Older Peoples Day Care Support Services

The day care support service is designed for older adults, primarily 65 and over, whom following an outcome based "All About Me: What I Need" assessment, have been identified as having needs which are critical or substantial.

The centre-based service is for older adults living in their own homes, alone or with family, or in sheltered/supported housing settings. The service will provide a person-centred, outcome focused approach through the care and support provided, i.e. quality care which is tailored to individual needs and outcomes. The service will provide care and support which enables individuals to have as good a quality of life as possible by providing meaningful activities, learning opportunities, socialisation, encouraging independence and reablement in order that they can remain as active as possible for as long as possible. The day support service will support the individuals physical and mental health and well-being through a reduction in social isolation and community involvement and engage older people in their local community by providing places in which to socialise, learn or re-learn skills for daily living.

Those using the service will have a voice in how it is run and which activities are offered. The service will be run by qualified, dedicated and experienced staff, supported by trained volunteers. The service will offer mental stimulation and physical activity sessions suitable for varied abilities and interests, at a level appropriate to the needs of the individual.

The following is a list of meaningful activity examples which is not exhaustive: Art and craft therapy, seated exercise, music, singing, quizzes, falls prevention, reminiscence sessions, digital engagement, interactive games, music, outings, entertainment, game shows, nail care/manicure, relaxation therapies, reading, discussion groups, gardening, music and movement, musical instruments, outings, individual and group activities.

Nutritionally balanced meals and snacks will be provided, with individual dietary, religious and cultural needs catered for.

The day support service shall include working with and assisting the Service User to achieve their activities of daily living. The list includes but is not exhaustive: -

Assistance/support with maintaining personal hygiene ;

Addressing continence needs and assisting with continence management including necessary cleaning and safe disposal of waste;

Support with eating and drinking, including food and/or drink preparation;

Prompting, supporting or administering non-invasive prescribed medication with parameters defined by WLHSCP approved Medication Management Policy ;

Achieving maximum mobility, using appropriate equipment where necessary ; and

Support with managing behaviours which challenge.

Following a social work assessment, unpaid carers will be supported to help sustain their caring role which may involve an additional day for the individual to attend day support services to offer the carer respite. The specific days and times which the Service will operate will be agreed in the individual service contracts. Whist WLHSCP provides day care in locations across the authority, with service users concentrated in Livingston and considering travelling issues the Building will be required to be located in Livingston.

The following mandatory criteria must be met :

Registered with the Care Inspectorate as a Provider of Support Services (not Care at Home) ;

Adhere to the requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or other appropriate regulatory body ;

Provide an accessible and safe building from which to deliver the service, which meets all appropriate legislative and regulatory standards.