In November 2024, we hosted our regular online meetup for the My Future Care Community. Our guest speakers were Peter Loose, who has worked in social care services for over 40 years, and Claire Jones, who works at West Sussex County Council. The My Future Care community comprises individuals who have completed our training to support others in planning their later lives using the My Future Care Handbook. The session provided attendees with practical advice to pass on to the people they support about navigating social care and preparing for the future.
Understanding Social Care
Peter explained how limited resources and increasing demand have changed social care. “Social care isn’t what it was 20 or 30 years ago,” he said. “The emphasis on maximising independence and building networks to delay or avoid reliance on formal services.”
Claire, who works with the Prevention Assessment Team, explained their focus on prevention. “We encourage creative thinking about needs and solutions to help people stay independent,” she shared.
Planning Ahead
Both speakers highlighted the importance of proactively planning for future care needs and being well-prepared to handle unexpected emergencies. Peter described how choosing a home with accessible features prepared him for unexpected challenges, such as a temporary loss of mobility. “When I broke my arm, the planning paid off,” he noted.
Claire stressed the benefits of researching assistive technology, such as devices that remind users about medication or alert family members in emergencies. “It’s about building a toolkit so you’re prepared for challenges before they arise,” she explained.
Types of Care
Peter highlighted how the My Future Care Handbook outlines different types of social care, including residential care homes, care at home, respite care, and carers’ services.
Residential Care Homes:
Peter explained that care homes can be broadly divided into two types: care homes with nursing and those without. Care homes with nursing provide both social and health care, while those without nursing focus solely on social care. Some facilities offer a mix of both types of beds.
Care at Home (Domiciliary Care):
This type of care allows individuals to remain in their own homes while receiving support. Peter noted that this can range from occasional visits to assist with tasks to live-in care for those with more intensive needs.
Respite Care:
Peter discussed the importance of respite care, which provides temporary relief to carers by offering short-term care for their loved ones. This is especially useful during times when the primary carer is unable to fulfil their role due to illness or other responsibilities.
Carers’ Services:
Peter and Claire highlighted the role of carers’ services, which support family members or friends providing care. These services often focus on maintaining carers’ wellbeing and helping them manage their responsibilities.
The speakers also encouraged attendees to think creatively about how these different types of care could meet specific needs and to explore ways of blending formal and informal care solutions.
Accessing Social Care Services
Accessing social care begins with an assessment under the Care Act, which determines whether an individual has eligible care needs. This assessment is crucial, as it acts as the gateway to support services. Claire explained that local authorities have a duty to provide information and advice, even for individuals who may not qualify for publicly funded care. “We guide people towards resources and services that can help them meet their needs independently,” she noted.
The assessment typically involves evaluating how an individual manages daily tasks such as personal care, mobility, and maintaining their home. These assessments can be self-initiated online in some areas or carried out by a trained assessor from the local authority. Claire highlighted the importance of understanding that having eligible needs doesn’t necessarily mean access to public funding; financial means-testing is a separate process that determines who will pay for the care.
Peter stressed the importance of being proactive in seeking assessments and understanding local authority processes. “Know what’s available in your area, and don’t wait until a crisis occurs to make contact,” he advised.
In addition to formal assessments, Peter and Claire encouraged individuals to seek advice from voluntary organisations, such as Age UK or local charities, which often provide guidance on navigating the care system. They also recommended exploring assistive technology and home adaptations as part of the process. Simple modifications like grab rails or personal alarms can delay or reduce the need for formal care services.
Another critical point raised was about the role of advocacy in accessing services. Peter shared that informal advocacy, such as family members helping to articulate an individual’s needs, can be highly effective during the assessment process. “If someone is struggling to explain their situation, having a trusted person alongside them can make a big difference,” he said. Formal advocacy services, often provided by charities, can also help those without family support.
Once assessed, individuals with eligible needs may be allocated a personal budget by their local authority. This budget outlines how much the council will contribute towards meeting their needs and offers flexibility in arranging care. Claire explained that this approach allows for personalised solutions, enabling people to select services that best fit their circumstances.
Lastly, Peter highlighted the importance of preparing for changes in circumstances. “A reassessment can be requested if your needs evolve,” he said, reminding attendees that the system allows for adjustments as situations change over time.
By staying informed, seeking early assessments, and leveraging available support, individuals can navigate the complexities of the social care system more effectively.
Choosing Care
The session also covered how to choose a care provider. Peter suggested looking at inspection reports from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), but he cautioned, “Check the date of the report; many are outdated due to backlogs.” He explained that services are rated as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate.
Claire highlighted the importance of planning for future affordability. “If you’re paying privately, ensure the provider accepts local authority rates in case your funds run out,” she advised. This avoids the upheaval of having to move to a different provider if funding changes.
Peter also stressed the value of input from family and loved ones when choosing care. He shared how involving relatives can help address potential communication gaps or other challenges within a care setting.
The Role of Community Support
Both speakers emphasised the importance of community resources. Claire praised organisations like Age UK and local libraries for offering support, such as digital skills training, enabling older adults to access services and stay connected. “Being digitally savvy can make a big difference,” she said.
Financial Considerations
Social care is means-tested in the UK. Claire advised attendees to think strategically about their finances, including how assets are allocated between partners. She also highlighted non-means-tested benefits, such as Attendance Allowance, which can help cover additional costs.
Peter recommended seeking advice from trusted organisations, like Age UK, to navigate the complex financial landscape. “Understanding this early can save a lot of stress later,” he explained.
Preparing for the Future
Both speakers acknowledged the pressures on the care system, from funding shortages to staffing challenges. Peter summarised: “Assume formal care might not be available and plan now to minimise reliance on it.” Claire agreed, saying, “The more people can do to prepare themselves, the better positioned they’ll be to face future challenges.”
The session ended with a message encouraging My Future Care community members to focus on preparation and resilience as they support people to take control of their later-life planning.
If your organisation could boost its support by helping others understand their options and make plans for later life, consider joining the My Future Care Community. We offer resources, support, and a network of people dedicated to helping others think ahead. More information.
