Older People's Services and Adult Social Work
There are 3,220 people over 65 in Orkney, 17% of the total population. Most older people enjoy a healthy and fulfilling old age, contributing to the community in many different and often unseen ways. For the minority who need support or care it is up to the various services to ensure that this is provided in a way which people want, and in ways that ensure continued wellbeing and quality of life.
Orkney is a good place to grow old. The projections show that Orkney males who are currently 65 can expect to live until the age of 79 whilst women of the same age can expect to reach the age of 88. This is one of the findings from the Health and Wellbeing of Older People in Scotland report.
Orkney’s biggest current challenge is responding to demographic changes. This requires the development of services to meet the needs of an increasing ageing population and provision to meet the additional demands for services for people with complex needs. There has also been a sharp rise in the number of new referrals to the Department over the last 5 years (a proxy for changing demand).
The number of new cases recorded in 2000/01 was 76 and by 2005/06 this had grown to 579. The growth in demand has been particularly steep in the last 2 years and it is very clear that growth in demand for community care, occupational therapy and home care services is particularly pronounced.
Occupational Therapy and Sensory Impairment Services
Supported Accommodation for Older People
Hoy and Walls Health and Social Care Centre
Community Care Services
This service provides support and protection for adults in need, assessing the needs of older people, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health needs, people with learning disabilities and people who misuse drugs or alcohol.
The service provides and commissions, in partnership with NHS Orkney, the private sector and the voluntary sector, a range of services to meet identified needs including care homes, day care, short breaks, equipment and adaptations, occupational therapy, care at home, community alarms and supported accommodation and services to support family and friends in their caring role.
Adult Social Work
The Adult Social Work Team employs qualified Social Workers to assess the needs of individuals, to develop care plans to meet the identified needs of service users and to monitor and review the arrangements that are put in place.
The needs of Carers are also assessed and taken into account in service planning in order to optimise this service, it is essential that the knowledge and skills of professional Social Workers are fully deployed. The process of assessment and care planning with extremely vulnerable individuals, who may often be in a state of crisis, requires a strong focus on working collaboratively to assist them in being as independent as possible and in having the greatest control and choice over their situation.
This must at all times be balanced with the responsibility to protect the vulnerable individual from abuse and from other risks, perhaps, in certain situations, even from themselves. To negotiate these dilemmas it is essential that staff members are qualified, experienced and confident practitioners, working in accordance with current legislation and employing the most appropriate methods of Social Work intervention to achieve the most positive outcomes for service users, their carers and their local communities.
For additional information see the PDF documents in the Related Downloads section.
Support at Home Services
Homecare Services:
Providing support with daily living and/or personal care tasks to enable service users to remain safely within their own homes.
Undertaking assessments of the needs of people requiring Home Care Services and preparing care plans to meet the identified needs.
Priority is given to the provision requested which is based on the vulnerability of the person, their living situation and the nature of the task with which they need help.
See added PDF document for additional information in the Related Downloads section.
Night Support Team:
Providing support for a service user who is terminally ill, either to prevent hospital admission or enable hospital discharge to facilitate an individual’s wish to die in their own home.
Community Care Alarms:
Providing Community Care Alarms for people who, because of age or disability, may need to summon help and who have been assessed as requiring a community care alarm. This service is provided by the Telecare Team as part of the Community Care service for Orkney Health and Care.
Home Support Services:
Providing help for people in supported housing or who are tenants and need extra help with living independently. This service complements any care service which may also be provided.
Occupational Therapy and Sensory Impairment Services
The joint NHS Orkney/Orkney Islands Council Occupational Therapy and Sensory Impairment Services provide services for anyone with community care needs who require help or advice to improve their functional abilities and become more independent.
A wide range of equipment is available for long term loan, and Occupational Therapists can give advice and support for home adaptations to meet disability needs.
A Rehabilitation Officer undertakes specialist assessments to look at any specific needs in relation to Sensory Impairment.
Both Occupational Therapists and the Rehabilitation Officer also undertake assessment and care management and prepare care plans to meet the identified needs of people requiring Community Care Services and preparing care plans to meet the identified needs.
For additional information on certain needs see the Related Downloads section for attachments.
Care Homes for Older People
The Department of Orkney Health and Care currently has 4 residential care homes for older people. The homes provide residential and ‘short breaks’ services for frail older people with very complex needs and people with dementia. There are no nursing homes in Orkney and therefore the Council’s care homes meet the needs of all people who do not need continuing NHS care. In addition the Service commissions services for older people from independent sector care homes.
Supported Accommodation for Older People
Orkney Health and Care provides provides 24 hour care in Very Sheltered Housing Services on the Orkney Mainland and on Westray.
Day Centres for Older People
There are 2 Day Care Centres for older people which provide therapeutic activities to enable service users to maintain skills and mobility. Transport is provided between home and the Centre. Visiting services such as Chiropody and hairdressers are provided.
Hoy and Walls Health and Social Care Centre
This Centre provides support to people living in amenity housing situated close by. There is also a short break facility within the Centre and Day Care is held weekly.