An Introduction to
Free Personal and Nursing Care
The Highland Council - Social Work
Service
June 2002
Free Personal Nursing Care is
being introduced across Scotland from 1st July 2002. This is an
introduction to the policy.
What is Personal Care?
Personal Care has been defined by the
Scottish Executive. Any care service which does not fall into this
definition will continue to be charged for. Subject to an assessment by
the Social Work Service, Personal Care can include:-
-
Personal hygiene (e.g.
bathing/showering).
-
Continence management (e.g.
toileting/bed changing).
-
Food and diet (e.g. assistance with
food preparation).
-
Problems of immobility (e.g. help to
move around).
-
Counselling and support (e.g.
reminder device).
-
Simple medication (e.g. creams/ eye
drops).
-
Personal Assistance (e.g.
dressing/going to bed).
You may still need to be financially
assessed to contribute towards the cost of the following services:-
How will the policy affect you?
If you are 65 or over and live at home
and need help to pay for your care, you must ask the Social Work Service
to assess your needs and agree a care package to meet those needs. You
will not have to pay for any Personal Care you receive.
If you already receive Personal Care
services from The Highland Council, you will not have to pay for these
from 1st July 2002.
If you have a private arrangement to
meet your care needs and you wish The Highland Council to pay for the
personal element, you must ask the Social Work Service to assess your
needs. The Social Work Service may then pay the provider for Personal
Care, which you have been assessed as needing. Payment can only be made
to providers approved by The Highland Council.
Your eligibility for Attendance
Allowance or Disability Living Allowance is not changed.
You are 65 or over and have been in
a Care Home since before 31st March 2002
-
If your costs are already being met
from public funds there will be no change.
-
If you fully fund your own care you
will be entitled to a contribution of £145 per week towards the cost of
your Personal Care and a further £65 per week if you require nursing
care. This will be paid directly to the care home by the Social Work
Service.
-
If the Social Work Service
contribution towards your Care Home cost is less that £145 per week, it
will be increased to £145, or £210 per week if you also require nursing
care.
-
You will not be required to undergo
an additional care needs assessment.
-
If you choose to receive the £145
contribution towards your Personal Care, you will no longer be eligible
to receive Attendance Allowance or the Care Component of the Disability
Living Allowance. If you have been receiving either of these benefits
you will have to inform the Department for Work and Pensions of the
change in your circumstances.
You are 65 or over and go into a
Care Home after 31 March 2002
-
Your care needs will have to be
assessed, and you must ask the Social Work Service to do this.
-
The assessment will decide if you
are eligible to receive Free Personal and Nursing Care payments.
-
If you subsequently receive any help
from public funds towards the cost of your care, then your entitlement
to Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance will end four
weeks after the date of the first payment to the care home.
You are aged under 65 and live in a
Care Home
What to do next
If you are already in contact with a
member of staff in the Social Work Services, they should be able to answer
your questions about Free Personal and Nursing Care, or please contact The
Highland Council's Freephone number on:-
0800 214 708
The helpline will operate from 4th
June - 30th August 2002,
between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday - Friday
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