More help for elderly/disabled promised by York Council

The York Council will be reviewing the amount of help that it is able to give needy home owners in York when it meets on 19th June.

Recommendations are being made on how increased funding, totalling £1.1 million, from the governments “Better Care Fund” will be allocated. This may mean some changes to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) system.

Up to £30,000 can be loaned or granted to qualifying homeowners to make changes to allow disabled people to continue to live in their own homes. The grants have been means tested in the past but that will no longer be the case fro smaller grants in the future.

Typically the grants are spent on:

Facilitating access to and from the dwelling or building by the disabled occupant
Making the dwelling or building safe for the disabled occupant
Access to the principal family room by the disabled occupant
Access to or providing a bedroom for the disabled occupant
Access to or providing a room containing a bath or shower for the disabled occupant or facilitating the use by the occupant of such a facility
Access to or providing a room containing a WC for the disabled occupant or facilitating the use by the occupant of such a facility
Access to or providing a room containing a wash hand basin for the disabled occupant or facilitating the use by the occupant of such a facility
Facilitating the preparation and cooking of food by the disabled person
Improving or providing a heating system for the disabled person
Facilitating the use of power, light or heat by the disabled person by altering same or providing additional means of control
Facilitating access & movement around the dwelling to enable the disabled person to provide care for someone.
Access to gardens

The scope of qualifying works is now being extended to include hazard remedies (such as excess cold), undertaking electrical repair works to a home where a new level access shower or lift is provided and undertaking an asbestos survey and removal of any asbestos

The Council is also simplifying the application process and hopes to reduce the time interval between applications for assistance being made and adaptations being completed.

A more comprehensive guide to the help available can be found by clicking here

Lincoln Court garden gets volunteer uplift

Council agrees to improve refuse collection at elderly persons flats

Lincoln Court

Residents at the Lincoln Court elderly persons accommodation on Ascot Way recently asked local Councillors to sort out some issues for them. The issues were (with the Councils response in brackets where it has been received):

Arrange, when the season is right, for the hedge on the boundary of the Lincoln Court gardens and Hob Moor School to be substantially reduced in height. Residents like to feel involved in the community and a view of the school playing fields reduces the sense of isolation. The hedge – which used to be trimmed regularly – also restricts the amount of natural light which Lincoln Court enjoys

Arrange for the recycling bins to be emptied more frequently that the current 4/6 weekly cycle (Council has said that they will be done fortnightly in future)
For the car park to be swept
Hedges block view and light from flats

For weed killer to be applied where necessary. Residents say that they could help with this.

For additional parking space to be provided next to Windsor House. The Lincoln Court car park is frequently filled with vehicles not associated with the sheltered housing scheme. This makes it difficult for people visiting residents.

Arrange for the gutters on the building to be cleared of debris. A particular problem on the conservatory roof. (The Council has said that the gutters will be cleared before the end of June)

Meanwhile the Council reports that, to begin a summer of gardening in national Volunteer Week, a group of young people who have experienced homelessness brushed up the Lincoln Court garden on Thursday..

The tenants at Lincoln Court, a City of York Council sheltered accommodation scheme in Acomb really value their garden, especially in the summer where it’s a great place to meet up with friends and have a chat.

Blocked gutters

So a year after a group of young people supported by staff spruced up the outdoor space, the Enable team has returned in national Volunteer Week (1-7 June) to maintain its good work and continued goodwill.

Enable is a collaboration between the council’s 60+ housing specialist service, Homebase and SASH, a supported lodging scheme for young people who have experienced homelessness.

Generously supported by Homebase which kindly supplies materials,over the past two years, Enable has made a real and lasting difference to the lives of older people with its 13 makeover challenges. These have included decorating, landscaping, weeding and planting; all designed to give the young people the skills they will need when they move into their own place.

Besides cutting back an undergrowth of ivy with the help of a resident, the team tidied up a wooden sitting arbour and laid bark and paving stones around it.

Martin Farran, corporate director of health, housing and adult social care at City of York Council, said: “Enable is an ingenious intergenerational skill share, where older and young people are brought together to benefit the community, share skills and get to know each other.

“Residents of our sheltered accommodation schemes benefit as do local young people and our thanks go out to them all for taking part and making these improvements.”

Gary Hogg, SASH active project co-ordinator, said: “We are very proud of Enable and the 14 projects that we have completed to date with Homebase and the council. It is a simple idea of people coming together to help each other. In doing so our young people are given the opportunity to learn new skills, increase their confidence and self-esteem, forge new friendships and be involved in the local communities in which they live. Homebase’s generosity in providing materials ensures this programme continues and we’re very grateful for their support.”

Mathew Brown, deputy store manager at Homebase, York, said: “Homebase York is very happy to support the great work done by SASH and will continue to do so into the future.”

York to be badly hit by “Dementia Tax”

The Tories plan to force sick elderly people to sell their homes to pay for care cost will affect York residents more than any other City in the country.

Figures released today suggest that, because of relatively high local house prices, 99% of those accessing care services would lose ownership of their homes.

Under the Tory plans, revealed when they published their General Election manifesto last week, the homes would be sold to pay off any care cost debt, when a patient died.

Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has launched a national movement calling on people, irrespective of their party affiliation, to stop the Conservatives’ planned Dementia Tax.

It comes alongside Liberal Democrat research that reveals that across England, 9 out 10 homes could be eligible for sale to meet Theresa May’s Dementia Tax.

Tim Farron is writing to key organisations about the campaign, including David Cameron as President of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Writing to the leaders of leading health and older peoples’ charities, Tim Farron said:

“The measure of a Government is how they treat the most vulnerable in our society. I don’t think that the Conservatives are unaware of the impact of their plans but they chose to ignore the human cost.

“Every elderly person that needs care should receive it in the best place for them and not be fearful of those mounting, limitless costs. I am determined that we ensure that Theresa May drops the so-called ‘Dementia Tax’ and implement a cap on the cost of care.

“Caring for our elderly must be above party politics and that is why I want to urge anyone who opposes the Conservatives’ plans to come together to stop it.

“We must resist this plan and challenge would-be Conservative MPs to reject and stop it.

“As a first step, I am urging people to sign up at dementiatax.org.uk to help. I hope you will urge the supporters of your organisation to do the same. Together we can stop the so-called ‘Dementia’ Tax

Points

Across England, 9 out 10 homes could be eligible for sale to meet Theresa May’s Dementia Tax.
This includes:
- in the South East in Oxford, 98% homes could be liable
- in London, Richmond upon Thames, only 7 out of 476 homes sold would be exempt
- in the North West, Stockport, 92% of homes could be liable
- This year to date only 1 home sold out of 356 in Theresa May’s local authority would be exempt
- In the poorest 10 local authority areas, an estimated 50% of homes could be liable to meet the ‘dementia tax’
- For instance;
- The local authority with the lowest average salary (Blackpool), where 52% of homes could be liable

click to sign

Views of older people sought in York survey

City of York Council and its partners are asking for older people across the city for their views on how we as a city can keep them healthier, happier and more independent for longer.

The survey asks for answers and suggestions on a range of issues including; social life, health, their local community and how they access information.

The survey, which is open for comments until Tuesday 30 June, will be distributed by partners across the city. Residents will also be able to pick up a survey from any of the Explore Library Learning Centres across the city or take the survey online at www.york.gov.uk/consultations.

The last citywide older people’s survey was held in 2008 and led to some really positive outcomes following feedback from residents. These included the introduction of a handy person service, a toe nail cutting service, and the Age UK first call information service.

Martin Farran, corporate director of health, housing and adult social care said: “Older people bring a great deal of knowledge, skill and energy and contribute enormously to the city.

“We are interested to know how our older residents currently live, the issues they face and to hear ideas on how we can keep older people healthy, happy and independent for longer.”

George Wood, Chair of the Executive Committee from the York Older People’s Assembly said: “This is a real opportunity for older people across the City to have their voice heard and to impact in a very real way on the future planning of services.”

The survey is being conducted collaboratively between the York Older People’s Assembly, Age (UK) York, Healthwatch York, York Council for Voluntary Services, York Blind and Partially Sighted Society, York Alzheimer’s Society, the Vale of York CCG, the Police and Crime Commissioner and City of York Council.

For more information, or to take the survey online, visit www.york.gov.uk/consultations.

York plans for Dementia Awareness Week (14-20 May)

Organisations across York are gearing up for Dementia Awareness Week (14-20 May) with a series of events.

The activities form part of York’s work to become a ‘dementia friendly city’ which is welcoming, empathetic and accessible to people living with dementia and their friends, relatives and carers.

As well as the events taking place across the city, residents will have numerous opportunities to find out more about dementia and the work taking place to help York be a dementia friendly city.

Throughout the week visitors to the customer centre at West Offices will be able to meet with staff at City of York Council and get information and advice for people living with dementia and their families.

Partners in the York Dementia Action Alliance have also arranged a host of events:

· On 16May the Alzheimer’s Society will have a stand on Parliament Street

· On 16 May between 2 and 3pm Dringhouses Library are offering a Dementia Friends Session, for more information visit https://www.exploreyork.org.uk/event/dementia-friends-workshop/

· On 17 May residents are invited between 1.30pm and 3.30pm to a forget-me-not café, Tang Hall, special entertainment and music session. For more information call York Alzheimer’s Society on 01904 567701.

On Friday 26 May, the week after Dementia Awareness Week, City of York Council is supporting a showing of Still Alice Film at the New Earswick Folk Hall. Still Alice tells the story of Alice Howland, a linguistic professor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease shortly after her 50th birthday. Before the movie speakers from the council, Inspired Youth and Minds in Motion will briefly provide information on some of the local initiatives taking place to support people with dementia. Tickets are available now from the Folk Hall or online via www.filmfolkhall.com.

Martin Farran, corporate director for health, housing and adult social care said: “One in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia and there are around 2700 people in York living with dementia at the moment.

“These events are all part of our work to help York towards becoming a dementia friendly city. By raising awareness and understanding of dementia we can start to make life easier for those living with dementia, their family and friends.”

Information how organisations in York can support people living with dementia visit: www.dementiaaction.org.uk/local_alliances/2934_york_dementia_action_alliance

York Council takes action to ease debt risk for poorer families

The York Council has agreed to pay some of the fees involved in setting up and running a budget bank account at the Credit Union shop at 8 Acomb Court off York Road (tel.03030 300010) .

Details of budget and other accounts available at the branch can be found on the SYCC web site

The Council is taking the action to encourage those reliant on the Universal Credits benefit package to budget to avoid debts. Univeral Credit is paid in arrears and can be difficult to manage.

A report to a recent meeting says,

“A recent article on the Association of Retained Council Housing site indicated that:

86% of universal credit (UC) claimants living in council owned homes are in rent arrears (compared to 79% at March 2016).
59% of universal credit claimants living in council owned homes have arrears that equate to more than one month’s rent.
Although 63% of UC tenants in arrears had pre-existing arrears before their UC claim only 44% of them are on APAs (alternative payment arrangements with direct payment from DWP)
The average value of arrears tenants owed across UC households has almost doubled to £615 since 31 March 2016 when average amount was £321.

A research article expressed concern about rent arrears.

“Not only are numbers of households increasing as UC is rolled out, but the percentage of households falling into rent arrears and experiencing financial difficulty is critically high.

If this trend is not reversed it will have significant impact on local authorities’ rental income streams and the long term ability for housing departments to provide essential services to their communities.

Use of the SYCU budget account and related services by customers could be one way of helping them manage their money effectively, prevent debt and help manage debt where this is accrued”.

Council officials will now help to promote the budget account to qualifying residents.

“Financial inclusion” project set to be launched in Westfield

£250,000 is set to be invested in helping less well-off members of the community in the Westfield, Clifton, Guildhall, Heworth and Hull Road wards. The wards are among the lowest ranked using a national “Index of Multiple Deprivation” (IMD). The project will last for two years.

In some ways, the project will seek to emulate the Kingsway Project, of the last decade, which did achieve some success in getting residents to apply for the benefits to which they were entitled. Paradoxically a low score in the IMD is influenced by the number of claimants – meaning that the more successful a benefits campaign is, the lower the score will be!

Some neighbourhoods – such as Chapelfields – have relatively small numbers of retired people and are less likely to be regarded as “deprived” using the national definitions. However, the Council is, rightly, intending to roll out its project across the whole of the Westfield ward

A key target for any project like this must be to get more people into work. In KIngsway this proved to be difficult because of the large proportion of elderly and retired people in the area. These days the high employment level in the City means that there are a lot of jobs around so progress may be possible for the long term unemployed.

The Council has produced a summary of the key indicators of “deprivation” (below). Many of these are unlikely to show a measurable improvement over just a couple of years (life expectancy being one example).

Instead of setting measurable firm targets, the Council says, “Social Return on Investment produces a description of how a project creates value and a ratio that states how much social value in £s is created for every £ of investment”.

This is the management speak equivalent of Voodoo.

Disabled social care customers asked to make own transport arrangements in York

184 adult customers requiring transport to reach their social care destinations are still heavily reliant on CYC commissioned support. Over 90% of these are adults with learning disabilities (travelling to centres such as Brunswick Organic Nursery, Greenworks, Pine Trees etc). A small number of older (Long Term Team) customers use commissioned transport to access day care services on a regular basis.

Approximately two thirds of these customers are currently being transported via an in-house fleet of “rapidly ageing” vehicles, whilst one third are transported by shared or individual taxis via a CYC contract with Streamline Taxis.

A Council media release says, “Whilst various options have been considered Councillors are being asked to agree that the council adopts a personalised approach whereby every adult customer is offered a direct payment to make their own transport arrangements, ensuring that transportation is flexible, accessible and tailored to the needs of individuals and communities”.

This is similar to the system introduced a few years ago where the majority of users of home care services are given money to pay for the own choice of provider. It proved to be a popular choice.

If agreed, the changes will see adult customers being offered a transport direct payment and will be able to choose from a range of council approved providers. A dedicated support officer will also be appointed to support the residents for the first 18 months of the new approach and help them develop personal transport plans, helping them be more independent.

The move is expected to cut £272,000 from the social care budget

The Council says its in house fleet will be run down by 2020 and that there may be 6 redundancies. The contract with Steamline taxis will not be renewed.

Each customer would receive on average around £5000 a year to pay for transport (plus mobility payments)

“The recommended model hopes to equip customers with the confidence to take ownership of their requirements and offer them more choice and control over their transport arrangements.

At the meeting councillors will also be asked to agree to the eligibility criteria for access to transport services, and if approved, the closure of the council’s fleet transport service by March 2020, which would reduce incrementally.

The residents would also be able to benefit from free York Independent Living and Travel Skills (YILTS) training to help them to travel independently. The YILTS training has already benefited customers and given them the confidence to travel independently while developing their social and financial skills.

The proposals align with the principles of the Care Act 2014, which aims are to place emphasis on prevention, early intervention and independence. The changes would affect 184 customers, of whom 26 are already travelling independently and a third travel through shared or individual taxis. All will be assisted via the dedicated support officer and access the free YILTS training.

Martin Farran, corporate director for health, housing and adult social care said: “With an ageing fleet we need to look at the options available to deliver an efficient and sustainable transport service for our customers. This report looks at options to give social care customers more choice and control over their transport, in lines with the principles of the 2014 care act, so they can take more ownership of their requirements.”

An executive report can be read by clicking here

« Previous
1
…
10
11
12
13
14
…
27
Next »