Getting the right care

Getting the right care, be it at home, temporary respite or more permanent residential, is a difficult decision and research needs to be done.  How to pay can be complex, so look for advice, for example from Age UK or your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, High Wycombe 0344 245 1289.

 

Usually what is termed as Social Care can be funded, at least partially, by the local authority and this is where most people start.  If you feel that you, or the person you care for, needs Social Care, whether that is Home Adaptations and aids, support to live at home or a care home, a care needs assessment is the first step.  There is no charge for this first step and you are entitled to one regardless of your income and savings, and regardless of what your needs are.  You will need to contact the Local Authority at www.caredavicebuckinghamshire.org.  Telephone 01296 383 204.  Any income and savings will be taken into account when receiving care.  You may ask for a personal budget so that you can choose the care, and the cost can be topped up so that there can be a greater choice.

 

If someone is very severely ill then they may qualify for NHS Continuing Health Care.  This is fully paid for by the NHS.  It is a fully funded package of care that does not take account of any income or savings.  It is not possible to have a personal budget, so there could be less choice.  For example, the care home may be chosen by the NHS rather the patients choosing their own accommodation.  There will be a full assessment made by the health services.

 

It may happen, if someone with dementia is very mentally unwell, that the Health Service will ‘section’ them.  The Mental Health Act is about people who have a ‘mental disorder’.  Some people would choose not to use this term.  However, it is the term the Act uses to describe any disorder or disability of the mind, including dementia.

 

The Act explains in what circumstances, and for what reasons, a person may be kept (detained) in hospital against their will.  It can be used to detain a person whether or not they have the ‘mental capacity’ (the ability to decide for themselves) to agree to stay in hospital.  This is sometimes called 'being sectioned'.

 

A person can only be detained if they have a ‘mental disorder’ that makes it appropriate to use the Act.  They can also only be detained if it is necessary to protect them or other people.  A person should not be detained unless other less restrictive ways of giving them care and treatment have already been considered.

 

The Act also explains what responsibilities healthcare and social care providers have to people who are detained.  It sets out ‘safeguards’ to protect that person.  Again, many of the organisations we have mentioned have good information, so do use them.