We care about Carers

Community Services Scrutiny Committee In depth Scrutiny Project Independence and well being of older people Southend Carers’ Forum We care about Carers

Barbara Crowe MBE Vice Chairman Peter Stroudley Chairman

We care about Carers 15,945 Carers in Southend 10% of Population 20% of Population - Carers/Cared For 15,

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Southend- Proportion of People F/M who are Carers by Age Groups

We care about Carers Importance of Older Carers

We care about Carers Importance of Older Carers

We care about Carers Importance of Older Carers

We care about Carers Importance of Older Carers

We care about Carers Importance of Older Carers

We care about Carers Importance of Older Carers

We care about Carers Questions

We care about Carers 1.Could you provide Members of the Committee with some background and information on your organisation, relating to the area under discussion? SAVS identified ‘ gap ’ in market s Southend Carers Forum - Launched 1999 Registered Charity and Limited Company Trustees/Director - All Carers/Ex-Carers

We care about Carers 1.Could you provide Members of the Committee with some background and information on your organisation, relating to the area under discussion? (Continued) Services provided: –Support for Carers –‘ Ears of Carers ’ - Understanding the needs and problems of Carers –‘ Voice ’ of Carers - link to statutory authorities and voluntary sector

We care about Carers 1.Could you provide Members of the Committee with some background and information on your organisation, relating to the area under discussion? (Continued) Carers are older people: AgePop.CarersIndex 60 plus23%30% plus29%43% plus42%68%164 National Census Data for Southend

We care about Carers 2.In your opinion, how responsive are the current services in identifying unmet needs and initiating appropriate services? Are there barriers to providing a service? Pressures/gaps Dependent on Assessments Barriers –Difficulty in obtaining assessment –Eligibility –Views of ‘ cared for ’ different to those of the Carer Difficulties with care agencies –sometimes irregular staff –Agreed hours not always kept

We care about Carers 3.Are you aware of possible ‘ overlaps ’ where you may be providing similar services/support as another organisation? This might assist with streamlining in order to prevent ‘ doubling up ’ ? Not aware of other organisations providing the same range of support specifically for Carers Comprehensive data base of Carers Comprehensive data base of information for Carers ’ of all conditions

We care about Carers 4.In your opinion what do other services/groups need to provide in order to maximise your own organisations ’ activities? Assist in the identification of Carers –Council services –NHS/PCT –Other voluntary sector organisations

We care about Carers 5.What are the key issues you hear from people both about their own area and also in relation to other areas and how are these fed back?

We care about Carers 6.How do people find out about what you do? Distribution of promotional material to GP Surgeries, Hospitals, Library, various events, etc. ‘ Word of mouth ’ Carers Directory Statutory authorities

We care about Carers 7.Can advice and advocacy services be accessed through your service and is there anything which can be improved to support Provide comprehensive information service Provide internet access service Refer Carers to Essex Advocacy for Older People Information requested...

We care about Carers What issues would like to hear discussed at these events?

We care about Carers 8.What are you doing to prepare for the future and support older people remain more active? Social inclusion Provide respite to Carers –Support Groups –Lunches –Stress, Pamper Sessions, etc. Events/Seminars – Legal, Benefits, etc Beyond Caring – to help ex-Carers to re- establish social activities

We care about Carers 9.What could you do to help older people in accessing Internet based information to help them remain more active? Currently provide Carers with access to internet (can be assisted)

We care about Carers 10.Are you aware that direct payments, choice, and individualised budgets can happen and how could you help to promote it? Yes – we are aware Information sessions held with professionals advising on Direct Payments Carers with personal experience of the use of Direct Payments share experience

We care about Carers 11.In your opinion, do current services understand culture/generational/disability differences? Not always …. Culture – many ethnic groups would not ask for help – believe in caring for their own elderly relatives Sense of pride of older people and ’ not wanting to be a burden ’ not always understood by some younger professionals The stress that some Carers are under when looking after people with some conditions such as dementia is not always fully appreciated

We care about Carers 12.Are you aware of older people who may be entitled to benefits, but are not claiming – key issues as to why? Yes … Lack of awareness of: –benefits available –how to apply Pride Too complicated We help … –Refer to Dial/CAB –Information sessions – professional speakers

We care about Carers 13.What could you do to help older people re security/self protection issues and fear of crime, preventing access to services? We address these matters at information session – with professionals

We care about Carers 14.What impact does your service have on Carer ’ s and how do you identify them? Bringing Carers together for mutual support It can be wonderful to see how this support is appreciated Influence policy with statutory authorities Carers ’ Survey

We care about Carers How would you rate the overall service provided by the Forum?

We care about Carers How would you rate the overall service provided by the Forum?

We care about Carers How would you rate the overall service provided by the Forum? 87%

We care about Carers 18.Your opinion on the support/information available for older people on leaving Hospital. As far as Carers are concerned … Leaves much to be desired The Carer needs to understand: –Diagnosis/prognosis –Medication/side effects –Care plans –Support and information available –Benefits This support/information is not provided on a methodical basis

We care about Carers 19.How do you engage older people in developing services, plans and policies Understanding Carers ’ needs/problems: –Support Group meetings – we learn (run by Trustees who are Carers/Ex-Carers) –Surveys –Help Line/one to one meeting with Carers Communication of issues learnt –Carers UK/Princess Royal Trust for Carers (influence Government policy) –Statutory Authorities –Professionals attend our Support Group meetings – and learn

We care about Carers 20.In terms of the Mental Health Capacity Act what steps are you taking to ensure the Act is applied to ensure that a client has ability/capability to make informed decisions? Does not directly apply to Carers Forum Where possible – we would advise Carers to go directly to organisations dealing with Mental Health issues

We care about Carers 21.There are organisations which play a significant role in some older persons leisure time – what is your view on the role they are performing in terms of information sponsorship and the benefit to the older persons well being? Carers have little opportunity to participate in leisure activities

We care about Carers 22.What statistical information could your service provide which might help us collectively identify health of older residents and any deficit in services? Aggregate data from register Provide survey facility Urgent need for GPs to identify Carers and provide: –Annual health check –Review understanding of diagnosis and prognosis of the ‘ cared for ’

We care about Carers Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this study

We care about Carers