For the entire month of July, we have dedicated our blog to sharing information that will both help and make life easier for Carers throughout Ireland. If you missed any, you can read more about them here:
- Carers Need Care Too – Looking After You
- 5 Daily Living Aids That Will Give You Peace of Mind
- How Does Respite Care Work in Ireland
This week we wanted to share more about a Care Needs Assessment, what it’s for, how it works and what you or your loved one are entitled to should it be approved.
What is a Care Needs Assessment?
A Care Needs Assessment is caried out by the HSE to determine whether or not you or your loved one need further home supports. It is generally done by a healthcare professional, such as an Occupational Therapist or a Public Health Nurse. Within the assessment they will look at your/their ability to carry our daily tasks such as:
- Shopping
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Cooking
- Moving about the home
- Family / community support system (family and friends etc.)
- Any other medical, health supports being provided to you or your loved one
In a nutshell, it will help to see if you or your loved one needs long-term nursing home care. The assessment itself can be carried out in your home or in a hospital.
What Happens During a Care Needs Assessment?
The Occupational Therapist (OT)/Pubic Nurse will arrive with an assessment form. Within it they will look at your ability to:
- Successfully complete everyday tasks such as bathing, cooking, shopping, dressing and getting about the house without pain.
- How you or your loved one is currently using any health services, such as a home care assistant.
- What family or friends you or your loved has close by as a support network.
- What you or your loved ones wishes and preferences are with regards to care.
Bear in mind that a physical examination may be included so it is recommended that you or your loved one wear comfortable clothing. Once complete, the OT or Public Nurse will fill in the assessment form and write up a report.
The HSE will then use their report to decide whether or not you or your loved will benefit from long-term nursing home care. There is no need to worry, you will also receive a copy of the report. This way, should you disagree with the findings you will be able to appeal or contact the HSE.
What Happens If The Care Needs Assessment is Approved?
Once the assessment form and report has been filed, the HSE will contact you in writing via post.
Should you be approved for home support while you are in hospital, the support will be provided on a temporary basis to help you or your loved one get back to their home. Once home, there is grounds for a re-assessment to ensure that the correct home support is in place. This can change based on how the assessment goes.
The home support service will be provided by HSE staff or by an approved home support provider. Should the HSE not be able to provide staff for home support you will be asked to choose from a specific list of support providers.
If you first choice is not available, it would be a good idea to chose up to 5 of your preferred service providers. Or if you prefer, the HSE can pick for you.
What Happens If The Care Needs Assessment is Not Approved?
The HSE will write to you to say you have not been approved and why based on the care needs assessment. Not to worry, within this letter they will let you know how you can get in contact to appeal the decision should you feel it is wrong.
Making Life Easier at Home:
There are a number of daily living aids that can make your life or your loved ones life that bit easier. The key being to help you or your loved stay confident and independent in the comfort of the home.
Why not have a look at our Uccello Kettle, the safe and easy tilt-to-pour kettle? There is no more heavy lifting of a hot, heavy kettle and you will have a safe and steady pour every time.
There is our Uccello Grip Mat which is the perfect cup location guide when using the Uccello Kettle too. Simply, place the mat in-front of the 2 feet of the kettle and your cup in the centre ring. With that, you will have a safe and guided pour every time. It also doubles up as the perfect kitchen aid and makes opening stubborn jars a doddle. Not forgetting that it will give you added grip on wet and dry surfaces.
Lastly, there is our Muggi Cup Holder, a stylish and innovative daily living aid that carries up to 4 cups or tea/coffee safely. It will catch any potential drips and spills so that you can feel more at ease when transporting hot liquids. Of course, you don’t have to use it with just tea. How about a cuppa with your phone, bottle of water and a few biscuits?
Should you or your loved one have any further questions in relation to our daily living aids range, please do not hesitate to contact us here or via email on customercare@uccellodesings.com
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