Senior Citizens Open Forum
for the Northern Parishes

Making Decisions about your Health, Welfare and Finances
Who decides when you can't?

At a recent meeting, Mike Wooldridge of the Wokingham Borough Social Services talked about the implications of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which came into effect this year. Presently over 2 million people in England and Wales are affected due to learning disabilities, dementia, mental health difficulties or brain injury. This affects up to 6 million family carers, carers, health and social care staff. Information on the new Act is available from the Public Guardianship Office. Tel: 0845 330 2900 or on the web site at www.guardianship.gov.uk.

Community Care - The future

Earlier this year the Borough Council decided that, owing to the lack of adequate government funding and the continuous growth in the number of older people, the Council would provide adult social care services only for people assessed as having 'critical' needs. Those with 'substantial' and 'moderate' needs would receive support from 'alternative' sources. At the meeting in November, John Ferguson, Chairman of the Voluntary Sector Forum, spoke about the provision of community care in the future.

Meetings of SCOF are held at St Thomas More Church Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford. Contact Lyn Buddell, Age Concern Twyford & District, Tel: 0118 934 xxxx, for further information.