did you know that if you receive social care, that is the council send in carers to help you dress, clean the house, shop, prepare food, take you out etc. that you are eligible to have the money paid directly to you so you can choose your own carers or PA's as the council free ones like to be called! it is called self directed support(SDS), it has been used within adult services for a while now and the trials have now finished within mental health here in london, it is being rolled out this year for all mental health patients. so if you have difficulty going out alone, keeping your house staight, difficulty caring for yourself etc you could be eligible. i was on the trial, it is fantastic, you can choose who looks after you,what times they come and go, wether you want responsibility for the paying of your carer or if you want either a nominated person or a broker/payroll service to look after that side of things, you can even choose how you spend the money as long as your agreed needs are met! their idea is that you can use it creatively and get 'more for your money'
talk to your care manager today, who knows it could change your life!!
check out the details on http://www.ruils.co.uk this site is Richmons specific but gives the details of both SDS And DP which should apply within your own council