VOCAL offers carers free monthly appointments with an independent advisor, to support them to write and register a Power of Attorney document. This free service should replace the need to visit a solicitor. For more details contact 0131 622 6666 or email centre@vocal.org.uk.
Care in the community
What is community care?
Community care refers to the services provided by a local authority’s Health and Social Care Department to help people with care needs to live independently at home or in a community setting. While the Health and Social Care department has the main responsibility for organising and providing these services, other agencies can be involved. They can include the NHS, voluntary organisations, housing and education departments and some private care agencies.
Who gets community care services?
Community care services are provided to:
- older people
- people with a physical disability or long term condition
- people with a sensory impairment
- people who require mental health services
- people with a learning disability
- people who are in need of drug, alcohol or HIV/AIDS services
- carers
What services can be provided?
- personal care during the day and evening (eg. washing and dressing)
- provision of meals and shopping
- sitter services/carers/befrienders
- care workers who can sit with someone needing help at night
- day services and lunch clubs providing social interaction and activities
- short breaks and breaks from caring (respite breaks)
- equipment and adaptations to assist independence
- alarm systems to summon help
Direct payments
If the person you care for has been assessed as needing community care services, the local authority can give them money to arrange to buy the services themselves. This is called direct payments and must be offered as an alternative to having services arranged by the local authority.
Charging procedures
The person you care for may have to pay for some of the services provided. A social worker will carry out a financial assessment asking for details about the savings, income and finances of the person you care for (they will only take their financial details into account). People over 65 who are assessed as needing personal care services are entitled to free personal care at home. This includes services which help with dressing, getting in and out of bed, medication, personal hygiene, incontinence, and preparing meals. For more information about your local authority area please use choose your local Council from the left menu.
