Local authority and the NHS

Local authority social services departments are responsible for arranging services which help older and disabled people stay in their own homes. They can provide help with things like:

• getting in and out of bed
• bathing and washing
• preparing meals
• shopping
• cleaning
• equipment and adaptations to your home, such as grab rails and bath seats

Your local NHS can provide help with:

• continence advice and equipment
• chiropody
• occupational therapy
• physiotherapy
• medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and special beds

If you need help from your local social services department or NHS you should ask for your needs to be assessed. See the section on Getting a care assessment for more information.

Private care

Through private agencies, you can get help with things liks cleaning and shopping and with personal care. If you choose to arrange your own care privately, you will have to pay the full cost of your services.

There are a number of ways you can find a local care agency:

• The UK Home Care Association can give you details of home care providers who follow their code of practice. They also produce a useful leaflet 'Choosing Care in Your Home'. You can contact them on 020 8288 1551.
• You may be able to get details of approved private agencies from your local social services department. Ask for the company registration department.
• You may be able to get a recommendation from a friend or relative; or check your phonebook for local agencies.

The charity Counsel and Care produces a factsheet called 'What to Look for in a Home Care Agency' You can contact them on 0845 300 7585.

Voluntary help

Many voluntary organisations provide services such as visiting, meals on wheels, shopping, gardening and transport schemes.

To get help from voluntary organisations, contact them directly. However, some services will want you to be referred by social services.

Some of the voluntary organisations that provide help at home are listed below. You will find their full contact details on the useful contacts page. Your local library and telephone directory will also list voluntary groups in your area.

• WRVS offers a choice of services including visiting schemes, shopping services, home delivered meals, volunteer drivers and escort schemes in England, Scotland and Wales.
• Local Age Concerns offer a range of services provided by volunteers such as visiting, shopping and gardening.
• Crossroads schemes help carers by providing respite care attendants while they have a break. They may make a small charge for this service.

Care Standards

All agencies that provide care at home should be registered with a care standards authority. This means that they have to abide by national minimum care standards. Care standards cover a range of issues from your rights to a written care plan and contract, to your rights to privacy and dignity.

You can check if a care agency is registered by contacting the care standards authority for your country. See the useful contacts page for their details. You can also ask them about the care standards for your country; or your local library should have a copy.