CARERS DIRECTORY
Help with practical tasks around the home can be invaluable. If you would
like Social Services to help, you need to request an assessment. Help
may then be provided by Social Services themselves (who do the
assessment), or a local voluntary or private agency.
Alternatively, you can arrange your own home care direct with a voluntary
or private agency. Social Services will be able to provide you with a list: do
check all details before proceeding, just as you would with any other business
arrangement.
If you are in need of personal assistance you may also be entitled to
Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance. See Money Matters.
The British Red Cross understands what a worry going home can be and can
HELP. Their volunteers can provide
practical help and support when you leave hospital. They will help you leave hospital as soon as the doctors say
you may, and help you settle comfortably back in your own home.
Here are some of the things they can do for you: -
1
Help you settle in back home
2
Assist in light meal preparation in the first few days
3
Shop
4
Collect prescriptions
5
Assist with paperwork
6
Help with pet care
7
Support self-care
8
Relieve carers of continuous care
Who
is eligible?
The service is available to any patient over 18 years of age who has been
an in-patient and needs it. It is
offered on a short-term basis for up to 4 weeks. All volunteers are well trained and scrutinised.
What they do complements any help that social and community health
workers may provide.
How to apply
If you would like help returning home or know someone who does, ask the
ward staff to refer you to the Co-ordinator, who will visit you before you leave
hospital to make arrangements for your return home.
You can also contact the Co-ordinator up to seven days following your
discharge.
If you have any further queries regarding the British Red Cross Home from
Hospital Service, please contact the Co-ordinator.
* Home From Hospital Service
(
01524
841080
Social Services Directorate
01772 709555
First Floor, Southfield Unit
Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Ashton Road
Lancaster LA1 4RP