Services for Disabled People
Services for Disabled People
If you live in Bournemouth we may be able to help if you:
have a physical disability
have a long term serious illness
have serious sight or hearing difficulties
have HIV/AIDS
Our aim is to enable you to live safely and independently in your home for as long as possible. We may be able to arrange assistance for you at home or for day services which offer social activities, practical help or employment opportunities. If the time comes when you are no longer able to live at home we can support you in a move to more suitable accommodation.
Additionally we offer information to help you including details about other organisations which may be able to help. We can also support your carers - relatives, friends or neighbours who provide care for you on a regular basis.
The services we offer will depend on your needs and the needs of your carers/s. If you need support Social Services may be able to provide this or we may ask other private or voluntary organisations to do this on our behalf. You may just need advice and information and we will be able to help straight away. If you think you need services to support you we will take brief details of your enquiry and arrange for a member of staff to make an appointment with you.
We can then discuss your needs to assess the best way of providing support. This is called an assessment of need. If you'd like us to contact you about an assessment of need send us your contact detailsand we'll be in touch shortly.
Here are some of the services we may be able to provide depending on your needs:
Care at Home
Practical support at home such as help with:
getting up and going to bed
washing dressing and toileting
cooking and eating
Night Care at Home
Help if you or your carer find it difficult to cope during the night.
Welfare Benefits Advice
Advice on any welfare benefits you may be entitled to including how and where to make claims.
Advice and Equipment to Help with Everyday Living Tasks
If you have problems with day to day living tasks caused by your disabilities our staff may:give practical advice on different ways of managing at home for you and the people who care for you assess your need for special equipment to increase your mobility and independenceprovide details of local equipment suppliers to enable you to buy items to help you in your day to day living in some circumstances arrange for essential items of equipment to be loaned to you.
We support Bournemouth Society for the Visually Impaired which provides a resource centre and shop where you can obtain equipment which might help increase independence. You can also purchase equipment at the Centre. Telephone 01202 546644 for details.
Disabled Facilities Grant
If your assessed needs indicate that adaptations to your home are required, we can make recommendations for a Disabled Facilities Granttowards the cost. Grants are available to owner-occupiers and private or housing association tenants, subject to a test of financial resources.Financial support from Social Services might also be available, if the Grant does not cover the total adaptation cost.
Direct Payments
This scheme provides payments to enable you to arrange your own care support by employing your own personal assistant or making arrangements with an agency.
Sight & Hearing Services Team
This team is made up of workers with communication skills and knowledge to assist people who have serious difficulties with their sight or hearing.We offer a range of practical advice, information and support to help with day to day living.
Hospital Social Work Teams
A stay in hospital after an injury, illness or operation may create a range of social and practical problems if you are about to leave hospital care.If you have ongoing care needs when you are about to be discharged from hospital or need general advice and support our Hospital Social Work teams can plan and organise safe and effective arrangements or your care.
Support for Carers
We offer support to help the family and friends who provide regular care for people with disabilities:
Help may include:
practical help
a break from caring
information about other services available
Support for Parents
If you are a parent with a disability we consider your parenting tasks when assessing your needs.
Day Services
Using day services will give you the chance to go out and:
take part in activities to develop your independence
meet and talk to other people
join in social and leisure activities including crafts, hobbies, games, exercises and entertainment.
We can assess your needs and provide these services mainly at the Boscombe Centre which is designed and equipped for use by disabled people.
Short breaks
We may be able to arrange for you to have a break away from home where your care needs can be met.
Home from Hospital
If you need help at home for a short time after a stay in hospital we may be able to:
prepare your home for your return from hospital
help with transport home
visit you to help with personal care, housework and shopping.
Residential Care
If you're finding it more and more difficult to live independently at home you may want to think about moving to a residential home. This is a big step and you will need to think carefully about everything involved in moving into residential care.
We can assess the needs you have and advise you, your family and other carers on the options available to help you choose the right home for you.
How much you pay to live in a residential home will depend on your financial circumstances.
Help to find and keep a job
Our Community Employment Services team provides practical support and advice to
help people with a disability find and keep a job
help people who have a job and become disabled keep working
support and develop disabled people in employment.
This operates in conjunction with the Disability Services team of the Employment Service.
Parking Badge for Disabled and Blind People
We administer the scheme which gives parking benefits to people with severe and permanent mobility problems. There is a small administration fee payable for the badge which covers a three year period. For further information please telephone (01202) 458744.
Links:
Contact details
Bournemouth Community Care Services (social services for adults)
Bournemouth Care Direct
Town Hall Annexe, St. Stephen’s Road
Bournemouth BH2 6EA