Newsletter. Tel: Issue 42 April Dear Carer, Very Best Wishes from all the Team,

Transcription

1 Newsletter Tel: Issue 42 April 2015 Page: Inside this issue: Dear Carer, 2-3 The Care Act 4 Activities Postural Stability & Emergency Card Connecting Carers, Meditation & Fitness 8-9 Mental Health Welcome to your first Newsletter of the year. April brings not only Spring and hopefully some sunshine, but with the introduction of the Care Act significant changes to the social care system. Some changes started on 01 April, with more to come in April We discussed some of the changes at the last Forum [see pages 14 & 15] and there is more information about the changes that directly affect Carers on pages 2 & Platform & Looking Ahead Event Living with Diabetes Days Keeping in Touch Service & Maidstone Leisure Centre If you have any queries about this, or indeed anything else please don t hesitate to give us a call. Very Best Wishes from all the Team, Barbara, Jane, Eleanor, Debbie, Joe, Katy, Maisie, Maureen, Marilyn, Rachel, Sara and Rhian 13 Dementia Helpline & CPR Forum Notes 16 Diary Dates Please let us know if you would like your future newsletters by The Carers Project is live on Facebook & Twitter facebook.com/maidstonemallingcarersproject twitter.com/mmcpcarers Maidstone & Malling Carers Project Maidstone Community Support Centre Marsham Street Maidstone, Kent ME14 1HH Call us: carers@vam-online.org.uk

2 The Care Act Key changes for Carers from 01 April: For the first time Carers rights are given equal importance alongside the rights of the person they care for There is a duty to assess Carers needs if they there is an appearance of need for support (before Carers could request an assessment but were often not aware they could do so) Carers will no longer need to be providing regular and substantial care (or intend to provide it) before being entitled to an assessment. Now anyone who provides care (or intends to provide care) will be entitled to an assessment if there is an appearance of need for support A Carers Assessment will look at the different ways that caring affects a Carer s life and if there are things that are important to them which they find difficult to achieve due to their caring role. The Carers health and well-being will be at the heart of the assessment If following a Carers Assessment the Carer is found to have eligible needs then there is a duty to meet those needs and a support plan is developed. Some examples of how Carers needs might be met include; making adjustments to the care package of person they care for, being provided with advice, information and guidance, accessing training, peer support, activities and support, a Carers Direct Payment KCC is not charging Carers for their own services (although legally they could) but if care is provided to the cared for person to meet a Carers need then the usual financial assessment and charging will apply to the person being cared for. Carers cannot be charged for the services provided to the person they care for. Carers can have their needs assessed jointly with the person they care for (known as a whole family approach) and this will be done by an Assessor from KCC. KCC have delegated the function of undertaking most stand alone Carers Assessments to the local Carers organisation If you would like a Carers Assessment please let us know Tel: The assessment may be easier done without the person you care for being there but they can be if you would like them to be present, you can also invite a friend or another family member to be present if you wish. You will be given a copy of your assessment 2

3 The Care Act Care Act changes from April 2016: Lifetime Cap on Care Costs: first ever cap on care costs of 72,000 for over 65s (excluding living costs); caps for younger people still to be set; free care if needs develop before age 18. Residential means-test threshold: rising from 23,250 to 118,000 for people in care homes where property is taken into account (otherwise 27,000 where the home is not counted) Extension of Direct Payments: Care home residents will be able to use direct payments for some or all of their care and support The cap on care costs includes all costs of care and support that has been assessed by the Local Authority as needed, whether the care takes place in the persons home or in residential care. People who self fund their care will need to receive an assessment of their needs to determine eligible costs and to start a Record or account of their care costs. KCC are currently developing how this will operate, and more will be known later in the year. 3

4 Crafting Carers 1st Monday of the month 1.30pm pm Our Crafting Carers Art Group is still going strong. It s run by Carer Janet Cox who is also a Connecting Carers Volunteer. Maisies pics see Janet will be leading the groups with a different theme each month, for example, Cross-stitch and Decoupage. All materials will be supplied and tea and coffee will be provided. Recent quotes we have had from Carers about this group are: Come and leave your troubles behind for a couple of hours. What a wonderful peaceful and relaxing afternoon it has been. Spaces will be limited so if you fancy trying something different, or just want to come along and do your own thing by bringing whatever you are currently working on, please do call Maisie on ALL OF OUR ACTIVITY GROUPS ARE FREE TO CARERS AND A NOMINAL CHARGE OF 1.00 IS PAYABLE FOR THE ADULT EDUCATION TASTER COURSES We can only fund these Carers Groups thanks to donations received from Trusts, Carers and fundraising efforts from Groups, Clubs and businesses. Our most grateful thanks to all those that have supported us. Please send any donations to Maidstone and Malling Carers Project at our address on the front page. Cheque s need to be made payable to our umbrella charity Voluntary Action Maidstone (Registered Charity No ) Donations will be used exclusively to fund Carers Activities. 4

5 Postural Stability Exercise Classes We are delighted to announce our forthcoming Postural Stability Classes which we would like to offer free to Carers who may benefit from this gentle exercise to help towards the prevention of falls. The course will run for 12 weeks and each class will be 1.5 hours long to allow for refreshment time and a chat with fellow class members. The classes will be held at the Maidstone Community Support Centre in Marsham Street and although we are yet to confirm a date, please do call Maisie on to register your interest, as spaces will be limited. Who will care for your loved one, if you as the Carer cannot? The Kent Carers Emergency Card is free to you as the Carer. It can give you peace of mind that a plan is in place if you end up in hospital. Contact us here at the Carers Project for an application form or to find out more. Important information to existing Emergency Card Holders: Please ensure that you inform us of any changes as and when they occur, e.g. change of telephone number for your emergency contact. Remember if needed, the card will only work if information is correct! 5

6 Connecting Carers Would you like to support another Carer? We re always on the lookout for new Connecting Carers volunteers, not only to help with the weekly Coffee and Chat Drop Ins and other events, but also to spend some time on a regular basis with another Carer, mutually supporting, getting to know each other and enjoying some time away from caring commitments. You ll receive full training, support and everything you need. You choose the amount of time you can give whether that is once a month, or a couple of hours a week. Give Rachel a call if you are interested for an informal chat. Call Rachel on or leave a message for her on or rachel.smith@vam-online.org.uk Meditation Taster Session Tim Price, one of our Carers and an experienced Meditator has very kindly offered to run a taster session for Carers to experience the relaxing and stress relieving benefits of meditation. This is what he has to say about it: Meditation and mindfulness are life transforming skills which enable us to find a steady and peaceful inner refuge, when all things around us are uncertain and stressful. Developing this skill takes practice, and it is much easier when joined and supported by others. The process is really liberating and ultimately enjoyable, even blissful! Meditation and mindfulness would not conflict with whatever spiritual tradition you may belong to, or require any special facilities except a willingness to look at the familiar in a different way. This is something I have been practicing for over 30 years, for more than half of those years studying full time in a monastic community in many countries over the world. I have now been a full time Carer for the past four years and would say my meditation practice has kept me sane. If this is something of interest to you please call Maisie or Sara to register your interest. The taster session is likely to take place in early Summer and may lead to a regular group session if there is demand. 6

7 Connecting Carers Update Connecting Carers Over 40 carers and volunteers enjoyed the Jazz Up January Coffee morning, an event hosted by Connecting Carers volunteers for carers who may be isolated or not have any friends within the Caring community. There was a great buzz in the room and we were treated to some original jazz music on Barbara s wind up gramophone! The feedback we get from these events is always very positive. Do please let us know if you would like to be invited to the next event on Wednesday 29 th April. A huge thanks to the team of volunteers who help put on these events. Fitness Walking Group Want a weekly walk to get or maintain your fitness? Come and join the new Fitness Walking Group meeting every Thursday in Mote Park at 11.00am for a brisk and purposeful walk taking about 45 minutes and covering approximately 2.5 miles. The group will be led by volunteer Carers. No need to book each week but please call Sara for further information and to register on

8 Mental Health MHAG (Mental Health Action Group) This is an opportunity for Carers who care for someone with a mental health condition to have their voice heard (be it positive or not so positive) about local services. If you do not wish to sit through the whole meeting there is a slot half an hour before the meeting starts, to speak to somebody and your concerns/comments can then be passed onto the CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) which is the body of members who decide on mental health services. It is very important that your voice (and those of the cared for person) are listened to as you are both experts by experience of what and what does not, work well within Mental Health Services. So please don t be shy, come along, there will be member of staff from Maidstone and Malling Carers Project at the main meeting. The next three meetings all Thursdays are on; 21 May,16 July and 17 September At: Maidstone Community Support Centre, Marsham Street, Maidstone ME14 1HH Pre Meeting (if you do not wish to attend main meeting) at p.m. Main Meeting starts at 2.00 p.m p.m. If you would like any more information please contact Maureen or Marilyn on Please visit for details of previous meetings and minutes. Become a Panel Member Kent & Medway Partnership Trust is seeking service user representatives to support recruitment events for new Doctors. Would you be interested in becoming a Service User Panel member for the following dates for the purpose of interviewing? The following dates are planned: 30th April 2015, 1st May 2015, 18th June 2015, 19th June 2015, 2nd July 2015, 3rd July 2015 Any travel costs are reimbursable and a consultation fee can also be claimed, if appropriate to reps circumstances. For more information, contact Kent & Medway Partnership Trust on

9 Here are the dates for the next few Mental Health Support Groups (at Maidstone Community Support Centre in The Meeting Room) between 11.00am and 12.30pm 28 th April speaker Caroline Harris from HealthwatchKent 26 th May, 30 th June, 28 th July, 25 th August, 29 th September, 27 th October, 24 th November More speakers arranged throughout the year, so come along, it is a friendly open group so if you are unable to stay for the duration that this not a problem. Ring Marilyn or Maureen on if you need transport to attend or would like more details. Mental Health Matters Mental Health Matters now have a freephone number Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Or there is a low cost 24 hour number for mobile phones KENT & MEDWAY PARTNERSHIP TRUST NOW HAS A SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS NUMBER KMPT's new mental health contact centre provides a single point of access for patients, carers and clinicians seeking mental health advice and support. If you need mental health advice and support, call the 24/7 contact centre KMPT contact centre staff will make sure that you will receive the information and support you need and can access any services you may require. How is this different from calling 999? For someone experiencing a mental health crisis, an ambulance or the police may not be able to provide the right support and care. When calling the contact centre, you will be speaking to someone who can ensure you are put through to the right team. They will know how best to support you and make sure you receive the best advice. This is a new and developing service. Find out more about this initiative by visiting the KMPT website: 9

10 Voluntary Action Maidstone supports people in various ways; one of the priorities is to improve people s mental health and wellbeing. Many people access mental health services and have an opinion of the care they receive. Platform is a project where people can meet and talk about their experiences with others. Platform will feed back anonymously to the people at the top and lobby for change, as well as inform them of the things that they are getting right. Tell the person you support about this opportunity to have their voice heard. Contact Platform on or danny.hewis@vam-online.org.uk Looking Ahead In 2014 Mencap held over 40 Planning for the Future seminars across the country. The seminar gives parents and Carers of someone with a learning disability access to professional, face to face advice about writing a will, setting up a trust and making suitable provision for a loved one when they are gone. This year there will be an event in Maidstone on 7th July. Book your place now by ringing or willsandtrusts@mencap.org.uk 10

11 11

12 Keeping in Touch Service Sometimes due to the demands of caring, opportunities to mix and converse with others can decline. Our Keeping in Touch Service can offer a regular phone call. If you think this is a service you would benefit from, please call Maisie to discuss on Make a Fresh Start Maidstone Leisure Centre offers a wide range of ways for you to get fit and healthy at prices to suit all budgets. Let the new season motivate you to make a fresh start and get your FREE multi-activity pass* where you can swim, have a gym session and attend one of the fantastic group exercise classes. Visit *terms and conditions apply, see website for details 12

13 24 Hour Kent DEMENTIA HELPLINE Who is it for? The helpline is for anyone who is affected by dementia individuals, family, friends, and professionals - in fact anyone who has questions or concerns and would like to have someone to talk to What do they do? They offer information and support, listen, source and signpost to relevant local services, all in total confidence. Calls from a landline are free, calls from mobiles may be charged. Lines are open 9.00am pm Monday to Friday Callers receive a personalised service, tailored for them, with a call back or return . Outside office hours, callers receive anonymous emotional listening support only. Learn to Perform CPR Patients Participation Group at Bearsted Medical Practice are holding a demonstration on how to perform CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] with the British Heart Foundation. This will be at St Peters Church Hall, Button Lane, Bearsted at 2.30pm on 7th May. Spaces are limited so to secure a place please bpatientparticipation@nhs.net If you don t have access to , contact us and we will on your behalf. 13

14 Notes from Maidstone and Malling Carers Forum 18th November 2014 Talking Therapies [free service for people feeling low, anxious or stressed and facing issues due to loss, relationship difficulties or family problems] Insight representatives attended Health service developments your views on clinical strategy for stroke and other services Representative from Maidstone and Tunbridge Well NHS Trust attended Care Act update KCC representatives attended Attended by 28 Carers and 6 staff members from Maidstone and Malling Carers Project. Frances and Phil from Insight Healthcare - Talking Therapies A non-profit organisation on behalf of the NHS, it s a free service providing counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy if you are struggling with low mood, depression, anxiety or stress. They cannot work with those already linked to other Mental Health services, or who has issues around substance misuse. Referrals come from: GP Self referral Via the Internet Via post They make an appointment for an Assessment by telephone which takes approximately 30 minutes. They will let you know what they can offer you, or will refer you to another service. How do we recognise low mood? Tired, low motivation, loss of interest, hobbies or social activities become hard work, unable to concentrate. Anxious and agitated, reading or watching television may become more of a task. Many Carers don t choose to be a Carer. Some feel frustration and anger and sometimes guilt for feeling this way. Relationships can suffer. Counselling can help you come to terms with your feelings. Most of the counselling is done over the phone, which some carers will find suits their own availability however they can also do face-to-face by appointment. Question - I picked up a leaflet for this and signed up but now I have to pay for sessions. Answer - Manager will discuss in detail with you and investigate this, this is a free service Question - Will you inform the GP about Counselling services? Answer - Yes, we keep in touch with the GP Question - Is there a long waiting list for Insight? Answer - Yes, as with many in demand services, there may be a waiting list. Question - Are you a National organisation? Answer - Yes, any GP in England can signpost to a service like this. Leaflets were handed out. Insight can be contacted on

15 Audrey - Maidstone and Tunbridge Well NHS Trust Audrey explained that the NHS Trust are developing a 5 year plan to decide on future services; she had come to the Forum to seek Carers views about local stroke services. Following a discussion a short feedback form Have your Say...about stroke services was circulated for Carers to complete and then posted in a box that Audrey had brought with her. Steve Lusk - Kent County Council (Care Act Update) Implemented from 1st April 2015, the Care Act will be the biggest change to Social Services since 1948, and revises over 12 pieces of legislation. Steve gave a presentation summarising the changes and then talked more about what this will mean in Kent. In Kent there are 151,700 Carers. 24% are caring for more than 50 hrs a week and 1 in 5 Carers are forced to give up employment. Carer breakdown is a contributory factor in 31% of care home admissions. KCC are committed to supporting Carers to carry on caring for as long as they are willing and able to do so, and are investing additional funds for this purpose. Following discussion Carers were asked to record a message for KCC, a worry they may have and a hope. These were collected by Steve to be used in feedback to inform future policy and practice. Two areas many Carers expressed concerns about were: The Care Act allows Local Authorities to charge Carers for their services - will KCC be doing this? Strong feeling from Carers that this would not be right as they are already saving the KCC a lot of money, if they did not care it would cost a lot to replace what they do. They already give up a lot and are often financially disadvantaged due to their caring role. Steve said yes KCC think the same and there are no plan to charge Carers for services that support them in their caring role and agreed this would be short-sighted There will be more people coming forward for Assessments, not only Carers but people with care needs who currently self fund will be looking to have an Assessment in order to start the clock on recording how much they spend towards reaching the new Care Cap. People felt that there had been cuts to staffing and were experiencing great difficulty in being able to access a Case manager, or even to get a response to messages left. How on earth were KCC going to manage demand? Steve said there had been lots of changes and many staff had left but that new ways of working and new staff were being employed. He would be feeding back the concerns raised. The next Forum will be during Carers Week on Wednesday 10th June 10am pm at the Grange Moor Hotel 15

16 Diary Dates 2015 Mondays Support Group fortnightly for families/friends affected by people misusing alcohol or drugs 6.00pm pm - Call Jane to register Crafting Carers 1st Monday of each month 1.30pm pm for art and craft activities (bring your own) - ring us to book Carers Walking Group last Monday of each month weather permitting (transport from Maidstone may be available) - ring us to book Connecting Carers Coffee & Chat The Carers Drop-in meets every Monday between 11am to 12.30pm in the Café at Marsham Street, Maidstone ME14 1HH. Tuesdays Swimming Group 10.00am am for Carers at the Living Well Fitness centre. Call us to be added to the waiting list on Carers Book Group 2nd Tuesday of each month,10.00am am Mental Health Carers Support Group 11.00am-12.30pm at Maidstone Community Support Centre,39-48 Marsham Street ME14 1HH. Last Tues of each month (except December). Alzheimer's Society Carers Group - Carers of people with Dementia meet every 3rd Tuesday 10.00am - 12 midday at 1 Dairy Court, Fairview Farm, Linton Road, Loose. Tel Wednesdays Learning Disability Carers Group every last Wednesday, 1.30pm pm at Maidstone Community Support Centre Topaz Community 7.00pm pm at Maidstone Community Support Centre. Weekly activities for people with learning disabilities & Family/Friends Tel: Maidstone Dementia Cafe - Alzheimer's Society Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday 2.00pm pm for people with dementia, Carers family and friends at Dairy Court, Fairview Farm, Linton Tel Maidstone Alzheimer s Association Tea Party for people with confusion/dementia and their Carers Tel Thursdays Zumba for Carers (a fusion of Latin American dance and exercise) Weekly, 3.00pm pm at Mu Mu lounge bar and nightclub New Fitness Walking Group Thursdays 11.00am at Mote Park, 2.5 miles approximately. Call Sara to register on Fridays Carers Friday Group [CwC keeping in touch group] 2nd Fri of month.11.00am pm Other information Carers Forum Wednesday 10th June,10.00am 12.30pm Grange Moor Hotel, ME16 8BS Caring with Confidence 7 week course for Carers, contact us to register 16