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I Want To Be Independent

Independent at home

Remaining as independent as possible should be achievable for all residents of Nottingham City.

If you want to remain independent and stay in your own home there are a variety of ways to manage this. Use the headings below to find out about relevant information that may help you.

You can also visit our Independent at home section on ASKLiON for specific services, and browse our Support for Independent Living section for a list of services, equipment and technology that can keep you safe and well at home.

Living at home

There are a variety of services available to help you to remain living in your own home for longer. These services can include help with dressing, washing, cooking and cleaning.

Homecare

In order to enable people to live in their own home for as long as possible a range of home care services are available. Help is on offer for day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, shopping and food preparation/cooking, through to personal care that helps with tasks like dressing, bathing, toileting and prompting the taking of medication. Please visit the homecare section on the AskLiON website to find providers.

Meals at home and food delivery

Meals at home is a service provided by Nottingham City Council to residents across Nottingham City. The service includes a range of hot and frozen meals delivered straight to the home.

There are other ways of getting food and groceries delivered direct to your door. For details on all of these services please visit the meals at home section on AskLiON.

Pet care

If you would like services to assist with pet care please visit the pet care section on AskLiON.

Running your home

There are a number of services available to help you stay safe and warm in your own home, please look at the Homes and housing section in AskLiON. There is lots of help available to improve the energy efficiency in your home; you could also save money through switching suppliers.

Switching Energy Supplier

To find out if you could save money by switching suppliers visit energylinx. You can also call: 0800 310 2333 to switch suppliers over the phone.

There are also many schemes and benefits available to help with household energy costs and bills. Visit the ASKLiON Money page for more information

Fire Safety Check

To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Check, please visit Nottingham Fire and Rescue home safety checks.

Home maintenance

If you would like to buy services from a tradesperson you can trust please browse our Checkatrade page.

Equipment & Technology

Equipment

If you have problems getting around your home there are items of equipment or adaptations that can make life easier and help you to maximise your independence and stay living in your own home.

Examples of some equipment you might need are:

  • Help to raise an alarm in an emergency, such as a pendant alarm
  • An additional stair rail to help you get up and down the stairs safely
  • A grab handle to hold onto when getting in and out of your home
  • Chair raisers to take the strain out of sitting down or getting up from your chair
  • A shower stool to sit on while bathing

Preventative Adaptions (PAD) Scheme

The PAD scheme offers a comprehensive range of minor adaptations to reduce the risk of falls and to increase your safety in your home.

To find out more information please visit the Preventative Adaptions listing on the ASKLiON directory.

Technology

This refers to alarms, doorbells and other technological equipment you can use in your home to enable you to remain independent. This can include Telecare, which is also known as Assistive Technology.

Telecare usually falls into two types of technology; linked or standalone. Linked technology is based around a call service and uses pendants and care alarms to connect to a central response centre. If the alarm is activated the call centre is able to contact carers, family and emergency services if assistance is needed. Standalone equipment allows people to use technology to help them to continue living independently.

Examples of some standalone equipment are:

  • automatic lights, or easy to switch on lights
  • sensor mats to alert carers of movement when people are at risk of falling
  • loud flashing doorbells (for people with visual and/or hearing impairments)
  • easy to read calendar clocks (for people with dementia)

How can I find equipment or technology?

You can find equipment in a variety of ways, firstly you can look at the support for independent living or the housing needs sections on AskLiON.

Getting out and about

Transport

Please visit the following websites to find out how Nottingham City’s transport system can get you out and about. 

Public transport

Mobility scheme

Shopmobility  

Blue Badge Parking Permit  

Eligibility for a Blue Badge

Eligible without further assessment:

People who may be issued with a badge without further assessment are those who are more than two years old and fall within one or more of the following descriptions:

  • Receives the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
  • Receives 8 points or more under the "moving around" activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment
  • Is registered blind (severely sight impaired)
  • Receives a War Pensioners Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
  • Has been both awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. Also certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking

Eligible subject to further assessment:

People who may be issued with a badge after further assessment are those who are more than two years old and fall within one or more of the following descriptions:

  • Drives a vehicle regularly, has a severe disability in both arms and is unable to operate, or has considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter
  • Has a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking

In addition, children under the age of three may be eligible for a badge if they fall within either or both of the following descriptions:

  • A child who, on account of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty
  • A child who, on account of a condition, must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or the child can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given

Apply or Renew

To apply for a new Blue Badge or to renew your existing Blue Badge you can apply online using the approved government website. Alternatively you can contact Parking Regulation and Compliance and request an application to be sent to you by post. For more information on this please visit the Disabled Blue Badge section on the Nottingham City Council website.

AccessAble

This service provides information on disabled access to venues across the country. The service used to be called DisabledGO.

Please visit - https://www.accessable.co.uk/

RADAR National Key Scheme

Disabled access to secure toilets across the country

The RADAR National Key Scheme (NKS) allows disabled people access to around 7,000 locked public toilets around the country. Facilities can be found in shopping centres, country parks, railway and bus stations, bars, motorway service areas and sports venues.

For a small charge you can buy the keys online.

Please note that they do not accept cash at their Life Centres but chip and pin facilities are available.

Visit the Radar homepage for more Information

Day services

Day services provide opportunities to meet others in a supportive environment, enabling you to enjoy your independence and get involved in a range of groups or person centred activities.

Day services cater for different needs and are able to adapt activities to suit both your interest and ability. Many people attend every day, taking advantage of the wide variety of activities across multiple sites, whilst others attend once or twice a week for specific interests, or to meet with friends.

There are day services to support a range of needs including older people, those with physical and sensory impairments, and people with learning disabilities.

Please visit our adult day services section on AskLiON for details of the services available.

Ways into work

Please visit our Education and Training and Money and Work sections for details of services that can help you with employment, training and advice.

Someone to speak on my behalf

Advocacy means having someone to help you express your views and wishes, secure your rights and represent your interests.

An advocate is NOT there to provide information and advice.

Because an advocate should be independent, the council don't directly provide an advocacy service but we do fund a local organisation to provide independent advocacy.

Advocacy Service

The organisation delivering advocacy in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is POhWER Your Voice, Your Choice. This service is available to people aged over 18.

The service is provided on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, NHS Nottingham City CCG, NHS Bassetlaw and NHS Nottinghamshire County.

The service provides specialist advocacy as well as statutory advocacy - this is where the law requires that an advocate is provided.

Statutory advocacy

This includes the provision of advocacy for people who, because of mental health problems or a learning disability, don't have the capacity to make their own decisions. Referrals will usually be made by social care workers or health providers.

Under the Care Act, people who have substantial difficulty in understanding social care processes may also be entitled to advocacy. Social care workers will be responsible for deciding who to refer for advocacy services.

Specialist advocacy

Specialist advocacy is used to refer to advocacy that is not legally required. It supports vulnerable people who are unable to represent themselves in order to make their voice heard. Referrals can be made by workers or can be made directly by the vulnerable person or their carer.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Service

The Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Service provides support to particularly vulnerable people who lack capacity to make important decisions and who have no-one to act for them.

The council must consult an IMCA when making decisions for a person who lacks mental capacity.

Other types of advocacy available:

  • Self advocacy - helping people speak up for themselves
  • Citizen advocacy - matches people with volunteer partners who in the local community
  • Formal, professional or crisis advocacy - paid advocates focus on a task over a specific period of time
  • Family and friend advocacy - happens on a daily basis by family members or support workers
  • Legal advocates - have specialist knowledge/training and represent people in courts, tribunals or complaint processes
  • Best interests (non-instructed) advocacy - an advocate represents what he or she feels a person's wishes would be, if they were able to express them. Some mental health advocates are trained to do 'best interests' work for people with dementia. This type of advocacy is provided by IMCA's

A circle of support - a group of friends and a facilitator work to ensure a person in need of support has a good and full life

I have an illness or disability

There are various ways to get help and support if you are ill, have a disability or are recovering from an illness.

If you need help managing a long term condition self help groups can be a good source of support and advice, please visit our Health and self care section on AskLiON.

If you are recovering from an illness and a stay in hospital you may need some help when you get home. There are a variety of services that can help you, please visit our 'coming out of hospital' section on AskLiON for more details.

Alternatively hospital staff may, if appropriate, make a referral for you to our social work service. Following this you may be referred to our reablement service which aims to provide short term care at home that maximises your independence.

Disability Identification Cards

Information on cards which can make access for disabled people easier.

Disability identification cards allow you to show other people that you have a disability and need some support. This might be to use special facilities or to take advantage of special offers, for example, free entry for a support worker.

Who supplies cards?

National Disability Support Organisations

Many national disability support organisations provide cards for the people they support. Contact them directly to see what they offer and how to apply.

CredAbility Access Card

The Access Card from CredAbility covers a wide range of needs of disabled people and a wide range venues and services. This is a national scheme that commits organisations involved to providing a quality service to people with a disability. It is accepted as evidence by these organisations that you need special support or are eligible for their offers.

The support or offers varies depending on the organisation. Although all providers should make reasonable adjustments, so their service is accessible at no extra cost, the Access Card aims to make it quicker and easier to speak to many providers via one application. A single assessment is made based on a person's needs rather than their medical diagnosis, which is then translated into symbols on the Access Card. The card quickly and discreetly informs providers about the support needed without having to repeatedly explain or provide evidence of a disability.

Find Access Card providers

Apply for the Access Card

Personal Assistants and Direct Payments

Other than using a homecare organisation another way to maintain your independence is by using a personal assistant. Personal assistants can help you with everyday tasks such as help with shopping, medication prompts and getting out and about.

To find out more and also for further information on direct payments, please see our Personal Assistants and Direct Payments page.

Personal Care & Hygeine

Maintaining good personal hygiene is essential for both physical and mental well-being. Let’s explore some key hygiene habits that should be part of your regular routine:

Dental Hygiene:

    • Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes twice a day (once before breakfast and once before bed) using an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 3–4 months.
    • Floss daily to keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease and cavities.

Hand Washing:

Regular hand washing is crucial for preventing the spread of communicable diseases. Follow these steps:

  • Wash your hands beforeduring, and after:
    • Preparing food
    • Eating food
    • Looking after someone who is vomiting or has diarrhea
    • Treating a cut or wound
    • Going to the bathroom
    • Changing diapers or cleaning up after a child who has used the toilet
    • Blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • Touching garbage or dirty surfaces
    • Handling pets or pet-related items

Body Hygiene:

  • Shower or bathe regularly to keep your skin clean and prevent body odor.
  • Wash your hair to remove oil and maintain a fresh appearance.

Nail Care:

  • Keep your fingernails and toenails short to reduce the risk of spreading infections. Dirt and germs can accumulate under longer nails.

Clothing and Surroundings:

  • Wear clean clothes to maintain overall hygiene.
  • Ensure your surroundings are dry and clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and germs.

Remember, good personal hygiene not only protects your health but also contributes to your social well-being. Neglecting hygiene practices can lead to health issues and social isolation

Supported Living

Supported Living is accommodation-based support, where ongoing assistance is provided within a citizen’s accommodation. Personal support plans are created for the individual which can include anything from support for a couple of hours a week right through to a comprehensive 24 hours a day service - depending on the citizen’s needs. Each citizen has their own tenancy for their home, and they are provided with assistance to maintain this and budget for their household expenses.

In addition to support with maintaining their tenancy and support with day to day personal tasks. Supported Living also provides opportunities to learn new skills and participate in educational and recreational activities. Citizens are encouraged and supported to take part in their local communities and create safe relationships with friends and neighbours.

To find out more please visit our Supported Living page.

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