All the surveys of older people, and of younger people with
disabilities, clearly indicate that living independently in
one's own home is the preferred choice – if at all
possible. This site will tell you about the range of
services and support for people who choose to remain in
their own homes.
Staying living at home requires a subtle blend of support services – ranging from personal care, to domestic chores and out-and-out nursing. You may need to use several sources of help, either temporarily or over a longer term. By using our menu and reading the relevant pages you will be able to decide which options are best suited to your needs. Comprehensive regional listings of services are then provided.
Your
care needs may be short or long term: a temporary period of
illness, or infirmity following, for example, a hospital
admission; or longer term disablement or frailty. Whichever
it is, you may find the solution in this section. You will
also find a separate section on the issues relating to
Hospital
Discharge.
Moving to stay put
To stay living at home may actually entail moving from your current abode – perhaps to be closer to a relative, because your present home environment is unsuitable, or because you want a bit more support. Sheltered housing might be the answer – giving you your own flat, but within a purpose built scheme with some support. You can find a separate section relating to Sheltered Housing elsewhere in this site. It is also possible to find Sheltered housing that has care services provided.
Paying for the services
The ideal of staying at home may be preferable, but who will pay for the support services you will need? Firstly, you may be eligible for all or some services free. For other services there will be a charge, but you may well be entitled to financial help which you are not already receiving.
Our section on Funding your Choice gives extensive information on welfare benefits, grants and other sources of finance.
The
Government has established the regulations which
make Direct payments (where you obtain benefit
money direct and can use it to purchase your own
service), available to people over 65 years of age
in England, Wales and Scotland. In England and
Wales local authorities will be obliged to offer
older people direct payments (instead of services)
from April 2003. Guidelines for applying for this
funding can be found in Funding
Your Choice.
Direct
Payments
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