Things To Consider When Choosing a Home
WHEN TO START THINKING ABOUT CARE HOMES
Many people have to make a decision about a care home in a crisis, perhaps after a fall or illness, or the death of a carer. Looking back they often wish they'd had longer to look around. So if you think you or a relative might need a care home in the future, it's a good idea to do some planning now, so that you'll know what to do should the need arise.

WHERE DO I START?
To decide which homes to visit, it may be useful to speak to friends and relatives, for their recommendations,
your GP, your local Social Services department (which should be able to provide a list of registered homes in your area), the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (0207 820 1343) for lists of homes in most areas
the Registered Nursing Home Association (0121 454 2511) for a list of registered nursing homes.

Choosing care for a relative can be a difficult and emotional decision. The Relatives' and Residents' Association can offer advice and support (020 7359 8136).

You may also find it useful to look at inspection reports for individual homes which are produced independently by:
The Care Quality Commission (for care homes in England) - www.cqc.org.uk

USEFUL QUESTIONS
In many ways, choosing a care home is like choosing any other place to live - within a few seconds you know whether it 'feels right'. To help you make a decision, we've produced a checklist of useful questions. You can print it out as many times as you need, so that as you visit homes you can be sure you've asked all those practical questions that are important to support your first impressions.

Click here for an easy to print checklist of questions to ask when choosing a care home

(If you do not have Adobe Reader on your PC, you can download it from Adobe (free) by clicking on this link  Download Adobe Reader)

WHAT'S THE FIRST STEP?
If you'll be paying all the care home's fees, you can contact homes directly yourself. Once you have found a home you like, the home will make an assessment of your needs, so that they can be sure they can offer you the right kind of care.

If you will be asking the local authority to help with all or part of the fees, you should speak first to your GP and your local Social Services department. They will carry out an assessment of your needs, and produce a report called a care plan that outlines the care, including any nursing care, they think you need.

CAN I CHOOSE THE HOME I WANT?
Many people think that care homes in the independent sector are only for the wealthy. You may be surprised to know that the majority of care homes in the UK are owned by the independent sector, and that 70 per cent of residents have their fees paid partly or wholly by their local authority.

If you are paying all the fees yourself, you can choose whichever home you find suitable for your needs in your price range.

If your local authority is assisting with funding, it doesn't mean you have to choose one of their homes. You can request any home that accepts residents funded by the local authority. However, the local authority will want to be sure that the home is suitable for your needs and doesn't cost more than it would usually pay for that type of care. If you want a more expensive home than the authority is willing to pay for, you are allowed to 'top up' their contribution from another source.

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. But if the state thinks 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 in England.
  • Your local authority will still pay for your accommodation and personal care, but not fully, if your capital is between £12,750 -£21,000 in England. 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 in England.

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  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)

BENEFITS WHICH MAY HELP
Many people are hesitant about applying for benefits, but if you want to remain in your own home, they can be extremely useful to you and your carers. For example, Attendance Allowance does not depend on your savings or income, and could enable you to contribute to the petrol costs of a neighbour who does your shopping, or pay for a home help to do the tasks you can no longer manage. There are also benefits for people under 65, and for carers. For example, Invalid Care Allowance is for people unable to work because they are caring for someone.