Providing Services for Older People

The Adult & Community Services Directorate offers a wide range of services for older people. A team of specialist workers is available in each of the social services centres to assess needs, offer advice and provide counselling and support to service users and their carers.

We aim to ensure that people have access to a range of high quality services which:

The main aim of the service provided is to enable older people to live as full and independent a life as possible within the community and to involve and assess the needs of carers.

If you are over 65 and your health has got worse, or you cannot get around easily and feel rather isolated but would prefer to stay in your own home, then a care manager or community care officer can visit to talk about your needs and the ways in which they can be met. There will be some situations where we will not be able to give you all the help you need and priority will be given to those in greatest need.

Assessment will often be very straightforward. (Carers can also ask for an assessment in their own right.) However, if you or your carer have complicated needs you may want to have a fuller assessment which, with your agreement, can include other people such as your doctor or district nurse. This is to ensure that you receive the best support to meet your and your carer’s needs.
Our response

We will respond immediately to a crisis. Otherwise we aim to start an initial assessment on other priority groups within 48hrs of the first contact with the Adult and Community Services Directorate. (This reflects the government requirements from December 2004.)

Less urgent cases will be assessed as soon as possible and you will be told if there is likely to be a delay before someone contacts you.

Following this assessment, the care manager may arrange for you to receive a combination of the community care services available.

Home Care Services
Where help can be given with personal care tasks and carers can be given a break, to go out or have a nights rest.

Meals on Wheels
For people unable to cook for themselves.

Taking a Break
Services are available to give both older people and their carers a break.

Day Care Centres
At various venues around the Island help maintain independence and social contacts.

Occupational Therapists
Will give help and advice regarding any activity of daily living such as dressing, bathing, cooking, etc.

Specialist Advice and Equipment
For people with visual and hearing difficulties is available from: Sight Concern - Telephone: (01983) 522205 and Sound Advice - Telephone: (01983) 529533.

Residential Care
Is available both short and long term in private and voluntary homes or social services resource centres. Care managers will assess and advise on residential care placements.

Wightcare
Lifeline telephone scheme offering 24 hour emergency cover.

There will be a charge for all services set out overleaf. Your social services centre will give more detailed information on the charges for services. Some will be fixed costs such as meals on wheels, others will vary according to the ability to pay.

If you feel dissatisfied with the service you have received, then please either:
i) Talk to the person in Adult and Community Services Directorate who you normally deal with;
ii) Write or talk to the team manager or;
iii) Write to:

Adult Services Complaints & User Rights Floor 4 County Hall High Street Newport Isle of Wight PO30 1UD
Tel: (01983) 533289.
Advocacy
You may feel that you would like to have independent help and advice in either making your views known about what you need or in making a complaint. The person who would do this is called an Advocate and there is a service available for older people through:

Citizens Advice Bureau
Exchange House
St Cross Lane
Newport
Isle of Wight
Telephone: 0845 1202959

or through your care manager in your social services centre.

All information disclosed will be treated as confidential and is only passed on with the person’s agreement except in the following circumstances:

If one of these applies you will be informed that the information will be passed on to a third party for example to a general practitioner.

Information is stored on the Directorate’s central computer system and within paper files as part of our client record system. Only authorised staff have access to it. Anyone whose personal details are recorded can ask to see them.

Further information about services for adults can be obtained from the duty team on tel: (01983) 823340.

The duty team covers the whole Island and is based at 147 High Street, Newport. Personal callers are welcome during office hours, but it is best to telephone to make an appointment to be sure of seeing a duty officer.

The duty team is open:
Monday - Thursday 8.45am to 5.00pm
Friday 8.45am to 4.30pm

If you need help in an emergency and you are not able to wait until the next working day please contact Emergency Duty Service on tel: (01983) 821105.