Luton Borough Council

Extra help after a fall or medical crisis

On this page you’ll find information on the support services that are available after a hospital stay or after an accident or illness at home or in the community.

What type of support is available?

If you’ve just had a stay in hospital, or have had a fall or medical crisis at home or in the community you may need some support to help you regain your independence.
Here are some examples of the types of support that are available:

Open all

Assistive Technology

This includes technology which can help you remain independent and safe at home. Examples include pendant alarms, which you can use to alert people if you need assistance, and fall detectors which will automatically signal for help if you fall.

Equipment aids and adaptations

These can include grab rails, toilet frames and kitchen trollies and are physical adaptations to your home or pieces of equipment, which can help you manage daily tasks at home.

Reablement

This is when a reablement worker visits you at home to practice daily skills so you can regain your independence. As long as it’s safe and practical we’ll try to support you in your own home.

Therapy Services

This can include community occupational therapists and physiotherapists who can help improve your mobility as well as ensuring you are able to manage daily activities.

Medical services

This includes visits from community nurses who will support you with any ongoing health conditions.

Step Down Flats

These are short term rehabilitation flats for people who have been discharged from hospital but cannot manage at home immediately after an accident or medical crisis. The flats have 24 hour support and specialist equipment to help people regain their independence and are available for up to 6 weeks.

Step Up Flats

This is short term accommodation for people who can’t manage at home after a medical crisis or accident in the community but they don’t need to be admitted to hospital. Like the Step Down flats, they have 24 hour support and specialist equipment and enable people to regain their independence so they can return home.

What is reablement?

Reablement is a support and personal care service. Reablement staff will work with you at home to learn and practice the skills you need to become independent again after an accident or medical crisis. The aim is that you will work towards being able to do as much as possible for yourself.

Reablement staff will encourage you to do as much as you can. They might start by supporting you to do a small part of a bigger task and will practice with you so you can do a little bit more each day.

For example, if you’ve had a stroke which affects one side of your body, the Reablement team will help you to re-learn daily tasks such as getting dressed or washing. They will break down a task like getting dressed and help you master each step until you are able to do as much as possible yourself.

Here are some examples of the activities a reablement worker will help you to do again:

personal care, like washing and dressing
getting up and about
preparing meals
improving your mobility through exercise
living an active lifestyle

Reablement workers will also work with other short term support staff, like occupational therapists, to make sure you have all the equipment you need to regain your independence.

What if I can’t manage at home after an accident or medical crisis?

If you are discharged from hospital but you can’t manage at home immediately then we may be able to offer you a stay in one of our ‘step down flats’.

A step down flat is a rehabilitation flat which is equipped with a hospital bed, level access shower and other equipment to help you to become independent. You will still receive the same short term support mentioned above but you’ll also have access to 24 hour support, in case of an emergency like a fall.

You’ll also work with care staff who will help you to plan for your future housing needs. It may be that you will need to consider moving to an extra care home or sheltered housing. Care staff will work with you to consider what is best for you and will help you plan for your future.

Like reablement at home, this service is free of charge for a maximum of six weeks. You won’t be able to stay in the step down flat longer than the agreed period so your care worker will work with you to plan for your return home.

How long does reablement and rehabilitation support last?

Reablement and rehabilitation services can last for up to six weeks. How long your short term support will last will depend on your progress. Most people will only need to use the service for a maximum of six weeks but if you need long term care and support there may be a charge.

If you need longer term care and support follow this link to find more information on how to access support, and who is eligible.

Do I have to pay for reablement or rehabilitation?

Reablement and rehabilitation services are free for up to six weeks. If you require long term care and support then you may have to contribute towards the cost of your care.

You’ll have a financial assessment to find out how much you will need to contribute. After the financial assessment you may be asked to contribute; all of it, some of it or nothing at all.

Follow this link to find out how we calculate your contribution.

How do I access short-term support services?

Reablement and rehabilitation services can be offered when you are discharged from hospital but if you think you may need to access these services you can contact us to find out if you are eligible.