Summary of research by William Laing (Laing & Buisson) who devised a means of calculating the reasonable operating costs of efficient care homes for older people. The reesarch is intended to offer a guide to all parties involved in negotiating baseline fe

A Guide to Community Alarms – how they work, where to get one, costs and product comparisons

For most of us, having the standard of living we want in retirement will depend on making our money work for us as effectively as possible. In this guide we look at some of the main questions you need to consider as you approach retirement age. As you may

If you need help from the council to pay care home fees, this factsheet looks at what happens if you transfer your property, spend large sums of money or do anything else to reduce your assets before moving into a care home. If the council thinks you did

Care & Repair aims to raise awareness of the scale and nature of the impact of poor and unsuitable housing on the health and wellbeing of older and disabled people and promote and influence change, particularly in the health sector. The website includes

“Information, information, information – without it, how can people be truly at the heart of decisions? Information should be available to all regardless of how their care is paid for. There are some things that should be universal – information is one.”

“Everyone who receives care and support wants to know they will be protected if the company in charge of their care goes bust.” This factsheet describes how the Act introduces a regime to oversee the financial stability of the most hard-to-replace care

“Services at transition should be aimed at moving a person into work/adult life in such a way as to promote their independence and so reduce their long term needs for care and support.” This factsheet describes how the Care Act supports people moving f

“The difficulties that older prisoners face in the physical environment have been exacerbated by social care that is described variously as variable, sparse and non-existent; there has been a deplorable absence of basic personal social care, for example f

“For far too long people’s needs assessments have been driven by the service on offer or that can be provided in a particular area… such an approach fails to recognise the richness and complexity of people’s lives and fails to support or promote truly per

“…A move to outcome and needs based assessment would put the individual and their views, needs and wishes at the centre of the work, as the setting of outcomes is both a personal and subjective process.” This factsheet describes how the Act and support

“It is essential that personal budgets are recognised [in the law]. To leave this significant policy development without statutory basis would leave local authorities uncertain of their legal obligations and individuals uncertain of their entitlements.”

“All councils should have transparent charging policies… service users, carers and the public should understand the purpose of local charging policies and the criteria used to determine levels of charging for particular services.” This factsheet descri

“For the first time, individual liabilities will be limited, protecting people against the worst aspects of the current care lottery. The increase in the upper threshold for means-tested support to £123,0001 is also a boost for those with modest resources

“The existing legal framework for adult protection is neither systematic nor coordinated, reflecting sporadic development of safeguarding policy over the last 25 years.” This factsheet is about how the Act, for the first time, sets out a clear legal fr

“The Care Bill in many respects marks a quiet revolution in our attitudes towards, and expectations of, carers. At last, carers will be given the same recognition, respect and parity of esteem with those they support. Historically, many carers have felt t

“Many disabled and older people can’t consider moving to another area because they can’t be sure that they will get equivalent levels of care and support in the new area.” This factsheet describes how the Act supports people to move between local autho

When asked, many older people would prefer to remain in their own homes if they needed care and indeed, for some time now, it has been government policy to encourage and enable this to happen. Whatever the reason for needing it there is a myriad of help,

This guide explains how your council will assess whether you need care and support at home and whether you qualify for help towards the costs.

If you’re moving to a care home permanently, you might be wondering whether you will need to sell your home to pay care home fees. This factsheet explains when you might need to consider this, and alternatives that might be available to you, such as de

This sets out the national Minimum Stards for care homes for older people, which form the basis on which the National Care Standards Commission will determine whether care homes are meeting the needs of their residents

A major in-depth OFT study, that recommends a one-stop shop for information on care homes to help older people chose the right home. It also recommends better access to complaints procedures, greater price transparency, and fairer contracts for residents.

Technical Brief that outlines some of the variations and common features, to highlight areas of good practice and provide practical pointers in determining the characteristics and staffing levels of the care service in Extra Care Housing

The Care Quality Commission monitors, inspect and regulates health and social care services in England, and publish what it finds including ratings to help people choose care. Its websites provides more detail of how it fulfils its responsbilities.

This is an interim report of a research study looking into public concerns about the availability, quality, and appropriateness of care services for London’s diverse older population

You may not think of yourself as a carer, but if you look after someone else you might qualify for extra money to help meet your costs. This factsheet explains what Carer’s Allowance is, who can get it and how to claim.

This factsheet explains what Carer’s Allowance is, the eligibility criteria, and how to make a claim. It explains how Carer’s Allowance may affect any other benefits you, or the person you care for, are receiving, and what to do if you have a change of

website describing government commitment to helping carers, and definition of carers. Carer information and discussion zones available on this site.

Practical information for people who are caring for someone with arthritis

A basic guide to Carer’s Allowance, Income support. Pension Credit, Protecting your Basis State Pension, and other help for carers

Website contains advice and information about all aspects of gardening, including ideas, tools, and access, in order to make gardening easier.

Factsheet 22 presents the findings from a review of meals provision in extra care housing for a range of providers. It illustrates the diversity of approaches and offers guidance for meals and catering in extra care housing

Charity website providing advice & information about cats, & their services that include how to adopt or rehouse a cat and possible financial help with neutering a cat and veterinary treatment.

It explains whether you can change your name, and how to go about it

Factsheet 19 to inform commissioners about the range of charging options available for extra care housing, and the implications of these, so that they can make decisions appropriate to local circumstances

Case Study 16 gives an example of how Extra Care tenants in Salford City Council benefit from joint working, information sharing and use of technology, as Supporting People subsidy and Fairer Charging assessments are put into practice.

Checklist, or tool, for sheltered housing providers to assess how well they work with health & social care services to meet the needs of residents. Useful for Best Value and Supporting People Reviews. A series of questions with tick boxes for answers.

Summarises the framework within which choice is available. Covers: – National guidance – Restrictions on location – What if a care home is not available at the council’s usual cost – Coosing a more expensive care home than the Council will pay for –

Describes the new approach to allocation of social housing properties, placing the initiative with the customer (new or existing tenants to search information about available properties & express interest. The Government has set targets – 25% of local aut

This factsheet explains what rights care home residents have to choose which home they will live in when the local authority assists with the funding and arrangement of the placement. It is also relevant to residents who arrange and fund their own residen

This study explored how people make choices about their care, how they obtain relevant information, and the barriers they face in choosing the care and support they want. It did so in the light of the recent Care Act (2014), which was intended to increase

Making the decision to go into a home is hard enough without trying to understand the complicated way it’s paid for. In our Choosing a care home Wise Guide, we guide you and your relatives through every step of the process. You’ll find insider tips fro

Information about the key information an FSA authorised firm shouls provide to clients on their first contact

Comprehensive factsheet with diagrams about all aspects of mobile hoists, including the provision of moving and handling equipment, factors to consider when choosing a hoist, the types & standard features of hoists, special features of toileting/standing

Comprehensive factsheet, including diagrams about overhead hoists

Moving to live in a care home is probably more complicated than any other home move, yet is often arranged at a time of crisis. This Guide aims to help you stay in control of events, understand what care homes are, consider alternatives, make your own dec

Disability equipment can help to keep you independent at home and in the community, whether you need a stairlift, a scooter or just some helpful gadgets. This factsheet explains some of the options, things to consider when buying your equipment, and he

Information about most problems experienced by people with disability in managing their home. It covers dealing with the home layout, safety, opening doors & windows, electrics, carrying items, food & drink preparation; cooking, cleaning and laundry.

From this website you can search the CAB directory to find out where your nearest bureau is and go to the CAB Adviceguide website which offers on-line advice on a variety of problems. You can also order free publications and policy reports.

Explains the Civil Partnership Act 2004 which can give same-sex couples the same rights as opposite-sex couples if they register a civil partnership. It gives information about Registration, and resultant rights and responsibilities – including tax, tenan

This briefing, the second of two, has been written with commissioners and organisations providing housing and care and support services in mind. The main challenge is that it is virtually impossible to quantify demand for cohousing unless and until a coh

There is growing interest in exploring non-mainstream housing options for older people, including various methods of self-help and mutual support that are often similar to cohousing principles. This briefing is the first of two from the Housing L

The starting point for this Housing LIN Viewpoint no 31 is the fact that, under the Coalition Government’s health reform agenda, the NHS is being asked to save £20 billion from their budget. In order to achieve this, NHS is actively exploring ways in whic

Presentation given by Jenny Pannell to a LIN. It summarises a report she wrote, that was commissioned by Homeless Link’s Coalition on Older Homelessness project.It identifies that the Supporting People programme provides many opportunities to improve hous

Summary findings from a report by Jenny Pannell, about homelessness in the older population. It gives case studies, and promotes cost effective support services to prevent homelessness and support people into appropriate accommodation.

The Commission for Racial Equality is a publicly funded, non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality.

This describes the role of the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate, outlines it’s corporate structure, and the people & processes through which it will communicate with social care providers

Summary of essential facts about commissioning extra care and other housing based solutions for care. Most important facts about funding, what is involved, who has to be involved and how long projects can take. Factsheet 2

Case Study 24 describes the process that Leicester City Council and its partners, Hanover Housing Association, went through to achieve success in its bid to the Department of Health Extra Care Fund and the Housing Corporation for capital grants.

Explanation of leaseholders right to transfer the landlord’s management functions to a special company set up by them

Describes the effects on Parkinsons Disease on communication, especially speech, writing, and body language. Advice and information about what can be done to help

Information for people who are finding it difficult to manage daily living due to care needs. It explains the rights to care, and covers care at home. Moving to a care home or nursing home, and what to do if there is a problem getting the care that is nee

An explanation of what help may be available & whether you’ll have to pay for it. It includes help at home, as well as residential and nursing care.

a guide aimed at carers of people with dementia about assessment for and provision of community care services. It includes help available to carers

Case Study 18: the Coldean Extra Care Users’ Group brings together as a core consultation group representatives of local people in the Coldean district of Brighton and Hove who have an interest in the replacement of a former council residential home by a

This website can be searched for legal information from over 300 sites offering advice on a variety of issues relating to topics such as housing and homelessness, health and social care, benefits, consumer affairs, families, money and tax, immigration and

Good practice guide on competencies for Home Improvement Agency management committees

Information about the role of the Local Government Ombudsman, and how to make a complaint about Council services. This includes complaints made by Council tenants

Explains when you can complain, how to go about it and the complaints procedure, if you are not satisfied with the services you are getting from the social services or the National Health Service.

Information about the range of complementary therapies that could help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis

An appraisal of various complementary therapies, such as reflexology, homeopathy, acupuncture, and their potential benefit to people with Parkinson’s

Information and advice about bogus holiday clubs, & what to watch out for

Adequate and appropriate housing is widely acknowledged to be a crucial underpinning of health and well-being. While the impact of poor housing on health, well-being and quality of life is demonstrable – and the contribution of housing to all these areas

Looks at the work of home improvement agencies in relation to health and social care, argues for the importance of preventative services, looks at what the personalisation agenda means for those delivering and receiving services, and considers what home i

Information about what people with healthcare needs have a right to expect when asked for their consent to treatment

Some residential leases require the leaseholder to pay a fee when they resell the property, sub-let it, and on certain other events. The fee can be up to 30% of the property’s resale price. The money either goes to the landlord or into a fund for the long

Guidance on how to prevent problems with goods and services, and how to deal with problems that may arise

Contact the Elderly groups organise gatherings for frail, elderly people who live alone. One Sunday afternoon a month, volunteer drivers take elderly people on regular visits to hosts’ homes. Groups of between ten and sixteen people visit a different ho

Website of Contact the Elderly, a charity which links volunteers to lonely and isolated older people. Arranges monthly tea parties.

This guide is designed to be of practical assistance to those involved in the planning and development of extra care housing. It looks briefly at demographics, market research, feasibility studies, option appraisal, tenure, planning policy issues, plannin

This factsheet explains when it is the duty of the NHS to pay for your social care. It covers what NHS Continuing Healthcare is, who is eligible, how the assessment process works and what you can do if you are unhappy with the outcome of an assessment.

Factsheet 21 explores the contractual frameworks that are required in extra care housing. It looks at contracting from both purchaser and provider perspectives and provides guidance on the contractual issues in relation to housing management, support and

When someone dies, it can be a devastating experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone. This guide looks at how you might be feeling and where you can look for support when you need it.

Practical advice and information about how to deal with the pain of arthritis.

A guide to help employers meet their specific duties under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations. It explains the 8 baic measures the employers must take to assess risk and implement any measures to control exposure and establish g

What Council Tax is. Properties exempt from Council Tax. Who has to pay Council Tax, how much does it cost, and how to pay it. Arrears, appeals, & particular circumstances

Council Tax is the system of paying towards local government services in England, Scotland and Wales. This factsheet aims to help you understand: – Council Tax liability and payment – Eligibility for Council Tax Support schemes – Other ways of reducing

Council Tax Reduction helps people who are on a low income with the costs of the Council Tax bill for their normal home. It can be claimed whether you own or rent your home and regardless of whether you are working, unemployed, retired or a carer.

This factsheet explains what may be available to help you pay your Council Tax and your rent.

This information sheet explains what Credit Unions are, how they operate, and the legislation governing them.

Information on simple precautions that can be taken to protect you or to help you to overcome the effects of being a victim of a crime.

Croydon Council’s housing department information page, providing access to advice and information about housing options

Briefing paper that promotoes the learning needs of older people from black & minority ethnic communities, giving examples of good practice