What is a Care Needs Assessment and How Do I Get One
If you or a loved one is finding it difficult to manage day-to-day activities like washing, dressing, cooking or getting out and about, you could be entitled to extra help through a care needs assessment which is completely free.
In this article, we’ll break down what a care needs assessment involves, how to request one and what kind of support you could get.
What is a Care Needs Assessment?
A care needs assessment is a free evaluation carried out by your local council to determine what help and support you need to maintain both your wellbeing and independence at home.
Who Can Get A Care Needs Assessment?
You don’t have to have a certain medical condition or receive benefits to qualify. If you’re finding aspects of your daily life difficult, you could be entitled to an assessment. This includes:
- Older adults living alone or with a partner
- People with mobility issues or long-term health conditions
- Carers looking to get support for the person they look after
If you’re unsure, it’s always worth asking and even if you’re not eligible for an assessment you may get signposted to other support.
How Do I Get A Care Needs Assessment?
You can arrange your assessment by contacting the adult social services team at your local council, either online or over the phone.
If it’s for someone else, you should get their permission first, unless they’re unable to make decisions for themselves.
What Happens in the Assessment?
Someone from the council, like a social worker or occupational therapist, will ask you how you’re managing daily tasks like washing, cooking, cleaning and dressing.
They may also ask you to describe how well you think you’re doing certain tasks like making yourself a coffee or getting up from the sofa.
If it appears that you might need some changes around your home, like grab rails, you might also be referred for a separate assessment of your home for home adaptations.
The assessment can be conducted:
- In person
- Over the phone or online
- Via self-assessment
How Can I Prepare for a Care Needs Assessment?
Your local council has a duty to provide you with accessible information about the assessment process. Where possible, this should be provided before the assessment takes place.
It’s also important that you’re as transparent and specific, about the kind of care you need, as possible.
If you’re finding it challenging to get dressed in the morning, have to have regular help going to the bathroom, or need reminders to take your medication, then make sure you share this.
Can I Have Someone With Me During the Needs Assessment?
Yes, you can have someone, like a friend or relative, to support you throughout your assessment. This could be particularly useful if you have trouble understanding others or are unable to speak up for yourself.
If you’re not able to have a friend or carer there, then the local council can provide someone to support you, like an advocate.
What Will the Council Recommend After My Assessment?
After the assessment, the local council will decide whether you need help and you’ll get the results of the assessment which would identify what sort of care and support would be best for you including paid care or meals delivered to your home.
Following the assessment, the council might make recommendations like:
- Getting equipment like a walking stick or personal alarm
- Adaptations to your home like grab rails
- Help from a paid carer
- Access to day centres
The Cost of Care
You’ll generally be expected to pay toward the cost of social care. You can also have a financial assessment (means test) to determine whether the council will pay towards the cost, which can be arranged for you by the council.
What Happens If I’m Told I Don’t Qualify for Care?
If the needs assessment concludes that you’re not eligible for care and support, the council should still give you free advice about where you can access help in your community.
How HelpAlert Can Support You
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If you’d like to see how the service works, we offer a 14-day trial with no long contracts and only a small postage charge to get started.
Call our friendly UK Care Team on 01273 055049 or explore our monitored alarm range below to find the right option for you or your loved one.
