much it will cost before you go ahead.
Dentist
Address
Telephone
NHS DeNtal CHargeS Band 1 course of treatment
£18.00
This covers an examination, diagnosis (eg X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. If you require urgent care, even if your urgent treatment needs more than one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge.
Band 2 course of treatment
£49.00
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
Band 3 course of treatment
£214.00
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.
PHARMACIES If you have the symptoms of a cough, cold, or think you’ve got the flu a pharmacist is the best place to go, as they can usually provide you the help and information you need on the spot. They can also offer help with healthy living issues such as losing weight or giving up smoking. Make sure you have repeat prescriptions If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last i.e. weekends, Bank holidays and breaks away. Many of the calls to out of hour’s health services are for emergency repeat prescriptions when people have run out of their medication - a situation that could be avoided with some forethought and planning. By thinking ahead for your regular medication you are helping our busy out of hour’s doctors and nurses.
For opening times and NHS SERVICES available from your Pharmacy Please scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit www.nhs.uk
Pharmacy / Chemist
Address
Telephone
OPTICIANS & HEARING CENTRES Regular eye tests are important because your eyes do not always hurt when something is wrong. A sight test is a vital health check for your eyes that can pick up early signs of eye conditions before you are aware of any symptoms. A sight test will show if you need to: • Get glasses for the first time • Change your current glasses A sight test will also include a general health check that can pick up early signs of eye disease before you are aware of any symptoms many of which can be treated if found early enough. Some health conditions can affect the eyes such as: • diabetes • macular degeneration • glaucoma Your sight test It’s recommended that adults have their eyes tested every two years, unless their ophthalmic practitioner advises them to have a sight test more often than that. The way a sight test is carried out is governed by law. A sight test will identify: What your level of vision is whether you need glasses to correct your sight. Your eyes and the area around them will be examined, to look for signs of injury, disease or abnormality.
Opticians
Address
Telephone
Hearing Centres
Address
Telephone
ARE YOU A CARER? A Carer spends a significant proportion of their life providing unpaid support to family or friends. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who has a long term illness or disability including mental illness, alcohol or drug misuse or those that are elderly, forgetful or frail. Caring can be a very difficult, demanding and allconsuming task, no matter how close you are to the person you care for. Caring can affect your Health making you feel tired, frustrated, stressed and feeling guilty, leaving you with no time to yourself. In fact 52% of carers need treatment for stress related problems and many carers feel they have to give up work because of the effects caring has on their life. You are not alone! It is estimated there around 6.5 million Carers in the UK today. You are certainly not alone, but you still need to take of yourself as well as the person you care for. Thankfully, armed with the right support and information caring can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Just follow a few simple tips that can make a real difference. • Ask for Help We all need help from time to time and carers are no exception. Help is out there you only need to ask! • Know your rights It sounds simple, but knowing what you are entitled to and what support is available can help a great deal. • Tell your GP Your GP practice can record that you are a carer to ensure you get your annual flu vaccination and additional support as a carer. • Have an assessment This can sound a little daunting at first, but ensuring that you and the person you care for get a assessment of your needs through the Local Authority can give you access to a whole host of additional practical help and support. • Be a little selfish We all need time to ourselves, but it’s particularly important for carers. This could be as simple as setting some me time aside for a relaxing bath or a night out.
Help and support is available locally from DISC Darlington Young Carers' Service and DAD (Darlington Association on Disability) Carers' Support Service. DISC Darlington Young Carers' Service supports young carers up to the age of 25, who provide care for a family member due to physical disability, mental illness, substance misuse, terminal or life limiting illness or learning disability. The young person could be offering emotional or practical support to the person they care for. DISC aims to reduce the impact of caring by offering: • One to one support • Activities and Support Groups & respite • Information, Advice and Guidance • Whole Family Support • Advocacy For more information or to refer a young carer, please contact them on (01325) 483038 or by email youngcarers@disc-vol.org.uk DAD (Darlington Association on Disability) Carers' Support Service supports adult carers, including parents caring for disabled children. Provides information, advice and support, including group activities. Also undertakes awareness raising about carers' issues and provides training for health and social care staff. For more information or to refer a carer, please contact them on (01325) 357533 or by email carers@darlingtondisability.org www.darlingtondisability.org
Befriending
Care Services
We all need someone to talk to, but not all of us are lucky enough to have someone.
We provide a wide range of services with the highest level of care.
Age UK Darlington’s ‘Rely on Me’ befriending scheme came about as a direct result of demand. More and more calls were being received by lonely and isolated older people who just wanted someone to talk to.
We have Day Care at Bradbury House, where we offer a great day out, with a varied activity programme delivered by our qualified care team. We also offer:
Our service is a simple one; our volunteers offer companionship on a weekly basis, be it at home, in sheltered accommodation or in a care home. Would you like to make somebody’s day?
Call Sharon Vasey on:
01325 362832 or visit: ageukdarlington.org.uk
• Respite Day Care • Dementia Care • Bathing/Showering
• Shopping • Light Housework • Nail-Care
We are Care quality Commission registered, and our services are open to a wide range of people who are 50+, including customers with dementia, stroke and other disabilities.
For more information call on:
01325 741495 or visit: ageukdarlington.org.uk
DARLINGTON LIFELINE & TELECARE SERVICES 24 hour help at the touch of a button with professional response staff, able to attend your home in an emergency or an unexpected event. Darlington Lifeline & Telecare service is a simple, cost effective and unobtrusive way to help anyone, of any age, to maintain independence and get emergency help at home when needed. Lifeline Services Many people wish to live alone but often worry about unexpected accidents or the need for some immediate help in the home. Lifeline is a Darlington service which allows you the freedom to live independently, secure in the knowledge that help is there if you need it, 24 hours a day, any day of the year, at the push of a button.
We can make a difference
Our service and technology devices are tailored and discreet to suit your individual needs. Offering a FREE Key holding service with all our products.
Darlington Lifeline & Telecare can be of benefit to: • Older, frail or disabled people or those temporarily unwell after perhaps an operation • People who have been discharged from hospital and need to be able to get help at home if needed • Vulnerable people of any age living alone • Reassurance to partners, family and carers of people with dementia, medical conditions or disabilities be that physical, mental or sensory
Darlington Lifeline & Telecare can: • Raise an alarm in case of a fall or emergency • Raise alerts for floods, smoke, carbon monoxide • 24-hour reassurance for family and carers
Simply call
01325 388508
How do Lifeline & Telecare Work? You can push the pendant button yourself or the telecare devices automatically raise an alert. This activates the Lifeline Unit and uses your telephone line to automatically dial the local Darlington Control Room. Trained operators answer these calls 24/7 and you can hear their voices and talk to them. An immediate response is arranged that is appropriate to your needs. Whether family, friends, carers, emergency services or one of our own Life line Response Officers, you can be safe in the knowledge that someone will come to your home straight away if they are needed. To benefit from the service all you need is a phone line and modern electric plug socket. This range of technology offers extra independence and peace of mind. Pictured overleaf are some of our most popular devices, however, many more are available. To find out more - it is as simple as a telephone call.
We will respond to your calls, either via the equipment or by sending our Lifeline Response Officers to your home.
DARLINGTON LIFELINE & TELECARE SERVICES Examples of Lifeline & Telecare Equipment: These can be carried with you around the home and in your garden (within 50 metres). In an emergency simply press the alarm button and a message is sent directly to the Lifeline Control Centre.
Falls Detector Will sense if you fall and automatically alert us. We will get help to you quickly.
Flood Detector Will alert you and us when a bath or sink is overflowing.
Smoke Detector Will alert you and us if smoke or fire is detected in your home. Your house is safe even when you are not in it.
Exit Alert Will detect and alert us if a door is opened, and can help should a person be at risk of wandering.
Bed Sensor Will alert you and us if a person does not return to their bed. This could indicate a fall has occurred.
How much will it cost?
There is a small weekly charge that we feel offers excellent value for money.
What do I do next?
If you would like to know more about Lifeline services and products, or to arrange a no obligation, free demonstration in your home.
Call: 01325 388508
or e-mail us at www.darlington.gov.uk/lifelineservices
INDEPENDENT LIVING Suggestions for making life easy:
MINOR ADAPTATIONS External Adaptations • Handrail at front or rear entrance of dwelling • Provision of whirly clothes line or path leading to clothes line • Widening of paths around the property • Defining steps for people with visual impairments • Outdoor lighting • Paved areas for wheelchairs
General Internal Adaptations Around one in five adults in the UK is disabled, and more than 1 million of those live alone. With the right support and facilities, leading an independent life with a physical or learning disability is now more achievable than ever. Aids and Adaptations If you or a member of your family has difficulty living in your home due to a long-term illness or disability, you may be able to get help by adapting your home to better meet your needs. You can apply to your local council for a disabled facilities grant. The grant helps you adapt your home to make it suitable for a disabled person. Depending on your income, you may need to pay towards the cost of the work to the property. You could get a grant from your council if you are disabled and need to make changes to your home, for example to: • widen doors and install ramps • improve access to rooms and facilities - eg stairlifts or a downstairs bathroom • provide a heating system suitable for your needs • adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
How can I find out more about the aids and adaptations that would help me? Contact your social services at Darlington Borough Council on 01325 346200 at your local council about what difficulties you are having at home. They will send an occupational therapist to carry out an assessment and provide advice on which equipment or housing adaptation needs suit you best.
• • • • • • • • • • •
Additional stair rail Changing door knobs to lever handles Lowering of Yale locks Re-siting of electrical sockets at a convenient level Additional power points Provision of intercom & door unlock systems Provision of rocker light switches Adjustments to or additional lighting Relocation of clothes hanging rails Accessible window openings Provision of letter cages or delivery shelves in entrance hall
Kitchens and Bathrooms • Lowering or replacement of high wall hung cupboards • Additional storage space in kitchen • Lowering of cooker mains switch • Installation of extractor fan with accessible controls • level access shower • overbath shower • provision of non-slip/tactile surface • provision of storage space for wheelchair • ramps • special baths • special toilets • step in shower • widening doors for wheelchair access
MAjOR ADAPTATIONS • bathroom extensions (ground floor showers & W.C’s) • bedroom extensions • hardstandings • major internal rearrangements • redesign or re-organisation of existing kitchen • stairlifts • vertical through floor lifts
ADVICE ON PAYING FOR CARE Care and support services are means-tested and are not free to everyone. Most people have to pay something towards their own care and some will have to pay for all of the costs. Who pays depends on what your needs are, how much money you have, and what level and type of care and support you require. You may need to pay for all of your own care, or you may be entitled to local authority funding, NHS care (free) or have entitlements to welfare benefits to help pay for your care and support. For most people needing social care services, the first place to start is by asking your local authority for an assessment of your social care (care and support) needs. As part of this, the local authority may also carry out a financial assessment. This assessment will determine whether the local authority will meet all the cost of your care, or whether you will need to contribute towards your care cost or whether you will have to meet the full costs yourself. Some of the rules for this financial assessment are applied differently based on whether you need care in your own home or care in a residential home.
There are several options for funding care. Understanding them, and which ones apply to you can be complicated. Get personal advice on care funding The cost of care and support is likely to be a longterm commitment and may be substantial, particularly if you opt for residential care. If you or a member of the family need to pay for care at home or in a care home, it’s important to understand the alternatives. This makes advice tailored to your individual needs vital. You can get advice from: Darlington Borough Council – through an assessment of your care and support needs as well as advice on which services are available on 01325 346200. Financial advice from a qualified, independent source – there are independent financial advisers who specialise in care funding advice. They are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and must stick to a code of conduct and ethics and take shared responsibility for the suitability of any product they recommend.
LEGAL TERMS Every day people make decisions about lots of things in their lives. The ability to make decisions is called mental capacity. People may have difficulties making some decisions either all or some of the time. This could be because they have a learning disability, dementia, a mental health problem, or could be the result of a head injury or a stroke or a temporary condition such as an illness, accident or the influence of alcohol or drugs. Listed below are details about some of the legal terms and topics you may come across. You may need to contact a solicitor who can give you impartial advice which you may have to pay for, or you can contact an advocate who can advise on your behalf. Lasting Power Of Attorney: allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your personal welfare, including healthcare and your financial affairs. The Court of Protection: can issue Orders directing the management of a person’s property and financial affairs if they are incapable of managing their own affairs and do not have a Lasting Power of Attorney. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: protects people in residential care or hospital who are unable to make decisions for themselves due to a brain disorder. If any of these people need to be restrained, restricted or deprived, in order to give them physical care or keep them safe, a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisation may be required.
The Mental Capacity Act: • The purposes of the Act are allowing adults to make as many decisions as they can for themselves. • To enable adults to make advance decisions about whether they would like future medical treatment. • To allow adults to appoint, in advance of losing mental capacity, another person to make decisions about personal welfare or property on their behalf at a future date. • To allow decisions concerning personal welfare or property and affairs to be made in the best interests of adults when they have not made any future plans and cannot make a decision at the time. • To ensure an NHS body or local authority will appoint an independent mental capacity advocate to support someone who cannot make a decision about serious medical treatment, or about hospital, care home or residential accommodation, when there are no family or friends to be consulted. • To provide protection against legal liability for carers who have honestly and reasonably sought to act in the person’s best interests. • To provide clarity and safeguards around research in relation to those who lack capacity.
CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME If you are finding it difficult to manage at home you could consider using the services of a home care provider. Home care providers employ care assistants who can help you with bathing, washing and dressing. The staff who work for these agencies are trained in personal care and safety procedures, moving and handling, hygiene and infection control. If you require nursing care at home, many agencies employ registered nurses. A list of the care agencies registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which are located in the Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group can be found on the following pages. When considering the use of services from a home care provider you may want to ask them a few questions to help you build up a picture of how your care needs will be met. Some of these questions could be. Organising your own home care If you are thinking about arranging your own home care it is a good idea to ask any agencies you approach the following questions • Are there different rates for weekends/evenings? • Are there any extra charges i.e. for the carer's travelling expenses? • What sort of services do you provide? • If you provide me with a service, can I contact you out of office hours? If so, how? • Are your carers trained? Are you registered with the Care Quality Commission? To check up-to-date information on the providers of homecare in Darlington visit www.cqc.org.uk or scan the QR CODE with your Smartphone.
CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME
Care Provider
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RESIDENTIAL & NURSING CARE There are many types of residential care homes available. These include permanent care homes for older people, homes for younger adults with disabilities and homes for children. They may be privately owned or run by the voluntary sector or local authorities. You may want to consider in detail the many options for residential care before you make a decision. Older People Care homes for older people may provide personal care or nursing care. A care home which is registered to provide personal care (see the section on care home regulation, below) will offer support, ensuring that basic personal needs, such as meals, bathing, going to the toilet and medication, are taken care of. In some homes more able residents have greater independence and take care of many of their own needs.Some residents may need medical care and some care homes are registered to provide this. These are often referred to as nursing homes. Some homes specialise in certain types of disability, for example, dementia. Adults Aged 18-65 There are also residential care homes that provide care and support for younger adults with, for example, severe physical disabilities, learning disabilities, acquired brain injury, progressive neurological conditions or mental health problems. Care can be provided for adults with more than one condition and some homes have expertise in providing care for adults with alcohol or drug dependency.
These homes offer permanent residence or provide care for a temporary period until the adult is able to live independently or move to a different type of accommodation. Choosing between residential care and independent living Social services normally encourage younger adults who they assess for support to be as independent as their circumstances allow. The care plan for adults with disabilities will consider what independent tasks they can carry out and how they can be helped to achieve more. Even if adults have very severe disabilities their needs are reviewed from time to time to check whether residential care or a very high level of support is still appropriate. Supported living may be an option for younger adults. This allows people to live independently in the community but with basic support. The support offered includes help with setting up a home and managing finances, and assistance with cleaning and shopping. For older people there are various alternatives to residential care. These include sheltered housing and extra care housing schemes, which offer independence with an increased level of care and support. For many people there is also the choice of living independently at home with community care support.
RESIDENTIAL & NURSING CARE Choice of Accommodation The law says that where the local authority is funding accommodation it must allow the person entering residential care to choose which care home they would prefer. Social services must first agree that the home is suitable for the person’s needs and that it would not cost more than they would normally pay for a home that would meet those needs. If the person chooses to go into a more expensive home, a relative or friend may be able to ‘top up’ the difference in cost. Choosing a Care Home Care homes may be arranged through the local authority but many people will want to arrange them independently. It is a good idea to visit several homes before making a choice. Make sure you spend enough time in each home to get a good idea of what it is like. Respite and Short Term Stays Residential care home stays don't necessarily have to be permanent. Temporary stays can be arranged for respite care (in which you take a break from caring for somebody else), or as a trial period before a permanent stay. Temporary stays can give you flexibility when covering unexpected events, such as: • Palliative care (which manages or reduces pain) after a hospital stay or illness • Support for newly disabled people and their carers • Enabling someone to continue living independently if they live alone and suddenly require care • Giving someone a chance to try potential future homes What your choices are A list of all nursing and residential care homes within your locality can be found on the following pages. Every care home in England must be registered with the national regulatory body Care Quality Commission (CQC). They inspect each care home on a regular basis and write an inspection report for you to read. It is advisable to read this report before making a final decision. To check up-to-date information on the Nursing and Residential care homes within your locality visit www.cqc.org.uk or scan the QR CODE WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE
Comfortable Living to rent at Affordable With newly refurbished apartments and stylish contemporary communal areas, the Council has accomodation located across the Borough, ideal for anyone over 50 looking to live independently with the added peace of mind of help and advice at hand when needed. Committed to providing quality accommodation, the Council has over recent years, modernised the complexes in a ÂŁ15m project. The work included the complete rebuild of Linden Court, in Hurworth, and Dinsdale Court, in Middleton St George, and extensive remodelling of others. The accomodation offer a range of warm and welcoming apartments or bungalows with large well looked after communal gardens and a comprehensive maintenance programme. Most apartments are cleverly designed with mobility in mind and have features to help such as level access showers and a lift to upper floors. AII apartments have a manager support service and are linked to the Council's Lifeline 24-hour alarm support system for help at the touch of a button for added peace of mind and security.
Each complex has communal areas such as elegant lounges, hair salons, laundries and coffee bars. These vibrant areas are used for social activities , including entertainment evenings, luncheon clubs, Get Everyone Motivated (low level exercise classes), coffee mornings and much more.
Meet the Manager This housing is a lifestyle choice and all complexes have a Manager who is there to meet and greet, offer advice and support, see you on a regular basis, join in the social activities and deal with the general running of the building. "It's like having an extended family. It's great to see how people are doing and we're here to help if needed. I know many people and their families welcome this discreet support – knowing loved ones are looked out for makes a huge difference." Vanessa Tully, Manager at Dinsdale Court, Middleton St George, with residents
This housing offers the chance of easy living through thoughtful design and offers discreet support while still ensuring that individuality and choice is high - people enjoy living comfortably within quality, safe and lively surroundings.
Linden Court, Hurworth - Offering new accommodation with peace of mind
Prices for the Over 50’s in Darlington We have developments at:
Branksome Hall (Branksome) Dinsdale Court (Middleton St George) Linden Court (Hurworth) Rockwell House (Springfield) Roxby Court (Near Geneva Road) Ted Fletcher Court (Haughton) Windsor Court (Cockerton) And many more . . . Find Out More If you would like more details about living in one of our complexes, or would like to have a look around, either for yourself or for a relative or a friend, please call 01325 388830. Our website www.darlington.gov.uk/sheltered Accommodation also has details about each complex including the number of apartments, communal facilities, events and activities and Manager support available.
Why choose to live in our accomodation? • Changes in your health have affected the enjoyment of your existing home • Friends and family no longer live nearby • You have recently been through a bereavement, or spend alot of time alone and would like more company • The area you live in may no longer feel safe • Following retirement your income may have changed • Your garden and property maybe too large and costly to maintain and keep well heated or costly repairs are needed • Stairs now difficult to manage • Or, you may just wish to release the capital from your home to spend on your happy retirement
Rents are from £85 a week and include charges such as water, service and support so no need to worry about costly repairs. Charges vary depending upon apartment type. Housing Benefit is available to help with paying rent for those eligible. All vacant properties are advertised on the Compass Choice Based Lettings website and at Customer Services at the Town Hall. Call 01325 388542 for more advice on housing options in the Borough along with details of council homes currently available to rent. See our website www.darlington.gov.uk/compass “I have no regrets moving into Dinsdale Court. I feel safe and secure and never feel lonely. There is always plenty going on, you can either join in or be on your own. We have great support from our Scheme Manager who is always there for us.” Betty Cochrane, Dinsdale Court
Enjoying life in our housing “I wondered if I was doing the right thing giving up my three-bedroomed house to move here. It is the best move I have ever made. There is always something to do and trips away if you fancy. Even if I won the Lottery, I wouldn't move from here." Lorna Clasper, Dinsdale Court
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARE HOME All care homes vary in their quality, and it can be hard to know what qualities to look for when choosing a home.
A good care home will probably do the following: • Offer new residents and their families or carers a guide (in a variety of accessible formats) describing what they can expect while they’re living there. Ideally, residents of the home would have helped to produce the guide • Have a majority of staff who've worked there for a long time. They know the residents well, and are friendly, supportive and respectful • Involve residents, carers and their families in decision making, perhaps through regular meetings with staff
A bad care home might do the following: • Have a code of practice and a set of aims, but doesn’t make them a priority • Offers little opportunity to listen to residents, with most decisions made by staff • Have residents’ care plans that are out of date, and don’t reflect their needs accurately. This means that some residents aren't getting the support they need with their healthcare and personal care • Give residents little privacy. Staff often enter residents’ rooms without knocking, and they talk about residents within earshot of other people • Have staff who don’t make an effort to interact with residents, and leave them sitting in front of the TV all day
• Support residents in doing things for themselves and maximising their independence, including keeping contact with the outside community
• Be in a poorly maintained building, with rooms that all look the same and have little choice in furnishings
• Offer a choice of tasty and nutritious food, which residents may have helped to prepare
• Need cleaning, with shared bathrooms that aren't cleaned regularly
• Take into account the needs and wishes of all residents, and provide a variety of leisure and social activities
• Deny residents their independence, for example, by not allowing someone to feed themselves because it takes too long
• Be in a clean, bright and hygienic environment that's been adapted appropriately for residents, with single bedrooms available. A good environment encourages residents to personalise their room
As a resident in a care home, you should expect:
• Have staff who respect residents’ privacy and knock before they enter someone’s room
• The right to be treated politely and with dignity • The right to privacy for yourself, and your relatives and friends when they visit • The right to deal with your own finances and spend your money how you choose
• Be staffed by well-trained people, for example, nurses trained in dementia care
• The right to eat food that's prepared in line with your faith, and to worship when and where you want to
• Respect residents’ modesty and make sure that they look respectable, while recognising residents’ choice about what they wear
• The right to choose the food that you eat, and to be given the time and space to relax and enjoy your meal
• Be accredited under the Gold Standards Framework for end of life care
• The right to choose when you get up in the mornings and go to bed at night • The right to complain if you're unhappy with your care
RESIDENTIAL & NURSING CARE Are you concerned for an adult who may be vulnerable? Are they being treated badly, abused or harmed? Please report it: 01325 742030 For more information www.darlington.gov.uk/sab
Residential Homes
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Telephone
Are you concerned for an adult who may be vulnerable? Are they being treated badly, abused or harmed? Please report it: 01325 742030 For more information www.darlington.gov.uk/sab
Nursing Homes
Address
Telephone
HELP & ADVICE Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers provide a free, independent and confidential service to people aged 50 and over, and to their family, carers and friends. We can provide information and advice on most subjects.If we are unable to deal with your enquiry, we will refer you to someone who can. We can help with • Benefits • Housing • Health • Residential and daycare provision • Direct Payments and help at home • Affordable warmth • Consumer and legal issues • Social and personal problems • Access to local services • Advice is available at our office in Beaumont Street by appointment Monday to Friday. If you can't make it to our wheelchair accessible office, please call us. We are happy to carry out home visits where required. 1 Beaumont Street, Darlington, CO Durham DL1 5SZ Opening Times: Monday to Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm. Tel: 01325 357345 • Email: advice@ageukdarlington.org.uk Parkinson's UK provides a free, confidential, information advice and signposting service for people with Parkinson's and their families and carers in Darlington. Benefit advice including help with form filling, arranging aids and adaptations and offering emotional support are just some of the services provided by Margaret Hunter, your local Information and Support Worker. The charity also has a group in Darlington which meets monthly to offer friendship and support to everyone living with Parkinson's and their families and carers. Self referrals or referrals from carers or family members and from GP's, Social Services or other organisations are all welcome. If you would like further information, please contact: Margaret Hunter Parkinson's UK Information & Support Worker - Darlington & County Durham (excluding East Durham & Derwentside) • Tel: 0844 225 9827 Email: mhunter@parkinsons.org.uk • Web: parkinsons.org.uk St Teresa’s Hospice provides free care and support to the people of South Durham and North Yorkshire. We do this via a range of services to support people with a life-limiting illness, and to support their direct carers and other family members. Our Services include: • 24 hour availability • Day Therapy • Hospice at Home • In-patient Unit • Family Support & Bereavement Service • A range of complementary therapies T: 01325 254321 • E: enquiries@darlingtonhospice.org.uk visit www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk • facebook.com/stteresashospice Darlington Mind provides a range of health and social care services for people dealing with depression, anxiety and a range of mental health issues. We provide free access to Emotional Resilience Courses, Monthly Support Groups and Anger Management (through GP referral). Call us today for further information, advice and support on 01325 283169 or e-mail us at contactus@darlingtonmind.com Also check out our web-site at www.darlingtonmind.com Victim Support is the national charity for people affected by crime. Our services are free, confidential and available to everyone, whether or not a crime has been reported to the police. Contact Victim Care Unit on 0845 2770977 Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm and Sat 9am – 5pm
Trained Employment Consultants provide information, advice and guidance to unemployed residents of Darlington who are looking for support to develop skills and move into employment. Support could include: CV, interview skills, confidence building sessions, funding for training, one to one job-search support. Contact Morrison Trust in 01325 387700 / info@morrisontrust.org.uk for more information and eligibility details. We are a Voluntary and charitable organisation led by Disabled people We exist to promote independence and choice. We support disabled people and carers through the provision of services, support and information by tackling issues local and nationally. Contact:20-22 Horsemarket, Darlington DL15PT • Tel: 01325 489999 Info@darlingtondisability.org • Web: wwwdarlingtondisability.org DISC provide an intensive housing related floating support and housing advise service for people living in Darlington who have been assessed as having complex mental health problems. To access support individuals need to be over 16, have mental health problems diagnosed by a suitably qualified practitioner and willing to engage in support. The individual must have direct housing responsibility or be actively seeking accommodation and in need to 7-10 hours support per week. Contact details – DISC, Sapphire House, IES Centre, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6DS Tel: 01325 731160 If you are concerned that you, or a friend or family member, may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, there is support available. Local recovery treatment services provide appropriate and confidential help, advice, treatment and support for those with substance issues and also their families and carers. For over 18's, the Connected Recovery Service is based at The Gate, Northgate on 01325 267230. For under 18's, SWITCH is at Beaumont Street on 01325 267240. Family Help provide a holistic package of support including refuge accommodation for single women and women with children, and a confidential help-line for all. Family Help Darlington CIO • Domestic Abuse Help Line • Tel: 01325 364486 Email: familyhelp@btconnect.com • Website: www.darlingtonrefuge.org.uk Starting point provides support to people who are caring for a friend or family member who is experiencing problems with drug or alcohol misuse. It offers the following services: A Support Group to address isolation, help with GP appointments, knowledge of treatment systems, help in accessing treatment and Carer Assessments and links to Regional and National Carer Support Groups. Telephone Tony Pendlebury on 01325 346 201 The Darlington and District Talking Newspaper is a local voluntary organisation producing weekly recordings, containing news items from The Northern Echo newspaper, plus a magazine section providing local road and pavement reports, What’s On items and many other articles, to the visually impaired listeners in the Darlington area. We also record the forthcoming Civic Theatre production and the local ‘Talking Together’ magazine. For more information please contact us on 01325 465101 www.darlingtontalkingnewspaper.co.uk • Email dtnewspaper@btconnect.com The Darlington & District Talking Newspaper, PO Box 14, Echo Buildings, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF
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