Whether juggling family and work commitments to provide care a few hours a week, or caring 24 hours each day, if you provide regular help and support to a partner, relative or friend because they cannot manage without your help, then Carers Link is here for you.
In East Dunbartonshire 1 Person in 8 is a Carer.
One of the most popular advocacy roles that Carers Link provides is to liaise on your behalf with the appropriate East Dunbartonshire Social Work team about the range of services that may be available to you and/or the person you care for.
Below are summaries of the information provided by East Dunbartonshire Council about some of the most common services provided. Full details are available from the East Dunbartonshire Council website section on ‘Living’:
Pick ‘Advice for All’
Then pick ‘Social Work Services’
Then pick ‘Community Care Services – Services for Adults’
Please note that some services require an assessment of need first, and this is something that Carers Link can help with. Some services may also require a financial contribution. Remember that Carers Link can help provide you with more information about any services or how to access them – just contact us or call 0800 975 2131.
This service provides personal and practical help to allow people to remain in their own homes as long as possible. Homecare can arrange help for the person you care for at home if they are finding it difficult to manage on their own or you (the Carer) are no longer able to do so. Homecarers can provide personal care – for example help with washing and dressing – and may also be able to do practical tasks such as collecting a pension, shopping, preparing food, washing clothes and cleaning.
An assessment will be carried out to decide what the person needs to help them remain safely in their own home and whether the person meets ‘eligibility criteria’. This assessment is free of charge. If the person you care for is aged over 65 and requires help with personal care, this will be provided without charge through the Free Personal Care scheme funded by the Government. There would normally be a charge for any other tasks of a more practical nature that Homecare do and the amount will depend on the person’s income. For more information on home support contact Carers Link on 0800 975 2131 or the Homecare Team on 0141 578 2101.
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Hourcare 24 - Community Alarm Service
This service provides equipment specifically made available to support people to stay safe in their own homes. Hourcare 24 can provide the person you care for with a round-the-clock lifeline to the outside world. By simply pressing a button on the unit installed at home (or on a pendant worn around the neck) the person can instantly get in touch with one of the staff at a Control Centre who are available 24 hours a day. The Control Centre will be able to respond to a problem either by contacting you ‘the Carer’, or another nominated person whose details have been given, sending one of their Mobile Officers to assist or - if necessary - alerting one of the emergency services. For more information on community alarms contact Carers Link on 0800 975 2131 or Hourcare 24 on 0141 776 8046.
Aids & Equipment – The Community Occupational Therapy Service (OT’s)
The Community Occupational Therapy Team will normally arrange for a member of staff to visit the person you care for in their own home to assess their needs. This allows the Occupational Therapist to see at first hand any difficulties with activities such as bathing, using the toilet and getting around the house. OT’s will help find solutions to problems experienced in a number of ways, including advice on ways of managing everyday tasks to increase independence, confidence and skills and practical solutions to difficulties you are having through the provision of specialised equipment and adaptations to your home. For more information on accessing aids and equipment contact Carers Link on 0800 975 2131 or Occupational Therapy Team, Social Work Department on 0141 355 2200.
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Day care services are provided for people who require assistance with basic tasks of daily living but who would also benefit from having these needs met in a setting outwith their home. Day care often offers a variety of services and activities – opportunities to learn new skills, meet different people and to join in with organised activities and trips out. Meals and refreshments are included and transport is often provided if required. For more information on day care services contact Carers Link on 0800 975 2131 or Adult Intake Team, Social Work Department on 0141 355 2200.
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