Care and Support and the Care Act 2014
Care and support
"Care and Support" is the term used to describe the help some adults need to live as well as possible with any illness or disability that they may have. It can include help with things like getting out of bed, washing, dressing, getting to work, cooking meals, eating, seeing friends, caring for families and being part of the community.
Care and support includes the help given by families and friends, as well as any provided by the council or other organisations.
Your wellbeing
Many of us will need care and support at some point in our lives and most people pay at least something towards the cost of their care. The new national changes are designed to help you plan for the future and put you in more control of the help you receive. Any decisions about your care and support will consider your wellbeing and what is important to you and your family, so you can stay healthy and remain independent for longer.
If you receive care and support, or you support someone as a carer, you could benefit from the changes.
You could benefit from the changes if you:
- Receive care and support
- Support someone as a carer
- Are planning for future care and support
The Care Act introduced
- A new national level of care and support outcomes to make care and support more consistent across the country
- New support for carers
- Deferred payment agreements for residential care costs
Support for carers
In England, millions of people provide unpaid care and support to an adult family member or friend, either in their own home or somewhere else.
"Caring" for someone covers lots of different things such as help with their washing, dressing or eating, taking them on regular appointments or keeping them company when they feel lonely or anxious.
If this sounds like you, the Care Act changed the way care and support is provided in England and you may be able to get more help so that you can carry on caring and look after your own wellbeing.
Needs and eligibility
The way care and support needs are assessed in England has changed for the better, meaning that decisions made about the help you receive will consider your wellbeing and what is important to your family. For the first time there is a national level of care and support outcomes that all councils need to consider when we assess what help we can give you. This may result in you being eligible for care and support, and will make it easier for you to plan in the future.
Whatever your level of need we will be able to put you in touch with the right organisation to support your wellbeing and help you remain independent for longer.
Deferred payment arrangements
Deferred payment arrangements are now available across England, meaning that people should not have to sell their homes to pay for care, as they have sometimes had to do in the past.
A deferred payment agreement is put in place with the council to enable some people to use the value of their home to pay for their care. If you are eligible we will help to pay the care home bills on your behalf. You can delay repaying us until you choose to sell your home or until after your death.
To find out more about the care act, email thecareact@blackpool.gov.uk