Options - click an option to find out more	Seeking Help with a health problem?
How Help and Care could help you	Who else could help you?

 

Seeking Help with a health problem?

It is often, when faced with a health problem or disability that people worry most about how they will manage. If you are concerned about your health there are places you can turn to for help.

If you or someone you care for is unwell you should contact your GP for an appointment.

If you or someone you care for is very unwell then contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 48 or dial 999 if your condition is life threatening.

 

How Help and Care could help you

Help and Care offers support, advice and services to people who need them. Many of those are older people and many are people who care for a friend or relative and are concerned about losing their independence.

GATEWAY

Our Gateway Information Service is a local-rate telephone number that anyone can call to gain information on a particular issue or about services or organisations that might be able to assist you.

We have a team of staff who have a wealth of knowledge about what is available to support you if you are worried about losing your independence.

Telephone us now to see how we could help you on 0845 4500 418

FACTSHEETS

We have over 50 Factsheets that we can send to you or that you can download about a whole range of issues.

Examples are

• Transport
• Equipment and aids for daily living
• Help with personal care, shopping, housework and sitting
• Going on holiday
• Moving house
• Lunch clubs and pop-in clubs

HELP with HOUSING RELATED ISSUES

Help and Care could help you to stay living independently in your home through our various Housing Related Support services.

You may be eligible for a grant to improve your house to better suit your needs. Or we may be able to help you find a reliable builder or someone to carry our small repair jobs.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Help and Care have a very dedicated team of volunteers who help people in Poole and Bournemouth in lots of different ways from giving a helping hand with shopping to providing a lift to hospital appointments. If you are worried about staying independent but need a little help then one of our volunteers may be able to help you out. Give us a call to find out.

HELP AND CARE SUPPORT AT HOME SERVICES

Help and Care, aswell as providing a range of FREE services, can also provide many other services that you can buy in order to keep independent. These range from a Moving Home Service to Private Care Management.

 

Who else could help you?

If you feel as if you need help staying independent there are other agencies that could help you.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Everyone is entitled to an assessment from their local Social Services departments. Why not give yours a call to find out how they can help you?

• Poole:  The Borough of Poole has a 24 hours a day HelpDesk (01202 633633) who may be able to help with a query.
• Dorset: Telephone your nearest local office
• Bournemouth: Telephone 01202 451 451

In order to receive support directly through Social Services you will need to be ‘eligible’. This means that an assessment of your ‘needs’ will be carried out and consideration given to your financial situation.

OTHER AGENCIES

You might prefer to organise care and support for yourself or a loved one independently. This can be easy – just pick up the phone book and choose the Care Agency of your choice. We recommend that you talk to at least three different agencies and make sure you fully understand what you are paying for and what you can expect for your money.

If you are in doubt give us a call on 0845 4500 418 and we will help you.

GETTING OUT AND ABOUT

If you have difficulty getting out and about then, depending on where you live, there is help at hand.

Poole’s Community Transport Service helps people in Poole get out and about independently.

Bournemouth Community Transport operates a number of schemes within the Borough of Bournemouth to provide assistance to people with mobility problems.

Bournemouth Council also regularly publishes activities and events.

There are a number of wheelchair accessible schemes in Dorset that provide transport for people who find it difficult to use existing transport services.

EQUIPMENT AND AIDS FOR DAILY LIVING

There are many pieces of equipment or aids that could help you to live independently more easily. We recommend that you seek professional advice but there are many shops that sell such equipment.

Download a factsheet to find out more.