Carers Forums in Cornwall

Transcription

1 Carers Forums in Cornwall Minutes of the meeting of the PENZANCE FORUM held on 19 th February 2015 in the Board Room at the One Stop Shop, St Clare, Penzance In Attendance: 5 Carers, hereafter referred to as members Lynda Phillips, Carer Support Worker, Cornwall Carers Service Jeanette Toy, Forum & Events Coordinator, Cornwall Carers Service Chris Watkin, Administrator (West), Cornwall Carers Service 1. Welcome/Apologies/Introductions The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made round the table. There was one apology. 2. Actions Arising from the Last Minutes & Approval to Publish actions from the last meeting had been completed. Members present gave their approval to publish the minutes from the meeting held on 27 th November Action: Chris to arrange publication 3. Terms of Reference/Re-Election of Chair Jeanette advised members that during a discussion at the last Carers Partnership Board it was agreed that the Forum Chair & Vice Chair positions should be reviewed annually. It was felt this would make it a less onerous commitment, particularly if the Chair and Vice Chair, chaired alternate meetings. Jeanette advised that if members felt able to take on a chairing role in the future, some funding had been secured for future chair training. As members present felt unable to take on the role of chair at present, the existing chair agreed to continue. The member currently recorded as Vice Chair asked to be removed. It was also agreed that Forums Terms of Reference should be reviewed annually. The revised Terms of Reference for the Penzance Forum were circulated to the members present and formally agreed. 1

2 4. Items raised by Carers A member gave an update of her situation, which has changed considerably. Her husband was diagnosed with alzheimers 3 years ago, but this diagnosis has now been re-evaluated and found to be wrong. The caring needs are now less in reality, but the expectation is still there and it will be a slow process for him to get used to doing things again. The same member said that what she would really like, and would have been particularly useful over the last few years, is a relaxed and informal support group where current carers could meet regularly to discuss some of the problems or situations they are going through for advice and mutual help, including sympathy and understanding. She also felt it would be helpful if guests could be invited from time to time to give advice, e.g. a pharmacist to give advice on medication. Another member also expressed interest in helping with this, and will make enquiries from someone who has set up a similar group in the past. The chair suggested interested members may like to visit the Carbis Bay Group to see how it s run, with a view to setting up something similar in their area. There is already a Carers Group in Penzance which is run by a member of the Forum, and the Chair said that he would contact her to let her know what had been discussed. Action: Chair A member highlighted the fact that 2 members who hadn t attended Forums for a while are finding it difficult to cope. In one case more mental support is needed and in the other more physical help is needed. Another member highlighted the need for clarification of the saving thresholds for care funding. Although published information says those with savings below 14,000 won t have to pay, he has been told that Cornwall Council have reduced their lower threshold to 3,000. He would like to clarify if 14,000 is a statutory figure or guidance. Both Jeanette and the Chair have been involved in the Care Act consultation which includes fee contribution. The Chair understands that Cornwall Council operate on an income support level plus 25%. Where income is above the threshold the cared for will have to pay something towards their care. The member highlighted the stress he would feel by the constant requirement to justify expenditure to the Council, and had chosen to try to keep his cared for s income above the threshold. The chair expressed concern that by doing this the member could be compromising his own health by limiting the respite he needs. Jeanette also said that from the 1 st of April Councils will have a duty to assess the carers needs as well, which may give the opportunity to explore having both needs assessed to see if additional help may come from that. Action: Jeanette will make enquiries for clarification of income thresholds and caps for personal budget A current study by HealthWatch is looking at Care Packages in someone s home. If the person is required to pay part of the cost, the care provider has to re-invoice with the appropriate portions to the Council and to the person needing care. In the meantime the care provider is expected to pay their staff until payments are sorted out, which is causing cash flow difficulties. Another member s situation had improved as her cared for now has live in carers, and although she still has to oversee things, she has more time for herself to do other things. The fact that Carers owance stops at pension age was raised by one of the members. Lynda confirmed that the Carers owance will stop when the state pension is taken. If attendance allowance is claimed it can be used for care, but if you get a budget from the Council the attendance allowance will be stopped, even if the budget is very small. If care is paid for personally the attendance allowance can continue. It was suggested that a speaker could be invited to a future meeting to talk about Attendance owance, Carers owance and Financial Assessments and how they are affected at pension age. Action: CCS to arrange 2

3 A member, whose cared for has recently had to go into full time care, wanted to make other members aware of his experience. After a capacity assessment under the Mental Health Act, undertaken by professionals, it was decided that a Best Interests Meeting should be held to decide if it was safe for his cared for to continue to be cared for at home. Due to the need for 2 people to give the care needed on occasions, a decision was made that she must receive full time continuing care. The member particularly wanted to highlight the difficulty he is having dealing with the emotional issues this has caused him. Lynda advised that there are several support organisations which offer support to carers in similar situations: o The Continuing Support Service dial@disabilitycornwall.org.uk o Silver Dreams Bereavement, Befriending & Advocacy Support Service Simon Lane, simonl@volunteercornwall.org.uk o Cruise Bereavement Cornwall Helpline mailto:cornwall@cruse.org.uk The affect becoming a carer has on that person was raised by a member. The loss of hopes and plans for the future and often the loss of a career as well was highlighted. It was felt that how much a carer has to give up is not taken into consideration. The chair said that there will be a HealthWatch project starting soon which will be investigating the extent to which being a carer impacts on health. Lynda has already suggested to her manager that similar information should be recorded on the Carers Database. Jeanette said that this will be taken into account in the new tender. The Chair advised that HealthWatch is about to produce a report on Care in the Home. One of the issues raised is bed blocking. An interim report will be issued within the next 10 days. A HealthWatch questionnaire to be completed by the cared for was circulated and members were asked to encourage as many as possible to complete and return it. HealthWatch need evidence from as many service users as possible to include in the report. The final report will be out in a few months time. 5. Information from the Cornwall Carers Service Promas Caring for Carers Courses. There are free 3 day courses available for carers, with the next one being held in Penzance in September. More information about courses available can be found on the website or you can make contact by - info@promas.co.uk or telephone on or mobile members have already done these courses, and one member suggested that they would be most helpful if done early on in the caring role. Coaching & mentoring courses have also been helpful. The Chair said that he has discussed the possibility of a starter kit for carers containing useful contact information etc. with Reuben Jenkins from Carers Break. He wondered if it was something the Carers Service could look at. Lynda advised members of the MacMillan Home/Garden Makeover service for those with cancer. The work is carried out by volunteers and coordinated by Volunteer Cornwall. Contact details are samh@volunteercornwall.org.uk, telephone or mobile Funding for the Cornwall Carers Service has been confirmed until the end of March The tender process is due to start in early summer 2015 for a new carers service to begin in April Report from the Carers Partnership Board Ongoing problems with Carers Assessments, particularly lengthy delays, clarity about the process and the amount of CSW time spent helping carers, was raised at the last CPB meeting. The review which was expected to start in January hasn t yet happened, because the portfolio holder s time has been committed dealing with meetings. Lynda outlined the carers assessment process but said that, unless it is an 3

4 emergency, the problem is with the delay in someone being allocated to come out and help fill in the form which is a necessity to ensure it is done correctly. If an allocation is made, a support plan then has to be completed by a Carer Support Worker before the money can be released. The whole process can take up to 9 months. Carers are entitled to a yearly assessment, but an interim re-assessment can be requested if their situation changes. There is also an issue with this entitlement because the time of assessment is taken from when the money is given, not when it was originally applied for. Jeanette said this has been raised and will be raised again at the next CPB meeting. Respite care particularly problems booking respite are still an issue. A member who was advised to book through the brokerage team of Adult Social Care, was told that they couldn t make a booking as he was self funded. Jeanette said this will be raised as an issue. Jeanette highlighted the need to have specific evidence with dates to take to the CPB. The chair said that carers fears that they may be penalised for complaining often inhibits evidence gathering. Jeanette reassured members that the evidence could be given anonymously. 7. Review of Actions Raised at this Meeting (Apendix 1) 8. Issues to Raise at the Carers Partnership Board (CPB) (Appendix 2) 4

5 Footnotes to Members 2015 Meeting Dates for the Penzance Forum Thurs 21 st May 2015 Thurs 3 rd Sept 2015 Thurs 26 th Nov 2015 The May Forum meetings will be held in the Board Room at Penzance One Stop Shop, Cornwall Council, St Clare, Penzance TR18 3QW from pm. The venue for the September & November meetings is to be confirmed. Reasonable travel expenses to attend the meetings will be paid. Carers Partnership Board and Learning Disability Partnership Board Forum representatives are needed to attend the Carers Partnership Board and also the Learning Disability Partnership Board meetings. If Forum members are able to attend either of these meetings would they please contact Sylvia Johnston, sylvia.johnston@carersrights.org.uk or telephone Expenses incurred may be claimed Dates of Future Carers Partnership Board Meetings: Date Thursday 5 March 2015 Thursday 11 June 2015 Thursday 10 September 2015 Thursday 3 December 2015 Time Cornwall Carers Service can be contacted at 2 Princes Street, Truro TR1 2ES Tel: info@conrwallrcc.org.uk 5

6 Actions from Penzance Forum 19 th February 2015 Forum: Issue Penzance Members present gave their permission to publish the minutes from the previous meeting. 2 A member would like to set up a support group in her area specifically for current carers to meet regularly for help and advice and to discuss their own situations and problems. 3 A member raised the need to fully understand the various benefits available and how changes in circumstances can affect them, particularly when reaching pension age. 4 Details for the following organisations to be added to the minutes: The Continuing Support Service Silver Dreams Bereavement, Befriending & Advocacy Support Service Cruse Bereavement MacMillan Home Garden Makeover Carer Groups Affected Solution Chris to arrange publication The Chair will ring the member who runs the Penzance Carers Group to let her know about this CCS will invite a speaker to the next meeting to talk about Attendance owance, Carers owance and Financial Assessments Chris to action Appendix 1 6

7 Appendix 2 ISSUE CARER GROUPS AFFECTED SOLUTION CPB ACTION Forum: Penzance Date: 19 th February A member would like clarification of the income thresholds and caps applied by Cornwall Council when assessing personal budgets Jeanette will make enquiries. The Care Act comes into force on 1 st April which will change their duty. 2 A member drew attention to the response received when he contacted the Brokerage Team of Adult Social Care to arrange respite care. He was told that as his cared for s respite was self funded they could not help with making arrangements. This will be raised at the next CPB meeting. 7