Fees The Old Vicarage residential care home Churchill North Somerset

Our fees cover the costs of accommodation, care, meals, snacks, refreshments, use of the public telephone, laundry (but not dry cleaning), room cleaning and heating, medical requirements and some basic toiletries. In other words it covers all the basic living expenses including any entertainment and outings.

The resident is responsible for additional orders and requirements such as telephone bills (where they have a telephone fitted in their own room), newspapers or magazines, hairdressing, chiropody - and other supplies that are particular to the needs of the individual.

The basic room fee provides for total attention by the staff during day duty hours (7.30am - 9pm) and emergency attention from 9pm through to 7.30am.

PAYING FOR CARE - WHAT THE STATE WILL NORMALLY PROVIDE?
There was a time when we thought the state would look after us 'from cradle to grave'. These days, the state still provides a level of care for the least well off. Your local council will conduct a financial assessment to establish whether you can afford to pay. You will have to pay at least some of the costs of accommodation and personal costs in a residential nursing home.

Briefly, there are three bands of support:

Your local authority may pay for the cost of your residential or nursing home care if your capital is less than £12,750.
Your local authority will still pay for your accommodation and personal care, but not fully, if your capital is between £12,750 -£21,000. For every £250 you have over the lower amount, they will subtract £1 per week from the money they contribute.
You will have to pay the full costs of your accommodation and personal care if your capital is over £21,000.

If your capital falls below the upper amount while you are in a care home, you will become eligible for help from the local authority. If you want a more expensive home than the authority is willing to pay for, you are allowed to arrange a 'third party contribution' from another source. Your home would be included in your assets only if you live alone, or you are both moving into a care home. In addition, the local authority will disregard the value of your home for 12 weeks after your admission to permanent nursing or residential care.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE ADVICE?
Paying for care is a complex subject, and everyone's situation is different. You should seek advice about your own case. Among the organisations offering specialist advice are charities such as Age Concern (0808 808 6060), Help the Aged (0808 800 6565) and Counsel and Care (0845 300 7585), your local Social Services department, the Benefits Agency (0800 88 22 00) and the Nursing Homes Fees Agency (0800 99 88 33)

NHS, Social care - Find your nearest social services.

North Somerset District Council - Our services include protecting and finding new homes for children, caring for the elderly, disabled and sick and tackling homelessness and protecting vulnerable adults.

Bristol City Council - Bristol City Council - health and social care

Sedgemoor District Council - Sedgemoor District Council home page

Bath and North East Somerset Council - Providing help to live safely and independently for adults over 18 with disabilities