Local authorities have a legal obligation in assessing people’s care and support needs, as set out in the Care Act 2014

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Section 9 of the Care Act 2014 informs that local authorities must:

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• carry out an assessment of anyone who appears to have needs for care and support, regardless of whether those needs are likely to be eligible

• focus the assessment on the person’s needs and how they impact on their wellbeing, and the outcomes they want to achieve

• involve the person in the assessment and, where appropriate, their carer and/or someone else they nominate

• provide access to an independent advocate to support the person’s involvement in the assessment, if required

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Social services must provide support for dementia

 

The adult social services department of your local council can help with your personal care and day-to-day activities. 

For example, social services may offer to provide:

• carers to help you with washing and dressing

• laundry services 

• meals on wheels

• aids and adaptations

• access to day centres

 

Social services can also give you information about local services and support, much of which is provided by charities, such as the Alzheimer's Society and Age UK. Also local support groups who operate on a voluntary basis.

 

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The local authority may fund care and support

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There are three criteria (conditions) that someone must meet for the local authority to consider funding their care and support.

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The person will have eligible needs if:

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1. They have care and support needs because they have a physical or mental condition (this includes dementia).

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2. The person’s needs mean they are unable to do at least two of the following:

• Manage and maintain nutrition – for example, buying and preparing food and eating and drinking.

• Maintain personal hygiene – for example, washing themselves and their clothes.

• Manage toilet needs – for example, getting to and using the toilet or changing incontinence pads.

• Be appropriately clothed – for example, dressing themselves in clothes suitable for the weather and their needs.

• Be able to make use of their home safely – for example, moving around the home safely (including going up and down stairs), using the kitchen, getting to and using the bathroom and being able to enter and leave the house safely.

• Maintain a habitable home environment – for example, keeping the home clean and safe and being able to manage and pay the bills.

• Develop and maintain family or other personal relationships – for example, staying in touch with others so they don’t become lonely or isolated.

• Access and engage in work, training, education or volunteering – for example, attending a course or volunteering. 

• Make use of necessary facilities or services in the local community including public transport – for example, getting to doctors or other healthcare appointments, using public transport and local services or shops.

• Carry out any caring responsibilities – for example, caring for any children or grandchildren they have.

The person is considered unable to do these things:

• if they cannot do them without help

• if they can do them without help, but it causes them pain, distress, anxiety or puts them (or someone else) in danger

• if it takes them much longer to do them than you would expect.

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3. Because of not being able to do these things there is, or is likely to be, a significant impact on the person’s wellbeing.

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