Take Care Guide - Second Edition

I N F O R M A T I O N

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A D V I C E

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S U P P O R T

2nd Edition

Take Care

CAREGiving Guide HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE • YORK & RYEDALE

You know that your loved one needs support, which you’ve been happy to give, however…

The time pressures of providing meals, laundry, cleaning, transportation and medical visits eventually can take a toll on family and friends relationships.

If you feel that you need help, you are not alone. Home Instead provides CAREGiving services to hundreds of York & Ryedale families just like yours.

We are here to help…

Follow our

3 Steps • 1-2-3 to ensure your loved one or friend is getting the right care.

Are you an adult CAREGiver?

You are not on your own Carers There are over 18,000 carers in York making up 9.2% of the population. 19% of this number provide 50+ hours of care each week; 54% of those over 16 are juggling paid work with unpaid caring responsibility and the proportion of carers over 65 years is increasing nationally, with 40% of carers caring for their parents, or parents-in-law and 26% caring for their spouse or partner (Care UK, 2014).

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19%

40%

26%

50+ Hrs Care

Caring for Parents

Caring for Partner

        

3 Steps

1

Step

Does your loved one need assistance?

Look for signs that your loved one’s needs are changing It can be difficult to tell how ageing is affecting a family member. It is tempting to ignore the warning signs; however, small things can add up to a larger challenge incredibly fast. When you notice changes in your loved one, it may well be time to seek outside help.

■ Being withdrawn or disinterested.

■ Poor nutrition and/or hygiene.

■ Forgetfulness, such as missing appointments, unopened mail, unwashed laundry.

Needs Assessment Worksheet for Adult Caregivers This worksheet will help you and other family members determine what types of assistance your loved one needs.

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

Which barriers can be removed or changed?

NEEDS No help

Some help

Much help

Bathing Dressing

Limitation

Grooming Toileting

Neighbourhood

Eating a nutritious diet Getting out of bed Getting out of chair Walking

To help you better understand your loved one’s limitations, use the provided Needs Assessment Worksheet on the following page. Filling out the worksheet can serve as a guide as to whether or not it’s time to hire a professional caregiver. If it is, the worksheet can also help your caregiver begin to understand your loved one’s daily needs.

INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

NEEDS No help

Some help

Much help

Using the telephone Shopping for personal items Transportation Managing money Doing laundry Light housework Preparing meals

CONDITIONS/FUNCTIONAL STATUS

How do the following affect the person’s ability to function?

EFFECT None

Hearing

Some

EFFECT Major

None

Strength

Vision

Energy

Perception

Bladder/bowel control

Orientation

Arthritis

Thinking Memory

Hypertension Heart disease

Decision making

Diabetes

Judgment

Physical deformity

Physical dexterity

Depression

Balance

Some

Major

Safety Convenience Friends or relatives nearby Age of home Property Roof in good repair Windows in good repair Outside look Security and safety Deadbolt locks on outside doors Peephole in front door Window locks Visible from road (no large trees or bushes block view) Smoke alarms installed, tested Carbon Monoxide alarm Passageways clear of wires and clutter Handrails on both sides Stairs In good repair Stair lift Nonslip, level surfaces Anti-glare surfaces Floors No loose rugs Sofa and chairs easy to use Furnishings Tables the right height Bed easy to get in and out of Light switches easy to reach Important areas are well-lit Lighting Passageways have night lights Lever handles on sink Items used often are accessible Kitchen Storage is easy to get to No objects are over the cooker Grab rails by the toilet and bath or shower Non-skid strips in the bath or shower Bathroom Hand-held shower head Nonslip bath mat

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Needs Assessment Worksheet for Adult CAREGivers This worksheet will help you and other family members determine what types of assistance your loved one needs.

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

NEEDS No help

Some help

Much help

Bathing Dressing Grooming Toileting Eating a nutritious diet Getting out of bed Getting out of chair Walking

INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

NEEDS No help

Some help

Much help

Using the telephone Shopping for personal items Transportation Managing money Doing laundry Light housework Preparing meals Trips out

CONDITIONS/FUNCTIONAL STATUS

How do the following affect the person’s ability to function?

EFFECT None

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Some

EFFECT Major

None

Hearing

Strength

Vision

Energy

Perception

Bladder/bowel control

Orientation

Arthritis

Thinking

Hypertension

Memory

Heart disease

Decision making

Diabetes

Judgment

Physical disability

Physical dexterity

Depression

Balance

Some

Major

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

Which barriers can be removed or changed?

Limitation Safety Convenience Friends or relatives nearby Age of home Property Roof in good repair Windows in good repair Outside appearance Security and safety Deadbolt locks on outside doors Peep-hole in front door Window locks Visible from road (no large trees or bushes block view) Smoke alarms installed, tested Carbon Monoxide alarm Passageways clear of wires and clutter Handrails on both sides Stairs In good repair Stair lift Non-slip, level surfaces Floors Anti-glare surfaces No loose rugs Sofa and chairs easy to use Furnishings Tables the right height Bed easy to get in and out of Light switches easy to reach Lighting Important areas are well-lit Passageways have night lights Lever handles on sink Kitchen Items used often are accessible Storage is easy to get to No objects are over the cooker Grab rails by the toilet and bath or shower Bathroom Non-skid strips in the bath or shower Hand-held shower head Non-slip bath mat

No problem

Needs changed

Neighbourhood

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3 Steps

Step

2

What to do when your loved one needs care As you notice changes in a loved one, there are a few things that you can do to help them and your family as a whole: ■ Arrange for a family meeting to discuss your care options. Be sure to include the wishes of the loved one who needs care in the discussion. Use the Needs Assessment Worksheet as a guide.

■ If there is a noticeable decline in thinking and reasoning in a loved one, schedule a doctor’s appointment and ask the doctor to test for cognitive function. And don’t assume cognitive decline is an unavoidable part of ageing. Some causes are treatable, such as interaction of medications.

■ Ask the care agency for a care plan specifically based on your loved one’s physical needs, cognitive needs and goals.

■ Have a family member accompany your loved one to as many medical appointments as possible. This allows them to serve as another set of eyes and ears, and become a patient advocate if necessary.

■ Use the Home Safety Checklist.

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Home Safety Checklist Use this checklist, from Home Instead Senior Care®, to help determine if your loved one’s home is safe from hazards that could jeopardise well-being and independence.

Living Room Is there too much clutter and not enough space to move around furniture?

Is furniture unstable?

Can the older person reach the light switch to turn it off or on?

Is there adequate lighting?

Bedroom Do throw rugs create a tripping hazard? Is the carpet torn?

Is the room cluttered with clothing, magazines, newspaper or other items?

Is there too much furniture for the space?

Does the older person lack access to a telephone or mobile phone, especially at night?

Do rugs and electrical cords pose a tripping hazard?

Is the floor uneven or is carpet torn?

Is the room temperature too hot or cold?

Does glare from the windows make it difficult for the older person to see?

Do the conditions of ageing make it difficult for the older person to get out of a chair?

Is there enough light?

Is the bed too high or low?

Do tangled electrical cords obstruct pathways?

Does the furniture provide proper support, if needed?

Toilet & Shower Are grab bars available near the bath, shower and toilet?

Is the floor slippery?

Is there a lack of bath mats?

Is the bath too high?

Is the toilet the correct height?

Is there the potential for bath water to be too hot?

Are medications stored properly, not too high or too low for the older person to reach?

Are mobility and joint problems making it difficult for the older person to reach into overhead cabinets, comb their hair or lift their leg to get into a bath?

Hallway Is there a working smoke alarm and Carbon Monoxide detector in place?

Is there adequate light at night?

Does the older person have trouble finding the bathroom at night?

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Home Safety Checklist

Stairs Are there sturdy handrails for the stairway?

Are the steps too steep or slippery?

continued‌

Does the last step blend in with the floor?

Are the pathways cluttered?

Laundry Room Is laundry detergent in bottles or boxes too heavy to lift?

Has detergent spilled on the laundry room floor?

Does the older person have to carry baskets of laundry up and down stairs?

Entrance/ Front Garden Do steps have proper handrails?

Are steps too steep, cracked or uneven?

Are driveways or walkways snow and ice-covered?

Is there adequate lighting at night?

Kitchen Are cupboards too high or low?

Is there clutter on counter-tops or throughout the kitchen?

Are pathways obstructed?

Is there adequate light for cooking?

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Can your older loved one hear the doorbell?

Garage Do the steps into the garage have secure rails?

Are dangerous chemicals and cleaning materials secure?

Is rubbish piling up?

Is the floor slippery?

Are power tools secure?

Is there spoiled food in the refrigerator?

Is the garage secure?

Is emergency contact information within easy access?

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Is your older loved one at risk of wandering?

Is the older person at risk of harming themselves with a sharp knife or by causing a fire?

3 Steps

Step

3

Get help if you need it We are a family business and we know how difficult it can be to find the right organisation to provide support at home, whether it’s for you, or for a loved one. When I started Home Instead in York in 2009, I talked to numerous people who had experience of care at home in an effort to identify what were the most important aspects of a home care service. Our regulating body, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has summed these up succinctly in their approach to inspecting services like ours. We therefore evaluate everything we do using the CQC’s five themes:

Luke Norbury Managing Director

Safe Providing a safe service is a top priority for Home Instead and the organisation has worked hard to ensure that our clients, their families and our CAREGivers experience a service that identifies and manages risk and safety issues effectively.

Effective Our care enables clients to remain at home in their own environment and able to make personal choices and decisions that make them happy and support their quality of life.

Caring All CAREGivers are recruited for their caring nature, compassion and empathy with our care designed to enhance the quality of our clients’ lives.

Responsive We put the clients’ needs and wishes at the centre of everything we do. Our CAREGivers visit the same clients each week and are trained to enable our clients to do as much for themselves as possible to promote independence but with our support. Clear processes deal with issues that may arise and regular checks and service reviews ensure that the quality of our calls meets the needs of our clients.

Well-Led The team have a huge range of care experience, some having delivered and managed care service and others with senior management and leadership roles with experience to support business and strategy development. They all share the same values and put quality care and the needs of our clients at the centre of everything we do.

Our aim is that these five themes form the foundations that allow our clients to build trust in Home Instead and the service we provide.

Ultimately we aim to provide a service that we would be happy for our own families to receive and we believe passionately in giving you the confidence to trust us to provide the care or support you need.

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Person Centred Care Plan When you call us we’ll ask questions to form a basic needs assessment, then set up an in-home visit. After our initial meeting, we develop a Care Plan tailored to your loved one’s specific needs, and make detailed recommendations on services. We then review the Plan with you in detail and modify it as you and your loved one see fit.

CAREGiver Matching We match your loved one with the most appropriate CAREGiver possible by considering numerous factors: services needed, interests, and the personalities of both CAREGiver and client. Of course, if you ever have any concerns about a specific CAREGiver, we can promptly arrange a replacement.

Quality Care Everyone who applies to become a CAREGiver with us is screened and scrutinised for their suitability for the role. They undergo in-depth preemployment checks, including provision of four references (which are vigilantly checked) and complete background screening. Additionally, they must attend our extensive introduction course before a client is placed in their care. Then Lead CAREGivers visit periodically to ensure everything is going well with CAREGivers and, if appropriate, update the Care Plan.

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Special Care Situations We understand that caring for our precious older generation is a special privilege and so one of the most important aspects of our service is the selection of our CAREGivers. It takes special qualities to become a CAREGiver with Home Instead Senior Care. We carefully search and select

only those people who demonstrate care, empathy and love and understanding of older people to join our team. Our proprietary training programmes gives them the expertise and skills they need to be able to provide a highly professional and quality care service.

Hypertension/stroke recovery

Osteoarthritis

Lifestyle changes are the best strategy for controlling and preventing high blood pressure. This often means a combination of light exercise and medication. Home Instead Senior Care can support with the following:

The inability to perform simple, daily tasks with ease can lead to frustration and depression. But in most cases, people with Osteoarthritis can lead full, active lives by properly manageing the condition. Home Instead Senior Care can help alleviate some of the pressures by offering:

■ Development of a light exercise schedule.

■ Light housekeeping and laundry.

■ Healthy meal planning and preparation.

■ Meal preparation.

■ Monitoring and everyday health reminders.

■ Shopping.

■ Assisting with recreational activities.

■ Shopping and errands.

Diabetes If your loved one is one of the more than 16,000 York residents who suffer from diabetes, Home Instead Senior Care can help manage the disease through: ■ Education about what affects blood glucose levels.

■ Development of a light exercise schedule.

■ Healthy meal planning and preparation (diabetic-friendly).

■ Monitoring and everyday health reminders.

■ Shopping and errands.

Heart disease Home Instead Senior Care has extensive experience in care when it comes to managing heart disease. We can customise a programme for your loved one that includes: ■ Developing/implementing a heart healthy diet.

■ Shopping and errands.

■ Monitoring and everyday health reminders.

■ Help with daily activities.

■ Assistance with prescribed exercises.

Alzheimer’s and other dementia Most people living with dementia – particularly those in the early and middle stages of the illness – can be cared for at home. In fact, more than half of all diagnosed Alzheimer’s patients continue to live at home. Home Instead Senior Care’s services offered to those who have Alzheimer’s include: ■ Continuity of daily routines and schedule.

■ Freedom to move about in a familiar, unrestricted space.

■ Minimalisation of stress that can aggravate symptoms.

■ Daily orientation to time, place and people.

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Planning for your future – top tips about Lasting Powers of Attorney Whatever decisions you make about your future, it is important to involve a specialist Solicitor who will give you impartial advice and act in your best interests. Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) is a national organisation of lawyers, such as Solicitors, Barristers and Legal Executives who are committed to providing and promoting high-quality legal services for older people, their family and carers.

Sharon Richardson, a Solicitor from Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors LLP is a full accredited member of SFE. A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows someone (an Attorney) to make decisions for you or implement your decisions and act on your behalf. They are generally used if you are no longer able or no longer willing to make such decisions or act on those decisions yourself.

You may no longer be able to make or implement decisions either on a temporary basis such as a visit to hospital for an operation, or on a more permanent basis, for example, following a diagnosis of dementia. If either of these scenarios were to happen, you can ensure that things are looked after on your behalf by

a trusted person? If you want this protection then you should consider a Lasting Power of Attorney.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) enables you to give a person you trust the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental or physical capacity or if you no longer wish to make those decisions yourself.

There are two types of LPA – one that covers your finances and one that covers health and welfare decisions.

LPA for Finances These can be used while you have mental capacity but your physical capacity is compromised or you can opt for them to be valid only if you have lost mental capacity. They can cover all decisions about your finances including: ■ Buying and selling property ■ Paying your bills such as mortgage or rental payments, care home fees and utilities ■ Investing your money You can restrict what your Attorney is able to do or allow them to make and implement all decisions that you would otherwise make and implement if you were able. Your Attorney cannot do whatever they want. They must always act in your best interests, keep records of what they are doing and keep your finances separate from their own. You can ask for an independent person, such as your Solicitor, to be given information about how your finances are being dealt with including what your money is being spent on.

LPA for Health and Welfare These can only be used if you no longer have mental capacity to make these decisions yourself and it is in your best interests to make such decisions. They cover health, care and welfare decisions such as: ■ Where you live

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Sharon Richardson

■ What medical treatment and care you receive

Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors LLP

■ What you should eat and who you have contact with ■ What social activities you take part in

In Health & Welfare LPA’s you can also decide whether or not your Attorney is able to make decisions about life sustaining treatment.

So what action do you need to take and what do you need to think about when considering this protection? Here are some top tips from SFE. ■ Plan early – Whilst you have capacity, it is vital that you get your affairs in order and choose the best people to manage your affairs, in case of an accident or illness. You can not appoint an attorney once you lose capacity. There is no automatic right for anyone else (even your spouse) to make decisions for you or deal with your finances if you lose capacity.

■ Choose carefully – Think carefully who you want to appoint as your attorney and have an open conversation with them so they understand your wishes and what their responsibilities will include. Consider appointing more than one person as your attorney so they can share the responsibility.

■ Consider appointing a professional – A family member might not always be the best person to act as your attorney. Instead, you can appoint a professional such as a solicitor.

They can act as a neutral third party and make unbiased decisions that are in your best interests. Bear in mind this usually involves a cost.

■ Think about different circumstances – Consider how you would like your attorney to manage your property and financial affairs in different situations. For example, are you happy for your property to be sold to pay for your care costs?

■ Address the difficult questions – Your attorney might have to make difficult decisions about your health and welfare.

If you have specific wishes around your care plans, medical treatment, or end of life wishes, make sure you discuss this with them and make your choices clear in your document.

■ Seek professional advice – Shop-bought and online LPA kits may be suitable for those with very straightforward financial situations or with considerable legal experience, but for most people, seeking professional legal advice is the best way of ensuring that an LPA is effective, legally robust and safe.

■K eep your plans current – Make sure you keep your LPA updated if your circumstances change. Your choices around the people you want responsible for your finances and wellbeing may change, such as following a marriage or divorce, when children reach adulthood, or if parents pass away.

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?

Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) were replaced by LPAs in October 2007 following the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Any EPA completed before this date is still valid but you should check whether they are current, for example are the correct people appointed as your Attorneys? EPAs only cover finances so if you have one but want your health and welfare issues covered then you will need to complete a LPA for health and welfare.

Your EPA might be used before it is registered (unlike LPAs which have to be registered first).

EPAs only have to be registered if the person who set it up (the donor) is no longer capable of managing their financial affairs due to a lack of mental capacity or if they are becoming incapable of managing their financial affairs.

If you would like to discuss LPAs or EPAs then please contact Sharon Richardson at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors on 01904 624185 or by email at s.richardson@crombiewilkinson.co.uk

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Your options for care at home For most people, remaining in their own home is the preferred option. There are lots of different ways of going about this.

1. Family, friends or neighbours can be a great source of help when you need some assistance with everyday tasks such as shopping or particular aspects of housekeeping. This can be cost-effective, but it doesn’t reinforce your independence and these arrangements are difficult to sustain.

2. Arrange for someone local to visit and pay them directly. This can appear to be a cheaper option, but bear in mind that by doing this you are assuming the responsibilities of an employer including tax and insurance obligations.

3. Arrange for a home care provider to visit on a schedule that suits you and meets your needs.

Do some research to identify a short list and then have a more in depth conversation with each of them about how they will meet your needs. The Care Quality Commission (www.cqc.org.uk) regulates and inspects home care providers so reading what they have to say is a good starting point.

Some of the things to consider are: ■ Attendance allowance – this is non-means tested and is intended to help people over 65 who need assistance with personal care to pay for that support in the form of a weekly payment of £57.30 or £85.60 (from April 2018).

■ Care and financial assessments – the social service team at your council should arrange this for you to determine whether you qualify for a contribution to the cost of your care from the council.

■ Personal budgets – since April 2015 anyone in receipt of local authority funded care at home is entitled to request that funding in the form of a ‘personal budget’. This gives you more choice and control over the care you receive.

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You’ll find a list of useful organisations on pages 19-21 of this publication

There is a wealth of resources available in the community from advice and support organisations to activities and social groups. Many people find that a combination of home care, friends or family and these local groups and activities are an effective way to stay comfortably in their own home.

Questions to ask when employing a CAREGiver If you decide on home care, there are several questions you should ask the home care agency to ensure your family and loved one remains safe, healthy and happy.

■ How do I know I can trust you?

Who is responsible for the organisation and what role do they play?

■ How do I know I can trust the person who is visiting?

■ What training do you provide for your staff?

■ What is in place to ensure standards and quality are maintained?

■ What if my loved one doesn’t get on with the person supporting them?

■ What happens if we need to increase or decrease the amount of support required temporarily?

■ When was your last CQC inspection and can I see a report? What was your rating?

■ Will the visits be at a time that suits?

■ How will we know who is going to be visiting our loved one?

■ Will the same person or team visit all the time?

■ How do you know if a member of staff has a problem and doesn’t make it to a client call?

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Planning for your future – Top Tips about Financial Planning Finding suitable care for yourself, a relative or friend can seem like a minefield and at times be extremely daunting. Most people need practical advice and a structured process to follow.

You should seek help from a suitably qualified specialist Later Life Financial Planner who is deemed to be independent as opposed to restricted by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Independent Financial Planners are unbiased and can advise on and arrange products from any provider right across the market. They are required to give ‘best advice’ which means that they are morally and legally obliged to act as the Agent of you, the Client, rather than that of any product or service provider.

Michael Oglesby Director & Specialist Later Life Financial Planner

The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) is a national organisation set up with the principle of ensuring that older people and their families get the best possible advice available. Michael Oglesby from Ardent Financial Planning has been accredited by SOLLA and draws on his extensive professional and personal experience. He has helped many families achieve positive outcomes in relation to care provision and funding.

A later life financial planner will provide information and guidance on: ■ State benefits including attendance allowance.

■ Whether to sell or rent out the elderly person’s home.

■ 12-week property disregard and local authority deferred payment agreement.

■ Deliberate deprivation rules.

■ Fully funded NHS care and nursing care contribution.

■ How to calculate whether care is affordable.

■ What happens to your capital when there is a shortfall in income.

■ How long can you pay for your chosen care.

■ How can you guarantee the fees will be paid.

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What Local Authority support can I expect?

Under the Care Act Adult Social Services is required to assess your care need and prepare a support plan.

If you have assets valued over £23,250 you will not qualify for financial assistance from the local authority. This includes the value of your property, apart from during the first 12 weeks of care. Certain assets are excluded, your financial planner will help you with this.

Giving away assets is limited by the ‘deliberate deprivation’ rules, if you are considering gifting get professional advice first.

What state benefits may I be entitled to?

Attendance Allowance is a non-means tested, tax free state benefit, payable to all individuals over age 65 who have needed care for longer than six consecutive months and meet the eligibility requirements. Two amounts of benefit are paid depending on the care requirement.

What else can a financial planner help with?

■ Getting the best from your pension plans.

■ Equity Release and loans in later life.

■ Paying for end of life and funeral expenses.

■ Estate planning and inheritance tax mitigation.

If you would like to discuss later life planning, then please contact Michael Oglesby at Ardent Financial Planning on 01904 655330 or by email hello@ardentuk.com

Can I afford the care?

Your financial planner will analyse your existing assets, income and expenditure and prepare a later life financial plan based on your individual circumstances, needs and goals. This will give you a clear strategy going forward with workable solutions.

Can I guarantee the fees will be paid?

Depending on your individual circumstances this may be possible but your adviser would consider various differing or ‘what if’ scenarios with you and you could choose the most appropriate one for you.

How much will it cost to employ a financial planner?

Usually there will be no cost for an initial discovery meeting. Your adviser should make it clear what fees are payable if you engage their services but make sure that you understand these fully and whether there are any on-going fees or charges (this usually only applies if the adviser is managing your assets on an on-going basis).

At the initial meeting it is important to question your adviser about their relevant experience and qualifications.

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What pharmacy services are available that can help with medicines?

New Medicine Service This is a free NHS service for people who are prescribed certain medicines for the first time.

You may use this service if you have: ■ Asthma ■ Type 2 diabetes ■ A lung condition, such as COPD ■ High blood pressure ■ A condition where you need blood-thinning medicine Your pharmacist will support and talk to you one-to-one in the first few weeks of starting a new medication. It’s an opportunity for you to ask any questions and bring up any issues you’ve had when taking a new medicine.

Medicine Use Review (MUR) This is a free NHS service for people who may have difficulties with managing multiple medications.

A pharmacist will talk to you one-to-one

about all your prescribed medicines, as well as any over-the-counter medicines or supplements. It gives you a chance to tell your pharmacist about problems you may be having with your medicines and to ask questions.

Your pharmacist can give you tips about how to take your medicines the best way and help solve any problems you have.

You may get an MUR if you: ■ Are taking medications where the dose is critical ■ Have recently been discharged from hospital and changes were made to the medicines you were taking ■ Take medications to help your breathing ■ Are at risk of or been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and take at least four medicines.

Other services Your pharmacist might also offer other services that help with your medications, such as: ■ A home delivery service which may help if you have difficulty shopping ■ A health check service to help with your long-term health conditions and see if your medications are working well ■ An online repeat prescription service where· you can pick up medications without having to get a paper prescription from your GP first ■ Pre-packaging your medications in single use foil dispenser (blister pack) so that you know what you should be taking at different times of the day.

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Information from www.ageuk.org.uk

Useful organisations Age UK

0800 169 65 65 Lines are open seven days a week from 8.00am to 7.00pm. www.ageuk.org.uk

Age UK (York)

01904 634 061 First call information service for over 50’s.

Alzheimer’s Society in York

01904 567 701 Advice, support and information for those whose lives are affected by dementia. www.alzheimers.org.uk

Attendance Allowance helpline

0345 605 60 55 Textphone: 0345 604 53 12 www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

Be Independent

01904 645 000 Community Equipment and Response Service Be Independent is a non-profit local service which helps people to remain independent and safe at home for as long as possible. We provide a 24 hour emergency response service in the York area.

Email: enquiries@beindependent.org.uk Website www.beindependent.org.uk

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

03000 61 61 61 National independent regulator of all health and social care services in England. Can provide lists of home care providers for a specific area. www.cqc.org.uk

Citizens Advice (York)

03444 111 444 Advice Centre offering free, confidential and independent advice, face-to-face or by telephone. For online information: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

City of York Council’s Adult Social Care Team

West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA. 01904 555 111 For information and advice to help you to maintain your independence, to find support for carers, or if you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of an adult.

You can call and arrange to make contact with the City of York Adult Social Care team. You can also arrange to see a social care worker for an informal face-to-face chat at a variety of community venues throughout the week.

Email: adult.socialsupport@york.gov.uk

Dementia Forward

01904 692 473 Dementia Forward advisors and Admiral Nurses (dementia specialist nurses) provide bespoke support and advice to people with dementia and/or their carers to enable them to live well with dementia.

Email: info@dementiaforward.org.uk www.dementiaforward.org.uk

DVLA Drivers’ Medical Enquiries

0300 790 68 06 If you have a driving licence you must tell DVLA about certain medical conditions.

Contact the DVLA to check if a health condition affects your driving. www.gov.uk

Easingwold Community Care Association

01347 822 875 EDCCA is a registered charity which seeks to improve the quality of life in the communities of Easingwold and surrounding villages. EDCCA runs several projects to help people to remain independent for as long as possible. These projects include: Befriending, Dementia Day Care, Meals On Wheels, Carers’ Support, Community Day Centre, a Community Mini Bus, and a Community Car Scheme.

Email: info@edcca.org.uk www.edcca.org.uk

continued over page…

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Useful organisations (continued) Haxby Helpers

01904 750 266 Haxby Helpers is a voluntary organisation that delivers help and assistance to people in Haxby and Wigginton who require it.

Money Advice Service

0800 138 77 77 Free and impartial money advice website set up by the government. It includes advice and guides to help you improve your finances and tools and calculators to help you to keep track and plan ahead. They also offer support over the phone and online. www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Older Citizens Advocacy York (OCAY)

01904 676 200 Free independent advocacy service for over 50’s.

Email: info@ocay.org.uk www.oldercitizensadvocacyyork.org.uk

Resource Centre for Deafened People

07523 917 586 Email: rcdpyork@btconnect.com

Royal Voluntary Service

Healthwatch York

01904 621 133 Healthwatch York provides information about local health and care services to make sure you know how to access the help you need. We listen to your views on local services, good or bad, making sure these are taken into account when services are planned and delivered. We also provide information about how to complain and make referrals to complaints advocacy for those who need support to complain.

Email: healthwatch@yorkcvs.org.uk www.healthwatchyork.co.uk

Independent Age

0800 319 67 89 Provides advice and support for older people, their families and carers. www.independentage.org

Local Government Ombudsman 0300 016 06 14 Investigates complaints about adult social care providers in England. www.lgo.org.uk

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0845 608 01 22 Offers a range of services, including home visits, help with shopping and other tasks, community transport, meals delivered to the home and social clubs. www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Shopmobility York

01904 679 222 Hires out electric scooters, wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs.

Email: info@shopmobilityyork.org.uk www.shopmobilityyork.org.uk

Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists

020 7234 86 20 Can help you find chiropodists and podiatrists in your area. www.scpod.org

St Leonard’s Hospice

01904 708 553 St Leonard’s Hospice is an independent charity providing care and support for people with life limiting illnesses. The Hospice has an In-patient Unit, Hospice@Home service and the Sunflower Centre, which offers emotional, social and spiritual support and a range of services including therapeutic workshops, art therapy, a bathing service, lymphoedema clinic and complementary therapies. Every patient is recognised and treated as an individual and our care also extends to support families and carers.

Email: enquiries@stleonardshospice.org.uk www.stleonardshospice.org.uk

The National Osteoporosis Society

There is a Support Group in York for people who have osteoporosis or have a relative with the disease. We meet 6 times a year and have a programme of speakers who are mostly medical.

The meetings are held in York in the afternoon.

New members are always welcome. For more information please contact: Jill Beaumont, Development Manager, Northern England on 07841 422 078.

A York Support Group Committee Member can be contacted on yorknos46@gmail.com The National Osteoporosis Society have a very useful helpline where you can speak to a Specialist Nurse on 0808 800 0035.

Email: info@nos.org.uk www.nos.org.uk

The Wilberforce Trust

01904 760 037 The Wilberforce Trust is committed to supporting people with sensory loss, they do this through their supported accommodation, low vision clinic, visual awareness training and activities within their living and learning zone.

Email: enquiry@wilberforcetrust.org.uk www.wilberforcetrust.org.uk/

York Blind and Partially Sighted Society

01904 636 269 York Blind & Partially Sighted Society is a thriving, independent, local charity working to help people with sight loss to remain independent. We provide an equipment and information centre, home visiting service, sporting and social activities. Membership is free and we produce a quarterly newsletter sent to all members. twitter: @ybpss www.ybpss.org

York Carers Centre

01904 715 490 York Carers Centre runs 3 carers hubs – a chance for carers to get together in their local community.

Email: enquiries@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk

TrustMark

0333 555 12 34 Helps people find a reliable, trustworthy tradesperson. www.trustmark.org.uk

UK Home Care Association

020 8661 81 88 Provides information on choosing care and finding a home care agency. www.ukhca.co.uk

Ways to Wellbeing

01904 621 133 Connects people, via their GP, to non-medical activities, services and groups that can support their health and wellbeing needs.

Email: waystowellbeing@yorkcvs.org.uk www.yorkcvs.org.uk/ways-to-wellbeing

Wiltshire Farm Foods

01423 339 666 Home delivered frozen food. www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com

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Useful organisations (continued) York Dial & Ride

01904 551 441 A flexible door-to-door bus service for people who have difficulty getting around.

Email: dial&ride@york.gov.uk www.yorkwheels.org.uk

York Flourish

0800 689 0369 York Flourish CIC is a not-for-profit organisation which runs various projects in York, providing opportunities for people who are isolated for a variety of reasons, including dementia. They run two daytime community choirs – Vocal Flourish Burnholme and Vocal Flourish Lidgett Grove.

Email: info@yorkflourish.org www.yorkflourish.org

York Library Service

01904 552 655 07469 378 205 They deliver books to your door.

Email: natasha.mort@ theroyalvoluntaryservice.org.uk www. exploreyork.org.uk/reference/ home-library-service

York Mind Counselling for Carers

01904 643 364 There are 12 free sessions available.

Email: darrin.thomson@yorkminds.org.uk

York Neighbours

01904 891 627 Help with practical one-off jobs, a regular phone call and individual and group outings.

York Older People’s Assembly

01904 202 293 York Older People’s Assembly represents the views of older people to the Council, the Hospital, the Police and others to improve their lives and maintain their independence where possible.

Email: yorkolderpeoplesassembly@ outlook.com www.yorkassembly.org.uk

York Teaching Hospital 01904 631 313

York Wheels

01904 630 080 York Wheels is a charity that provides free transport for shopping and other outings.

Email: info@yorkwheels.org.uk www.yorkwheels.org.uk

Yorsensoryhub

01904 202 292 A sensory service hub for anyone with any degree of sight loss, hearing loss or both. www.yorsensory.org.uk

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Care Services Tailor made to your individual requirements We regard it as a special privilege to look after people with love, care and compassion and our commitment to you is to provide the highest quality home care so that you feel confident and assured that your loved one is in very safe hands.

From 4 hours a week, up to 24 hours, 7 days a week, we offer a wide range of services that you can tailor around the needs and wishes of your family member.

Companionship Services ■O ffer companionship and conversation ■H elp with travel arrangements ■E scort to appointments ■A ssist with clothing selection ■H elp with reading ■P articipate in hobbies and crafts ■M onitor diet and eating ■B uy magazines, papers and books ■W atch films ■P lan visits, outings and trips ■V isit neighbours and friends ■A ccompany to lunch or dinner ■A ttend plays, concerts or religious services ■A ttend club meetings and sporting events ■R ecord family history ■D iscuss current/historical events and reminisce about the past

Home Help Services ■C ollect prescriptions ■P rovide light housekeeping ■D usting and vacuuming ■H elp with washing and ironing ■M ake beds and change bed linen ■A nswer the door ■O rganise wardrobes and cupboards ■ T ake out rubbish ■M eal preparation and tidy away ■C heck food expiry dates ■S upervise home maintenance ■O versee home deliveries ■ Care for houseplants ■ Assist with pet care ■ Prepare shopping lists ■ Help with general shopping ■ Drop off and collect dry cleaning

Personal Care Services ■ Help with bathing ■ Assist with dressing ■ Provide grooming ■ Help with continence support ■ Assist with eating ■ Dementia care ■ Alzheimer’s care ■ Provide respite care ■ Provide convalescence care ■ Provide medication reminders

Dementia Care Services ■ Medication reminders ■ Cooking and monitoring meal times ■ Help with medical visits/appointments ■ Social activities ■ Assistance in the community ■ Company and conversation ■ Stimulation of memory ■ Safety and security ■ Stimulate mental awareness

If you would like to use any of the Home Instead services please give us a ring on 01904 690884 or email info@hiscyork.co.uk where we can discuss your needs.

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Home Instead Senior Care 10 Clifton Moor Business Village James Nicolson Link, Clifton Moor York YO30 4XG Telephone: 01904 690884 Email: info@hiscyork.co.uk • Web: www.homeinstead.co.uk/york

Safe ■ Effective ■ Caring ■ Responsive ■ Well-Led “Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independently owned and operated.”