Support for you at every stage of your Parkinson’s journey
UK Government and Department for Work and Pensions
- DWP information on Working Age benefits
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Statutory Sick Pay
https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
Jobseeker’s Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance
Universal Credit
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Employment Support Allowance (Income and contribution based)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
Carer’s Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
Note that different rules apply for Carer’s Allowance depending on whether you are older or younger than State Pension age.
Carer’s Credit
If you are of working age and you have caring responsibilities for more than 20 hours per week, you may be entitled to Carer’s Credit which tops up your National Insurance contributions, preserving your levels of State Pension. See https://www.gov.uk/carers-credit
Personal Independence Payment
Don’t forget that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may be available to people of working age: https://www.gov.uk/pip
- DWP benefits after retirement
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Attendance Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance
Pension Credit
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit
Carer’s Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
Note that different rules apply for Carer’s Allowance depending on whether you are older or younger than State Pension age.
Personal Independence Payment
National Health Service in Oxfordshire
- Community Neurological Nurse Service (Parkinson’s Nurses)
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https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/services/departments/neurosciences/specialist-nurses/community-neurology.aspx
- Physical Disability Physiotherapy Service (PDPS)
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https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/service_description/physiotherapy-neurophysio/
Who do they see?
- Adults with an Oxfordshire GP
- People with long term neurological disability
- People newly diagnosed with a progressive neurological condition
Who can refer to the service?
There is open access to this service. This can include referrals from yourself, professionals or from your carers.To get a referral, visit the website link.
- Speech and Language Therapy
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https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/service_description/adult-speech-language-therapy-service/
This service has an open referral system, accepting referrals from all health professionals or directly from the client or family.
Special services are also available at Oxford Centre for Enablement. Referrals to this service are also available via your Parkinson’s Nurse or GP Consultant or Speech Therapist.
- Wheelchair Service
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https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/oce/services/wheelchair-service/
You can be referred to this service via your GP or your Parkinson’s Nurse after you have discussed your needs with them.
- Bladder and Bowel Service
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https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/service_description/continence-advisory-service-oxfordshire/
This service provides clinics all over Oxfordshire, and in some cases can do home visits.
Self-referral is available for over-65s only: call 01865 904467 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Your GP or Parkinson’s Nurse may also be able to refer you.
- Falls Prevention Service
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https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/service_description/falls-service/
Falls are not only the result of getting older. Many falls can be prevented. The Falls Service offers help and advice to help older people avoid falls and to regain confidence if they have fallen. Their emphasis is on assessment, rehabilitation and exercise as this is the most important intervention that helps to reduce falls and fractures.
- Continuing Health Care information from NHS Oxfordshire CCG
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https://www.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk/your-health/continuing-healthcare.htm
Continuing Health Care is funding for health care needs, either in your home or in a nursing home, and is not means tested.
If you think you could be eligible, please discuss with your GP and Parkinson’s nurse or contact the Parkinson’s UK Helpline 0808 800 0303 and ask for the Care Adviser.
Oxfordshire County Council including Social Services
- Main website and Single Point of Access
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Website: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/services
Single Point of Access phone number: 0345 050 7666
- Livewell Oxfordshire Guide
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Livewell Oxfordshire is an online information tool provided by Oxfordshire Social services to help you search for services in Oxfordshire.
https://livewell.oxfordshire.gov.uk/
It’s also available as an e-book: https://www.carechoices.co.uk/publication/oxfordshire-care-services-directory/ and you can order a copy through that link or the Single Point of Access phone number 0345 050 7666.
- Adult Care Needs assessment
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You have the right to an assessment, no matter what your ability is to pay for the care you may need. If you need help due to:
- Frailty because of old age
- A short-term illness or injury
- Permanent, substantial physical disabilities
You can request an assessment through the Adult Social Care Team. Telephone 0345 050 7666 and choose the Adult Services option, or apply online:
- Disability and Sensory Loss services
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These services aim to promote independence for people with disabilities. There is more information on the web at:
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/sensory-impairment
You can can contact the Hearing Impairment Team by phone 01865 894925, text message to 07713 329501, or by email: hearing.impairment@oxfordshire.gov.uk
For the Visual Impairment Team, phone 01865 894935, or email: visual.impairment@oxfordshire.gov.uk
- Travel and Blue Badge parking permits
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If you are disabled, a Blue Badge helps you to park closer to your destination when travelling as either a driver or a passenger. A new or renewed blue badge costs £10. When applying you’ll answer questions about your eligibility for a Blue Badge.
If you are unable to complete do an online application form, you can telephone 0345 050 7666 and choose the Blue Badge option.
Also you can apply for Older Person’s bus passes, Disabled Person’s bus passes or a Companion bus pass (for someone who is not eligible for a bus pass but can travel with you on the bus if you need someone).
- Occupational Therapy services
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Oxfordshire Social Services’ occupational therapy service can help you with:
- Providing equipment in your home
- Advising where to buy equipment
- Advice on alterations to your home
- Finding alternative ways to carry out day to day tasks
- Information and how to apply
You can find more details online at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/social-and-health-care/living-home/equipment-aids-and-adaptations/home-assessment or you can telephone 0345 050 7666 and choose the Adult Services and then Occupational Therapy options.
You can refer yourself. Alternatively, family and friends, your social worker or carer, and your nurse or GP can refer you.
- Telecare service
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for monitoring you in your own home via an alarm service to deal with falls or other emergencies:
- Assistive technology
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For gadgets to help you at home
- Move Together
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This initiative, funded by Oxfordshire County Council and coordinated by Active Oxfordshire, is a new programme to get everyone active. It is based on the idea that activity is always a good thing, provided it is tailored to your health and physical condition.
To learn more about Move Together, use the form on their website https://movetogether.org.uk/.
Parkinson’s UK, our national charity
- Parkinson’s UK Help
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Our parent charity Parkinson’s UK has a Helpline 0808 800 0303 which is a free and confidential service providing support to anyone affected by Parkinson’s. You can also contact them by email hello@parkinsons.org.uk or by text relay (for Textphone users only): 18001 0808 800 0303
The Helpline can offer assistance with applying for benefits.
The shop https://shop.parkinsons.org.uk/ offers free Factsheets on many benefits, as well as a huge range of other valuable information.
- First Steps: guidance for newly diagnosed
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Parkinson’s UK’s short course for anyone who has recently received a Parkinson’s diagnosis
- Parkinson’s UK information on PIP
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Extensive help with applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP): https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/personal-independence-payment
- Help with benefits for those over State Pension age
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Trustworthy information on the many benefits available:
- Attendance Allowance https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/attendance-allowance
- Pension Credit https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/pension-credit
- Carer’s Allowance https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/carers-allowance
- Parkinson’s UK information on working age benefits
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https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/benefits-working-age-people provides information on:
- Statutory Sick Pay
- Jobseekers allowance
- Employment Support Allowance
- Universal credit
- RADAR key for disabled toilets
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It’s always worth taking a look at the Parkinson’s UK shop, as it has lots of useful information and products.
This may be particularly useful, allowing you to use a nationwide network of accessible toilets: https://shop.parkinsons.org.uk/products/brass-radar-key
AgeUK Oxfordshire
- Support with caring from AgeUK Oxfordshire
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Action for Carers
A comprehensive service of guidance and support for carers, including the helpful regular newsletter Care Matters: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/action-for-carers-oxfordshire/
From there you can also access the Carers Oxfordshire website which includes information about the free training courses A Carer’s Journey.
Dementia Oxfordshire
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/dementia-oxfordshire/
Home share
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/homeshare-oxfordshire/
- Be prepared for emergencies: advice and toolkit from Carers Oxfordshire
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Preparation can make things far easier for you and those who support you if an emergency arises. Although it can sometimes be uncomfortable to think about such things, a little time thinking about your plans will provide enormous benefits in difficult or stressful situations.
Carers Oxfordshire provides a comprehensive toolkit, including a document that you can personalise to meet your own needs. You can find it at this link (opens in new window).
- Useful advice and guidance from AgeUK Oxfordshire
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Information and Advice
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/information-and-advice/
Community Links Oxfordshire
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/community-links-oxfordshire/
NHS Continuing Healthcare Advice
Guidance on the CHC system: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/nhs-continuing-healthcare/
- AgeUK Oxfordshire’s Physical Activity Team
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Age UK Oxfordshire’s Physical Activity service wants to support you in maintaining health, mobility, and independence, and to keep doing what you love for longer.
Many members of our Branch regularly enjoy their Big Bold and Balance classes.
- Practical support from AgeUK Oxfordshire
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Home Support Options
including nail cutting and support at home: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/home_support/
Phone Friends
A friendly voice at the end of the phone: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/phone-friends/
Social prescribing
Helping you to live life to the full: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/social-prescribing/
The Age Friendly Creative Network
Access to creative and cultural opportunities: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/the-oxfordshire-age-friendly-creative-network-oafcn
Tech Buddy
Helping you to be involved, safely, with the online world in which we all now live: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/tech-buddy/
- Bereavement support
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AgeUK Oxfordshire’s Bereavement Support Service offers the chance for you to get together at regular walks, pub lunches and other social activities. The support line is available Monday to Friday, where you can talk to a team member.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/our-services/bereavement-support or phone 01235 426600 (Monday to Friday)
Parkinson’s UK Oxford Branch
- The Oxford Branch of Parkinson’s UK
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Our website
You can find up-to-date information on all our activities at https://oxfordparkinsons.org.uk
- Financial support for respite care
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Carers sometimes need a break. We can help, with financial grants towards the cost of respite care.
Information and application form
- Mindfulness
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We are very fortunate in having access to a mindfulness expert, Azizë Stirling. She has been astonishingly creative in developing online mindfulness courses during Covid times, and in seeking funding to make the classes more affordable.
You can find more about her work, details of the classes, and her reports on their results here on our website.