Focus On Care

For some, care can be a confusing and diffi cult subject - but it needn’t be. There are certainly plenty of options and once you have found the services or products right for you, you’ll wonder how you managed without them.

From residential care to community care and respite care, this guide will answer many questions, advise you on the types of care available and point you in the right direction when you decide which is the route for you.

Its pull-out-and-keep format means you can save the information for future reference and we hope you find it useful.

FOCUS EDITORIAL BY LOUISA AUSTIN

Welcome to your Focus on Care & Independent Living supplementIt is designed to help you make sense of the variety of care services available in the area and all the options open to you.

The North West is home to many charities which tirelessly raise money for good causes and people in need.

To say 'thank you' for all the good work these organisations carry out, the Champion has pledged to donate £1,000 to a local charity every month for each Focus supplement it publishes.

Cancer Research was the Champion’s chosen charity for May’s Focus On Garden and Outdoor Living supplement and Karen Simms from the Champion sales team went along to the charity's Lord Street shop to present the cheque to volunteer Mary Schofi eld.

Karen said: “Cancer Research is such a great cause, so it has been nice to highlight the amazing work they do.”

Residential Care

Making hard decisions

Day & Community Care

Healthcare

A break from caring

Legal and fi nancial

Mobility & Disability Aids

Getting around

Careand Independent Living

Local charity benefi ts from Champ Focus supplement

Southport • June 2012

Office Address: Community Care Direct Ltd, 33 Shakespeare Street, Southport, Merseyside PR8 5ABTel 01704 544 460 Fax: 01704 539 212

24 hour emergency contact: 01704 544 460Email: [email protected] www.communitycaredirect.co.uk

Home is where the heart is.

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2 • Visit us @ www.champnews.com SOUTHPORT CHAMPION FOCUS SUPPLEMENT The Champion • Wednesday 20 June 2012

Residential CareAlthough residential care is generally associated with older people, there are also homes for younger adults with disabilities and children or adolescents with physical disabilities or emotional problems.

Elderly residential care can be split into two basic types - care homes and care homes with nursing.

Care homes offer personal assistance, such as prepared meals, help dressing, going to the toilet and taking medication.

More independent residents will be able to take care of much of their own needs in many homes and can ask for assistance if they get stuck with anything.

Nursing homes are specially registered to provide medical care to residents. Some homes specialise in a particular type of patient they cater for, those with dementia for example.

You will need a financial assessment before going into residential care, as the cost of a care home is means tested in England.

Care homes for adults in England are regulated by Care Quality Commission or CQC and each care home is inspected at least every three years.

The government standards cover all aspects of care, including:

� Treating people with dignity and respect

� Making sure food and drink meets people’s needs

� Making sure that that the environment is clean and safe

� Managing and staffing services.

There are three different types of inspection:

Scheduled: these are unannounced inspections that focus on a minimum of five of the government standards, and they’re also tailored to the type of care that is provided at the service.

Responsive: these are unannounced inspections that are carried out where there are concerns about poor care.

Themed: these inspections focus on specific standards of care or care services.

The inspectors judge whether or not services are meeting the government

standards and if not, the inspector will decide whether there is a minor, moderate, or major impact on people who use it, and they may decide to take Enforcement action.

Choosing a residential home can be a difficult task and it is important to do your own research on what is right for you or your loved one.

Always visit homes personally rather than choosing one from a brochure or website. It is essential to get a feel for where you or your

loved one will be living, meet the staff and find out its advantages and disadvantages compared with other homes in the area.

It is a good idea to take a questionnaire along with you on each of your visits, so it is easier to make comparisons afterwards. Don't feel embarrassed about asking questions.

Care homes will offer varying facilities and activities and may have different rules on the amount of independence residents can have.

housing and care for older people

Connell Court, 20-22 Weld Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 2DL Telephone: 01704 560651Email: [email protected] • Website: www.mha.org.uk

CQC ExcellentWe currently have rooms available contact Anne Glover

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Connell CourtResidential Care Home

Connell Court is situated near to the smallvillage of Birkdale, on Weld Road, one mile

south of Southport town centre.The location is a leafy suburban setting that ensures both quiet

surroundings and a relaxed pace of life. Here we provideresidential care and support in an environment designed for

both your ease of access and comfort, with an on-site dedicated staff team to provide you with 24-hour care and support.

Connell Court has received a top fi ve-star RDB rating(a Residential and Domiciliary Benchmarking award). These awards are based on “the outcomes of care” and recognise

Homes that “are demonstrating a real commitment to improving the quality of life for their residents.”

Griffi n Care Ltd. Training & Consultancy Services28 Lethbridge Road, Southport. 01704 380889

www.griffi ncare.co.uk

Established in 2005 and was built on a solidfoundation of valuing, respecting and involving our staff and residents in its delivery and design.

As a result our Service has gone from strength to strength. We provide specialist high quality residential care to adults with severe learningdisabilities and associated behaviours which may be perceived as “challenging”. We don’t see the behaviour that way. Our staff are carefully selected for their value base, highly trained, highly motivated and totally person centred. Our staff are the jewel in our crown and as such make a real difference to the lives of our clients and their families. We have outstanding staff retention and feedback from service users is phenomenal.

Training ServicesGriffi n Care traning & consultancy services are passionate and proud of its training services. We

deliver high quality yet affordable training that is stimulating, motivational and has lasting impact. Our trainers are of the highest calibre, have a proven track record in their fi eld of expertise and are dedicated to the development of others.

Our training provides measurable results, our evaluations speak for themselves. We believe we offer the best and most affordable training available.

Our bespoke training courses use modern, interactive training methods which ensure the needs of all learners, auditory, visual and kinaesthetic are met. The courses are designed, not only to enhance skill levels but to re-energise and innovate participants.

‘We provide quality care for adults with a wide range of learning disabilities, sensory impairments.’

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The Jackson Care Groupoffers the very best in nursing and residential care

‘The Glade’Residential Care Home32 Lancaster Rd, Birkdale01704 566699

‘The Ferns’ Nursing Home42 Part St, Southport01704 501401

The Jackson Care Group

The Champion • Wednesday 20 June 2012 SOUTHPORT CHAMPION FOCUS SUPPLEMENT Visit us @ www.champnews.com • 3

“… it is important to do your own

research …”

For example, will residents be allowed into the gardens on their own?

Also ensure the care home is able to fulfil required dietary specifications or religious or cultural needs.

Visiting arrangements are also important. Is the care home easy to reach for family? Are visiting times convenient? Will you be able to take your loved one on outings and will you be able to contact them by telephone?

Social services will be able to provide you with information about residential homes in your area. Websites are available that offer useful tools to quickly compare care homes by area and the facilities they offer. This may be a useful place to start your search.

Bear in mind that it could be a fairly traumatic time for someone going into residential care. The fear of the unknown and thought of leaving familiar surroundings can be difficult until they settle in, so be understanding and try to make the transition as stress-free as possible. You may be upset yourself to see them move away from you, but try not to show it.

Ratings and inspection results for individual care homes can be found at www.cqc.org.uk.

The Lyndale Nursing Home is a long established, registered care home which provides the highest standards of nursing care tailored to the individual requirements of our 25 residents.

The nursing home is a character property situated in the residential area of Hesketh Park close to both the park itself and Southport’s main shopping centre.

It is independently owned and the owner and home manager are available to provide support to both the residents and their families on a daily basis.

A registered nurse is on duty 24 hours a day and the home manager, qualifi ed nurses, care staff and domiciliary staff are all experienced and highly trained.

9 Rawlinson Road, Southport PR9 9LUTel 01704 543304 • www.nursinghomesouthport.org

• Pleasant, comfortable, homely surroundings• Many rooms with en-suite facilities• Personalised rooms• Nutritious meals prepared daily• Social activities and entertainment• Hairdresser two days a week

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Member of the Registered Nursing Home Association

CourtTel: 01704 545281 www.sandleycourt.co.uk

QUALITY RATEDScores On The Doors (Food Hygiene)

We are an established 5 Star Quality Accredited Home situated close to the town centre, local shops, post offi ce, churches in the beautiful seaside town of Southport. Also, we have Hesketh Park, Marine Lake, the Promenade, Lord Street and several Theatres all within easy reach of the home.

Our registration with the Care Quality Commission is for 23 residents, which allow us to accommodate older people for permanent, short stay or respite care.

“The relief we all feel that our mother is in Sandley Court, where the residents are treated with affection and dignity is immense, even more so as our mother considers that Sandley Court is her home.”

Registered Manager: Marie HeslinDeputy Manager: Janis Barclay

Sandley39 Queens Road, Southport, PR9 9EX

OPEN DAYSaturday 28th July

from 2pm

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BROOKStotal footcare

Put the spring back in your step

BROOKS Total Footcare Clinic • MawdesleyHome visits also available in: Southport, Ormskirk, Eccleston, Croston,

Parbold, Mawdesley, Rufford and surrounding areaswww.brookstotalfootcare.co.uk • Tel: 01704 778642 (24 hour answer service also available on this number, please leave a message)

CHIROPODY & PODIATRY SERVICES

• Corns• Callus (hard skin)• In-growing Toe Nail Management• Nail Cutting• Verrucae• Toe Nail Reconstruction

• Biomechanical Assessments• Orthotics (specialist insoles)• Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)• Nail Surgery• Diabetic Assessments• Natural Skincare Products

A member ofThe Society ofChiropodistsand Podiatrists

Treatment of:

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Day care is provided through numerous centres across Sefton and West Lancashire, through various agencies including local authorities, private care companies, health trusts and charities.

Day centres can be handy as respite for a regular carer, or as a pleasant change to a person's regular routine.

They will specialise in varieties of care, such as for the elderly, adults with learning disabilities, mental health or

people with specific conditions such as dementia.

Generally they provide a range of activities, which may include craft, gentle exercise, entertainers or speakers, games or quizzes or trips out.

Meals are also provided so ensure you leave full instructions detailing any special dietary needs.

Day services are provided in various locations across the county, including resource centres, community settings or within a supported living service, amongst others to enable people to live as independently as possible.

People using day care may live on their own or with family or a carer - everyone is in a different situation.

Requests for day centre places are taken from a variety of sources, including Social Care and Health departments, the Health Authority, GPs, family, friends and individual people themselves. Waiting lists are not necessarily handled on a 'first come first served' basis, but on need and availability of a suitable place.

Charges for day care vary between each facility so it is best to contact the centres directly for up-to-date fees and details of how to pay.

Day Care

Age UK Lancashire is a local charity, dedicated to helping all older people in Lancashire and Southport to have valued and fulfilling lives. Our local services include:

Home Help service Our Home Help service is open to anyone aged over 50. We can help with a variety of tasks including cleaning, laundry, shopping and local errands. It is competitively priced and is provided at a time to suit you.

Nail Care service Our Nail Care service is ideal for anyone aged 50 or over who struggles to cut their own finger and/or toe nails.

Information and Advice Our free Information and Advice Service can help you with a range of issues, including money matters, welfare benefits, community care, housing and staying healthy. We can also assist with form-filling and benefit checks.

To find out more about our local services, visit our insurance and information office inside the Age UK shop, 571 Lord Street, Southport or call 0300 303 1234 (calls charged at local rate).

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Do You Need...Companionship, Personal Care, Home Help Services,Cleaning, Trips Out or Escorting To Appointments?We pride ourselves on providing only the very highest standard of care to our clients. Call us now to find out why we are different.

We are now recruiting new staff in this area. If you think you have what it takes to be an exceptional Care Giver then please call in or telephone for an application form.

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SOUTHPORT OFFICE01704 547 938

63 Scarisbrick New RoadSouthport PR8 6PA

MAGHULL OFFICE0151 526 1225

37 Liverpool Road SouthMaghull L21 7BN

www.homeinstead.co.uk


Investing in some specialist aids to help you get about or perform everyday tasks can make a world of difference.

For someone determined that their disability will not stop them enjoying their freedom, there is a gadget to help with almost every circumstance.

In some cases basic aids may be available for loan through local healthcare providers or occupational therapist, depending on your individual circumstances, but there are many companies who specialise in all varieties of disability aids, for the home, on the move and for general use.

In the kitchen, aids such as a kettle-pouring frame, interchangeable ergonomic grips, bottle and jar openers and self-opening scissors can make cooking or making the tea much more manageable.

For the bathroom, a raised toilet seat, shower handles, a bath or shower chair, tap-turners or bath steps can make your bathing experience much more stress-free and pain-free.

An orthopaedic mattress, supportive pillows, a motorised bed, dressing aids

or a bed table can provide extra comfort in the bedroom.

For the living room, a riser-recliner chair, or a device that will turn a regular armchair into a riser-recliner, can make the world of difference.

General helpful items include daily pill boxes, non-slip material to use around the house, a reacher to avoid bending to pick things up, a seat-turner to help getting into the car and a walking frame or trolley will make daily chores a piece of cake.

These are just a small selection of the wide variety of helpful items available.

Some items, for example wheelchairs or riser-recliner chairs, can be pricey but can be a worthwhile investment that prolongs independence and a social life.

Larger scale investments, such as a lift or stair lift, can help a person to remain in their own home.

For many, an accident or long-term condition can make the stairs impossible and carrying a person up and down stairs can only ever be a short-term solution, and even then can make the person feel helpless.

Stair lifts are suitable for most homes, but there are limitations

depending on the design of your staircase. A simple straight stair lift is the most cost-effective, but a lift for curved stairs can be designed, although it is more costly.

Each lift should be made to measure. Do your homework when choosing a stair lift, as they will cost a lot and not be easy to change if you have a problem.

Mobility and Disability Aids“… extra comfortin the bedroom”

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We are a free, confi dential service that is available to all older people living in Sefton.If you would like more information please contact us:

Phone: 01704 538411Email: [email protected]

Address: SPAC, 6th Floor Shakespeare Centre, 43/51 Shakespeare St, Southport PR8 5AB

Sefton Pensioners’ Advocacy Centre is a respected, thriving small charity

providing one-to-one casework advocacy and self-advocacy services to

the older citizens of Sefton

Do YOU have a decision to make?

Do YOU wish you had more information?

Would YOU like to support to access services?

Would you like someone to help YOUget your voice heard?

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This is a national scheme that lends wheelchairs and powered scooters to those who have a permanent or temporary disability and need help getting around.

It allows anyone with a disability to get around a town, especially if they are just visiting without any problems.

Wheelchairs and power chairs can be hired for the day, overnight or for longer periods and scooters are normally used on a daily basis.

All the vehicles can be delivered to or collected from a hotel, railway station or coach point, subject to volunteer availability so you will never have to be without one.

Users need to register before borrowing any equipment and you will need to provide ID and two passport photos to do this. There is no age limit on who can borrow equipment so you or old, everyone is eligible.

All schemes operate differently with some being free and some charging for their services. To find out more about the scheme please call 0844 41 41 850 or by visiting www.shopmobilityuk.org.

ShopmobilityYour independence is our responsibility!

119 Eastbank Street, Southport, PR8 1DQ • Tel: 01704 510 655

Mobility Scooters

4 Wheeled Walkers Wheelchairs Zimmers

AND MORE!

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NOW HIRING MOBILITY EQUIPMENTso you can try before you buy!

Pennington House, 55 Hoghton Street PR9 0PGTel: 0800 141 2776 Email us at: [email protected]

CQC REG NO 1-233550482. CO.REG NO. 7435939SPECIALISTS IN ALZHEIMERS STROKE & BRAIN INJURY

At Home Supporting DedicatedSensitive Understanding Respectful Effi cient

For a completely free and confi dential consultation we invite you to call our Freephone Number below when we can arrange a suitable time to discuss all of your, or a family member’s care needs.

0800 141 2776

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As Care Companies continue to come and go, and the media littered with stories of negligence and abuse, the elderly and the vulnerable community in Southport can at last relax in the comfort and the knowledge that they now have their own dedicated independent resource, namely Assured Care (North West) -Licensed by CQC.

Southport can proudly boast that it now has it’s own locally based team of highly trained and dedicated Carers offering truly unique and person-centred care delivered in the warmth and comfort of your own home. (All carers fully trained and CRB checked). We are dedicated to care for the needs and to protect the well-being of the elderly and vulnerable adults in the local community. Our Care Manager has a Level 5 Diploma in Health And Social Care with vast hands on experience.

Based from our recently refurbished Head Offi ce on Hoghton Street, we offer all the usual Care Services , and can design a tailor-made care package to suit the medical, physical and most importantly emotional needs of the particular individual.

Our many services include; • Comfort Sits• Washing/Bathing• Night /Day Sits• Palliative Care• Gardening/Shopping• Home Help• Medication Management• Assisted Appointments• Personal Needs• Helping with Bill payments/ Banking/Red Tape• In house funding and fi nancial specialist - assisted phone calls form fi lling

Our in-house fi nance and management team can ensure privacy, confi dentiality and discretion. We will offer complete fl exibility to ensure excellent care is delivered within a managed budget. We assist in obtaining and negotiating funding working closely with local Authorities and health professionals. We are never knowingly undersold.

Advertising Feature


Community care covers a broad range of care services, from companionship through to medical care, provided in a patient’s home.

Aimed at people who require ongoing care for a long period, either full time or at regular intervals, community care is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to residential care.

Different care companies often specialise in a certain type of care, so first of all you will need to decide the specific care needs you require.

Some specialise in 24-hour care, while others mainly provide regular short-term visits.

Services vary greatly, from companionship and personal assistance, to household chores, accompaniment to hospital appointments and night-sits, in case the person is in need of help at night.

If you have difficulty cooking meals for yourself, ready-made meals can be delivered to your home, a service known as 'meals on wheels.'

Care may also be required for a patient with a specific condition, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Some companies can also provide care abroad, with a tailored holiday package.

Whichever type of care you or your loved one needs, there are certain points you need to remember.

Firstly, the best type of recommendation is word of mouth. Ask around friends and family to see if they have had any experience of community care companies and ask what they think.

Companies’ websites also provide a wealth of information and are a good starting point to find out if they are right for you.

“Continuity of care is very important – people like to see the same faces calling at the same time,” Sara Mellor of Community Care Direct says.

“We always send a smiley, friendly face to our clients.”

If you believe you or someone you love may be in need of community care, make the first steps into finding out more. If you are unsure, consult your GP for advice. Also make use of the contacts provided in this guide, or call your local council.

Community Care

DAY CARE WITH A DIFFERENCE! WIDE CHOICE OF WORK ACTIVITIES

FREE TASTER DAYS - Immediate places availableCATERING CRAFTSHORTICULTURE OFFICE & RECEPTIONRETAIL

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DAY CARE WITH A DIFFERENCE! WIDE CHOICE OF WORK ACTIVITIES

Make your contribution to the world of work. Learn and progress at your own pace in a caring, supportive environment with specially qualified staff

For further information call Mark Saxon on 01695 5553162 Penrose Place, Skelmersdale, Lancs, WN8 9PR.

Registered Chairty No. 3032531

www.mistream.org.uk

Kit is one of those local heroes Carer’s Week is all about. Since childhood Kit has been a volunteer carer, helping others less fortunate than herself. Recently, when a close friend fell seriously ill, Kit stepped in to help look after her friend’s young family, making sure their lives were as normal as possible. Kit’s heart of gold and dedication to helping others is remarkable; so much so that when we offered her a chance to come and work with us at New Directions as a paid carer she turned it down. She wanted to carry on helping her friend as a volunteer. We understood the decision. For Kit, caring is a vocation, a way of life. In fact she is just the type of person we employ at New Directions and are always looking to recruit to our dedicated team of carers.

Each week our paid carers help hundreds of local people in your community get the best out of life. You may use New Directions yourself or know someone who does. After all, we are the locally owned provider of choice for many service users.

Right now, we are on the look out for experienced carers and those looking to turn a caring outlook into a career in social care.

For those who join New Directions there is the chance to work with some of our 480 permanent and relief staff in a variety of settings. It might be delivering care and support to clients at home or working in one of our respite or residential settings.

Our clients include older people as well as younger adults. We deal with a variety of needs, ranging from age related conditions, Dementia and more complex conditions, including learning disabilities to Autism spectrum conditions, mental health conditions and physical disabilities.

Following an induction and paid training, you could be helping to deliver more than 150,000 hours of re-enablement support and care for people at home. Or, you could be working in one of our short-stay residential services. New Directions’ intermediate care and respite service sees a regular throughput of more than 500 clients a year. They’re often familiar faces coming in to provide their carers, like Kit, with a break and peace of mind.

www.ndirections.co.uk

It’s a rewarding experience working with New Directions helping the clients get the best out of life, through providing a chance for inclusion and independence through fulfilling and stimulating activity linked to our day centres and other local leisure resources.

Being a Carer takes you in a New Direction!

New Directions is recruiting across Sefton and in all areas.• Care at home • Hospital to home • Residential • Respite• Supported living • Day services

We need:• Care Workers – at all levels• Care Coordinators • Craft Workers (incl. carpentry, arts & crafts) • General Domestic Assistants

These are exciting full-time or part-time flexible opportunities offering excellent training and career development.

If you have a caring disposition, join us to take your career in a New Direction!

New Directions recruitment hotline 0151 934 2519Contact: [email protected].

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TELEPHONE: 01704 560131Email: [email protected] • Web: www.careconcernnw.co.uk

Local preferred provider forLancashire County CouncilProviding Domiciliary care in the Sefton & West Lancs areas

We have 20 years experience inproviding a high standard ofpersonal/domicilary care.

We believe the services we offerallow independence in your own home environment while maintaining health,

dignity and well being.

For further informationregarding the services we provide please call or email us

1109200

Care Concern (NW) LtdDomiciliary Care

★★★Excellent Service


It can be very difficult to raise the subject of a loved one needing care, especially if they have always been independent and capable of taking care of themselves.

When it comes to children having to decide about their parents future and well being, it can become even more difficult as it is so unnatural for a child to have to take charge over their parent.

Sometimes however, it is a conversation which needs to be tackled before your loved one starts to struggle and find everyday life increasingly difficult.

Rather than bring it up unexpectedly and expect an answer or decision straight away, ease them into it gently, bringing up the possibility of care gradually and casually over the course of a few weeks. Gauge their reaction and if it is positive mention the possibility of visiting a few care facilities so they can take a look for themselves first hand.

Many people are very protective over their independence and ignore the signs they may be struggling because they are scared they will lose control of their life if they go into a home. If they can see what a positive experience it can be and shake off the stereotypes sometimes associated with care homes they may be far more forthcoming about the idea.

Speaking to residents who enjoy their life in a care home can really help and explaining how easy the transition can be from living at home to a care home can show even the most opposed person how much better it could be for them.

Hard decisions

For further information or a brochure,please contact our team tel 01704 550482

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Independent Living with AllCare Community Care Services.AllCare now specialise in the Direct payment Option.You can choose the care you need from the carer you know at the time that suits you. The ultimate care at home with the quality you deserve.

At AllCare we have used our many years of knowledge and experience in the provision of home care and domestic support, to create an exceptional and uniquemulti-range service designed to meetall of your care and support needs,from a half hour visit to 24 hourlive-in care.

• Bathing and showering• Help getting up and going to bed• Dressing• Feeding• Assistance with medication• Shaving• Toileting• Continence care• Making and changing beds• General housework• personal care and support• Care following hospital discharge• Escorting to appointments / social activities• Doctors and hospital appointments• Sitting services / Carer short breaks• Special needs / Learning disability• Mental health care• Dementia care• Shopping and meal preparation

Call for free consultation/advice

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It is important to determine how to access healthcare local to you, what is available and what help with costs you are entitled to, if any.

It is vital to have regular eye tests so that any need for glasses or contact lenses can be spotted early before the problem worsens.

Some eye diseases can only be diagnosed through an eye test and opticians also look for other health problems during testing.

You are entitled to a free NHS sight test if you are under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education, aged 60 or over, registered blind or partially sighted, diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma, aged 40 or over, at risk of glaucoma or if you receive certain benefits.

You can claim vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you are under 16, are 16, 17 or 18 in full-time education, need complex lenses or you or your partner receive certain benefits including Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or Income Support.

Good oral hygiene is always important. If you pay for NHS dental treatment, there are three standard charges depending on the treatment you need. You will only pay one charge for each course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it.

The charges are categorised into:

� Band 1 (eg an examination, diagnosis or scale and polish) £17.50

� Band 2 (everything in band 1 plus treatment such as a filling, root canal or tooth removal) £48.00

� Band 3 (everything in bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, dentures or bridges) £198

You are entitled to free NHS dental care if you are under 18, 18 and in full time education, pregnant or have given birth in the past year, an NHS in-patient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist, an NHS Hospital Dental Service out-patient or you are receiving certain benefits.

Many elderly people find that their hearing is not what it once was and this is why regular hearing tests are important to establish if a hearing aid is required.

If you’re concerned about your hearing, see your GP who can refer you to a specialist.

If the specialist advises that you need a hearing aid you can opt for an NHS hearing aid or pay to go privately. NHS hearing aids and new batteries are free. If you lose your hearing aid or damage

it, you may be asked to pay towards the cost of repairing or replacing it.

If you decide to go privately to have your hearing aid fitted make sure you consult a qualified registered hearing aid dispenser. They should have the letters RHAD (Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser) after their name.

You can get free NHS prescriptions if you are 60 or over, under 16, 16 to 18 and in full-time education, are pregnant, or have had a baby in the past year and have a valid exemption certificate, have a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without help from another person and have a valid exemption certificate, are an NHS in-patient, are on certain benefits or are a war pensioner, the prescription is for your accepted disablement and you have a valid war pension exemption certificate.

Healthcare

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Make a will

A will is one of the most important documents you will ever make and is so you can divide your assets among your nearest and dearest on your death. If you don’t write a will the law decides who gets what and how much, meaning you will have no control over what happens to you estate.

By having a will you can make sure you pay no more inheritance tax than is necessary, protect your children and make sure they benefit from your estate, set up trusts on your death and most importantly, ensure those you love can benefit from your estate.

Making a will is very easy but should be done by a professional to make sure current laws and tax issues are taken into account. A will should also be reviewed on a regular basis as laws frequently change which may mean it needs to be altered to accommodate these changes.

Estate planning

Writing a will is only a very small part of planning for the future. For many, a will is enough to ensure their family is looked after when they are gone. Sometimes however, if the estate is complex, or there have been several marriages resulting in children, more in depth documents need to be drawn up.

Trusts, tax issues and asset protection can all be addressed by visiting a solicitor who specialises in wills and financial planning and means you will have peace of mind that your estate is going to be divided as you wish on your death.

Legal matters

Even your call to us is FREE

0800 085 6779

*Terms and conditions apply

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WE WRITE YOUR WILL FOR FREE*

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WE EVEN SECURELY STOREYOUR WILL FOR FREE*

(for a limited period only, so don’t miss out)

42 Hoghton Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 0PQ

Are you lonely sometimes?Do you miss having a good old natter?Are you over 50, living in Sefton and fi nd it hard to get out of the house and make new friends? Or have you just come out of hospital or been ill and need a bit of company?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then the Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton Befriending Service could be just what you need to brighten up your week.

We have a volunteer who would be really pleased to come to your house each week to chat with you and make sure you’re doing well.

Our volunteers are carefully selected and have undergone checks to make sure that they are suitable people to be allowed into your home and we try to match people who share common interests and enjoy similar things.

The service is free (thanks to NHS Sefton) and we won’t arrange anything without your permission. So to take the fi rst step to a new, long lasting friendship phone Dawn today on 01704 542 993

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Do you enjoy meeting new people?Do you like to talk...but are also a good listener?Do you have one hour a week to spare and want to make a difference?

new people?but are also a good listener?Do you have one hour a week to spare

Then come and put a smile on the face of someone who is a bit lonely at the moment and would benefi t from your company.

Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton a respected, local charity, is now welcoming new volunteers for our successful befriending project in Sefton (with the support of NHS Sefton). We need people like you to visit a local older person in their home on a weekly basis.

This is not a job; our Volunteers are not paid - not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless! We will, however, cover your travel expenses and it’s so rewarding - you’ll be amazed at what a difference a friendly visit can make to both of you!

It’s your time to make a difference! Please phone Dawn today on 01704 542 993

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HomeThere’s no place like itMost people would rather live in their homes. The comfortable and familiar surroundings provide the happiest environment. This is particularly important as we become older or are living with a disability. Community Care Direct provide a full range of services to support people living in their own homes

“Community Care Direct treat us like individuals and ask us what we want right down to the call time, they don’t tell us what we have to have. We are consulted on everything and if we have any ideas they listen. They are wonderful”

- Mrs S Birkdale

Care at Home......a realistic alternative to residential careWe cater for adults 16 years onwards.Our services include:• Visits from half hour to 24 hour live in care• Meal preparation• Medication administration• Palliative care• Dementia care• Spinal injuries• Day sits• Night sits• Companionship• Home help service: shopping, cleaning, errand running etc

If you’re not happy with your current care provider Community Care Direct will support you through a smooth

transition of your care services. We welcome direct payments

Office Address: Community Care Direct Ltd, 33 Shakespeare Street, Southport, Merseyside PR8 5ABTel 01704 544 460 Fax: 01704 539 212

24 hour emergency contact: 01704 544 460Email: [email protected] www.communitycaredirect.co.uk

Community Care Direct are immensely proud of the work we do supporting families and individuals to live independently as much as possible in their own homes.

We constantly achieve market leading inspection scores from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and last year we were a finalist in the regional Great British Care Awards. 2011 sees us being nominated and being finalist in the national Great British Care Awards which is being held at the Royal Court of Justice in London later on in the year.

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If you feel that we could help you and your family please

just get in touch.

We are here to help

ALL FEES HELD

For duration of your

services!No hidden extra costs for weekend/unsociable hours

Please use reference ‘voucher’

Focus On Care

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