Care centers

[matthew55]

Questions: Do you have to pay for living in a care home? How long does an application take?

[Mary C]

Hi Matthew
if you have savings over £23,250 you have to pay full care home fees until money drops below that threshold.
Also you need to determine if you need residential care or a nursing home care.
If you have savings below that level you can ask social services for an assessment ..however they will usually not fund if you care needs can be managed at home with carers but worth asking for an assessment.
you usually go to a care home for a months trial and then social services review if it’s the right place for you.

There is another funding stream called continuing care ..whereby it’s deemed your primary care needs are health needs..not many people get this CHC funding where fees are paid in full by nhs
if you get social services funding there will be a proportion of your state pension , occupational pension etc. Required from you towards the care home fees.

Age Uk do fact sheets on line for how funding is determined ..in a lot of detail.
hope that helps
best wishes
Mary
l

[Mary C]

To Matthew
if you self refer to local social services you need to stress the urgency and what’s not manageable at home..for example night care needs.It’s imposssible to say how long an assessment will take but depends on urgency..for example falls at night, night time incontinence or medical needs at night that you can’t manage.
Best wishes
Mary

[matthew55]

I'm broke so savings not an issue. I'm just worried my arms and hands will be useless soon. ☹️😁👍🤗xx

[LindaB]

Hey Matthew...agree with all the comments/advice so far. I will add that there are many people living in their own homes who are totally immobile - with the right care and support/equipment. Some might choose a live in carer...depends on your housing situation.
but yes 1st stop request a Care Act Assessment from your local Adult social services dept. either yourself....GP....carer....friend....your choice. You'll be financially assessed too.
Finding good quality residential/nursing care isn't easy. Hens teeth and all that👍

[Ellie]

Matthew, if an ideal world existed, which we forum members know doesn't, but what would you prefer to do - live in a house and have carers or live in a care home?

Also, I don't mean to annoy you but... any movement on getting you a safe and accessible property since the last flop? That will have bearing on things.

I truly hope you find a good solution - I couldn't bear the though of you stuck in an suitable care home. 😟😘

[LindaB]

Getting a Care Act Assessment will also highlight any housing issues and you'll have a social worker to advocate with housing to get things moving.
Not sure if there are extra care housing schemes in your area but they are often really good fully adapted flats, with carers on site 24/7.

Good luck....🤗

[Mary C]

Hi Matthew,
I agree some people live at home with a care package ( carers)
Depends on what’s driving you to consider going to a care home.

I know you are on housing list so would more suitable accommodation change your mind.
Or maybe you feel you would prefer to live with others in a care home.( that would take some getting used to.).
I suppose you could get an assessment done and check your options.

In my area there are extra sheltered housing flats where you can have your own flat but carers on site to support you.I am not sure if any overnight care is provided.Again financial assessment is required.

Its a massive decision to give up your home and go into a residential care setting.
Do your research Matthew.
Best wishes
Mary

[Ellie]

It's great to have members whose past jobs mean they have valuable knowledge to share.

Thanks Mary C and LindaB xx

[Mary C]

Thanks Ellie, we all try and share our experience,knowledge etc to help each other on this forum.I have learnt so much from other members and lots from yourself.
Best wishes
Mary

[LindaB]

Sharing makes this such a great forum - a wealth of information between us all👍

Mary and I seem to have a social care background....Ellie your the medic...there's an MDT just there😂😘

[Banned]

Dear all, please be aware that anyone may apply for CHC and the above advice is incorrect.

Further, different Local Authorities apply different caps. Only the meanest apply £23.5K. But people with moderate-advanced MND should be on free CHC. The system is not straightforward and in some cases will have to battle with the Social Services.

The Government's long-awaited Care Review is due shortly.

[LindaB]

That's correct anyone can ask a health professional or social worker to complete an NHS Continuing Heathcare Checklist and this may or may not trigger the next step in the process the Decision Support Tool. (DST). This is completed with health & social care....the person involved....family or friend..advocate. This multi disciplinary team recommend fully funded CHC healthcare or not depending on the scoring of the domains. (there's more to it but I won't bore any further with that). Then it goes forward to an NHS panel for ratification.
There is no automatic right to fully funded CHC healthcare Im afraid....and the battle is likely to be with health rather than social services.
Yes it's a minefield...but worth the effort in most cases. There is also an appeals process...appeal to NHS👍

[Mary C]

Hi
Age Uk do up to date information on line about all aspects of funding a residential or nursing home.
The information covers in much more detail about the variety of funding streams including Continuing health care funding, self funding,Funding by social services etc.
There is a lot of information on the internet( including The Continuing care process and the appeal process to NHS )
Best wishes
Mary