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How do I get help at home ?

 

Care at home service

Four Home CarersOur care at home service includes personal care such as:

It provides support and practical assistance to people at home, allowing you to be as independent as possible.

We have a workforce of over 700 trained home carers and we also arrange for other care organisations to provide care at home on our behalf. The service is available 365 days per year, providing essential care and support.

We will assess what your care needs are and how we can help you at home. You may be asked to contribute towards the cost of the services you receive. Many people will pay nothing, or will only contribute towards part of the cost. Once the services are in place they are regularly reviewed.

 

If you think you, a relative or friend needs help to manage at home, our guide to care at home gives more details:

 

What is care at home?

Male Home Carer Giving a Lady Tea and BiscuitsCare at home services can help you to manage:

  • personal care
  • practical support as part of a combined care package with personal care, to meet essential daily living needs
  • home support

Care at home is available from early morning to late evening, 365 days of the year. In exceptional circumstances, or where people experience a crisis, we can arrange for home carers to respond during the night.

Contact your local social work office for more information.

 

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Is care at home the same as free personal care?

No, but free personal care in one element of care at home services. Free personal care is available to people aged 65 and over. We will do an assessment with you to identify your needs and whether you require personal care. If you are aged 65 or over, you will receive help with personal care free of charge.

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Who is entitled to care at home?

Male Carer Helping a Disabled Lady Through a DoorPeople of all ages receive care at home. You maybe eligible if you:

  • need help with personal care and practical support to live independently
  • have increasing frailty or dementia
  • are ill and living at home
  • have a disability or sensory impairment, mental health problems or substance misuse problems

If you would like to find out more:

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How do I arrange care at home for myself, a relative or friend?

You can make a referral to us by telephone or in person at your local social work office. You can also email us on social.work@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

Alternatively, you can speak to the health staff in your local GP practice.

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Can I manage my own budget for care at home?

Home Carer with an Elderly LadyYes. If you are assessed as needing care at home and you want funding to manage your own care services, you can apply to us for a direct payment. This will allow you to arrange your own care at home service with a provider of your choice.

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How do I get help at home with meals?

Home carer giving a plate of food to an elderly ladyIf you cannot cook for yourself a meals at home service can be delivered to you, to help you remain as independent as possible and have access to nutritious meals. Frozen meals are delivered fortnightly, for you to defrost / cook each day. You can select from a choice of over 100 dishes, providing variety for all tastes. Special diets can be catered for.

We can supply you with a microwave and / or freezer free of charge, should you need it.

If you are unable to defrost or cook the meals a home carer can help you with preparation of the two course meals.

Contact your local social work office for more information.

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How much do I have to pay for care at home?

We operate a charging policy for care at home services which is based on a person's ability to pay. Depending on your income, you may be required to make a contribution to the cost of your care at home service.

Further details are available in our guide on contributing towards the cost of your care.

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Occupational therapy service

Lady in Wheelchair Going Down a StaircaseOur occupational therapy service is available to people of all ages who experience difficulties with everyday tasks because of disability, illness and / or frailty.

We aim to help you enjoy a better quality of life by allowing you to remain as independent as possible..

We may be able to help if you are:

  • having difficulty coping with everyday tasks, such as washing, dressing, using the toilet, or getting around a house
  • at risk of being admitted to hospital or residential care
  • terminally ill
  • suffering from a sudden traumatic illness such as stroke or head injury
  • suffering from a chronic condition which has deteriorated or flared up, such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis
  • a carer or someone with a disability who needs advice and support

Your needs will be assessed by our occupational therapy team so the appropriate solutions to your difficulties can be found.

 

Can I get equipment to help me do things independently?

 

Community alarm scheme

community alarm pendantThe community alarm scheme allows you to call for help in an emergency at any time, day or night.

A community alarm connects to, and uses, your own telephone to contact a trained operator. You wear a pendant with a button which, when pressed by you, sends a signal through the telephone to our centre operators. Our trained operators will speak to you directly to ask what kind of help you needs and will arrange for help to arrive if needed.

See our guide to community alarms and telecare or contact your local social work office for more information.

 

What is telecare?

Smoke DetectorTelecare provides a range of additional alarm systems that can alert you when something needs your attention or alert others to help you when you need it. Telecare is designed to support and maintain a person's independence at home.

The equipment is unobtrusive and is installed in your home by trained technicians with minimal disruption. Examples of telecare alert systems are:

  • fall detector
  • smoke / fire detector
  • flood detector
  • Chair Occupancy Sensorgas detector
  • occupancy detector
  • door contacts which can raise an alert when the door is opened
  • pressure mats which detect movement or lack of movement

These are just some examples of telecare services available. Telecare can offer a safer home environment and give you greater control over your lifestyle. Telecare can provide re-assurance and access to immediate help if needed.

 

Who is entitled to community alarm and telecare services?

Pensioner Wearing Her Community Alarm PendantIf you need care to live independently at home, whatever your age, and if you have:

  • increasing frailty
  • dementia
  • a long term health condition
  • physical disability
  • sensory impairment
  • mental health problems, or
  • problems with substance misuse

you may be eligible.

If you think you, a relative, neighbour or friend may benefit from community alarm or telecare services, you can make a referral to us. You can do this by:

Alternatively, you can ask health care staff at your local GP practice to make a referral on your behalf.

We operate a charging policy for care at home services, including community alarms and telecare. Further details are available in our guide contributing to the cost of your care at home.

 

More information on community alarms and telecare is contain in our guide to community alarms and telecare:

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