Care homes
You can choose a care home with or without nursing.
With nursing care, there is often a nurse on duty 24 hours a day to support with medical needs.
We will assess your needs. If you are eligible, we will support you to discuss your options. After this we will assess your finances, including your savings and assets, to see what contribution you will need to pay for the cost of the home. See the charges for care homes.
We assess what type of accommodation can meet your needs. You have the right to choose which provider to go with, as long as your choice meets the accommodation type and costs and the home provider is willing to enter into a contract with us.
Choosing a care home
When choosing a care home there is a lot to think about. It is important to write down a list of questions you want to ask providers. This checklist from Age UK National covers questions you might want to think about:
- Will there be a contract between you and the home, or between you and the Council?
- What exactly will your fees cover and what extras will you be expected to pay for?
- Will your place in the home be secure? What are the notice arrangements?
- Is there a trial period so you can leave if you find the home doesn’t offer or can’t provide what you are looking for?
- If the home closed, or was transferred to another provider, how would you ensure that your interests were a priority?
- How does the home handle problems and complaints? Is there is a residents committee and a relatives group?
- What would happen if you fell ill and needed more care- would you have to move?
- Is there a policy on smoking?
- How do staff seem when you visit? Are they rushing around or do they spend time talking to individual residents?
- Will you be offered a choice of meals and can you choose when and where you eat? Are special diets catered for?
- Are there shops, a library and social clubs within walking distance of the care home?
- Will you have access to the internet, either in your room or on a shared computer?
- Does the care home provide regular activities?
- What is the general atmosphere like? Are visitors welcome at any time or are there set visiting times?
- Does the home allow pets?
- Do you notice any unpleasant smells?
- Is there a garden?
- Will you be able to choose when you go to bed and what time you get up?
- Can you keep your own GP and manage your own medication if you wish to?
Care home fees vary widely, if we are paying part or full fees, there is a maximum cost that we are prepared to pay for certain types of care.
If you choose to move into a higher fee home, you or your family will be expected to pay a top-up for the cost of this placement. We recommend you get independent financial advice if this is the case.