The following services may be provided after assessment and on the basis of need.

Advice
Assistant Care Managers and Care Managers can provide advice and guidance on a wide range of daily living issues relevant to older people. Specialist advice in relation to Social Security Benefits is available from Citizens Advice Bureau or Social Security Offices providing benefits for older people or the Law Centre (NI).

Aids to enhance independence
Occupational Therapist, Hospital Social Workers and the Social Care Team will refer older people for professional assessment of aids necessary to enhance and promote independent living. Ina situation where an extensive waiting list applies familys may choose to enter private arrangements with approved suppliers.

Chilled Meals
Chilled meals should be provided when an older person’s capacity is such that they could not safely prepare food themselves and where family support is not available to provide meals. Generally chilled meals are an alternative to Home Help. This service is most appropriate when the older person is unable to prepare food, but could safely heat up the chilled meal. Older people contribute to the cost of the meal.

Day Care
Day Care can support family care arrangements or minimise risk factors. It may also be appropriate for people who have a social or psychological care needs but are too physically frail to avail of social centre support. The Trust’s Elderly Persons Resource 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 older people are required to make their own transport arrangements, although in some exceptional circumstances the Trust may assist with costs. Day Care can also be provided in an accredited private or voluntary setting.

Dental Services
Provides dental services for older people.

Home From Hospital Service
Home From Hospital Service facilitates discharge from hospital by providing a domiciliary care service which starts from the time of discharge and tapers off after six weeks as the patient recovers from illness or surgery. [This service only exists in the Lisburn area].

Home Help Service
Home Care Department provides care and support to older people, enabling them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Following your assessment, trained Home Care staff can provide a service to you which may include both personal care and household tasks. If you are below the age of 75 you will be assessed to contribute towards the cost of your home help service.

Hospital at Home service
This service provides intensive nursing, therapy and personal care to patients who would otherwise have to be in hospital. Working in close collaboration with the patient, carer and General Practitioner the Home From Hospital Team can facilitate early return home and bring a wide range of specialist skills and equipment into the patients own home.

Incontinence Products
When older people have bladder or bowel problems District Nurses (sometimes aided by a specialist advisor) will assess need for specialists products designed to aid management of such problems and enhance physical comfort. These are delivered to an individuals home on a regular basis.

Laundry service
Typically only made available when older people or their carers are under severe stress due to the nature of a specific illness necessitating unusually large amounts of laundry or where no appropriate laundry services are otherwise accessible to the older person.

Permanent Residential and Nursing Care
When living independently is no longer safe or practical an assessment of need will be co-ordinated by a Care Manager in consultation with an older person and their family to determine what alternative accommodation may be most appropriate. A Care Directory of such provision is available on request.

Podiatry Services
Provides podiatry services for older people whose mobility may be affected by problems with their feet.

Respite Care
Residential respite care can be provided to support family carers or to minimise risk factors. This is a means tested service for all clients and is available for specific time limited periods.

Social Centres
The Trust supports a number of independent and voluntary social centres through grant aid. This service is most suitable for people who are reasonably independent and self-caring but who have social or emotional care needs. Referrals from the Assistant Care Manager are required for most Social Centres. A mid day meal is usually provided at a minimal cost and many Social Centres provide transport.

Trust Resource Centres
Trust Resource Centres increasingly are being used in collaboration with hospitals to ensure that people are not inappropriately admitted to hospital, or stay in hospital longer than is necessary. The Trust aims to use its Resource Centre beds to provide short stay care for convalescence; for carer relief, to overcome emergencies and as a regular part of the ongoing care package. The Trust aims to increase the ability of its Resource Centres to provide rehabilitative care.