Contact adult services

Please go to our webpage on social care needs assessment for information on:

• the assessment process
• the information we need from you when you contact us
• contact information

If you have had a care needs assessment but have capital and/or savings of more than £23,250 you will probably pay the full cost of your care until your capital / savings drop below this.

We recommend contacting us when your capital is approximately £28,000.

Contact us about approaching funding threshold - online form

Telephone: 0345 045 5202, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

More information on paying for care.

Please visit our webpage on occupational therapy before you request an assessment.

If you are struggling to carry out everyday tasks, the Safe and Well website may be able to help in the first instance.

Our equipment and technology webpage has information on:

• gadgets and devices
• wheelchairs and walking aids

You can also find out about Technology-enabled care such as alarms (lifelines), alarms and detectors.

You can find information about home adaptations in our living independently webpage.

Age UK's handyperson service can fit grab rails for you for free. You can also buy grab rails and ramps from specialist suppliers or large online retailers.

You can find out more about support for carers, and carers assessments on our looking after someone webpage.

Falls are a leading cause of hospitalisation of older people. Many people will never be well enough to return home again after a fall. There are steps to take to reduce the risk of a loved one falling.

Steady on Your Feet can give advice on how to reduce the risk of having a fall.

Go to Stronger for Longer information (Be Well website) to find out how strength and balance exercises can help keep you safe also.

You can contact the Cambridgeshire Falls Prevention team for more advice. 

Age UK's handyperson service can fit grab rails for you for free. You can also buy grab rails and ramps from specialist suppliers or large online retailers.

Self-neglect includes:

• neglecting personal hygiene
• dressing inappropriately for weather conditions
• failing to manage medical conditions
• not eating or drinking properly
• hoarding

There could be a range of reasons why people stop looking after themselves.

The fire service can carry out a Safe and Well visit for those at risk of fires or accidents caused by hoarding. They can also advise on safety in the home, falls prevention, home security and scam prevention.

Equipment and technology allow many people to remain living independently. Daily living aids can help people to carry out tasks around the home. Lifelines can provide reassurance to family members that a loved one is safe.

The Keep Your Head website has information on mental health.

Contact us if someone is at risk

If you are concerned that someone is a risk to themselves because of self-neglect, please contact us:

Tell us that someone is at risk due to self-neglect - online contact form

Telephone: 0345 045 5202
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

There are lots of things which can cause memory loss, and many are treatable.

• NHS information on memory loss.
• Information about dementia.

A GP appointment would be the first step to getting help.

Contact us if someone is at risk

If you are concerned that someone is a risk to themselves because they are becoming forgetful, please contact us:

Tell us that someone is at risk due to forgetfulness - online contact form

Telephone: 0345 045 5202
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Equipment and technology to help people stay independent at home

Our equipment and technology webpage has information on:

• gadgets and devices
• wheelchairs and walking aids

Technology-enabled care includes alarms (lifelines), alarms and detectors.

There is information about home adaptations in our living independently webpage.

Age UK's handperson service can fit grab rails for you for free. You can also buy grab rails and ramps from specialist suppliers or large online retailers.

Leaving the house

See our information on getting out and about.

Staying connected at home

Our webpage on tackling loneliness and isolation has information on to stay in touch with people from home.

There are mobile warden services across Cambridgeshire.

Our Library at Home service uses a network of volunteers to take books to people who are unable to leave their homes.

Around 5% of adults in England report feeling lonely "often" or "always". Those who are widowed, or who report poor health, are more at risk of loneliness.

Find out about support for loneliness.

In Cambridgeshire, district councils are responsible for emergency housing and homelessness. They also have housing officers who can provide information and advice on housing issues.

• Cambridge City housing information
• East Cambs housing information
• South Cambs housing information
• Hunts housing information
• Fenland housing information

Cambridgeshire County Council doesn't provide money or debt advice. But you can find information on services which can help in our support with the cost of living and money and benefit information for adults and older people webpages.

'Payday' or short term loans

Payday loans are lenders who charge very high interest rates for short term borrowing. Using payday loans can lead to serious debt problems if you miss a repayment.

What you need to know about payday loans - Money Helper website

Loan sharks - illegal money lenders

Loan sharks may seem helpful at first, but can resort to threats or violence if you miss repayments.

How to spot a loan shark - Money Helper website

Credit unions

Credit unions are financial organisations which are set up to help people rather than make a profit. They aim to offer loans, encourage people to save and to help those who need financial assistance.

They are a cheaper, safer way to borrow than payday loans or loan sharks.

Members of credit unions have something in common. This could be living in a certain area, working for a certain employer, or in a particular industry.

Search for a credit union.

Who can help?

You can find information on budgeting loans and financial help on the Gov.uk website.

Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme can provide a safety net to people facing unexpected financial difficulties and hardship.

The Money Advice Service has free and impartial information. There is a helpline and online chat function.

You can also contact your local Citizens Advice for advice.

We have information about help with utility bills in our cost of living support section.

Citizens Advice can help if you are struggling to pay energy bills.

Utility providers have to help you come to a solution. Talk to them as soon as possible if you are having problems.

Food banks

Food banks provide emergency food supplies for people in crisis. The Trussell Trust runs a network of over 400 foodbanks including many in Cambridgeshire. You may need a foodbank voucher - contact the foodbank for more information.

Find a foodbank near you - Trussell Trust website

There is more information about help with food, meals and shopping in our webpages about support with the cost of living.

Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Abuse can be:

• psychological
• physical
• sexual
• financial
• emotional

In an emergency

If someone is at risk of immediate harm, dial 999 and ask for the police.

Report abuse of an 'adult at risk'

Some adults with care or support needs are at a higher risk of abuse. These people are known as 'adults at risk.'

Please tell us if you are aware of abuse or potential abuse of an adult at risk.

Report domestic abuse for all other adults

To report abuse of someone who is not an adult at risk, please contact the police.

There is information about domestic abuse on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website.

Information about domestic abuse is available from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Violence Partnership.

Safe Spaces

There are Safe Spaces Locations for people experiencing domestic abuse in pharmacies and other organisations across the UK. You can ask to use the safe space, where there will be specialist information around getting help.

In Cambridgeshire, mental health support is not part of adult social care. If you are being supported with your mental health, please contact the team which is supporting you for further help or advice.

If you or someone you know, is thinking of hurting themselves, has made threats to hurt you or someone else, and is feeling distress that seems overwhelming or suicide seems the only option: there are many organisations that can help with these feelings.

Contact the NHS First Response Service for mental health support for yourself, or on behalf of someone else. Dial 111 and select the mental health option when prompted. The phone line is available 24 hours a day.

A GP can also help with services, support and medication around mental health.

For more general information on support around mental health in Cambridgeshire, go to the Keep Your Head website .