A to Z Index:

How do I get help at home ?

 

Home care service

Home carer moisturising an elderly lady's handsOur home care service helps with personal care and provides support and practical assistance to people at home, enabling you to be as independent as possible, including help with meals and telecare.

The service is available 365 days per year, providing essential care and support. In specific circumstances overnight care may also be arranged.

We will assess what your care needs are and how we can help you at home. You may be asked to contribute towards the cost of the services you receive. Many people will pay nothing, or will only contribute towards part of the cost. Once the services are in place they are regularly reviewed.

Our information booklets provide more detail about our home care service:

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What tasks can you help me with at home?

Our home care service can help you with personal care and practical tasks.

showerhead with running waterPersonal care includes help with:

  • Personal hygiene (e.g. washing / dressing)
  • Continence management
  • Getting in / out of bed
  • Assistance with medication
  • Eating / drinking
  • Preparing meals

If you are aged 65 years or over and need these services they will be provided free of charge.

We may be able to help you with practical tasks including:

  • Shopping
  • Lighting fires
  • Collecting pension
  • Laundry /essential cleaning
  • Support with budget management
  • Assistance with home security
  • Assistance with domestic appliances
  • Advice on home maintenance
  • Help with official correspondence

Contact your local social work office for more information.

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Occupational therapy service

lady in wheelchair going down some stairsOur occupational therapy service is available to people of all ages who experience difficulties with everyday tasks because of disability, illness and / or frailty.

We aim to help you enjoy a better quality of life by enabling you to remain as independent as possible in your own home.

We may be able to help if you are:

  • Having difficulty coping with everyday tasks, such as washing, dressing, getting on / off a toilet, or getting around a house in a wheelchair
  • At risk of being admitted to hospital or residential care
  • Terminally ill
  • Suffering from a sudden traumatic illness such as stroke or head injury
  • Suffering from a chronic condition which has deteriorated or flared up, such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis
  • A carer or someone with a disability who needs advice and support

Tthe occupational therapy service can work with you and your carers to ensure any care and support you receive is safely provided.

Your needs will be assessed by our occupational therapy team so the appropriate solutions to your difficulties can be found.

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How do I get help at home with meals?

A meals at home service can be delivered to you, if you cannot cook for yourself, to help you remain as independent as possible and have access to nutritious meals. Frozen meals are deliveredfortnightly, across Aberdeenshire to individuals for you to defrost / cook each day. You can select from a choice of over 100 dishes, providing variety for all tastes. Special diets can be catered for.

We can supply you with a microwave and / or freezer free of charge, should you need it.

Home carer giving a plate of food to an elderly ladyA home carer can assist you with preparation of the two course meals, if you are unable to do so yourself.

We will assess your needs and you could be eligible for this service if, because of illness, disability, sensory impairment, frailty or mental health problems, you are unable to prepare meals safely and routinely.

This service can be provided on a short or long term basis as required.

Costs will be advised at the time of your assessment.

Contact your local social work office for more information.

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Can I get equipment to help me do things independently?

 

Community alarm

red help buttonIf you are at risk in your home because of illness, disability or frailty and you may require to summon help in an emergency, you may qualify for the community alarm scheme.

Most people with an alarm live alone or are alone in their home for long periods of time, or live with someone who cannot be relied on to help them in an emergency.

The community alarm scheme is used to call help in an emergency at any time of day or night.

community alarm pendantA community alarm is a telephone unit which can be set off either by pressing the alarm button on the telephone itself or by pressing the button on a radio pendant worn on the body, normally round the neck. Once the button is pressed you will be in contact with an operator in the control centre.

The operators, who are available 24 hours a day, can speak directly to you and check what kind of help you need. If necessary, the operator will summon help to come and assist you. In an emergency they will also call a doctor, ambulance, police or fire service if required.

A home care supervisor can come to talk to you and assess your need for a community alarm. He / she can advise you about installation and the cost of the service.

Contact your local social work office for more information.

 

Telecare services

Telecare enables people with an illness, disability or frailty, living at home, to use developing technology to enable you to live as independently and safely as possible.

We have been working in partnership with the NHS, voluntary organisations and Robert Gordon University to develop the use of technology. Equipment ranging from smoke alarms, flood and heat detectors, falls detectors, and movement sensors, to environmental controls that enable individuals with severe disabilities to operate a wide variety of domestic appliances through remote controls have been trialled. Findings from the first 18 months of work are detailed in our Telecare Project Final Evaluation Report (pdf 993kb).

Contact your local social work office or email social.work@aberdeenshire.gov.uk for more information.

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