IF you feel you need some help at home, and perhaps have been told that your needs are not urgent enough to have arrangements made for you by the local authority, don't despair.

Counsel and Care, a national charity offering free advice and information for older people, their carers and professionals, has a factsheet which will help you.

Entitled 'What to look for in a home care service,' it can put you in touch with assistance.

We have also developed a database of home care agencies from which we are able to give you information on nursing and domiciliary care agencies operating in your area.

If you would like a copy of the factsheet, you can obtain it free by writing to me enclosing a 31p 9x6 SAE, or you can telephone our helpline.

STEPHANIE DAVIES, Factsheet 16, Counsel and Care, Twyman House, 16 Bonny Street, London NW1 9PG. Helpline: 0171 485 1566.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.