When you require Help

Most people can expect to live well into old age and enjoy an active and fulfilling life. Whether you can do so depends on a number of factors, heredity, looking after yourself through your life, diet and exercise. Other factors like your home environment, living alone, the level of support you get from family and others also plays a part. For many however, when problems arise family are unable to cope without help.

The Primary Care Team is a body of professional staff who are based around your general practice and have a wide range of skills which will meet the majority of problems you may have. Any of the team members can ensure that you are referred to other team members should their skills be required.

Carers can only maintain their caring role if they look after themselves, understand as much as they can about the caring task, avail of services and accept help when it is required. Home aids can often make your task physically easier and be more dignified for the patient. Respite care can provide a valuable relief from the caring task and a therapeutic break for the carer.

The Trust welcomes comments and complaints about its services as a means of ensuring quality and more responsive services are provided. We particularly welcome local people getting involved in commenting on and the planning of our services.

Who might help you ?

Your doctor may refer you to a wide range of professional staff who form the Primary Care Team. Your "care package" i.e. the care offered by all the caring staff who provide a service to you may be delivered by a variety of staff and may include the professions list.

Moving around this ‘wheel’ of professional services available for older people in a clockwise direction the following thumbnail sketches briefly outline a few of the key functions of each professional or service identified:-

The family doctor is the ‘gatekeeper’ to most services available within Primary Care. After consultation with an older person they may refer them to any of a wide range of professional staff who will then assess whether they can provide a service to meet that person’s current needs.

The district nursing team provide a seven day a week service with a Twilight Service (evening). The District Nurses work alongside GPs and the Social Care Teams. They may refer to other members of the Primary Care Team as appropriate.

The Physiotherapy Team have members in the hospitals and the community. They assess and treat mobility problems and can advise older people and carers on maintaining and restoring levels of mobility.

The Occupational Therapy Team have members in the hospital and the community. They assess physical need and advise on what aids, equipment or home adaptations might help to maintain independence.

Based in the hospitals, these staff work closely with all other professionals in the hospital to ensure a speedy and safe return to the community. They liaise closely with the Social Care Team and can link to a wide range of services designed to support and promote as much independence as possible during convalescence.

Specialist community psychiatric nurses for older people respond to mental health and dementia needs in the community. They liaise closely with hospital based consultants and specialist mental health and dementia staff in the Social Care Team.

Residential respite can be provided to support family carers or to minimise risk factors. This is a means tested service for all older people.

Resources Centres provide residential and day care services for older people no longer able to live independently. Members of the Social Care Team will co-ordinate the assessment of the type of alternative accommodation required. In consultant with the older person and/or carer, they will advise on the options available which best meets the individual’s physical, mental, social and financial circumstances.

Based in the community and composed of Assistant Care Managers and Care Managers, these staff assess, co-ordinate and review provision of services designed to maintain independence and support people in their own homes.

The Trust accesses an accredited list of voluntary and private providers of day care, residential and respite services for older people provided by EHSSB. This can be viewed on request.

The Home Care Department liaises closely with the Social Care Team to provide assistance with a broad range of essential daily living tasks to older people who need such assistance in order to continue living in their own home.

Day Care can support family care arrangements or help minimise risk factors. It may also be appropriate for people who have social or psychological care needs but are too physically frail to avail of social centre support. The Trust’s Elderly Person’s Resources Centres can provide bathing and some personal care as an element of day care if required. There is no charge for day care services. However there is a contribution towards meals. Generally clients are required to make their own transport arrangements, although in some exceptional circumstances the Trust may assist with costs.

Specialist Adviser Nurses are available for consultation in relation to Diabetes, Bladder and Bowel difficulties, Skin Problems, Palliative Care. Access is usually through GPs or District Nurses although any professional involved in Primary Care may after consultation, make a referral if appropriate.

Treat a range of conditions associated with your feet. Domiciliary visits may be possible in exceptional circumstances.

Treat a range of conditions associated with your teeth and mouth. Domiciliary visits may be possible in exceptional circumstances.

Where to get help ?

The following main locations can be contacted to arrange any help required within Services for Older People.

Ballynahinch Community Services Office

45-47 Main Street
Ballynahinch
BT24 8DN
Tel: 028 97 565456
Fax: 028 97 562299

Downpatrick Community Services Office
12-14 Pound Lane
Downpatrick
BT30 6HY
Tel: 028 44 613811
Fax: 028 44 616808

Hillsborough Community Services
Hillsborough Health Centre
29 Ballynahinch Street
Hillsborough
Tel: 028 92 683609

Lisburn Community Services
Lisburn Health Centre
Linehall Street
Lisburn
BT28 1LU
Tel: 028 92 665181
Fax: 028 92 501318

Newcastle Community Services
20-22 Park Avenue
Newcastle
BT33 0DY
Tel: 028 43 723346
Fax: 028 43 726333