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Where To Get Help
There are various sources of help available. Some are council based but private and voluntary organisations can also help. The community section offers ideas on where else to seek help.
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland
Advice Line
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) Advice Line 0845 077 6000 is staffed by nurses and provides confidential, independent advice on all aspects of stroke illness to those people affected, their families, carers and health professionals
- all calls are charged at local rate
- out-of-hours answer machine
- Monday-Friday 9.30-12.30 and 1.30-4.00
Community Services
Community Services provide groups and clubs to meet the varying needs of people who have had a stroke.
Community Support Network
The aim of the Community Support Network (CSN) is to support local volunteer led groups, which provide social support and activities for people affected by chest, heart or stroke illness.
Publications
A full range of booklets and fact sheets are available from our Publications Department on telephone 0131 225 6963, email publications@chss.org.uk publications order form or by fax 0131 220 6313.
Stroke Nurses
We provide dedicated CHSS Stroke Nurse services in Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, Grampian, Highland, Lanarkshire and Lothian. These facilitate a smooth transition from hospital back into the community for people who have had a stroke and their families.
Volunteer Stroke Service
The aim of the Volunteer Stroke Service (VSS) is to support people who have had a stroke, particularly those with communication problems.
The VSS offers weekly stroke groups, including groups specifically for younger people, home visits, a hospital visiting service and carers support.
Other Services
CHSS also provide welfare grants, and funds research into stroke.
Phone Head Office on 0131 225 6963 for further information.
Social Work Department
Social services will arrange an assessment with the person you care for to work out what services are needed. 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 Councils. Phone the office nearest to you.
Charges for services are means tested and your financial situation may be assessed. Social services must take into account the person’s ability to pay.
Types of services include the following but these may not be available in all parts of Scotland
- help and advice about personal care e.g. dressing, washing
- help with housework
- help with shopping
- help with meals if unable to cook
- lunch clubs
- day care
- sitter services/care attendants
- respite care to give your carer a break
- advice about equipment and housing adaptations
- advice about transport
- advice about finding alternative housing options e.g. supported accommodation and care homes
Get The Most From An Assessment
Before the assessment it is worth thinking carefully about the 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 and the person who has had a stroke needs more or different kinds of help, ask for a review straight away.
Financial Assessment
Social services may charge for support services. Assessment 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.
If you have difficulty in getting an assessment for the person needing care, are refused services that you really need, or feel that a charge is unreasonable, contact the social services customer services section. Their job is to help you sort out the problem, or tell you how to ask for a review or make a formal complaint. Before you do this, it is a good idea to contact your local Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) Scotland.
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.
If You Have Money Concerns…
It is very important to be sure you are claiming all you can. To ensure this, speak to your social worker or a Welfare Rights Officer at your local social work centre. The number will be in the phone book under your local council or contact the Benefit Enquiry Line.
You can also ask at carers' centres (see **tbc Useful Contacts for details), Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) Scotland and local Money Advice Centres (see Yellow Pages for details) for their advice. It is worth asking for help.
Adaptations
Adaptations to the house could mean sloping ramps for wheelchair access, rails and handles to help getting up stairs or steps and sometimes stair lifts. These are organised by the Social Work Department and may involve assessing your financial situation, (means testing), to see if you can contribute to the cost.
Community
Alarm Systems
You can get advice about various alarm systems from your District Nurse, Social Work Department, and Housing Authority or from private companies depending on what kind of alarm you need.
Equipment
Aids are things like seating aids for bathing, or using the toilet, kitchen equipment and blocks to raise the height of chairs or beds. Some items will be provided by the social work department/occupational therapist (OT). Even if you have to buy items yourself you may benefit from the advice of the OT on what is the best for you and where to obtain them. A range of equipment is also available if you
- contact your local Disabled Living Centre where you can try things out before buying
- contact the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)
- many medical supply companies specialise in this sort of equipment and most can provide catalogues to let you see what they have. Some have shops displaying equipment for you to try. Try your phonebook.
- contact the CHSS Adviceline 0845 077 6000 for a list of useful company catalogues
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are a special provision that is usually funded by the health service although more complex outdoor and motorised wheelchairs often have to be self-funded. It is important that you are prescribed the correct chair and cushion for your particular needs. If you buy one independently, make sure you and/or your carer can use it. Remember it has to fit through the internal doors of your house and you may have to use ramps.
Contact the British Red Cross (Scotland) to hire wheelchairs and other equipment.
GP Surgery
Your GP surgery will have a practice nurse, health visitor and district nurses attached to the surgery, who can also help. You can make an appointment with the practice nurse yourself, but you will need to ask your GP to refer you to the district nursing or health visiting services.
Help For Carers
As a carer it is important that you feel supported and able to cope
- carer’s organisations can provide advice, information and support
- local organisations can provide sitting services
- contact Befriending Network Scotland to match up with a befriender
- contact Shared Care Scotland for help with respite care
- CHSS Advice Line 0845 077 6000
Mobile Services
Many services can be provided in your own home. Contact mobile services including
- home dentist visits
- home eye examinations
- mobile chiropodists
- mobile hairdressers via the Yellow Pages or NHS Helpline 0800 224488
Shopping Online
Search online for supermarkets that deliver groceries and for store catalogues for aids and equipment.
Transport
Contact your local council offices for information about travel concessions and disabled parking for your area (for example the Blue Badge Parking Scheme.)
Apply For A Blue Badge Parking Permit
Other Services
- many chemists provide a repeat prescription and pick up service—ask at your GP surgery or chemist
- organisations and companies that specialise in providing special equipment can be found in the phone book
- private care agencies can provide help at home and nursing care
- look for local support groups and activities
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