Social services can organise non-medical care – things like having meals delivered, home adaptations, and help with washing, dressing and eating.
A social worker or another trained professional can assess someone’s suitability for this type of care and help organise it. They usually work as part of the local social services department. If someone wishes to live at home, then they or a member of their healthcare team, or a family member, can request an assessment of their needs. Depending on their needs they may be able to get support from social services.
Social services can also help when someone needs to move into a care home.
If someone has a family member or friend looking after them (an unpaid carer), social services might be able to help them to get support as well. They can talk to them about their own needs. Support might include putting them in touch with local support groups, help with taxi fares if they don’t drive, and getting someone to take over caring for a while so they can take a break (this is sometimes called respite care).
The local council or health and social care trust may pay for som,e or all, of the person’s social care. But the person may have to pay for some or all of it themselves. Whether they have to pay might depend on what care they need, where they live and how much money they have.
Links for Birmingham residents
Adult social care in Birmingham
Referrals for adult social care services and support
Report possible abuse or neglect of an adult with care and support needs
Links for Solihull residents
How to get help from adult social care
General information
Age UK fact sheet on personal health budgets and direct payments in social care