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A - Z Information Directory


Please click on a letter below to find the service you are interested in.

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H

Health Costs
Dental check-ups and eye tests are free to people over 60 in Wales.  People in receipt of Guarantee Credit receive NHS dental treatment for free and vouchers towards the cost of glasses.  For other people over 60 on a low income and with less than £17,250 in capital (£22,000 if in residential care) more limited help maybe available.  They should complete from HC1 available from Jobcentre Plus offices, opticians and dentists.  For advice contact Health Costs Advice Line.

Free prescriptions introduced April 2007 for everyone registered with a Welsh GP practice, or any Welsh patients registered with an English practice.

Health Services
For information about local health services contact your Local Health Board, who maintains lists of local dentists (including those who will do NHS work and home visits), GPs, optometrists, etc. Community Health Councils are the local health watchdogs and advise on making complaints about NHS services.

Hearing impairment
NHS hearing aids available free via GP referral to an audiology clinic.  Repairs and batteries are usually free via the clinic – some operate a postal repair service for those unable to attend in person.  Hearing aids can also be bought privately.  Aids such as adapted telephones and door bells are available through Social Services (Hearing Impairment Team).

For further information contact RNID or Wales Council for the Deaf.  

Heating
See ‘Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES)’.  Heating installation or boiler repairs may take up to 2 months under HEES, so not suitable in an emergency.  If people can’t afford repairs or replacement, they may try claiming a Social Fund payment.

For people ineligible for HEES, SWALEC and other providers may give partial grants to their customers for insulation.

Disabled Facilities Grants via Social Services departments may be available to people unable to use their current heating system due to disability or help may be available through gas/electricity suppliers via their Priority Service Register – contact your supplier.

See also Factsheet 1 - 'Help with Heating Costs'.


Holidays
See Age Concern’s Information Sheet 6 - 'Planning a Holiday'.

Social Services departments may arrange a holiday for people who are ill or disabled.  Other holdiay options can be found below:

The National Benevolent Fund for the Aged offers free one week holidays in Britain to older people on a low income.

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) offer holidays to some ex-miners and their dependents.

Edwards Coaches is a popular local travel company and has local pick-up points available.

The Glamorgan Holiday Hotel and The Rest, both in Porthcawl, offer facilities for people with disabilities.


Home Care
For help with personal care contact Social Services Departments for an assessment.  Weekly charges apply to Social Services – these are means-tested.

Temporary help following a hospital stay may be availabe via the Hospital Discharge Service of Age Concern Morgannwg.

Also see Age Concern factsheets:
Factsheet 32 - 'Disability and Ageing: Your Rights to Social Services'
Factsheet 41 - 'Local Authority Assessment for Community Care Services'.

Private agency list available from Age Concern Morgannwg. 

Home Repairs/Maintenance
Care & Repair schemes offer free advice to older homeowners and help with applications for grants.

Tenants having problems with disrepair can contact Shelter Cymru for help. 

See Age Concern Factsheet 35 - 'Tenants’ Rights - Rents.


Hospitals
For contact details of local hospitals, visit your Local Health Board webiste below:

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board

Cwm Taf Health Board


Housing
To find accommodation for rent, contact local Housing Associations or your local authority housing offices for an application form. The completed application will be assessed and a number of points allocated according to need.  Those with the highest number of points will be offered housing first.  For retirement housing to buy or rent, see Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC).

The Housing Advice Centre run by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council will give general advice about council, housing association and private housing sectors.
Telephone: 01443 485515 

For information and advice on homelessness/housing issues contact Shelter Cymru.

Other information available from:
Age Concern Factsheet 8 ‘Council and Housing Association Housing’.
Age Concern Factsheet 50 'Housing Options'.


Housing Associations
For further information click on one of the Housing Associations listed below:

Aelwyd Housing Association
Cynon Taff Community Housing Group
Hafod Housing Association
 Linc-Cymru Housing Association
Merthyr Tydfil Homes
Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association
Newydd Housing Association
RCT Homes
Rhondda Housing Association
United Welsh Housing Association
Valleys to Coast Housing Association
Wales & West Housing Association


Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit
For more details contact your local authority.

Housing Grants
For Disabled Facilities Grants contact your local Social Services.

For renovation grants and improvement grants (eligibility depends on income, age and benefits) contact the grants office at your local authority or Care and Repair.

See Age Concern Factsheet 13  'Funding Repairs, Improvements and Adaptations'.