Free, online tool helps Sefton residents to stay independent at home

Sefton Council is reminding residents that there is an easy way to find products and services to suit their health care needs online.

Launched last year, Ask SARA is designed to provide individuals with advice and signpost them towards equipment to help them to remain independent for longer.

The Ask SARA portal invites all visitors to the site to choose from a range of topics, before asking them a series of questions about their day-to-day lives and level of need. It will then provide personalised recommendations for products, including fall alarms, personal pendants, and walking aids.

Over the last 12 months, Ask SARA has provided guidance to over 2800 visitors to the website. By providing details on a wide range of products, it gives greater choice to individuals and their families when purchasing their own aids, and it empowers residents to manage their own care where possible.

Cllr Paul Cummins, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said:

“I’m very pleased that so many residents have already seen the benefits of Ask SARA.

“It is important that people in Sefton can access the best support for their own individual needs, and can refer into us in a range of different ways. This is exactly what the online self-assessment and information portal allows people to do.

“I would urge anyone who may be concerned about a friend or relatives’ ability to cope at home, or anyone who may be concerned about their own ability to live independently in future, to browse the portal to get familiar with types of support available.

“Everyone needs a little help at home sometimes and small aids and technological solutions can make our lives richer, easier and safer.”

The portal is free to use and can be accessed via https://www.sefton.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/adult-social-care/adults/independent-living/ .

If you are concerned about an adult, or need a social care assessment, please call Sefton Council on 0345 140 0845.