Tel: 0300 555 2345 ⁄ dudleycouncilplus@dudley.gov.uk ⁄ Contact

Prevention services

Not everyone who has an a illness or a disability need ongoing 'social care services' which in any event can only be provided to people who meet our eligibility criteria. However, there are a number of other services which are available to help people to avoid or delay needing this help and to remain fully independent for as long as possible. This also benefits family members who are offering support.

If you need more support

If the kind of support detailed below is not enough and you feel that you need more help with personal care or to enjoy a social life or to get around you will need to contact adult social care services.

Health

Perhaps the most obvious place to start is in maintaining your own health. Use the Dudley Primary Care Trust's website www.dudley.nhs.uk to find not only GPs, dentists, pharmacists and opticians but also other community health services which can give advice on a wide range of health related matters such as diabetes, bowel and bladder problems (continence services), foot care (podiatry), stopping smoking, diet and weight problems. Also see our section on advice on keeping well. If you are looking for help on maintaining good mental, rather than physical health, you could go straight to support when living with mental ill health.

Equipment

We have a number of specialist services who will be able to advise on, and in some cases provide equipment that will help make your life easier both inside and outside the home. These include a hearing impairment team, a visual impairment team, an occupational therapy team and the telecare service.

Help at home

As well as equipment we can also provide advice on a range of issues relating to safety in the home from falls prevention to home security. Sometimes, safety in the home is a question of repairs and maintenance or needing some help with housework and gardening. Take a look at the fix-a-home list of reliable traders.

Money matters

It is important to make sure that you are receiving the benefits to which you are entitled. The benefits system can be complicated but there is advice available. The Council's benefits shop can give advice as can the care and disability advice line and the citizens advice bureau.

You can also go to directgov, the government's information service where you will find an online benefits calculator to get an idea of what you may be able to claim. You will find more about money in the universal services section.

Social activities

One way of maintaining wellbeing is by reducing isolation. There is a wide range of activities across the borough offered by the Council, voluntary and community groups and of course the private sector. You might want to start by looking at the Dudley community information directory to see what is on offer. Some of the activities are aimed at particular groups of people and some do offer additional support. Lots more about social activities in leisure and social opportunities.

Information for carers

If you are caring for a relative or friend you may be in need of information and support for yourself as well as for the person you care for. Take a look to see what may be available to you from the Dudley carers network.

Community Information Directory

Leaflets/publications

Deaf Support Service

Dudley Telecare Service

Practical advice and information for people with a sight loss

Problems with vision

Dudley Community Falls Service

Are you a carer?

Useful links

Health

Fix-a-home list of reliable traders

Benefits shop

Care and disability advice line

Citizens Advice Bureau

DirectGov

Dudley Community Information Directory

Dudley Carers Network

Ageing Well in Dudley

Living Well, Feeling Safe

The Living well, feeling safe scheme is a partnership scheme, offering older people living across Dudley borough, practical safety, security and wellbeing advice, in their own home.

The partnership scheme is made up of the council, together with other local organisations – Age UK Dudley, West Midlands Police, Victim Support and West Midlands Fire Service.

:: more on living well, feeling safe

Community Support Visits

The sheltered housing team offer a community support visiting service for older people (aged 60+). Patch based sheltered housing officers, who are located throughout the borough, offer this 'floating' support service to people who live in their own homes but need a little extra support in order to live successfully in the community, on their own.

:: more on community support visits