Support to stay at home

Many people want to stay in their own home but need some assistance to do so - perhaps help with getting up and going to bed, help with bathing or with preparing meals. Local authorities are responsible for assessing the needs of older and disabled people, and arranging services which help them to live in their own homes. The sort of services provided can include:

• home help to assist with general household tasks
• home care to help with things like bathing and dressing
• meals on wheels
• lunch clubs, social clubs or day centres
• respite care to give you or your carer a break

Your local authority should publish information on its care services and make it available locally, from places like your doctor's surgery or library. Or you can ask your local social services department (social work department in Scotland; health and social services trust in Northern Ireland) to send it to you.

This information should explain how to apply for care services in your area. Usually you just need to get in touch with the social services department, explain your situation and ask for an assessment of your needs. This assessment should take into account both your needs and wishes and those of anyone who cares for you.

If it is agreed that you need care services, the local authority will then arrange for these to be provided. You are entitled to copies of your assessment, which gives details of your needs, and your care plan, which covers the services you are to receive. You should be given the name of the person who will be responsible for your care package, who is usually known as your 'care manager'.

Services may not be provided directly by the council; but it is the council's responsibility to arrange the services for you. Or you might have the option to arrange your own care with cash provided by the local authority. This system is called Direct Payments.Talk to your care manager to find out more about what is involved.

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If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, your local authority can charge you for any services they provide. However, these charges should be 'reasonable'. If you feel that they are unreasonable, ask your local authority to review your situation. You can get more information on your local authority's charging policy from your social services department.

If you are 65 or over and live in Scotland you will not have to pay for personal care services, but you may have to pay for services such as cleaning and general home help.

If you are unhappy with your assessment, are offered services that you think aren't right for you, or feel you are not getting enough help, you can make a complaint. All local authorities must have a complaints procedure that is widely publicised and easy to use; contact your social services department for details. If you need some advice on making a complaint your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Age Concern group may be able to help.

You may need help with things like shopping or gardening, or with basic tasks around the home such as changing light bulbs or taking curtains down for cleaning. Your local authority may not offer this sort of support, but try a local voluntary organisation. Age Concern or WRVS Good Neighbours, for example, can sometimes help with tasks around the home or with shopping. Or perhaps a relative, neighbour or friend may be able to give you the help you need.

If you want to pay privately for a helper or carer (or if you can't get the help you would like from your local authority and can afford to make your own arrangements), contact the United Kingdom Home Care Association. This group can supply you with a list of local care agencies. The charity Counsel and Care produces a useful fact sheet on arranging care privately, and can also give you details of home care agencies in your area.

For more information on getting help at home, see our section on Community Care.

Equipment for daily living
You may be having difficulty with everyday tasks in your home, for example getting in and out of the bath. But there are aids that can make your life easier - things like a bath seat or grab rails around the toilet. If you need this sort of equipment, contact your social services department and ask for a visit from an occupational therapist who will help you to work out what you need. See our information sheet Equipment for Daily Living (PDF) for more details.

If you want to buy equipment yourself, or want to find out about smaller gadgets such as jar openers or tap turners, the Disabled Living Foundation or a local Disabled Living Centre can advise you. The Disabled Living Centres Council can give you the address of your nearest centre. Information on equipment to help you get around, like wheelchairs and walking frames, can be found in our free advice leaflet Keeping Mobile (PDF).

Help with money

Make sure that you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. If you don't have much money coming in each week, you may be entitled to Pension Credit - extra money which brings your income up to a certain level. If you get Pension Credit then you will also be entitled to help with your Council Tax and rent through Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit. Even if your income is too high for you to claim Pension Credit you may still be able to get Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit.

You may be able to get help with any support service charges you have to pay through a new government programme called Supporting People. It covers things like community alarms and sheltered accommodation warden services. For more information contact the Supporting People team at your local authority.

There are other benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, which provide extra money for people who need help with their personal care.

Our free advice leaflets Can You Claim It? (PDF) and our section on disability benefits will help you to work out what benefits you can claim, or call SeniorLine.