Support for Older People

Some older people need help to stay living in their own home. You may have difficulty with getting up, washed and dressed in the morning, preparing meals and snacks or getting out to the bank or shops.

There are a number of services provided by the council and other services which voluntary organisations provide.

Home support
These are services which provide personal support in your home (see Home Support page)

Day care activities
The Council a specialist day-centre for people with a diagnosis of dementia called Heathlands, located in Wildridings.

We also support day-centres run by voluntary organisations, such as Sandhurst Day Centre, COATS and Age Concern Day Centre

Adapting your home
If you experience difficulties in your home because you can no longer manage the stairs, get in and out of your door, use the bathroom etc., then an Occupational Therapist, often just called OT, may be able to help you by suggesting simple or more complex adaptations to improve your independence at home. You would need to make contact with our Community Response and Reablement Team (see Contact details on the right) and ask for an assessment of your needs (see Support Self-Assessment).

Equipment in your home
Sometimes an item of equipment can help to make daily life safer and keep you more independent. An Occupational Therapist (OT) can advise you on this following an assessment. You would need to make contact with our Community Response and Reablement team and ask for an assessment of your needs.

Direct Payments
After your self- assessment when your Personal Support Plan has been agreed, you may decide to have a payment instead of using services. See Direct Payments.

Respite care
If you need a break from caring for someone, then we can assess and provide services that will enable you to have a break – these can be either based at home or at a local care home. Further information can be found on the Carers page.

Residential or Nursing Care Homes
A residential care home provides a single room, meals and personal care for older people, people with disabilities, or people who are unable to safely manage at home, for whatever reason. Nursing homes provide for people who have higher levels of need and may for example need specialist equipment or two people to assist them.

Keeping warm in winter
The council can give you advice about Keeping Warm in Winter.