The following links will provide you with a good starting point but they are not intended to be all-inclusive. Most of the websites listed will have links to other sites. If you speak to someone from a Helpline who cannot answer your questions, they may be able to direct you to someone who can.
This section begins by offering a quick review of the basic ways you could start your search. Please tell us what you think of the sites you visit, or sites that you think would be helpful to other users, at info@caringinfo.com
Tracing lost pensions, savings or investments
Health and medicines information
Places to go form information on common conditions
Internet Search Guides
For basic tips and guides on searching the internet, visit some of the following sites:
A basic tutorial on searching the Web
www.sc.edu/beaufort/library/pages/bones/bones.shtml
Ask Bruce at BBC on the internet
www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/search/index.shtml
Power searching for anyone
www.searchenginewatch.com/facts
Search Engines
Use search engines as part of your internet search. If you cannot find what you are looking for from the gateways.
Google
www.google.co.uk
AllTheWeb
www.alltheweb.com
Yahoo
www.yahoo.com
Helpline Search Tools
Directories of self-help groups and patient support groups are available from:
Patient UK
www.patient.co.uk/selfhelp.asp
Telephone Helplines Association
www.helplines.org.uk
UK Self Help
www.ukselfhelp.info
Find support national directory
www.findsupport.co.uk
Social Care
Age Concern England
www.ageconcern.org.uk
Tel: 0800 00 99 66
Age Concern produces in excess of 40 comprehensive factsheets designed to help answer many of the questions older people – or those advising them – may have.
Alzheimer’s Society
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Tel: 0845 300 0336
Guidance and support for people with dementia and their carers, and a wide range of factsheets.
Assist UK
www.assist-uk.org
Tel: 0870 770 2866
Email: general.info@assist-uk.org
Assist UK leads a UK wide network of locally-situated Disabled Living Centre. Each centre includes a permanent exhibition of products and equioment that provide people with opportunities to see and try products and equipment and get information and advice from professional staff about what might suit them best.
Atdementia
www.atdementia.org.uk
Trent Dementia Services Development Centre has been funded by the Department of Health to develop this website providing user-friendly information about assistive technology for people with dementia.
Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance Helpline
www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport
Tel: 0845 712 3456 (local rates)
For enquiries and basic information about disability living allowance, attendance allowance and other disability benefits.
Benefits Enquiry Line
www.direct.gov.uk/disability-money
Tel: 0800 88 22 00
Email: bel-Customer-Service@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
For information on all benefits for the disabled and their carers. Advice, leaflet and forms are available, but they do not have access to your personal records and cannot give personal advice.
Care Quality Commission
www.cqc.org.uk
Tel: 03000 616161
Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. It aims to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that’s in hospital, in care homes, in people’s own homes, or elsewhere. CQC regulate health and adult social care services, whether provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. And, they protect the rights of people detained under the Mental Health Act.
Carer’s Allowance – Enquiries
www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone
Tel: 01253 856123
Information regarding Carer’s Allowance, the main state benefit for carers, including eligibility and how to make a claim.
Carers UK
www.carersonline.org.uk
Tel: 0808 808 7777
Email: info@carersuk.org
Advice and information on caring, including benefits
Continence Foundation
www.continence-foundation.org.uk
Tel: 0845 3450165
Email: continence-help@dial.pipex.com
Help for people who have any problem with their bladded or bowels, including those who need adaptations to their home or their clothes to make going to the toilet easier, or have a learning difficulty or memory problems that affect their ability to use the toilet.
Counsel and Care
www.counselandcare.org.uk
Tel: 0845 300 7585
Email: advice@counselandcare.org.uk
Provides advice and inforamtion to older people, their carers and relatives.
Crossraods: Caring for carers
www.crossroads.org.uk
Tel: 0845 4500350
Crossroads services give carers time to be themselves and have a break from their caring resonsibilities. Every scheme provides practical support where and when it is most neede - usually in the home.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
www.dwp.gov.uk
Tel: 0800 882200 (freephone)
Provides information about how residential care affects your pensions and benefits and general advice on services and benefits. Leaflets and cliam forms cane be downloaded from this website.
Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)
www.dlf.org.uk
Tel: 0845 130 9177
Email: advice@dlf.org.uk
A national charity that provides free and unbiased advice about all types of disability equipment and mobility products for older and disabled peole, their carers and families.
Disabled Person's Railcard
www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
Tel: 0845 605 0525
Information on how to apply
Disability Benefits Helpline
www.dwp.gov.uk/lieevent/benefits/dcs
Tel: 0845 123456
Email: DCPU.CUSTOMER-SERVICES@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
For Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Alowance
Driver and Vehicle Licensig Agency (DVLA)
www.dvla.gov.uk
Tel: 0870 240 0009
Email: drivers.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk
Drivers Customer Services
Elderly Accommdation Counsel
www.housingcare.org
Tel: 020 7820 1343
Email: enquiries@eac.org.uk
Provides advice on finding and paying for all types of housing for older peole, including sheleterd housing, residentaill care and nursing homes - and homes which accept people with mental and phsical disabilities.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
www.equalityhumanrights.com
Tel: 0845 604 6610
Guide you through the rights you have and the situations in which they apply
Home Improvement Agencies (HIA)
www.foundatioons.uk.com
Tel: 01457 891 909
Email: foundations@cel.co.uk
There are over 200 home improvement agencies throughout the UK. They offer advice on equipment or home adaptations to disabled or older people who want to stay in their own homes.
Health Literature Line
www.dh.gov.uk
Tel: 0800 555 777 (freephone)
Leflets from the Department of Health, including "NHS Funding Care in Nursing Homes"
Help the Aged
www.helptheaged.org.uk
Tel: 0808 800 6565
Email: info@helptheaged.org.uk
Provides practical support to help older people to lead independent lives, especially the frail, isolated and poor.
Occupational Benevolent Fund Alliance (OBFA)
www.joblinks.org.uk
Tel: 01707 651 777
A network of charities representing particular trades, professions or industries, which can provide financial and other help to people who work, or have worked, in relevant jobs.
Older People's Advocacy Alliance
www.opaal.org.uk
Tel: 01543 490861
Provides information on independent advocacy advice for older people in your area
Pension Credit Application Line
www.thepensionsservice.gov.uk/pensioncredit/
Tel: 0800 991 234 (freephone)
Advisers fill in the form over the phone and send it to you for your signature.
The Pension Service
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 606 0265
Information on the state pension and pension-related benefits.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
www.carers.org
The Trust exists to make it easier for carers to cope by providing informaton, support and practical help to carers. The national network of over 100 independently-managed Carers Centres across the UK currently reachs well over 100,000 carers a year.
Office of the Public Guardian
www.publicguardian.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 330 2900
Information on Powers of Attorney and support for decision making for those who lack mental capacity or would like to plan for their future, within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Relative and Residents Association
www.relres.org
Tel: 020 7359 8136
An organisation bringinf together relatives in care homes and hospitals. Can offer support and advice on any matter concerned with residential care.
Bereavement
The Compassionate Friends
www.tcf.org.uk
Tel: 0845 123 2304
The Compassionate Friends is a nationwide self-help organisation. Parents who have been bereaved themselves offer friendship and support to other bereaved parents, grandparents and their families.
Communtiy Legal Services Direct
www.clsdirect.org.uk
Tel: 0845 345 4345
The Community Legal Service can give you advice on benefits, debt and legal aid.
Cruse Bereavement Care
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Tel: 0844 477 9400
Email: helpline@crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care offers free information, advice and support to bereaved people. Cruse runs a helpline and can supply a wide range of books, leafets ad a newsletter for bereaved people. There are 190 groups across the country.
National Association of Widows
www.nawidows.org.uk
Tel: 0845 838 2261
Offers support and information to women who have lost a husband or partner. Contact head office for details of local branches and regional advisory centres.
Natural Death Centre
www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Tel: 0871 288 2098
Offers advice on arranging a funeral with or without using a funeral director.
Probate and Inheritance Tax Helpline
Tel: 0845 302 0900
Samaritans
www.samaritans.org.uk
Tel: 08457 90 90 90
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Samaritans are ordinary people from all walks of life who offer a sympathetic listening ear to despairing and suicidal people of all ages. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; all calls are charges at the local rate.
Veterans Agency
www.veteransagency.mod.uk
Tel: 0800 169 2277
Offers support and advice to war pensioners, war widows, their dependents are carers.
War Widows Association of Great Britain
www.warwidowsassociation.org.uk
Tel: 0870 241 1305
Gives advice, help and support to war widows and dependents.
Money Matters
The Home Improvement Trust
http://www.houseproud.org.uk
Tel: 0800 783 7569
A not-for-profit organisation that arranges equity release schemes specifically to fund repaisr, improvements or adaptations to your home.
Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP)
www.ship-ltd.org
Tel: 0870 241 6060
Email: info@ship-ltd.org
Some equity release providers belong to this organisation. All schemes offered by SHIP members offer a no-negative-equity guarantee.
Warm Front Plus
Tel: 0800 952 0600
Offers grants for people aged 60 or more who are on a low income, or disabled, to insulate their home or to install energy-efficient central heating.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
www.hmrc.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 9000 404
Contact your local tax office or any HM Revenue and Customs Enquiry Centre. Booklet IR121 "Income Tax and pensioners".
Entitledto
www.entitledto.co.uk
An information service that provides free web-based calculators to help you work out your entitlement to benefits and tax credits.
IFA Promotion
www.unbiased.co.uk
Tel: 0800 085 3250
Provides a lsit of 8 independent financial advisers in your area.
Institute of Financial Planning
www.financialplanning.org.uk
Tel: 0117 945 2470
For help in planning your business.
MyLocalAdvisor
http://www.mylocaladvisor.co.uk
Online only - no telephone number. For a mortgage, insurance or investment adviser in your area.
The Personal Finance Society
http://www.thepfs.org/findanadvisor
Provides a list of up to 6 PFS members.
Consumer Credit Counselling Service
www.cccs.co.uk
Tel: 0800 138 1111
For help in sorting out debt problems
National Debtline
http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Tel: 0808 808 4000 (freephone)
Community Legal Service (CLS)
www.clsdirect.org.uk
Tel: 0845 608 1122
Complaints and Compensation
Financial Ombudsman Services (FOS)
www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Tel: 0845 080 1800
Complaints resolution
Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
www.fscs.org.uk
Tel: 020 7892 7300
For help if the firm goes out of business
Tracing lost pensions, savings or investments
Britsh Bankers Association
www.bba.org.uk
For dormant bank or building society accounts
Building Society Association
www.bsa.org.uk
National Savings & Investments and Premium Bonds
www.nsandi.com/help/tracemysavings.jsp
The Pension Tracing Service
http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 600 2537
Unclaimed Assets Register
ww.uar.co.uk
Tel: 0870 241 1713
To trace life policies, pensions, unit trust holdings and share dividends - for a small fee.
Health and medicines information
Start your internet search for any health care information by using a health gateway. These are searchable catalogues of good quality websites. Some example of health gateways for UK patients are:
NHS Direct Online
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Long-termMedical Conditions Alliance
www.lmca.org.uk
Net Doctor
www.netdoctor.co.uk
Surgery Door
www.surgerydoor.co.uk
BBC Health
www.bbc.co.uk/health
The electronic Medicines Compendium
Provides information about medicines from the companies that make them, and has been approved by the government's medicines regulator. The information includes the latest Patient Information Leaflets for each individual medicine.
www.medicines.org.uk
A lot of useful information provided by the pharmaceutical industry is available on line, including a director of prescription medicines.
www.medicines.org.uk
Details of companies that make medicines you can buy "Over the counter" can be found on the PAGB webite.
Places to go for information on common conditions
The websites below are grouped according to condition, and the phone numbers given are helplines wherever possible. It would be impossible to list eveery helpful webiste here. Why not try one of the health gateways listed to find out more helpful information?
British Allergy Foundation
www.allergyfoundation.com
Tel: 01322 619898
