Derbyshire Carers Association

If you are thinking about residential care for the person you look after, your local Social Services office can provide information and advice.

For people in certain circumstances it can be better financially to make arrangements privately, but it is always advisable to speak first to Social Services personnel who will be able to advise you on what is the best option for you. They will know what is available, and will give advice about how to get help with fees. In some cases these will be paid in full, in others the person receiving the care will have to pay for all or part of the costs.

If you and the person you care for have a particularly complicated financial situation, it may also be useful to consult The Welfare Rights Service.

In all cases, before a person receiving care can be offered a place in a home, or before Social Services will pay for all or part of the costs, an assessment of the individual's needs and a financial assessment will be required. This assessment is carried out by Social Services.

In the case of a younger disabled person moving away from home, it may be possible to arrange a package to pay for their accommodation and the care they need. Ask your Social Services office or Area Co-ordinator for information.

RESIDENTIAL CARE
This is provided by many different organisations, including Social Services, Private Companies, Health Services, and Voluntary Organisations such as Mencap. There are residential homes that are run by, and for, specific groups such as trades and services groups.

Sheltered Housing Schemes
These are really only suitable for someone who is still able to look after themselves with some help. However it may be worth considering for some people as an alternative to residential care. Normally a warden is on duty, and there is an emergency call system.

Residential Homes
Assistance is provided with personal care, washing, dressing, etc. and many offer some social activities. The staff are not required to be medically qualified, although some may be. These are not suitable for people with conditions which require them to have constant medical or nursing care.

Nursing Homes
A nursing home must have a trained nurse on duty 24 hours a day, and generally cater for people who are mentally or physically very frail, immobile or incontinent and therefore requiring specific nursing care.

ALTERNATIVES TO CARING AT HOME FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE
There are a number of options available, depending on the nature and level of disability, care needs and preferences of the person receiving care. Accommodation and care are provided by a variety of different organisations, including Social Services, the Community Health Trust, and various voluntary or private organisations.

Specialised Homes
For people with mental health problems or a learning disability there are a variety of types of residential accommodation with different levels of support available, most being organised through Social Services and requiring an assessment. There are flats with support, residential care homes and nursing homes.

For people with a physical disability the choices are more limited, but keep asking. If you care for someone who wants to live on their own you can help them obtain a mixture of help from both Health and Social Services. Ask Social Services to assess their needs. Schemes are very individual in the services they provide, however a very simplified summary of the main types of service available follows:

ALTERNATIVES TO LEAVING HOME
Individual accommodation
This is where people receive assistance to live in their own house or flat. The amount of assistance they get varies according to their need. It can range from a few hours per day to 24 hours 7 days a week.

As with all services it is important to arrange a full assessment of the needs of the individual and their Carer.

Funding may be available through Social Services, the Independent Living Fund 93, privately, or a mixture of funding. The Independent Living Fund 93 can only be accessed through Social Services,

Community Care schemes
This includes a variety of options offered by Statutory and Voluntary Organisations. Generally the person receiving care will live as an individual or as part of a group who have similar levels of disability, with support staff provided to suit the level of need. Accommodation is usually provided in specially adapted bungalows or flats within ordinary residential areas, enabling the person receiving the care to join in the local community.

Derbyshire Adult Placement Scheme
This is run by Social Services and offers family homes that accommodate and look after up to three disabled or older people. Most are now registered as Small Homes, which means they have been inspected and passed by the relevant inspectorate and are required to meet certain standards.