If a loved one has to go into a care home in Stamford, it can be an emotionally draining time for the family. We have set out some basic information on this page to help you out. We also advise on funding for care fees and whether your relative should actually be self-funding their care.
For more information, please call me for a no obligation chat on 0800 3 10 11 12 or use our online enquiry form.
There may be a time when an elderly relative can no longer look after themselves in their own home. Usually, if there is no health need, your relative will enter a residential care home. All care homes are paid for, and if your relative does not have a health need, then they will be expected to meet the costs of their care (means tested).
There are many types of residential care homes available. These include permanent care, or temporary care. Care homes can be privately owned, run by the voluntary sector or the local authority.
Care homes for older people tend to provide personal care or nursing care. Care homes are registered to provide one or the other, or both. With a residential care home it will offer support, ensuring that basic personal needs are taken care of. In some care homes, the residents have greater independence and take care of many of their own needs.
The initial step is to get an assessment from social services for the person you’re looking after. This will indicate whether or not they require residential care, and if any other options are available. Social services will be able to provide information about residential care homes, and even able to assist with finding a suitable home.
You and the person you’re looking after will need to make choices that depend on your individual circumstances and needs. It is useful to consider the following:
– The location of the care home. This is in relation to how close the family are based, whether it is a quiet area or even if there are leisure facilities nearby.
– Whether the care home will meet specific religious, ethnic or cultural needs. Your relative could require a specific diet, it is crucial you ask these questions so you can establish whether it is the correct care home.
– Whether the care home is focused on the individual needs of residents and concerned to provide for those needs? Or do they insist that the residents adapt to their particular routine?
– The contacts that the care home has. Check their arrangements for visitors, whether the residents can come and go as they please, are outings arranged for the residents?
– What involvement you would have with the care home.
– If safety and security is an issue for your relative, are there arrangements or supervision that the care home can provide?
Care homes are regulated by the Care Quality Commissions (CQC). You should research any potential care homes in detail so if any previous issues with the care home have arisen, you will be aware of this. You can check the most recent inspection to see how your care home has fared and this could put your mind at ease.
It may be that your relative has been told that they have to self fund their care. From experience, there are people that are incorrectly charged for their care and instead, the NHS should be funding it as they have a health need in comparison to a social need. Please see our page on NHS Continuing Healthcare for more information.
