There may come a time when the person you care for needs some support at home to help them to live independently. Home care workers can help with things like getting in and out of bed, washing, bathing and dressing or carrying out daily tasks, like making meals, shopping or taking medication at the right time.

If you think you may need home care services, it is a good idea to contact your local council and ask for an assessment of your care needs. Even if you would prefer to arrange your own care an assessment will help you to understand what kind of help you or the person you care for needs. Social services may be able to arrange the services you need, although they may ask people who qualify for home care to pay a charge based on their income and savings.

To contact:
Reading Borough Council Community Care Services, telephone the Access Team on 0118 955 3600. Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (except Bank Holidays). See reading.gov.uk

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Community Care Services, tel: 01628 683744. See rbwm.gov.uk

West Berkshire Council Community Care Team Contact Centre: telephone the enquiry line on 0845 601 4726. See westberks.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council Community Care Services for adults: telephone 0118 974 6800. See wokingham.gov.uk

If you do not wish to contact council social services and want to arrange your own care services, there are a number of local private agencies offering services in the home. All care agencies must be registered with, and inspected by the Commision for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). You can find details of local registered Home Care services through the CSI website www.csci.org.uk

West Berkshire Council publishes a list of accredited suppliers on its website. See www.westberks.gov.uk/media/pdf/9/6/1107_WBC_accredited_supplier_list_domiciliary_care_agencies.pdf

Details of private agencies can also be found in Yellow Pages.

Remember, that Attendance Allowance is the benefit payable to people over 65 who need help with personal care. Disabilty Lving Allowance is a similar benefit for people under the age of 65.These benefits can help you meet the costs of Home Care.

Useful factsheets outlining what to look for when buying in care at home are produced by Counsel and Care www.counselandcare.org.uk/assets/library/documents/15_Home_Care_Agencies_What_to_Look_For.pdf and Age Concern www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/Documents/FS6FindinghelpathomeJul07-AM041.pdf