| Home care for the disabled in the UK enables people | | | | Home care for the disabled in the UK helps disabled |
| with physical disabilities to live in their own homes. This | | | | people who need support, live in their own homes. |
| gives them a greater sense of freedom and wellbeing | | | | Some people with physical disabilities receive help from |
| than they would experience in a health facility. | | | | their family or friends. However, there are many who |
| UK Disability Statistics | | | | do not have this option. |
| It is estimated that 1 in 7 of the UK population has | | | | Home care for the disabled in the UK falls into two |
| some form of physical disability. Recent figures | | | | main categories; respite care and supported living. |
| suggest that:o A quarter of a million people in the UK | | | | Respite carers take over from the friend or family |
| used wheelchairso 1.57 million people in the UK have | | | | member who has primary responsibility for looking |
| hearing difficultieso 55,000 people in the UK are | | | | after the disabled person. This can be because the |
| registered as being deafo 157,000 people in the UK are | | | | main carer is temporarily incapacitated or because he |
| registered as being blind | | | | or she simply needs a break. |
| On top of these figures, there are a number of people | | | | Supported living usually takes place when a disabled |
| in the UK who have hidden disabilities. For instance:o 1.8 | | | | person has been discharged from hospital and has |
| million people in the UK have diabeteso Over 350,000 | | | | short term care needs. However, it can also take |
| people in the UK have epilepsy | | | | place on a longer term basis. |
| Home Care for the Disabled in the UK | | | | Home care workers for the disabled help out in a |
| Although many people who have physical disabilities | | | | number of ways. They can do housekeeping and also |
| are able to look after themselves, a number of them | | | | carry out routine personal care roles as well as health |
| rely on help from others. | | | | related services. |