For people using Shared Lives
Shared Lives is where you can go and stay for a few hours, or overnight, or for a holiday, or you can live long term with a Carer and their family in their home.
Shared Lives is where you can go and stay for a few hours, or overnight, or for a holiday, or you can live long term with a Carer and their family in their home.
Shared Lives is used by adults aged 18 and over, and provides care and support for people with learning disabilities, young vulnerable adults, those with mental health issues, physical disabilities, older people over 65, individuals who have been discharged from hospital or have frequent admissions.
Shared Lives is used by adults aged 18 and over, and provides care and support for people with learning disabilities, young vulnerable adults, those with mental health issues, physical disabilities, older people over 65, individuals who have been discharged from hospital or have frequent admissions.
We have carers of all ages. Some are single, some are married with children, some are married but have no children, some are young adults, some are grandparents, some people work and some are full time at home. All Shared Lives carers are nice, caring people who are fully trained, experienced, approved and regulated carers.
We have carers of all ages. Some are single, some are married with children, some are married but have no children, some are young adults, some are grandparents, some people work and some are full time at home. All Shared Lives carers are nice, caring people who are fully trained, experienced, approved and regulated carers.
Yes, you could say if you wanted to stay in the same area as your family and friends live, or in the same area as you go to college in. We would try our very best to find you a home in the area you wanted, or if we couldn’t, then we would offer you a home in the area nearest to where you wanted to stay.
Yes, you could say if you wanted to stay in the same area as your family and friends live, or in the same area as you go to college in. We would try our very best to find you a home in the area you wanted, or if we couldn’t, then we would offer you a home in the area nearest to where you wanted to stay.
Yes, you and your family or Care Manager would have a ‘matching meeting’ with the carer first where you would meet them and look around their house and see what would be your bedroom.
You could have a few trial stays first before you agreed to stay overnight, or to stay long term, if you wanted to.
Yes, you and your family or Care Manager would have a ‘matching meeting’ with the carer first where you would meet them and look around their house and see what would be your bedroom.
You could have a few trial stays first before you agreed to stay overnight, or to stay long term, if you wanted to.
That is fine, it is your choice. We have some carers who don’t have any children, or their children are all grown up and no longer live at home. We also have some carers who don’t have any pets, so you don’t have to stay with animals if you really don’t like them.
That is fine, it is your choice. We have some carers who don’t have any children, or their children are all grown up and no longer live at home. We also have some carers who don’t have any pets, so you don’t have to stay with animals if you really don’t like them.
Yes, you would normally get your own bedroom to sleep in at the Shared Lives carer’s house. If you needed a downstairs bedroom, then we would try our best to find you one. If for any reason you were expected to share a bedroom with anyone, then you would be told first, and you could say no, that you didn’t want to stay in that home.
Yes, you would normally get your own bedroom to sleep in at the Shared Lives carer’s house. If you needed a downstairs bedroom, then we would try our best to find you one. If for any reason you were expected to share a bedroom with anyone, then you would be told first, and you could say no, that you didn’t want to stay in that home.
Yes, if you need help with washing and dressing, toileting, brushing your teeth, doing your hair, moving around, or help with taking any medicines, then your Shared Lives carer has had training in helping you with these daily jobs, and they would be kind and sensitive in helping you with them or you might just need someone to remind you to do your own daily care tasks by yourself each day.
Yes, if you need help with washing and dressing, toileting, brushing your teeth, doing your hair, moving around, or help with taking any medicines, then your Shared Lives carer has had training in helping you with these daily jobs, and they would be kind and sensitive in helping you with them or you might just need someone to remind you to do your own daily care tasks by yourself each day.
Yes, you can bring some of your own clothes, toiletries, possessions, TV, stereo, music and films with you to your Shared Lives carer’s home. But if the carer already has a TV, music and computer there, then you may be allowed to use theirs, instead of bringing your own.
The carer will provide you with a bed, furniture, curtains, bedding and towels.
Yes, you can bring some of your own clothes, toiletries, possessions, TV, stereo, music and films with you to your Shared Lives carer’s home. But if the carer already has a TV, music and computer there, then you may be allowed to use theirs, instead of bringing your own.
The carer will provide you with a bed, furniture, curtains, bedding and towels.
You can ask the Shared Lives carer if you could use their telephone and computer / internet. Some carers would let you make short local phone calls for free, but if you wanted to make long phone calls, or call long distance, then they might ask for some money towards the costs.
Also if you wanted to use the internet then many carers would let you, for short periods of time, if it was an appropriate / safe site, but if you wanted to spend a long time on the internet then they might ask you for some money towards the costs. Any of these details would be included in the contract that you sign with the carer.
You can ask the Shared Lives carer if you could use their telephone and computer / internet. Some carers would let you make short local phone calls for free, but if you wanted to make long phone calls, or call long distance, then they might ask for some money towards the costs.
Also if you wanted to use the internet then many carers would let you, for short periods of time, if it was an appropriate / safe site, but if you wanted to spend a long time on the internet then they might ask you for some money towards the costs. Any of these details would be included in the contract that you sign with the carer.
You could tell your carer what your favourite foods are and they could try and provide you with some of the meals that you like. But our carers do also need to give you a healthy and balanced diet and cannot buy really expensive foods all of the time. So you can talk about any of this with your carer, either in advance, or during your stay.
You could tell your carer what your favourite foods are and they could try and provide you with some of the meals that you like. But our carers do also need to give you a healthy and balanced diet and cannot buy really expensive foods all of the time. So you can talk about any of this with your carer, either in advance, or during your stay.
You could tell your carer what your favourite things to do are, and they can see if it is possible to do these things. If you wanted to go to the cinema or swimming or out for a meal etc. then you would be expected to pay for your own meals and drinks and admission fees yourself, out of your own money / benefits.
If you normally go to a day centre then it may not always be possible to go there whilst you are having a holiday with your Shared Lives carer, due to the travel costs, or the distance involved.
You could tell your carer what your favourite things to do are, and they can see if it is possible to do these things. If you wanted to go to the cinema or swimming or out for a meal etc. then you would be expected to pay for your own meals and drinks and admission fees yourself, out of your own money / benefits.
If you normally go to a day centre then it may not always be possible to go there whilst you are having a holiday with your Shared Lives carer, due to the travel costs, or the distance involved.
Normally your family, or yourself, or someone else, would contact the Adult Helpdesk on 01452 426868 and request a social care assessment for you.
You would then have a meeting with a Care Manager and they would apply for the money so that Gloucestershire County Council paid for the cost of you staying with the carer.
As long as you don’t have a lot of money in savings and you meet the requirements for a funded service, then Gloucestershire County Council should pay for your care. Shared Lives has it’s own fee levels that they would share with your Care Manager. Shared Lives can also accept privately funded placements if they still qualify to receive a service.
Normally your family, or yourself, or someone else, would contact the Adult Helpdesk on 01452 426868 and request a social care assessment for you.
You would then have a meeting with a Care Manager and they would apply for the money so that Gloucestershire County Council paid for the cost of you staying with the carer.
As long as you don’t have a lot of money in savings and you meet the requirements for a funded service, then Gloucestershire County Council should pay for your care. Shared Lives has it’s own fee levels that they would share with your Care Manager. Shared Lives can also accept privately funded placements if they still qualify to receive a service.
You would have a benefits assessment under Gloucestershire County Council’s benefits team (FAB Team). The benefits team would tell you in writing if you had to pay an amount towards the cost of your Shared Lives service.
All adults receiving a care service are expected to contribute something if they receive enough money each week in benefits.
You would have a benefits assessment under Gloucestershire County Council’s benefits team (FAB Team). The benefits team would tell you in writing if you had to pay an amount towards the cost of your Shared Lives service.
All adults receiving a care service are expected to contribute something if they receive enough money each week in benefits.
You could tell your family and Care Manager and they would arrange a date with the carer, for you to leave the carer's home. The notice period is talked about in the contract.
You could tell your family and Care Manager and they would arrange a date with the carer, for you to leave the carer's home. The notice period is talked about in the contract.
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