Help if you have, or are caring for someone who has, a progressive life-limiting disease.

DIAL Doncaster has a number of Factsheets which include some information that may be relevant to people with a life threatening illness. This Factsheet brings these together and includes other information which may be helpful.

Carers

Caring for someone in their own home
If you are caring for a relative or friend who has an illness or disability you are a carer. If you are providing most of the care which your friend or relative needs it is important that you are properly supported through Community social Care Services so that you don't have to cope on your own.

In order to obtain these services it will be necessary for the person being cared for to be referred to the Local Authority Social Services Department for a Health and Social Care Assessment. An officer of the department will discuss with them and anyone who cares for them what their circumstances are and complete an assessment of need questionnairre. (A needs assessment is where your individual needs, and care that your friend or relative needs, are discussed, agreed and recorded).

Care Plan
When the Local Authority decides what to provide they will draw up an individual care plan for the person you care for. (A care plan is simply a written record of what services and help you need as identified in your needs assessment).

To make a referral contact:
Adult Contact Team
P.O. Box 251
The Council House
College Road
Doncaster
DN1 3DA
Tel: 01302 737 391
Email: adultcontactteam@doncaster.gov.uk
For further information on this topic contact DIAL Doncaster (01302 327 800) and ask for Factsheets 34 (i) and 34 (ii).

Equipment for Disabled People

Wheelchairs:
Those having difficulty in walking could qualify to be provided with a wheelchair free on loan, subject to assessment by an appropriate health professional or through referral by the GP. The NHS Wheelchair Service will provide appropriate mobility equipment for as long as required. Or a voucher scheme, enabling the purchase of a more expensive wheelchair, is available.

For occasional short term use, wheelchairs may be hired on a daily or weekly basis from local organisations or companies, including DIAL Doncaster.

For further information contact DIAL Doncaster (01302 327 800) or see NHS Wheelchairs and Wheelchair Hire

General Equipment:
Before purchasing equipment you need to make sure that the item you require is not available from the Local Authority. Your Health Visitor or District Nurse can arrange short term loans of small appliances such as bath seats, toilet seats or mattresses. On discharge from hospital, the Social Worker can arrange for you to get equipment that you need when you return home.

For further details contact DIAL Doncaster (01302 327 800)
or see Independent Living Equipment.

Financal Support

Benefits
DIAL Doncaster can help you claim Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance under the Special Rules. The Special Rules help to get appropriate benefits in place quickly and easily.

If you are caring for someone who gets Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance to a Carer's Allowance and/or a Carer Premium.

Free Prescriptions
All cancer patients undergoing treatment for cancer, the effects of cancer or the effects of cancer treatment can apply for exemption from prescription charges certificate. Patients can apply for an exemption certificate by collecting an application form from their GP's surgery or Oncology Clinic.

Grants and Trusts
There are a great many charities that can be approached for help if you are in need. It may help if a Social Worker or your Doctor can support your application. A local trust such as John William Chapman Trust, or Cantley Poor's Land Trust as well as the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association and Doncaster Lions Club may be approached.
For a full list contact DIAL Doncaster and ask for Factsheet 19 (Grants and Trusts)

Support

There may be Support Groups for Carers in your local area that could give you the chance to talk to people who are in the same situation as yourself. Contact DIAL Doncaster for more information.

Listed below are some of the charities and other organisations that can offer valuable support, advice, information and understanding.

For Children:
Make a Wish Foundation UK:
329-331 London Road, Camberley Surrey, GU15 3HQ
Tel: 01276 405 060
Fax: 01276 405 061
E-mail: info@make-a-wish.org.uk
Website: www.make-a-wish.org.uk

Starlight Children's Foundation:
Macmillan House, Paddington Station, London, W2 1HD
Tel: 020 7262 2881
E-mail: prw1@starlight.org.uk
Website: www.starlight.org.uk

National Holiday Fund for Sick and Disabled Children:
P.O. Box 318, Great Yarmouth, NR29 4WT
Tel: 01493 731 235
E-mail: nhfoffice@aol.com
Website: www.nhfcharity.co.uk

Dreams Come True:
Exchange House, 33 Station Road, Liphook, Hampshire, GU30 7DW
Tel: 01428 726 330
Website: www.dctc.org.uk

Happy Days Children's Charity:
Clody House, 90-100 Collingdon Street, Luton, Beds, LU1 1RX
Tel: 01582 755 999
Website: www.happydayscharity.org

When You Wish Upon A Star:
Futurist House, Valley Road, Basford, Nottingham, NG5 1JE
Tel: 0115 979 1720
Fax: 0115 979 1353
Website: www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk

Dial A Dream:
7 Addison Road, Wanstead, London, E11 2RG
Tel: 020 8530 5589
Website: www.dial-a-dream.co.uk

For People affected by Cancer:
Breast Cancer Care East Midlands and the North of England:
St. James, Vicar Lane, Sheffield, S1 2EX
Tel: 0845 077 1893
Website: www.breastcancercare.org.uk

MacMillan Cancer Support:
89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ
Tel: 0808 808 00 00
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk

Local Hospices:
Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice:
Cramfit Road, Norton Anston, Sheffield, S25 4AJ:
Tel: 0845 108 1579

St. John's Hospice:
Weston Road, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 8JS
Tel: 01302 796 853
Website: www.stjohnshospiceandinformationandsupportcentre.co.uk

St. John's Information and Support Centre:
Weston Road, Balby, Doncaster DN4 8JS
Tel: 01302 796 600
Website: www.stjohnshospiceandinformationandsupportcentre.co.uk

Motor Neurone Disease:
Motor Neurone Disease Association:
P.O. Box 246, Northampton, NN1 2PR
Tel: 08457 626 262 (MND Connect)
E-mail: enquiries@mndassociation.org
Website: www.mndassociation.org

In addition to the Factsheets referred to, DIAL Doncaster can provide other relevant information. If anything you need to know is not covered, please let us know.

DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.