Bexley
Care Trust
Working in partnership to ensure
the best health and social care for the community
Services for Older People
Who can get help?
If you are an older person and have difficulty managing at home
we may be able to help. Your difficulties may be short term, for example, you
may have had an operation and be recovering at home, you may be cared for by someone
who has to go into hospital.
You may need longer term help due to an accident or illness, or no longer be
able to look after yourself very well.
We also provide help for carers of older people.
What help can I get?
We offer a range of services to people in need. Some of these
services will help you to continue to live at home if this is what you want.
You may want to move to sheltered housing - we can help you with this too.
Some people can no longer manage at home even if they have a great deal of
help. We can arrange for full-time care in residential home (sometimes called
an 'old people's home') or a nursing home.
How do I get help?
Telephone: 01322 356363
Email: screeners@bexley.gov.uk
We will ask you questions about your home life and the difficulties you have.
We will also ask what your wishes are. So that we can assess the help you might
need, it is important that you tell us as much as possible about your difficulties.
If you need emergency help it can be arranged at once.
Anything you tell Social Care staff will be in strict confidence. We will not
pass information to anyone else without your permission. Your carer can have a
separate assessment of their needs if they wish.
What services are available?
The Council provides and arranges a range of services for older
people and their carers.
Home help and personal care
Practical help and personal care to help you look after yourself
at home. This may include help with washing and using the toilet, help to dress
and undress, and help with housework.
Meals on wheels and freezer meals
We can bring hot food or freezer meals to you if you are unable
to make yourself a hot meal.
If you do not have a freezer, we can lend you one so that you can have
freezer meals delivered. Freezer meals are cheaper than meals on wheels
and give you more choice. Find out more about
meals at home...
Help with everyday living
We provide special aids and equipment for people who are disabled.
These help you with everyday tasks and enable you to live safely and independently
in your own home.
If you need adaptations to your home, we will arrange these. We will tell you
how much you may have to pay, if anything. We will also tell you about any grants
that you may be able to claim and how to apply for them.
There is a short waiting list at the moment because of the great demand for
this service. The more urgent your situation, the sooner you will receive help.
Day activities
If you are living at home and cannot get out by yourself, you
may like to attend a day centre where you can meet other people and enjoy social
activities. Transport can be arranged.
Having a break
If you live alone you may want a break from looking after yourself.
If you are being cared for by a friend or relative, you and your carer may welcome
the opportunity to spend some time apart. This may be a break for just a couple
of hours or for a couple of weeks. A variety of services are available which include
care in your own home, or in a residential home.
Social Work advice and support
Social workers offer counselling, advice and help in dealing
with life's crises, such as serious illness, a death in the family or other major
changes. Such problems can cause a great deal of distress to you and your family
and put relationships under strain. Some older people may even be at risk of harm
from the people they live with.
Social workers will help you get the services you need, such as counselling
or support. If your needs are greater, you will be put in touch with Care Managers,
who will assess your needs and put together a care plan which meets those needs.
Social workers will help you to continue to live in your own home for as long
as you can. When this is no longer possible, they will help you to find, and move
to, the best possible alternative accommodation and care.
Help with sight loss and hearing loss
If you have lost your sight or your eyesight is very poor we
offer advice and counselling. Training is available in everyday living skills
and in using special equipment. We can also help you learn new skills.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can have a similar service.
Resource Centres for people who have lost their sight or are partially sighted,
and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, are open to anyone who needs their
help and advice. Social activities are also provided.
For more information, contact the Visual Impairment Team on 01322 344827
or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Team on 01322 344811
(Minicom 01322 334716). Find
out more about the Sensory Impairment Service...
Moving to a nursing home or residential care home
Most people would like to continue to live in their own home
for as long as possible. However, sometimes people need the kind of care that
can only be provided in a nursing home or a residential care home. We will assess
your situation and help you decide what is best for you.
If you think you need residential or nursing care, we will visit you and assess
your needs and those of your relatives or carers. If you do need this type of
care we will help you choose a suitable place and help you apply. We will explain
how much you will have to pay.
How much will these services cost?
This will depend on your income and the level of services you
need. We will explain the cost before services are provided. You may be entitled
to benefits and we will help you claim them.
Other services
Community care services in Bexley are also provided by the health
service, voluntary organisations and private care agencies. Local voluntary organisations
can give advice, support and practical help to older people and their carers.
To find out more about voluntary services, contact:
Bexley Voluntary Service Council
8 Brampton Road
Bexleyheath, DA7 4EY
 020
8304 0911
Occupational health & rehabilitation services
Services for people with physical and sensory disabilities
Services for people with mental health problems
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