Sometimes, after an illness or perhaps a stay in hospital, you need some help to get back on your feet.  This is known as reablement.  This will help you to live as independently as possible and help you to do as much as you can for yourself.  We can help you to relearn lost skills and get your confidence back. 

We will work with you to find out what your needs are and what is causing you the most difficulty.  We can then put together a plan on the care and support that you will need.  This will of course depend upon your own individual circumstances but we want to help you stay in your own home for as long as possible.

You will usually be referred by either your GP or the hospital but if you would like to talk to us you can ring on 0300 300 8303 or use our online enquiry form.

The majority of people will want to stay in their home, even if they are starting to find things a little difficult.  It may be that they are not as fit as they would like to be and getting around the house is not as easy as it used to be.  Maybe they are not able to do as much housework and could do with some help.  Perhaps somebody popping in a few times during the day would be helpful.  Visit our Getting help to live at home pages to find out what we can do to help you.

To help you stay in your home for as long as possible there are a number of things that can be done to make your life easier.

Equipment

There may be some equipment that you could use to help you get around your house or just make day to day living a bit easier.  Our Occupational Therapists can assess you to see what they can to help you lead a more productive life.  Visit our Occupational therapy pages for more information.

Alarms

Maybe an alarm would helpful.  There are various types of alarms available - from detectors and sensors through to pendants and buttons connected to a control centre. You can find out more about what alarms are available on our webpage Alarms

Alterations to your home

It may be that in order for your to stay in your home you need to have some alterations done which will make your life easier.  For example:

• access in to and out of the home (for example a wheelchair ramp)
• access to rooms specifically including access to a toilet, bath or shower or wash basin
• provision of facilities for preparing and cooking food
• making the home safe for the disabled person and other people living in the house
• adaptations to bathrooms
• ceiling hoists
• stair lifts

There is more information available on our Aids and adaptations page and also on our Disabled Facilities Grants Page

The blue badge scheme allows holders to park closer to their destination for people who are classed as disabled. You can apply for a blue badge if you: 

• receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living allowance
• receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
• use a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government Health Department
• are registered blind
• have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob
• have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking. In this case you may be asked to answer series of questions to help the local authority determine whether you are eligible for a badge

For further information please visit our Blue badge - disabled parking permits pages

Adults who want to remain in their own home will still want to have a good quality of life.   There are a number of choices available to those who want to get out during the day.  Visit our Getting out and about pages for further information and ideas of what you can do.

If you are looking after someone who has a disability you probably will need a break at sometime.  This is known as respite care and can be:

• provided in your own home
• a short stay in a residential or nursing home
• day activities

We can help you with information about the different types of support available to you.  To find out more information please contact us to find out more information customers@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

When it becomes impossible for you to manage in your own home and there are no other options available then it may be necessary for you to become a resident in a care home.  There are different types of homes available.

Sheltered Housing

Sheltered housing enables older people to remain independent but move in to a specially property with other older people.  This is usually either self-contained flats or bungalows available to rent.  There are sometimes communal areas and facilities such as a lounge where all the residents can get together when they wish.  There is usually support available from resident staff or non resident staff who make regular visits to the location. For further information go to our Sheltered Housing pages

Extra Care

Extra care housing is for older people who need a little more support than is offered by the Sheltered Housing schemes - but they still want to remain as independent as possible and have their own front door.  Support at these locations is available 24 hours a day for those who need it. For further information go to our Extra Care pages

Care Home

Care homes are for those who can no longer look after themselves at home there are different levels of care available to meet the needs of different people.  Care homes do not provide nursing care but do help with personal care such as bathing, toileting and dressing. For further information visit our Care Homes pages 

Nursing Home

Homes with nurses are often called nursing homes and they have qualified nursing staff for 24 hours a day to help those who have general nursing needs or dementia. For further information visit our Care Homes pages

When an adult has a terminal or progressive illness they are likely to need End of life care - this is also known as Palliative care.  This could be people who are living with cancer, heart disease, neurological conditions such as Motor Neurone disease.

People should be treated with respect and dignity whether they receive care in their own home or in a hospice or other care home

For more information please visit our End of life care pages

If you are looking for information on children and young people's social care services - please visit our children's services web pages.  You will find there information on social care services for children and families.  Children and family services work closely with education and schools, as well as local health services.

Adult Social Care Services

Adult Social Care services play a very important role in your local authority.  We help protect, care and support vulnerable adults to enable them to live as full and independent lives as possible.  The services we offer include:

• adults with physical or sensory disabilities
• adults with learning disabilities
• adults over 65
• adults recovering from a stay in hospital
• adults who may have HIV or AIDS
• adults with mental health problems
• adults with alcohol or drug issues
• adults who are carers for others