Given the choice most people want to stay living safely at home, in a community they know and retain their independence for as long as possible. But there may be times when you need help and support.
We aim to make sure the right support is there for you at the right time and in ways that really make a difference to help you become and stay as independent as possible as a part of a strong and supportive community.
Do you face challenges in your life? Or do you need advice for a family member?
Why not try our Self-Help Tool?
By answering some quick questions about your current situation, we can direct you towards information, advice and services that could help you to live independently and improve your life.
This could include useful telephone numbers and ideas from us in adult social care.
What happens next?
If you are still facing challenges after using the self-help tool then you can complete a self-assessment online.
How can you access the online self-assessment?
To do this you need to click on the self-help tool, if you have 2 or more needs then the tool will offer you our online self-assessment.
Good information, advice and signposting
By providing good information, advice and signposting – in some cases along with a little financial support – we aim to help you and those that care about you to take more control over your own quality of life and have your needs met in ways that best suit you.
- Find short-term support now
There is lots of information and advice online about services and organisations that can provide support. We have a useful Self Help Tool which can provide information directly related to your needs
Additionally there are specific websites that have been created to help guide you to specific support for:
You can also get advice about:
- staying healthy
- getting out and about
- housing options
- help to stay living at home (meals, equipment etc.)
- personal care
For example, you might want advice about where to buy equipment to help you in your home or you might want to employ a cleaner. Pinpoint Devon is the place to start. If you receive an attendance allowance you can use it to pay for this type of personal care.
Short-term support
This might be by giving short-term support to help you get back on your feet after a stay in hospital, by using new technology to help create a safer home environment, or simply by connecting you to the help and support already available in your community.
- Find short-term support now
Contact Care Direct
0345 155 1007
or email csc.caredirect@devon.gov.ukYou may need urgent support and advice because you are recovering from a sudden deterioration in your health or a social care crisis. We will listen and talk with you, or your family member or representative, about how we can support you and that conversation may also involve other professionals like your GP or community nurse.
Your family or friends might be able to offer all the support you require or it might be appropriate to offer temporary services to support you to get back on your feet. We can explore these options with you.
If you have a complex long-term condition
For others with more complex long-term conditions or a disability, it could be, for example, by working with you to build on your strengths, by helping you to live more independently in an adapted home of your own, or by helping you to find opportunities to learn and grow or get a job.
- Start a discussion about the help you may need
Contact Care Direct
0345 155 1007
or email csc.caredirect@devon.gov.ukYou might need a more detailed discussion about the support you need, this may happen over the phone or face to face. A social care worker will talk to you about:
- What concerns you today?
- What can you do for yourself?
- What support is already available to you?
- Do you have family and friends that can support you?
- What community services are available to support you?
- Do you need advice about equipment or assistive technology to
keep you independent? - Do you receive the benefits that you are entitled to?
You may also be offered an assessment of your care and support needs which will determine your eligibility for support.
Where you have eligible needs and those needs are met with a personal budget for a short-term or long-term service, you will be offered a financial assessment and may have to contribute towards the cost of your personal budget.
Any care and support plan will be reviewed with you as your needs change.
If you need to talk to someone
Contact Care Direct
0345 155 1007
or email csc.caredirect@devon.gov.uk
When we first talk to you we will listen carefully and won’t assume anything. We want to find out:
- what matters to you today?
- what you can do for yourself?
- what your interests and skills are?
- if you have family and friends locally?
- what your concerns are and what do you want to
achieve?
We will ask who supports you with your life (family, friends and neighbours) and we will find out what there is in your community to help you get on with your life independently. You can find out more about what Adult Social Care does.