Community care for older people

The First Step is to seek information from any of the organisations listed on this page.

The Second Step is to discuss your needs with the Housing and Social Services Department who, if asked will then provide you with an Assessment of your needs which suggest a suitable Care Package.

The Third Step is for you to decide on the best way forward for yourself

How do you contact us?

Physical or social problems can be an obstacle to your way of life. If you have any health problems you may wish to speak with your GP to express your concerns. If you or anyone in your care feel that the assistance from the Social Services is required you may, write, phone, or call into our office in Llangefni  (please follow the ‘contacts’ tab above) or you could ask a relative or friend to get in touch with us on your behalf.

How to request an assessment?

If the first person you speak to is unable to answer all your questions then we will arrange for either a Social Worker, an Occupational Therapist, a Disability Advisor or another Community Health Professional to visit you at home in order to

• clarify your situation
• inform you of the services available
• offer advice and assistance
• conduct a full assessment of your needs and discuss which services can be provided to meet your needs

Carers are entitled to request a separate assessment of their own needs. We will, however, seek to give consideration to the needs of every carer when assessing those in their care. Arrangements can be made to access your needs either at your home or elsewhere e.g hospital). In an emergency we will arrange for your needs to be assessed urgently - i.e. within 24 hours. In the event of an emergency during weekends and holiday periods the Out of Hours Service can be contacted (please see the contact details on the right).

Will anybody else be involved in the assessment?

A member of the family or carer can be with you during the assessment and any comments they may have are welcomed. The assessor will be happy to discuss any comments with them. If you or the carer have any problems with your health or physical / mental condition, the assessor will consider the need to consult with your GP, the district nurse, or others in making the assessment. The GP, the district nurse and the social worker will work together to ensure you receive the proper services to meet your needs. In cases where the assessment is conducted in the hospital, everybody involved with your treatment will be included in the assessment to ensure you receive the most suitable package of care to meet your needs. Every effort will be made to assist your return home and to promote your independence.

Services available in the community to promote independence

The services available to help you continue to live in your home include:

• home care and assistance with personal care
• meals on wheels or frozen food
• day care services
• Gofal Môn - a community alarm system to call for assistance in an emergency
• adaptations or the provision of equipment
• practical assistance and support to carers
• advice on your entitlement to benefits
• temporary respite care in residential or nursing homes / community hospitals (in accordance with the level of your needs)
• sheltered housing or other enhanced community living schemes

You may also be entitled to other housing related services or support to enable you to live more independently. These services will normally be time limited and are provided under the Supporting People Programme.

• assistance with the safety and security of the home
• assistance with arranging and dealing with minor repairs to equipment and servicing of appliances
• life skills training
• accompany and assist with shopping and running errands
• assistance / advice with personal budgeting

Who will provide the services?

You are free to choose who provides the services. The Home Care staff of the Social Services or independent agencies that have been approved by the Department can provide these services.

After the assessment?

After conducting an assessment of your needs, the assessor will work with other professional colleagues to arrange a package of care or support services and health needs. This will be achieved with the available health and social care resources. An assessor will visit you from time to time to review the service and ensure that the provision continues to be sufficient. You may of course contact the Department to request a review of your needs should your circumstances.

The cost of services in the community

The Housing and Social Services Department will levy a small charge for some services, namely Home Care, Day Care, Meals on Wheels and Transport. These charges are reviewed periodically and details are available by contacting the Information Points listed.

The complaints procedure

The Housing and Social Services Department is anxious to receive feedback from service users concerning the way in which services are arranged and delivered. You are also entitled to submit an official complaint
to the Department if you are unhappy with our services (please follow the link at the bottom of this page).

Information points:

Alzheimers Disease Society
tel: (01248) 752200

Centre For Integrated Living Fax
tel: (01248) 750249

Citizens Advice Bureau
Holyhead: tel (01407) 762882
Bangor : tel (01407) 352598
Llangefni: tel (01248) 724902

Community Health Council
tel (01248) 723283

Disablement and Welfare Rights Charitable Trust
tel: (01248) 352 227

Gofal Môn
tel: (01248) 750124/5

Gwynedd and Môn Age Concern
Tel: (01286) 677711
Carers Outreach
tel: (01248) 370797
fax: (01248)371302

Unemployed Workers Centre
tel: (01407) 760208

Ynys Môn Social Services Hospital Work Team
Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor
tel: (01248) 384968
fax: (01248) 371220