Q. How can the Older People service help me?
The Older Peoples service is very anxious to help older people to maintain their independence and to remain active and healthy. The Service may provide advice, information or practical assistance to help them do so.
Q. How do I access the Older People service?
The Older People’s Services may be accessed via ward staff at the Royal Oldham Hospital on 0161 627 8650 or by directly contacting the Hospital Social Work Officer or for people not in hospital, Social Workers can be contacted at Whitney Court on 0161 770 6900 or via their GP or District Nurse and for people with sight or hearing difficulties they can contact specialist teams at the Link Centre on 0161 770 4799 or for people suffering with dementia or other such illnesses, they should contact the Community Mental Health Team for Older People on 0161 909 8060.
Q. What services for Older People can I have?
The Adult and Community Services Direcorate provides or commissions a number of services including the provision of equipment and adaptations, community meals, day care and short stays, respite care in residential and nursing homes, domiciliary care, advice, information and counselling.
Q. What is a Care Assessment for Older People?
Assistance and services are only provided after an assessment has been completed by a Care Manager or a Care Co-coordinator. During an assessment, people will be requested to provide information about the problems they are experiencing. If their problems are such that they fall within the Social Services criteria for assistance, they will be offered services designed to resolve difficulties.
Q. What happens if my situation changes?
If a persons situation changes they are entitled to a reassessment of their difficulties.
Q. Will I have to pay for my services provided by the Older People Service?
There is a charge for most of the services offered by the Adult and Community Services Directorate.
Q. I am a woman over 60 (equally applies to men over 65). I would like to get help in all areas including housing, finance and winter warmth.
The assessment questions are designed to help people to indicate if they have difficulties in a number of areas and to check if they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to: are adequately housed and have information as to how to maintain their safety, comfort and health.
Q. How do I get help when I am ready to be discharged from hospital?
The Adult and Community Services Directorate has a team of Social workers and Home Support Workers based at the Royal Oldham Hospital dedicated to assisting people to be discharged safely form hospital and to receive the appropriate care at home which they may require. Every ward has an attached social worker.
Q. My relative will be moving to Oldham shortly and I think he/she will need home care from Social Services. What should I do?
If anyone feels that they may need help or assistance they should contact the Duty Officer at Whitney Court on 0161 770 6900 for general advice or information. The Duty Officer may then arrange for a Care Manager or Care Coordinator to undertake an assessment visit to discuss problems in more detail and to devise a care plan, if appropriate.
Q. I can't manage at home any longer how can you help me?
If people feel that they cannot manage at home any longer, a full assessment of their problems will be undertaken. This may require the involvement of their GP, of an Occupational Therapist, a District Nurse or other specialist. A Care Plan will be devised which may include setting up a care package of help within the person’s home or the offer of rehabilitation. In the most difficult situations short term or long term residential or nursing homes care may be required.
Q. I am incontinent. What do I do?
If someone is incontinent they need to discuss the problem with a GP and also ask for a District Nurses continence assessment which should indicate if they are entitled to receive free pads or other products from the Health Service.