Thursday, May 24 2012
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Home Care Service FAQs

Q How do I access Home Care Services?
A

The service has strict eligibility criteria and is only provided following a formal assessment of needs. If you:

  • are an older person with significant personal care needs (including dementia-related needs);
  • have a disability or are ill;
  • are caring for someone with any of the above

we may be able to assist.
Q What kind of help is available?
A Assistance can be provided with a wide range of day-to-day personal care tasks including:
  • getting up and dressed, and getting ready for bed;
  • washing and bathing;
  • going to the toilet;
  • help with feeding;
  • taking medication

We may be able to provide assistance with certain other daily living tasks, but usually only as part of a package of personal care.

Assistance can be provided across 24 hours.
Q Who do I contact if I want help?
A You can contact Social Care Direct where an assessment of your needs will begin.
Q What will be expected of me?
A

If necessary, a member of staff from an assessment team will visit you at home or in hospital to assess your needs.

This will consider:

  • What can you do for yourself?
  • What do you need assistance with?
  • Who helps and supports you at the moment?
  • How can your independence be increased and maintained?
  • What is the best way of meeting your needs?

Consideration will be given to you and, with your agreement, your family, friends, carers and Health staff who may know your situation.

The assessment will also take into account any specific cultural needs you may have and we can provide sign language, or an interpreter and have information in other languages or on cassette tape if needed.

When the assessment is complete, a Care Plan will be written for you to look at and agree. This will detail the level of any services, including Home Care, you may need.

If a need for home care is indicated, new users of Home Care Services will usually be initially referred to WMDC’s ReACT Team. They provide a service for up to six weeks to aid rehabilitation and recovery from an illness or injury and to ensure that the level of service is appropriate to needs and maintains independence.

At the end of this period, if there is still a need for home care, your case will be passed to a long-term home care team.

Your Care Plan will be regularly reviewed to take account of any changes in your needs.

Q What quality of services can you expect?
A We have specific standards set to ensure quality services are delivered and staff are trained to meet those standards. All service providers are monitored by WMDC’s Contracts Section and inspected by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
Q How much does it cost?
A The amount you will be asked to pay will depend upon the amount of your income and savings. You will be asked to provide details of your financial affairs, including any state benefits you receive. Any information we receive will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Q What is the National Framework for Continuing Health Care?
A It is a national policy on eligibility for NHS Continuing Health Care in England. It’s purpose is to provide a clear policy on eligibility for NHS Fully Funded Continuing Health Care based on four key indicators and linked to the assessment process and ‘tools’ used. The Framework aims to provide a fair, consistent and equitable system to assess needs, so that the resulting package of care is the most appropriate and relevant to the current and predicted care needs. A national assessment process is supported by national tools to promote consistency across the country and link decisions directly to the key indicators of a primary health need.
Q What is NHS Continuing Health Care (CHC)?
A It is the name given to a package of services which is arranged and funded by the NHS for people who have on going health needs outside hospital. Continuing Health Care can be received in the person’s own home, residential/nursing home or specialist placement. Continuing Health Care is when the person's needs become a primary health need. This means that your needs cannot be met by Social Services, because you require nursing or other healthcare services beyond those that Social Services are able to provide.
Q How do you work out how much someone must pay for their Home Care, Support Services and other Non-Residential Services (including Day Services)?
A Our system for charging for Home Care, Support Services and other Non Residential Services is based on a person’s ability to pay. It will depend on how much money you receive each week. In order for us to be able to work out how much you can reasonably afford to pay, you will be asked to provide us with details of your finances.

Your Social Worker/Care Co-ordinator will arrange for an advisor to come and help you to complete a financial circumstances form.