Housing and support
There are a range of housing options available for older people and people with disabilities. Sheltered housing is made up of self-contained units within a larger complex. There is an officer or official on duty during the day, plus a 24-hour careline service. West Lothian Council has five complexes and also has access to 20 similar complexes provided by housing associations. For information about sheltered housing call 01506 777303. 'Housing with Care' introduces a real alternative to institutional care for older people in West Lothian. Four of our six traditional residential care homes no longer work for us. We have kept two as specialised care homes, and have built a third as an Interim Care Home, together with the health service, all with increased staffing levels. Along with housing association partners we have opened four new housing with care units, each providing at least 24 one-bedroom tenancies supported by a core package of SMART technology. These units are located in Armadale, Blackburn, Broxburn and West Calder. The aim is to help individuals to remain as independent as possible by continuing to do as many of the tasks they would normally do for themselves, with the added reassurance that if they do need some help they can get immediate back-up from the housing support staff on site. Housing support staff duties combine elements of social care, and housing management tasks. People who require at least 12 hours formal or informal care a week can apply for a place in these units, and the idea is that an individual?s support would increase as their needs increase. The tenancies and assistive technology cater well for people with dementia. The council offers a respite care service to the carers of frail older people (including those with dementia). Short breaks can be arranged for those with an assessed need in either Limecroft Care Home or in Broxburn Care Home (at times other local care homes may be used). This is primarily to give relief to carers who are looking after either a partner or relative with particular care needs.
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