Council launches extra support to help adults stay independent for longer ​

Buckinghamshire Council is launching a range of new online resources designed to help adults who need some extra support to maintain their independence for as long as possible.

The council supports more than 5,000 adults at any one time, with varying degrees of extra help, including providing care packages to those who need it. Our overarching aim is to provide the right care to allow people to maintain their independence for as long as possible, and for our residents to feel that they are managing and directing their own care needs.

The improved website content makes it easier for people to get online information and advice about their adult social care needs. We have also listened to and worked with carers to introduce new online support for them too.  

The new-look Care Advice Bucks website includes content that outlines how a resident goes through the care assessment process, how individuals can arrange and pay for their care and guidance on what home support and equipment is available, as well as some helpful health and wellbeing advice.

Alongside this, the council has also improved the online resources available to carers in Buckinghamshire too, joining up for the first time with 'Mobilise', providers of specialist online support for people who are caring for others including family, friends or neighbours who could not manage without this unpaid support because of a disability, illness or vulnerability.  'Mobilise' offers Buckinghamshire carers free access to online information and resources, support sessions, one to one support from a dedicated carers coach and access to a network of other carers to provide invaluable support and a listening ear.

We are also offering free fact sheets that have been co-designed with residents, and an online care directory that helps our residents to find professional health and care services, equipment and resources, such as:

• home care services   

• housing and residential equipment   

• living aids    

Angela Macpherson is Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing.

She said: "There are a host of reasons why an adult may need to access our services for help and support; sometimes this is short term, sometimes it's needed for longer. For the vast majority of the people we help, maintaining their independence is a priority and directly benefits their physical and mental health.

This is why we've put together a range of new resources designed to help our residents seek out the right support for them, helping them to be proactive and feel in control of their care.

We've listened to both residents and carers with the aim of designing this new support with them, for them, directly informed by what they have told us they need and want from the council. I really hope these new resources make a significant difference to the experiences of both those we support, and carers across Buckinghamshire."