How do I make a Care Plan?

If the idea of making a care plan sounds like something that happens to you or something that professionals do for you. It does not have to be that way – we believe that “making a care plan” is something that you can and should do for yourself, even if you need some help to do so.

All this means is thinking carefully about what is important to you, what the consequences of your current situation are for these things, what does this mean you might need help with, and where you hope to get that help from.

This could be a good idea whether you have to pay for all the help you need yourself or might get some financial assistance from Social Services.

There are lots of circumstances when making your own care plan (or helping your friend or close relation make themselves a care plan) might be good idea, including after a spell in hospital, as a result of a fall, other accident or illness for you or someone who is caring for you, or just a growing realisation that you cannot do what you used to do because of failing sight, aching limbs etc.

What should your plan cover?

This is to just to give you some ideas.  In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be putting up an example care plan so that you can see how you could put together yours.

1.  Staying healthy

Covering where and how you are going to get any treatment you need on a regular basis including for example collecting prescriptions, any check-ups that should be organised, getting information and advice about what you can do for yourself to improve the situation or prevent making things worse, and where you are going to get answers to any questions you have.

2. Keeping on doing the things you enjoy

Covering how you are going to keep up any hobbies that you really like, keeping contact with people you get on well with, or keep on working, including how to arrange any transport, communicate with people etc

3. Doing things for yourself around the house

Covering what you need help doing, which could be anything from getting up in the morning, getting yourself or the house clean, or making yourself a cup of tea, who is going to provide that help, and anything that might help you keep on doing things for yourself eg simple equipment like something to help you open jars or get your clothes on yourself.

4. Keeping safe, warm and well fed

Covering how you are going to get enough to eat, keep warm in winter, and any concerns about your safety that you might have and how you can minimise the chances of this happening.

5.  Dealing with emergencies

Covering what happens if things go wrong whether that is you have a fall or there is a flood in the bathroom, and how you might ensure you can call for or arrange help.

The plan might be simple, if for example you decide to employ your own paid carer. It might be more complicated and involve deciding how much you can reasonably ask from friends or family, and involve a mixture of professionals some whose time has to be paid for and some which don’t.

If you want to understand your care options or how you can fund your care, have a look at these articles.

Creating your own plan

If you want to do your own plan, for either yourself or for someone you care for, we suggest you start with looking at your/their care needs using our Care Needs Helper, this will give you something to have to hand when you meet with Social Services to formally assess your needs.  If you’re self-funding then this also gives you a great start in working out how to meet the needs and wants that you have.

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• Published on May 07, 2018