Get some practical help

Most people need some sort of practical support to help with caring for a loved one. This could be equipment to help you lift the person you care for, an alarm system for peace of mind , someone to sit with the person you care for while you go out, or a more substantial break where the person you care for goes into residential care.

Help

Paying for this sort of help can be expensive so it pays to shop around and get good advice. There are a variety of organisations and companies that can advise on buying equipment like hoists, wheelchairs and other disability aids. When it comes to having someone coming into your home to carry our care there is clearly the need to have someone you trust. Some people organise replacement care informally from friends and family or they buy in the help they need from a reputable commercial care agency.

Getting assessed

If you need this sort of help on a regular basis – be it equipment or care -  it is a good idea to contact social services or social work department of your local council/trust who can offer a range of support for disabled people and their carers.

To determine what help is needed and how much it might cost, social services will carry out an assessment of the person you care for, called a community care assessment and sometimes they might do an assessment of your needs, called a carer’s assessment.

Following the assessment, you will be given information about any services and support they can give you. This sort of help is usually means tested so you may end up having to pay something towards the costs.  If you are over 65 and live in Scotland, any personal care provided at home is free of charge.

To request an assessment contact the social services or social work department of your local council/trust. Contact details should be in the phone book, or you can ask your GP or any other health professional you are in touch with to refer you.