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INFORMATION SHEET 6 Caring at home The majority of carers wish to look after their friend or relative at home for as long as it is practical and feasible to do so. Without proper support, advice and help, carers often find that they have to relinquish the caring role sometimes leaving them with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, whereas they could have felt they had done a very worthwhile and rewarding job had this help been available to them. Help with caring is basically divided into - statutory services, private organisations and the voluntary sector. Not everyone wants to approach Social Services for help, but they are the main source of local help for carers. STATUTORY SERVICES Carers should contact the Community Care Advice Centre, Aldborough Road North, Tel:020 8708 7333 and ask for an assessment to be arranged in order to identify what help the carer needs to continue caring. Once an assessment has been completed you and your Social Worker will decide upon the appropriate help you need. You may be offered home care where paid carers will come and help you with the difficult tasks such as getting someone up in the morning, washing and dressing or help with putting them to bed at night. Your package may include some help in the home, with shopping or arranging some respite. If at any time your circumstances change and you feel you need more help you should contact your Social Worker and arrange for him/her to visit you for a re-assessment of your current needs. Home Care Agencies The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is the independent public body, which in April 2004 took over the regulation of private and voluntary care standards throughout England (previously the responsibility of the National Care Standards Commission). The CSCI's responsibilities include the registration and inspection of care homes (including care homes with nursing), domiciliary care agencies and nurses' agencies. For general enquires, or a list of agencies or care homes, contact the CSCI on 0845 015 0120 FINANCIAL HELP This may be available through a range of benefits or from charitable organisations.
HEALTHCARE NEEDS If you feel you need medical or nursing help to enable you to continue caring, you should contact your GP who will be able to make the necessary referral to the appropriate health service i.e. Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy. Community Nursing Services are available through your GP or Hospital. A highly qualified and skilled nurse will visit to assess healthcare needs and arrange for someone from their team to visit. They may refer you to other agencies such as:
Community Psychiatric Nurses are also available through your GP or Hospital. Staff trained in dealing with mental health problems will call to offer a range of services. These may include day care, respite care or information on special groups for support for you. EQUIPMENT Equipment may be needed to assist with standing, sitting, bathing, mobility, pressure relief, eating and drinking, continence care. When caring for a sick relative some equipment can be obtained through your District Nurse. The Local Authority can provide a range of items. An assessment by the Borough's Occupational Therapists may be necessary to assess which equipment is most appropriate. Please contact: Community Care Advice Centre 020 8708 7333 You may wish to contact any of the following organisations to see what items are available:
Updated January 2007
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Redbridge Carers Support Service Third Floor, 17 Station Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4DW email: office@rcss.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1057505 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No 2959566
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