The Scottish Government

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Free Personal and Nursing Care from 1 July 2002

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On 1 July 2002 free personal care is being introduced for people aged 65 and over. Free nursing care is also being introduced for care home residents of all ages.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

IF YOU ARE 65 OR OVER AND MOVED INTO A CARE HOME BEFORE

31 MARCH 2002

• There will be no change if your costs are already being met from public funds.

• If you fully fund your own care you will be entitled to a contribution of 145 a week towards the cost of personal care and a further 65 a week if you require nursing care. This will be paid directly to the care home by your local authority.

• If the local authority contribution towards your care home costs is less than 145 a week, it will be increased to 145 or 210 a week if you also require nursing care.

• You will not be required to undergo an additional care needs assessment.

• If you choose to receive the 145 contribution towards your personal care, you will no longer be eligible to receive attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance. If you have been receiving either of these benefits, you mustinform the Department for Work and Pensions of the change in your circumstances. *

IF YOU ARE 65 OR OVER AND MOVE INTO A CARE HOME AFTER 31 MARCH 2002

• You will need to ask your local authority social work services to carry out a full assessment of the level of care you need to determine whether you are eligible for free personal and nursing care payments at the rates above.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 65 AND LIVE IN A CARE HOME

• You may be eligible for the nursing care payment. You will not be eligible for the personal care payment.

• Your eligibility for disability living allowance will not be affected.

IF YOU ARE 65 OR OVER AND LIVE AT HOME

• You will need to ask your local authority to carry out a care needs assessment and an appropriate care package will be agreed to meet your care needs. You will not have to pay for the personal care you are assessed as needing.

• If you are already receiving services from your local authority which include personal care, after 1 July your local authority will not charge you for the personal care element.

• Your eligibility for attendance allowance and disability living allowance will not be affected.

WHAT YOU WILL STILL NEED TO PAY FOR

For those living at home: non-personal care such as day care, lunch-clubs, meals on wheels, community alarms and help with shopping and housework

For those living in care homes: "hotel" costs, i.e. everyday housing and living costs

OTHER FINANCIAL HELP AVAILABLE TO CARE HOME RESIDENTS

• If you are moving into a care home, you could be entitled to further financial support towards your care costs, in addition to any contribution towards your personal or nursing care costs. This will depend upon your income and capital and you will need to have a financial assessment to determine whether you are eligible.

• For further information and details regarding this assessment please contact your local authority social work services.

PERSONAL CARE CAN INCLUDE:

Personal Hygiene
Bathing, showering, hair washing, shaving, oral hygiene, nail care

Continence Management
Toileting, catheter/stoma care, skin care, incontinence laundry, bed changing

Food and Diet
Assistance with eating and assistance with special diets. Assistance to manage different types of meal services. Assistance with preparation of food

Problems of Immobility
Dealing with the consequences of being immobile or substantially immobile

Counselling and Support
Behaviour management, psychological support, reminding devices

Simple Treatments Assistance with medication (including eye drops), application of creams and lotions, simple dressings, oxygen therapy

Personal Assistance
Assistance with dressing, surgical appliances, prostheses, mechanical and manual aids. Assistance to get up and to go to bed. Transfers including use of a hoist

The types of personal care provided will vary according to the individual's assessed care needs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

GENERAL
Please phone the NHS Helpline:
0800 22 44 88

or

Visit our website:
www.scotland.gov.uk/health/freepersonalcare

TO DISCUSS YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Contact your local authority social work services

This leaflet is also available on request in large print, Braille, audio tape, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Chinese, Arabic, Hindi and Gaelic.

Note

* For further information about your eligibility for attendance allowance and disability living allowance, phone the Department for Work and Pensions Helpline: 08457 123456