darlington 2014 issue 1
DESCRIPTION
Signposting Healthcare In DarlingtonTRANSCRIPT
Darlington
Health & Social CareSignposting Directory2014
Issue 1
ContentsCONTENTS
DisclaimerThis Directory has been compiled to signpost primary health and social care providers throughout the DarlingtonBorough.
Whilst we have taken every care in compiling this publication, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibilityfor any inaccuracies.
All listings are supplied via the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS Choices. Neither Healthwatch Darlington norHealthCare Publications Limited can be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
All signposting services are up to date as of January 2014.
A note on advertising: We offer businesses the chance to reach potential customers via this publication. It is our intention to clearly indicate that anadvertisement is being displayed and no endorsement or approval by the promoters of any product, service or supplier should be implied.
About Us
Your Voice Counts
Volunteer for Healthwatch
Have Your Say
NHS Keep Calm
Healthy Living
Choosing a GP
GP Surgeries & Hospitals
Dentists
Pharmacies
Opticians & Hearing Centres
Are you a Carer?
Darlington Lifeline & Telecare Services
Independent Living
Advice on Paying for Care
Legal Terms
Care in Your Own Home
Residential & Nursing Care
Choosing the Right Care Home
Help & Advice
Another quality publication by Healthcare PublicationsIf you require extra copies of this directory or interested in advertising infuture editions please contact Healthcare Publications on 0333 444 0214
SIGNPOSTING LOCAL HEALTHCARE
ABOUT US
We will
• Enable local voices to influence the delivery and design of local health and social care services
• Use local volunteers to gather views and experiences from local people
• Involve and engage local people, putting YOUat the heart of Health and Social Care service decision making
• Enable local people to make informed choices about their own, their families and friends’ health and social care
• Influence the way services are planned, designed, commissioned and delivered
• Have a strong relationships with Health and Social Care providers as a critical friend using community views to influence and improve planning and delivery of services
• Provide information, advice and support about local services and signpost to them
What is Healthwatch?
Healthwatch is the new Consumer Champion, orWatchdog for health and social care. It exists intwo distinct forms – local Healthwatch, at locallevel and Healthwatch England, at nationallevel. The aim of local Healthwatch is to giveservice users and communities a stronger voiceto influence and challenge how health andsocial care services are provided locally.
Who are we?
Healthwatch Darlington is a brand new,independent organisation that will raise yourviews and opinions on Health and Social Care inDarlington and to help make your voices heard.We have a seat on the new Health andWellbeing Board and on the ClinicalCommissioning Group CCG's Community Council,ensuring that the views and experiences ofpatients, carers and other service users aretaken into account when making and designingservices.
Healthwatch Darlington is representative of ourdiverse communities. Healthwatch Darlingtonhas its own Board of Directors which direct itswork.
The Healthwatch network is a new kindof consumer champion in health andsocial care. We will make sure the voiceof the consumer is heard and actedupon. With our independent statutorypowers, the network as a whole has afantastic opportunity to make adifference. Healthwatch England looksforward to making sure the public’svoice is heard loud and clear by thosewho plan, run and regulate health andsocial care services.
Anna Bradley, Chair of Healthwatch England
YOUR VOICE COUNTS
“No decision aboutme, without me”
Your Voice Counts and Healthwatch Darlingtonbelieves that . . .
No matter who you are, where you live, or whatage you are. You do have a voice and you havethe right for that voice to be heard.
We believe in the power of the collective voiceof patients, carers, families, friends and thepublic to make things better.
Our work will be driven by the ambition todevelop a strong and thriving organisation forthe people of Darlington.
We will lead by example - we will beindependent, constructive, transparent andinclusive.
We will work collaboratory with those who canadd value to our role as consumer champion.
To achieve this, we need the support andinvolvement of volunteers to help us to contact,engage with and give support to the members ofour community.
This is how you fit in. You know yourneighbourhood. You have relatives, friends,neighbours, colleagues and a whole network ofcontacts who you could ask for their viewsabout how to influence and improve health andsocial care for everyone.
You will also have knowledge, skills, abilitiesand interests that could help your localHealthwatch Darlington achieve its aim ofimproving the health and well being of yourcommunity.
You might:
• love meeting and talking to new people• enjoy helping out and organising events and
activities• want the chance to represent the interests
of your friends, your family and your community
• know a lot about a particular illness or condition, or of using a particular service
• have good computer skills• have a flair for designing publicity materials• want to learn more and gain new skills
Make that Difference Today
You can become a participant of HealthwatchDarlington – all you need to do is register yourinterest.
As a participant, we can contact you directlywith news and information on local issues.
You will have the opportunity to take part inprojects and community forums as well asdirectly receive information.
Your knowledge and advice may be sought onparticular issues.
Participants are a vital link between theHealthwatch Darlington Board and the widerpublic.
If you have an interest in and care about yourlocal health and social care services and want tomake sure they are as good as possiblereflecting the real needs of people who usethem, we need you! We have lots ofopportunities to get involved through ourvolunteering programme.
VOLUNTEER FOR HEALTHWATCH
Become Involved
Anyone can become involved with Healthwatch andcontribute to its activities because everyone’sviews matter. You can do as much or as little asyou like – from filling in a survey, attending theoccasional meeting about an issue of personalinterest, signing up as a Healthwatch participant or becoming a Healthwatch Volunteer.
What are Healthwatch Volunteers?
Healthwatch volunteers are participants who act asthe voice of the local community. They talk tolocal people about the quality of health and socialcare in their area and are committed to supportingHealthwatch Darlington to improve services. Thisrole is vital to the improvement of local servicesby prioritising the issues that really matter to youin your own area.
Healthwatch Volunteers can undertake as much oras little as they like from a range of specific roles.
Roles of a Volunteer include:
• Be the eyes and ears of local people and raise issues of concern
• Make recommendations on how to improve local services
• Tell people about Healthwatch and encourage them to become involved
• Promote Healthwatch events and projects to local people
• Liaise with other people/groups involved with engagement work
• Attend meetings, groups and events as a Healthwatch Participant, representing your own views based on personal experience
• Talk to patients about their experiences of using health and social care services
• Visiting health and social care providers, as part of our Enter and View portfolio and activity
How to become a Healthwatch Volunteer
No qualifications are needed to become aHealthwatch volunteer; just a willingness to listenand talk to a range of individuals, an open mindand a desire to raise the voice of local people.
Volunteers who are authorised by HealthwatchDarlington such as undertaking observations ofservices (Enter and View) will undertake relevanttraining and some roles will require a Disclosureand Barring Service check (previously CRB check).
You can become a Volunteer by:
Contacting Healthwatch Darlington on 01325 380 145 or emailing [email protected]
From here we will send you an information packwith additional information about HealthwatchDarlington. This will include a role description forvolunteers and an application form for you tocomplete and return to us.
It is only with your support that HealthwatchDarlington can make a difference to the quality oflocal services.
Anyone can apply to become a Healthwatchvolunteer, however if you wish to take a less activerole you can sign up to be a Healthwatchparticipant where you receive regular updates andnewsletters.
Contact Telephone: 01325 380 145
Text: 07525237723
Information and Signposting Freephone 0808 801 0383
Address: Freepost RTEH-TUCJ-TGCU,Healthwatch Darlington, eVOLution Building,
Church Row, Darlington, DL1 5QD
Email: [email protected]
Local Healthwatch Development Officer: Diane Lax
Community Participation and EngagementOfficer: Andrea Goldie
Tell us what you would like HealthwatchDarlington to do for you:
1) Have you had a good experience with the health and social care service, that you would like to share with us?
2) Do you have a relative or friend living in a Care Home? Are you/they happy with the care they receieve?
3) Can you get an appointment with your GP (Doctor) when you need to?
4) Have you had to stay in hospital recently, if so, what was it like?
5) Do you or a relative suffer from a long term illness; are you/they happy with the help and support you/they receive? Positive or negative experiences
6) Do you know what services are available andhow to choose the right one when you need urgent care?
Tell us your Experience. Are you a local Darlington resident?
Have you used Health and Social Care servicesin the last 12 months?
Please tell us about it here.Click here to take surveyhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9SLCZYP
or scan the QR code withyour smartphone.
Thank you for giving us your feedback. This willhelp Healthwatch Darlington to prioritise itswork.
HAVE YOUR SAY
HEALTHY LIVING
The choices we make about how we livecan have a significant effect on ourhealth. Eating a healthy diet, doingregular exercise, not smoking and notdrinking too much alcohol can help youstay well and enjoy a long life.
Keeping fit and healthy can be a challenge if youare living with a long-term condition, but it willmake a big difference to your wellbeing. If you’vebeen thinking about making changes to yourlifestyle, such as stopping smoking, losing weight,eating healthily, drinking a little less alcohol, ordoing more exercise, there’s plenty of help andsupport available.
Talking to your GP and other healthcare workers,including pharmacists, is the first step. They’llhelp you look at your lifestyle and suggest changesthat are suitable for your condition and anytreatment you’re having. Your health or careworker can also let you know about local servicesthat can help you.
For example, if you want to start exercising butyou're unsure how to, your GP can put you on theExercise on Referral scheme. These schemes arerun with local gyms and fitness centres and caninclude swimming. Ask at your GP practice formore information.
Your GP can also help you if you want to stopsmoking, for instance by enrolling you in a clinicwhere you’ll get support from other people whoare also trying to stop. Nicotine replacementtherapy and other stop smoking treatmentsprovided by your GP can also help you resistcravings and boost your chances of quittingsuccessfully.
You're never too young or too old to switch to ahealthier lifestyle. Children who learn healthyhabits at a young age will benefit from themthroughout their life. And giving up bad habits canimprove your health at any age.
Rethink your drinking
Drinking too much alcohol could increase your riskof getting 14 major diseases, including mouth andthroat cancers, liver cirrhosis, strokes and mentalhealth problems.
Alcohol is believed to be responsible for as many as22,000 premature deaths in England and Walesevery year. But it’s not just binge drinkers who areat risk: regularly drinking more than therecommended limit can cause significant healthproblems.
Stop Smoking for good
Giving up smoking is probably the best thing youcan do to improve your health.Research shows that smokingis responsible for almostone in five of alldeaths in the UK. Thismeans that smokingcauses an estimated110,000 deaths a year.
Smokers are almosttwice as likely tohave a heartattack as peoplewho have neversmoked.Smoking alsoincreases yourrisk ofdeveloping manycancers and lungdisease.
Get active, feel fitter, live longer
Whatever your age, there's strong scientificevidence that being physically active can help youlead a healthier and even happier life.
Adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activityeach week. Young people (5-18) should do 60minutes every day.
If you do this, it can reduce your risk of heartdisease and stroke by up to 50% and lower your riskof early death by up to 30%.
NHS Co. Durham & DarlingtonStop Smoking Service
Thousands of people in your area have
successfully quit smoking with the help of the
NHS County Durham and Darlington Stop
Smoking Service.
• Free advice and support to stay motivated and on track
• Medication on prescription
• Carbon monoxide monitoring
• Flexible to suit your needs.
Did you know that you are four timesmore likely to quit smoking successfully
with us than if you try to quit usingwillpower alone?
Contact us on 0800 9171509
CHOOSING A GP
Choosing a GP can seem a daunting task, especiallyif you have just moved into an area and don't knowanything about the local health services. But thereare some easy ways to find the doctor to suit you.It's important to be registered with a doctorbecause you'll need them to refer you for specialisthospital and community treatment services.
A surgery may refuse an applicationto join its list of patients if:
You don't reside in the surgery area
It has formally closed its list of patients, eg when apractice has more patients than it can deal with ornot enough doctors - this is less common than itused to be.
If your application is refused, the surgery mustwrite to you and give the reasons for this
How do I find a surgery?
Most surgeries operate a fairly strict catchmentarea system, and only those who live within thearea may be able to register.
This isn't to be awkward, but ensures a GP can visita person at home in an emergency in reasonabletime.
How do I register?
This is straightforward and far easier than mostpeople realise. Simply take your NHS medical cardalong to your chosen surgery. You will then beasked to sign a registration form.
Not all NHS trusts issue medical cards. If you don'thave one, the receptionist will give you form GMS1to fill in.
Once you've completed and returned the forms,your local NHS will transfer your medical recordsto your new surgery and write to you to confirmyour registration as a patient with the surgery.Many surgeries ask a new patient to attend a‘registration medical’ that checks your generalhealth.
What if I can’t get an appointment?If you can't get a doctor's appointment or have anon-urgent health problem or query, you cancontact a nurse by ringing 111 at any time.
Keep calm and be ready for winter
During the winter months, the demand for NHSservices increases significantly as cold weathermeans there are more slips, trips and injuries.Generally more of us feel unwell during the winteras we spend more time indoors and coughs andcolds are passed around our family, friends andcolleagues at work.
This all adds up to more of us having an accidentor becoming unwell with a winter bug, meaningmore people want to see their GP, attend accidentand emergency or call 999.
‘Keep calm and look after yourself’ is the strongmessage from Healthwatch Darlington this winter,to remind people that many of the common winterailments and illnesses are easily treated at home,or with advice from a pharmacist – with no need tosee a doctor or nurse.
The ‘Keep Calm’ campaign which gives advice onhow to treat a range of common winter conditionsby keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet athome or speaking to your local pharmacist.
Healthwatch Darlington said there is no need topanic when feeling under the weather. “Mostnormally healthy people with a winter illness donot need to see their GP, attend A&E andabsolutely do not need to call 999 – so our messagethis winter is ‘keep calm’.
“Colds, sore throats, head-aches, hangovers,upset stomachs, coughs, aches, pains, andwinter vomiting should all be treated at home orwith the advice of your local pharmacist, withpain killers, rest and plenty of fluids.
By doing this not only are you helping to reducethe spread of winter viruses to other vulnerablepatients in NHS waiting rooms – you are alsokeeping appointments available for people whohave serious health conditions that must see adoctor or nurse.”
GP SURGERIES & HOSPITALS
Surgery Address Telephone
Hospital Address Telephone
Dentist Address Telephone
DENTISTS
Emergency Dental ServiceDental Access Centres are available to treat patients who need emergency treatment. This service givespriority to pain relief and urgent care. Please call 111.
Dental charges depend on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if youneed to visit your dentist more than once to finish it. If you are referred to another dentist foranother, separate course of treatment, you can expect a second charge. Some minor treatments are free.
Always ask your dentist whether the treatment they are recommending is available on the NHS andhow much it will cost before you go ahead.
NHS DeNtal CHargeSBand 1 course of treatment
£18.00 This covers an examination, diagnosis
(eg X-rays), advice on how to prevent futureproblems, a scale and polish if needed, and
application of fluoride varnish or fissuresealant. If you require urgent care, even ifyour urgent treatment needs more than oneappointment to complete, you will only need
to pay one Band 1 charge.
Band 2 course of treatment
£49.00This covers everything listed in Band 1
above, plus any further treatment such asfillings, root canal work or if your dentist
needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
Band 3 course of treatment
£214.00This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2
above, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.
PHARMACIES
If you have the symptoms of a cough, cold, or think you’ve got the flu a pharmacist is the best placeto go, as they can usually provide you the help and information you need on the spot.
They can also offer help with healthy living issues such as losing weight or giving up smoking.
Make sure you have repeat prescriptionsIf you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeatprescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last i.e. weekends,Bank holidays and breaks away.
Many of the calls to out of hour’s health services are for emergency repeat prescriptions when peoplehave run out of their medication - a situation that could be avoided with some forethought andplanning. By thinking ahead for your regular medication you are helping our busy out of hour’s doctorsand nurses.
Pharmacy / Chemist Address Telephone
For opening times and NHS SERVICES available from your Pharmacy Please scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit www.nhs.uk
OPTICIANS & HEARING CENTRES
Regular eye tests are important because your eyes do not always hurt when something is wrong. A sight test is a vital health check for your eyes that can pick up early signs of eye conditions before youare aware of any symptoms.
A sight test will show if you need to:• Get glasses for the first time• Change your current glasses
A sight test will also include a general health check that can pick up early signs of eye disease beforeyou are aware of any symptoms many of which can be treated if found early enough. Some healthconditions can affect the eyes such as:• diabetes• macular degeneration• glaucoma
Your sight test
It’s recommended that adults have their eyes tested every two years, unless their ophthalmic practitioneradvises them to have a sight test more often than that.
The way a sight test is carried out is governed by law. A sight test will identify:What your level of vision is whether you need glasses to correct your sight. Your eyes and the area aroundthem will be examined, to look for signs of injury, disease or abnormality.
Opticians Address Telephone
Hearing Centres Address Telephone
ARE YOU A CARER?
A Carer spends a significant proportion of theirlife providing unpaid support to family orfriends. This could be caring for a relative,partner or friend who has a long term illness ordisability including mental illness, alcohol ordrug misuse or those that are elderly, forgetfulor frail.
Caring can be a very difficult, demanding and all-consuming task, no matter how close you are tothe person you care for.
Caring can affect your Health making you feeltired, frustrated, stressed and feeling guilty,leaving you with no time to yourself. In fact 52% ofcarers need treatment for stress related problemsand many carers feel they have to give up workbecause of the effects caring has on their life.
You are not alone! It is estimated there around 6.5million Carers in the UK today. You are certainlynot alone, but you still need to take of yourself aswell as the person you care for.
Thankfully, armed with the right support andinformation caring can be a rewarding andenjoyable experience. Just follow a few simple tipsthat can make a real difference.
• Ask for Help We all need help from time to time and carers are no exception. Help is out there you only need to ask!
• Know your rights It sounds simple, but knowing what you are entitled to and what support is available can help a great deal.
• Tell your GP Your GP practice can record that you are a carer to ensure you get your annual flu vaccination and additional support as a carer.
• Have an assessment This can sound a little daunting at first, but ensuring that you and theperson you care for get a assessment of your needs through the Local Authority can give youaccess to a whole host of additional practical help and support.
• Be a little selfish We all need time to ourselves, but it’s particularly important for carers. This could be as simple as setting someme time aside for a relaxing bath or a night out.
Help and support is available locally fromDISC Darlington Young Carers' Service andDAD (Darlington Association on Disability)Carers' Support Service.
DISC Darlington Young Carers' Service supportsyoung carers up to the age of 25, who provide carefor a family member due to physical disability,mental illness, substance misuse, terminal or lifelimiting illness or learning disability. The youngperson could be offering emotional or practicalsupport to the person they care for.
DISC aims to reduce the impact of caring byoffering:• One to one support • Activities and Support Groups & respite • Information, Advice and Guidance • Whole Family Support • Advocacy
For more information or to refer a young carer,please contact them on (01325) 483038 or by email [email protected]
DAD (Darlington Association on Disability) Carers'Support Service supports adult carers, includingparents caring for disabled children. Providesinformation, advice and support, including groupactivities. Also undertakes awareness raising aboutcarers' issues and provides training for health andsocial care staff.
For more information or to refer a carer, pleasecontact them on (01325) 357533 or by email [email protected]
DARLINGTON LIFELINE & TELECARE SERVICES
24 hour help at the touch of a button with professionalresponse staff, able to attendyour home in an emergency or an unexpected event.
Lifeline Services
Many people wish to live alone but often worryabout unexpected accidents or the need forsome immediate help in the home.
Lifeline is a Darlington service which allows youthe freedom to live independently, secure in theknowledge that help is there if you need it, 24hours a day, any day of the year, at the push of a button.
We can make a differenceOur service and technology devices are tailoredand discreet to suit your individual needs. Offeringa FREE Key holding service with all our products.
We will respond to your calls, either viathe equipment or by sending our LifelineResponse Officers to your home.
Darlington Lifeline & Telecare can be of benefit to:
• Older, frail or disabled people or those temporarily unwell after perhaps an operation
• People who have been discharged from hospital and need to be able to get help at home if needed
• Vulnerable people of any age living alone
• Reassurance to partners, family and carers of people with dementia, medical conditions or disabilities be that physical, mental or sensory
Darlington Lifeline & Telecare can:
• Raise an alarm in case of a fall or emergency
• Raise alerts for floods, smoke, carbon monoxide
• 24-hour reassurance for family and carers
How do Lifeline & Telecare Work?
You can push the pendant button yourself or thetelecare devices automatically raise an alert. Thisactivates theLifeline Unit anduses yourtelephone line toautomatically dialthe local DarlingtonControl Room.Trained operatorsanswer these calls24/7 and you canhear their voicesand talk to them.
An immediateresponse isarranged that isappropriate to your needs. Whether family,friends, carers, emergency services or one of ourown Life line Response Officers, you can be safein the knowledge that someone will come to yourhome straight away if they are needed.
To benefit from the service all you need is a phoneline and modern electric plug socket. This range oftechnology offers extra independence and peace ofmind. Pictured overleaf are some of our mostpopular devices, however, many more areavailable. To find out more - it is as simple as atelephone call.
Darlington Lifeline & Telecare service is asimple, cost effective and unobtrusiveway to help anyone, of any age, tomaintain independence and getemergency help at home when needed.
Simply call
01325 388508
DARLINGTON LIFELINE & TELECARE SERVICES
How much will it cost?There is a small weekly charge that we feel offersexcellent value for money.
What do I do next?If you would like to know more about Lifelineservices and products, or to arrange a noobligation, free demonstration in your home.
Call: 01325 388508 or e-mail us atwww.darlington.gov.uk/lifelineservices
Falls DetectorWill sense if you fall andautomatically alert us. Wewill get help to you quickly.
These can be carried withyou around the home and inyour garden (within 50metres). In an emergencysimply press the alarmbutton and a message issent directly to the LifelineControl Centre.
Flood DetectorWill alert you and us when abath or sink is overflowing.
Smoke DetectorWill alert you and us ifsmoke or fire is detected inyour home. Your house issafe even when you are notin it.
Exit AlertWill detect and alert us if adoor is opened, and canhelp should a person be atrisk of wandering.
Bed SensorWill alert you and us if aperson does not return totheir bed. This couldindicate a fall has occurred.
Examples of Lifeline & Telecare Equipment:
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Suggestions for making life easy:
MINOR ADAPTATIONSExternal Adaptations• Handrail at front or rear entrance of dwelling• Provision of whirly clothes line or path leading
to clothes line• Widening of paths around the property• Defining steps for people with visual
impairments• Outdoor lighting• Paved areas for wheelchairs
General Internal Adaptations• Additional stair rail• Changing door knobs to lever handles• Lowering of Yale locks• Re-siting of electrical sockets at a
convenient level• Additional power points• Provision of intercom & door unlock systems• Provision of rocker light switches• Adjustments to or additional lighting• Relocation of clothes hanging rails• Accessible window openings• Provision of letter cages or delivery
shelves in entrance hall
Kitchens and Bathrooms• Lowering or replacement of high wall
hung cupboards• Additional storage space in kitchen• Lowering of cooker mains switch• Installation of extractor fan with
accessible controls• level access shower• overbath shower• provision of non-slip/tactile surface• provision of storage space for wheelchair• ramps• special baths• special toilets• step in shower• widening doors for wheelchair access
MAjOR ADAPTATIONS• bathroom extensions
(ground floor showers & W.C’s)• bedroom extensions• hardstandings• major internal rearrangements• redesign or re-organisation of existing kitchen• stairlifts• vertical through floor lifts
Around one in five adults in the UK isdisabled, and more than 1 million ofthose live alone. With the right supportand facilities, leading an independent lifewith a physical or learning disability isnow more achievable than ever.
Aids and Adaptations If you or a member of your family has difficultyliving in your home due to a long-term illness ordisability, you may be able to get help by adaptingyour home to better meet your needs. You canapply to your local council for a disabled facilitiesgrant. The grant helps you adapt your home tomake it suitable for a disabled person. Dependingon your income, you may need to pay towards thecost of the work to the property.
You could get a grant from your council if youare disabled and need to make changes to yourhome, for example to:
• widen doors and install ramps
• improve access to rooms and facilities - eg stairlifts or a downstairs bathroom
• provide a heating system suitable for your needs
• adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
How can I find out more about the aidsand adaptations that would help me?
Contact your social services at Darlington BoroughCouncil on 01325 346200 at your local councilabout what difficulties you are having at home.They will send an occupational therapist to carryout an assessment and provide advice on whichequipment or housing adaptation needs suit youbest.
ADVICE ON PAYING FOR CARE
Care and support services are means-tested and arenot free to everyone. Most people have to paysomething towards their own care and some willhave to pay for all of the costs. Who pays dependson what your needs are, how much money you have,and what level and type of care and support yourequire.
You may need to pay for all of your own care, or youmay be entitled to local authority funding, NHS care(free) or have entitlements to welfare benefits tohelp pay for your care and support.
For most people needing social care services, thefirst place to start is by asking your local authorityfor an assessment of your social care (care andsupport) needs. As part of this, the local authoritymay also carry out a financial assessment. Thisassessment will determine whether the localauthority will meet all the cost of your care, orwhether you will need to contribute towards yourcare cost or whether you will have to meet the fullcosts yourself. Some of the rules for this financialassessment are applied differently based on whetheryou need care in your own home or care in aresidential home.
There are several options for funding care.Understanding them, and which ones apply to youcan be complicated.
Get personal advice on care funding
The cost of care and support is likely to be a long-term commitment and may be substantial,particularly if you opt for residential care. If you ora member of the family need to pay for care athome or in a care home, it’s important tounderstand the alternatives. This makes advicetailored to your individual needs vital. You can get advice from:
Darlington Borough Council – through an assessmentof your care and support needs as well as advice onwhich services are available on 01325 346200.
Financial advice from a qualified, independentsource – there are independent financial adviserswho specialise in care funding advice. They areregulated by the Financial Conduct Authority andmust stick to a code of conduct and ethics and takeshared responsibility for the suitability of anyproduct they recommend.
The Mental Capacity Act:
• The purposes of the Act are allowing adults to make as many decisions as theycan for themselves.
• To enable adults to make advance decisions about whether they would like future medical treatment.
• To allow adults to appoint, in advance of losing mental capacity, another person tomake decisions about personal welfare or property on their behalf at a future date.
• To allow decisions concerning personal welfare or property and affairs to be made in the best interests of adults when they have not made any future plans and cannot make a decision at the time.
• To ensure an NHS body or local authoritywill appoint an independent mental capacity advocate to support someone who cannot make a decision about serious medical treatment, or about hospital, care home or residential accommodation, when there are no family or friends to be consulted.
• To provide protection against legal liability for carers who have honestly and reasonably sought to act in the person’s best interests.
• To provide clarity and safeguards around research in relation to those who lack capacity.
LEGAL TERMS
Every day people make decisions about lots ofthings in their lives. The ability to make decisionsis called mental capacity. People may havedifficulties making some decisions either all orsome of the time. This could be because they havea learning disability, dementia, a mental healthproblem, or could be the result of a head injury ora stroke or a temporary condition such as anillness, accident or the influence of alcohol ordrugs.
Listed below are details about some of the legalterms and topics you may come across. You mayneed to contact a solicitor who can give youimpartial advice which you may have to pay for, or you can contact an advocate who can advise onyour behalf.
Lasting Power Of Attorney: allows you to appointsomeone you trust to make decisions about yourpersonal welfare, including healthcare and yourfinancial affairs.
The Court of Protection: can issue Ordersdirecting the management of a person’s propertyand financial affairs if they are incapable ofmanaging their own affairs and do not have aLasting Power of Attorney.
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: protectspeople in residential care or hospital who areunable to make decisions for themselves due to abrain disorder. If any of these people need to berestrained, restricted or deprived, in order to givethem physical care or keep them safe, a Deprivationof Liberty Safeguards authorisation may be required.
CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME
If you are finding it difficult to manage at home you could consider using the services of a home careprovider. Home care providers employ care assistants who can help you with bathing, washing and dressing.The staff who work for these agencies are trained in personal care and safety procedures, moving andhandling, hygiene and infection control. If you require nursing care at home, many agencies employregistered nurses.
A list of the care agencies registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which are located in theDarlington Clinical Commissioning Group can be found on the following pages.
When considering the use of services from a home care provider you may want to ask them a few questionsto help you build up a picture of how your care needs will be met. Some of these questions could be.
Organising your own home care
If you are thinking about arranging your own home care it is a good idea to ask any agencies youapproach the following questions• Are there different rates for weekends/evenings?• Are there any extra charges i.e. for the carer's travelling expenses?• What sort of services do you provide?• If you provide me with a service, can I contact you out of office hours? If so, how?• Are your carers trained? Are you registered with the Care Quality Commission?
To check up-to-date information on the providers of homecare in Darlington visit www.cqc.org.uk or scan the QR CODE with your Smartphone.
Care Provider Address Telephone
CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME
RESIDENTIAL & NURSING CARE
There are many types of residential care homesavailable. These include permanent care homes forolder people, homes for younger adults withdisabilities and homes for children. They may beprivately owned or run by the voluntary sector orlocal authorities. You may want to consider in detailthe many options for residential care before youmake a decision.
Older PeopleCare homes for older people may provide personalcare or nursing care. A care home which is registeredto provide personal care (see the section on carehome regulation, below) will offer support, ensuringthat basic personal needs, such as meals, bathing,going to the toilet and medication, are taken careof. In some homes more able residents have greaterindependence and take care of many of their ownneeds.Some residents may need medical care andsome care homes are registered to provide this.These are often referred to as nursing homes. Somehomes specialise in certain types of disability, forexample, dementia.
Adults Aged 18-65There are also residential care homes that providecare and support for younger adults with, forexample, severe physical disabilities, learningdisabilities, acquired brain injury, progressiveneurological conditions or mental health problems.Care can be provided for adults with more than onecondition and some homes have expertise inproviding care for adults with alcohol or drugdependency.
These homes offer permanent residence or providecare for a temporary period until the adult is able tolive independently or move to a different type ofaccommodation.
Choosing between residential care andindependent living
Social services normally encourage younger adultswho they assess for support to be as independent astheir circumstances allow. The care plan for adultswith disabilities will consider what independenttasks they can carry out and how they can be helpedto achieve more. Even if adults have very severedisabilities their needs are reviewed from time totime to check whether residential care or a veryhigh level of support is still appropriate.
Supported living may be an option for youngeradults. This allows people to live independently inthe community but with basic support. The supportoffered includes help with setting up a home andmanaging finances, and assistance with cleaning andshopping.
For older people there are various alternatives toresidential care. These include sheltered housingand extra care housing schemes, which offerindependence with an increased level of care andsupport.
For many people there is also the choice of livingindependently at home with community caresupport.
Choice of AccommodationThe law says that where the local authority isfunding accommodation it must allow the personentering residential care to choose which care homethey would prefer. Social services must first agreethat the home is suitable for the person’s needs andthat it would not cost more than they wouldnormally pay for a home that would meet thoseneeds. If the person chooses to go into a moreexpensive home, a relative or friend may be able to‘top up’ the difference in cost.
Choosing a Care HomeCare homes may be arranged through the localauthority but many people will want to arrangethem independently. It is a good idea to visit severalhomes before making a choice. Make sure you spendenough time in each home to get a good idea ofwhat it is like.
Respite and Short Term StaysResidential care home stays don't necessarily have tobe permanent. Temporary stays can be arranged forrespite care (in which you take a break from caringfor somebody else), or as a trial period before apermanent stay.
Temporary stays can give you flexibility whencovering unexpected events, such as:
• Palliative care (which manages or reduces pain) after a hospital stay or illness
• Support for newly disabled people and their carers
• Enabling someone to continue living independently if they live alone and suddenly require care
• Giving someone a chance to try potential future homes
What your choices areA list of all nursing and residential care homes withinyour locality can be found on the following pages.Every care home in England must be registered withthe national regulatory body Care QualityCommission (CQC).
They inspect each care home on a regular basis andwrite an inspection report for you to read. It isadvisable to read this report before making a finaldecision.
To check up-to-date information on
the Nursing and Residential care
homes within your locality visit
www.cqc.org.uk or scan the
QR CODE WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE
RESIDENTIAL & NURSING CARE
With newly refurbished apartments andstylish contemporary communal areas,the Council has accomodation locatedacross the Borough, ideal for anyone over50 looking to live independently with theadded peace of mind of help and adviceat hand when needed.
Committed to providing quality accommodation,the Council has over recent years, modernised thecomplexes in a £15m project. The work includedthe complete rebuild of Linden Court, in Hurworth,and Dinsdale Court, in Middleton St George, andextensive remodelling of others.
The accomodation offer a range of warm andwelcoming apartments or bungalows with largewell looked after communal gardens and acomprehensive maintenance programme. Mostapartments are cleverly designed with mobility inmind and have features to help such as levelaccess showers and a lift to upper floors. AIIapartments have a manager support service andare linked to the Council's Lifeline 24-hour alarmsupport system for help at the touch of a buttonfor added peace of mind and security.
This housing offers the chance of easy livingthrough thoughtful design and offers discreetsupport while still ensuring that individuality andchoice is high - people enjoy living comfortablywithin quality, safe and lively surroundings.
Each complex has communal areas such as elegantlounges, hair salons, laundries and coffee bars.These vibrant areas are used for social activities ,including entertainment evenings, luncheon clubs,Get Everyone Motivated (low level exerciseclasses), coffee mornings and much more.
Meet the Manager
This housing is a lifestyle choice and all complexeshave a Manager who is there to meet and greet,offer advice and support, see you on a regularbasis, join in the social activities and deal with thegeneral running of the building.
"It's like having an extended family. It's great tosee how people are doing and we're here to helpif needed. I know many people and their familieswelcome this discreet support – knowing lovedones are looked out for makes a hugedifference."
Vanessa Tully, Manager at Dinsdale Court,Middleton St George, with residents
Comfortable Living to rent at Affordable
Linden Court, Hurworth - Offering new accommodation with peace of mind
Find Out More
If you would like more details about living in one ofour complexes, or would like to have a lookaround, either for yourself or for a relative or afriend, please call 01325 388830.
Our website www.darlington.gov.uk/shelteredAccommodation also has details about eachcomplex including the number of apartments,communal facilities, events and activities andManager support available.
Rents are from £85 a week and include chargessuch as water, service and support so no need toworry about costly repairs. Charges vary dependingupon apartment type. Housing Benefit is availableto help with paying rent for those eligible.
All vacant properties are advertised on theCompass Choice Based Lettings website and atCustomer Services at the Town Hall. Call 01325388542 for more advice on housing options in theBorough along with details of council homescurrently available to rent.See our website www.darlington.gov.uk/compass
Prices for the Over 50’s in Darlington
“I have no regrets moving into Dinsdale Court. Ifeel safe and secure
and never feellonely. There isalways plentygoing on, youcan either joinin or be on yourown. We havegreat support
from our SchemeManager who is
always there for us.”
Betty Cochrane,Dinsdale Court
Enjoying life in our housing
“I wondered if I was doing the right thing givingup my three-bedroomed house to move here. Itis the best move I have ever made. There isalways something to do and trips away if youfancy. Even if I won the Lottery, I wouldn't movefrom here."
Lorna Clasper, Dinsdale Court
We have developments at:
Branksome Hall (Branksome)
Dinsdale Court (Middleton St George)
Linden Court (Hurworth)
Rockwell House (Springfield)
Roxby Court (Near Geneva Road)
Ted Fletcher Court (Haughton)
Windsor Court (Cockerton)
And many more . . .
Why choose to live in our accomodation?
• Changes in your health have affected the enjoyment of your existing home
• Friends and family no longer live nearby
• You have recently been through a bereavement, or spend alot of time alone and would like more company
• The area you live in may no longer feel safe
• Following retirement your income may have changed
• Your garden and property maybe too large and costly to maintain and keep well heated or costlyrepairs are needed
• Stairs now difficult to manage
• Or, you may just wish to release the capital from your home to spend on your happy retirement
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARE HOME
All care homes vary in their quality, and it can behard to know what qualities to look for whenchoosing a home.
A good care home will probably do the following:
• Offer new residents and their families or carers a guide (in a variety of accessible formats) describing what they can expect while they’re living there. Ideally, residents of the home wouldhave helped to produce the guide
• Have a majority of staff who've worked there fora long time. They know the residents well, and are friendly, supportive and respectful
• Involve residents, carers and their families in decision making, perhaps through regular meetings with staff
• Support residents in doing things for themselves and maximising their independence, including keeping contact with the outside community
• Offer a choice of tasty and nutritious food, which residents may have helped to prepare
• Take into account the needs and wishes of all residents, and provide a variety of leisure and social activities
• Be in a clean, bright and hygienic environment that's been adapted appropriately for residents, with single bedrooms available. A good environment encourages residents to personalisetheir room
• Have staff who respect residents’ privacy and knock before they enter someone’s room
• Be staffed by well-trained people, for example, nurses trained in dementia care
• Respect residents’ modesty and make sure that they look respectable, while recognising residents’ choice about what they wear
• Be accredited under the Gold Standards Framework for end of life care
A bad care home might do the following:
• Have a code of practice and a set of aims, but doesn’t make them a priority
• Offers little opportunity to listen to residents, with most decisions made by staff
• Have residents’ care plans that are out of date, and don’t reflect their needs accurately. This means that some residents aren't getting the support they need with their healthcare and personal care
• Give residents little privacy. Staff often enter residents’ rooms without knocking, and they talkabout residents within earshot of other people
• Have staff who don’t make an effort to interact with residents, and leave them sitting in front ofthe TV all day
• Be in a poorly maintained building, with rooms that all look the same and have little choice in furnishings
• Need cleaning, with shared bathrooms that aren't cleaned regularly
• Deny residents their independence, for example,by not allowing someone to feed themselves because it takes too long
As a resident in a care home, you should expect:
• The right to be treated politely and with dignity
• The right to privacy for yourself, and your relatives and friends when they visit
• The right to deal with your own finances and spend your money how you choose
• The right to eat food that's prepared in line withyour faith, and to worship when and where you want to
• The right to choose the food that you eat, and tobe given the time and space to relax and enjoy your meal
• The right to choose when you get up in the mornings and go to bed at night
• The right to complain if you're unhappy with your care
Residential Homes Address Telephone
RESIDENTIAL & NURSING CARE
Nursing Homes Address Telephone
Are you concerned for an adult who may be vulnerable? Are they being treated badly, abused or harmed?
Please report it: 01325 742030 For more information www.darlington.gov.uk/sab
Are you concerned for an adult who may be vulnerable? Are they being treated badly, abused or harmed?
Please report it: 01325 742030 For more information www.darlington.gov.uk/sab
HELP & ADVICE
Darlington Mind provides a range of health and social care services for peopledealing with depression, anxiety and a range of mental health issues. We providefree access to Emotional Resilience Courses, Monthly Support Groups and AngerManagement (through GP referral).
Call us today for further information, advice and support on 01325 283169 or e-mail us at [email protected] check out our web-site at www.darlingtonmind.com
Victim Support is the national charity for people affected by crime. Our servicesare free, confidential and available to everyone, whether or not a crime has beenreported to the police.
Contact Victim Care Unit on 0845 2770977 Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm and Sat 9am – 5pm
We are a Voluntary and charitable organisation led by Disabled peopleWe exist to promote independence and choice.We support disabled people and carers through the provision of services, supportand information by tackling issues local and nationally.
Contact:20-22 Horsemarket, Darlington DL15PT • Tel: 01325 [email protected] • Web: wwwdarlingtondisability.org
Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers provide a free, independent andconfidential service to people aged 50 and over, and to their family, carers and friends.
We can provide information and advice on most subjects.If we are unable to dealwith your enquiry, we will refer you to someone who can.
We can help with• Benefits • Housing • Health • Residential and daycare provision• Direct Payments and help at home • Affordable warmth • Consumer and legalissues • Social and personal problems • Access to local services • Advice isavailable at our office in Beaumont Street by appointment Monday to Friday.
If you can't make it to our wheelchair accessible office, please call us. We are happy to carry out home visits where required.1 Beaumont Street, Darlington, CO Durham DL1 5SZ
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm.
Tel: 01325 357345 • Email: [email protected]
Parkinson's UK provides a free, confidential, information advice and signpostingservice for people with Parkinson's and their families and carers in Darlington.Benefit advice including help with form filling, arranging aids and adaptations andoffering emotional support are just some of the services provided by MargaretHunter, your local Information and Support Worker. The charity also has a group inDarlington which meets monthly to offer friendship and support to everyone livingwith Parkinson's and their families and carers.Self referrals or referrals from carers or family members and from GP's, SocialServices or other organisations are all welcome.
If you would like further information, please contact: Margaret HunterParkinson's UKInformation & Support Worker - Darlington & County Durham (excluding EastDurham & Derwentside) • Tel: 0844 225 9827 Email:[email protected] • Web: parkinsons.org.uk
Family Help provide a holistic package of support including refuge accommodationfor single women and women with children, and a confidential help-line for all.
Family Help Darlington CIO • Domestic Abuse Help Line • Tel: 01325 364486Email: [email protected] • Website: www.darlingtonrefuge.org.uk
If you are concerned that you, or a friend or family member, may have a problemwith alcohol or drugs, there is support available. Local recovery treatmentservices provide appropriate and confidential help, advice, treatment and supportfor those with substance issues and also their families and carers.
For over 18's, the Connected Recovery Service is based at The Gate, Northgate on 01325 267230. For under 18's, SWITCH is at Beaumont Street on 01325 267240.
Starting point provides support to people who are caring for a friend or familymember who is experiencing problems with drug or alcohol misuse. It offers thefollowing services: A Support Group to address isolation, help with GPappointments, knowledge of treatment systems, help in accessing treatment andCarer Assessments and links to Regional and National Carer Support Groups.
Telephone Tony Pendlebury on 01325 346 201
The Darlington and District Talking Newspaper is a local voluntary organisationproducing weekly recordings, containing news items from The Northern Echonewspaper, plus a magazine section providing local road and pavement reports,What’s On items and many other articles, to the visually impaired listeners in theDarlington area. We also record the forthcoming Civic Theatre production and thelocal ‘Talking Together’ magazine.
For more information please contact us on 01325 465101www.darlingtontalkingnewspaper.co.uk • Email [email protected] Darlington & District Talking Newspaper, PO Box 14, Echo Buildings, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF
DISC provide an intensive housing related floating support and housing adviseservice for people living in Darlington who have been assessed as having complexmental health problems. To access support individuals need to be over 16, have mental health problemsdiagnosed by a suitably qualified practitioner and willing to engage in support.The individual must have direct housing responsibility or be actively seekingaccommodation and in need to 7-10 hours support per week.
Contact details – DISC, Sapphire House, IES Centre, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6DSTel: 01325 731160
People and Families Information SupportProvides information and advice on a range of organizations, services, events andactivities relating to childcare, education, leisure activities, children with specialeducational needs or disabilities as well as adult social care services.
Please see the Peoples and Families information Support Website: www.darlington.fsd.org.uk or Contact the Team on Freephone: 0800 9172121
Trained Employment Consultants provide information, advice and guidance tounemployed residents of Darlington who are looking for support to develop skillsand move into employment.
Support could include: CV, interview skills, confidence building sessions, funding for training, one to onejob-search support.
Contact Morrison Trust in 01325 387700 / [email protected] for moreinformation and eligibility details.
