You are in: Home > Stroke Information > Information For Carers > Assessments And Money
Assessments And Money
Help From Social Services
If someone needs support services in order to manage at home after a stroke, these are usually arranged through the local council social services department by a social worker. The services available vary from area to area, but include things like help with personal care, special equipment or adaptations to the home, day care, home helps, meals on wheels and respite care.
Arranging An Assessment
To work out what services are needed social services will arrange as assessment with you and the person you care for. In hospital, you may be introduced to a hospital social worker who can help to arrange this. If this does not happen, or if the person you care for was not admitted to hospital, you can contact social services directly to ask for an assessment. (Your local social work department is in the phone book under the name of your local council, and you phone the office nearest you.)
Financial Assessment
Social services may charge for support services. A financial assessment will be done which will include questions about personal finances to find out how much, if anything, the person who has had a stroke can afford to pay. Charges for services vary from area to area, but social services must take into account the person’s ability to pay. If the charge seems unreasonable, the person needing care has the right to ask social services for a review.
Carers Assessment
If the person you care for is eligible for an assessment, and you provide a substantial part of their care, you have a right to a separate assessment of your own needs under the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995.
The Carers Act does not give carers the right to services for themselves. But it does mean that carers can ask for their views—and any needs or difficulties in coping with caring—to be taken into account when deciding what services will be provided for the person needing care.
This could mean, for example, regular respite care is included in the support arranged for the person who has had a stroke, to give you a break. Some social services departments do offer specific support to carers, but what is available varies from area to area.
Getting The Most From An Assessment
Before an assessment it is worth thinking carefully about what kind of support you both need. You may find it useful to keep a diary for a week to record the daily needs of the person who has had a stroke, and the caring tasks that you do.
Write down your ideas about things that would help the person you care for to become more independent —for example, equipment, changes to the home, or help with transport. Also think about the things that you would most like to achieve. These might be
- practical things—for example, improving communication difficulties, help with personal care
- social goals—for example, getting out, meeting new friends
- emotional support—for example, other company for the person you care for or for you, ways you can reduce stress
Social services should review the situation from time to time to see whether the needs of the person you are caring for have changed. But if your situation changes or the person who has had a stroke needs more or different kinds of help, ask for a review straight away.
Money And Legal Matters
Caring for someone who has had a stroke is likely to involve extra expense—for example, paying someone to help with caring, larger heating bills, extra equipment or perhaps alterations to the home. It may also mean a drop in income if you or the person you care for has to give up work. You may both be entitled to financial benefits, which will help you to meet some of these costs.
There may be other financial and legal arrangements to consider. For example, the person who has had a stroke may need help in managing his or her affairs. If either of you gives up work, it is a good idea to check what help you are entitled to under your pension scheme, or whether you can protect your pension rights.
Benefits And Allowances
The benefits system is complex, and changes frequently, so it is a good idea to get advice about what you are entitled to, and how to fill in claim forms. There are different benefits and allowances for people who are ill or disabled, for people who are carers and for people who are on low incomes. People on low incomes may also get housing benefit to help with the cost of rent, help with Council Tax and help with NHS costs such as travel to and from hospital.
Some benefits are taxed; some cancel each other out, some act as passports to other benefits.
Your benefits will be handled by your local Department of Work and Pensions, formerly known as the Benefits Agency.
Independent Advice
Local advice centres such as Citizens Advice Bureau know their way round the benefit system and can give you independent advice if you are trying to work out what you should claim for. Your local council office may also be able to give you details about their local welfare or benefits advice centres that you can visit or phone usually attached to the social work department welfare rights.
Advice Line
Latest News
CHSS Campaigns