Introduction
Adult social care covers a wide range of activities that help residents who are older or living with disability or physical or mental illness to live independently and stay well and safe.
People access care and support in different ways and at different stages of their life. Some people will require support throughout their life whilst for others care needs develop suddenly or gradually.
Social care includes support in people’s own homes (home care or domiciliary care); support in day centres; reablement services to help people regain independence; and care provided by residential homes and nursing homes (care homes).
Social care is often broken down into two broad categories of ‘short-term care’ and ‘long-term care’. Short-term care refers to care that is time limited, with the intention of maximising the independence of the individual and preventing their need for ongoing support.
Long-term services are provided on an ongoing basis and range from high intensity services such as nursing care to lower-intensity community support. Long term services are the focus of this needs assessment.
Ensuring that people receive the right care and support all begins with where they live and the people they live with. For people of working age with a physical disability, a learning disability, autistic people, those with mental health conditions a suitable home enables them to build and sustain their independence and connect with their community. For older people, having a home that sustains safe, independent living can help prevent ill-health, reduce the amount of care and support they need, and delay or avoid altogether the need for residential care.
The following definitions of older people’s housing and accommodation are used to describe the different types of housing and accommodation:
- Sheltered housing for social/affordable rent: They are usually supported by a part-time/visiting scheme manager and 24-hour emergency help.
- Extra care housing is designed for older people, some with higher levels of care and support needs. Residents live in self-contained homes with typically more communal facilities and offers access to onsite care services, which includes assistance for daily duties.
- Residential care home: a residential setting where several older people live and have access to care services. For those eligible onsite personal social care services could include help with washing and dressing.
- Nursing care home is similar to a residential care home, but additionally providing care from qualified nurses.