Support at home

There are a range of support services available which help people to stay in their own homes.

• Home Meals

One of the most important issues for older people is to ensure a healthy diet. This helps keep the body in working order and prevents illness.

The healthy eating guide contains details about diet and can be ordered by telephoning 0845 6060667.

The home meal service has been updated. Now, instead of bringing a hot meal to you, that you have to eat straight away, we will provide ready prepared meals that can be heated in the oven, microwave, or a steamer, and can be consumed when you choose to eat. The meals are of modest cost and there are over 40 choices of meals available including special diets and ethnic meals.

• Home Shopping Service

West Lothian Council currently works with two established providers to offer a shopping and home delivery service to those who due to illness, disability or frailty are unable to shop for themselves.

Each is explained in more detail below:

The Food Train offers a shopping and delivery service to people over the age of 65 years only. Working in conjunction with a number of grocery outlets within West Lothian it provides a shopping and delivery service via a network of locally recruited and trained volunteers. Assistance may also be given with creating shopping lists and putting shopping way. Being a registered charity a modest sum is charged to cover the cost of the delivery.  Anyone interested in using the services of the Food Train may contact them direct on 01506 654360 or by emailing alison@thefoodtrain.co.uk
 
Scotmid staff working with home care staff also offer a shopping and delivery service, on this occasion there is no age restrictions as to who may use this service, however  the choice of grocery outlet is limited to Scotmid stores. Again a charge is made to cover the cost of the delivery. Anyone wishing to use this service should contact their local Social Work Office during normal office hours or else contact the domiciliary care team.     

• Community Laundry

The community laundry service helps people who are incontinent or who have other medical conditions and are living at home or with relatives, to cope with the practical problems of washing sheets. A fresh supply of sheets is brought on a regular basis to each home.

There is no charge for the service, which is jointly provided and co-ordinated by local councils and Lothian Health. To access this service applicants should contact their general practitioner (GP), health visitor, community nurse, social worker or care worker, who will provide information about the service and assist with the referral process.

• More information

To access any of the support at home services you can contact: Bathgate Social Work Centre, 69 Whitburn Road, Bathgate. Tel: 01506 776700. Leaflets are available on request, or from libraries, council information services (CIS) centres and community centres.

Also see the Care at Home page.