Services for older people

Welcome to the Older People Social Work Team

Hammersmith & Fulham social services have a number of different teams providing services for people who need support to live at home. This may be because of physical disability or frailty, mental health problems, difficulties with sight or hearing or a learning disability. 

The older people social work team works with people over 65 years old.

Who can use the service?

Anyone who lives in Hammersmith & Fulham can contact social services and ask for an assessment. We can also be contacted by friends, family, your GP or anyone else who knows your situation.

Before setting up any services we carry out an assessment. This is to make sure we provide the right support to the people who need it most.

What help is available?

Examples of some of the services we may provide following your assessment are: 

• home care - assistance with everyday personal care tasks such as washing, dressing, help getting up or going to bed and help with activities such as shopping or collecting your pension. We can also arrange for you to receive Meals on Wheels (link to page) if you have no other way of getting a hot meal. 
  special equipment or adaptations to your house. 
• information on the services and support groups to help you get out and about and meet other people. 
• help with everyday personal care tasks such as washing, dressing, assistance getting up and help with activities such as shopping or collecting your pension. We can also arrange for you to receive Meals on Wheels if you have no other way of getting a hot meal. 
• special equipment or adaptations to your house. We can also help you develop the practical skills and confidence you need to cope at home. 
• adults, and not just children, can be vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by others. If you feel unsafe, or are being treated badly in any way, we will do everything possible to ensure your protection. 
• access to daytime groups including those offering entertainment, exercise and activities to develop skills or help with memory. 
• support for carers. As a carer you can ask for an  assessment in your own right, even if the person you care for does not wish to be assessed. Carers may also find it helpful to contact the Princess Royal Trust Hammersmith & Fulham Carers’ Centre on 020 8563 8014/8019. 
• We can also help with the move to sheltered or residential homes for those older people who need more care or support.
• We will arrange regular review meetings to ensure that the support provided is still required and that your needs continue to be met.
• We recognise that for some people there may come a time when it will not be possible to remain living at home safely. If this happens we will work, with you and your family or carers, to locate residential or nursing care alternatives.    

Extra-care Housing for Older People

Extra-care housing supports older peoples' choice to live independently providing them with their own flat, together with the security of help at hand when they need it.  This has been commisioned by Hammersmith and Fulham and  is managed by the Nottinghill Housing Trust. The scheme is for older people who can no longer manage tolive  in their present accommodation with out a high level of support. For more information ring the extra-care service manager on: 020 8563 9626

Are there charges for services?

• Some services are free, and there are charges for others. When we carry out your assessment, we will give you an information leaflet explaining our charges. 
• What you pay also depends on your individual circumstances. Someone from the financial assessment team will visit you at home to help you fill in the forms we need to work out what you should pay.

How do I contact the team?

You should first contact the Information and Assessment team who will take your details and arrange for an assessment.