Care Information / Choosing a Care Home
Choosing a Care Home
Although the tendency is to think about it when you have to the best time to start looking for a care home is before you need one. Most people will start looking once the need has already arisen. Maybe an elderly relative has had a fall or has just come out of hospital and can no longer climb the stairs in their own home to use the bathroom or possibly a long term carer has an illness that forces them to stop being the primary carer. Whatever the reason finding a care home becomes a hurried decision which can add to the stress already being suffered.

If you think you may need the services of a care home in the future for you or a family member do your planning now to make the process as organised as possible.
 
Funding temporary stays
 
If you can pay the complete cost of your temporary care, you can make your own arrangements. Care home fees vary a lot around the country so it is a good idea to approach several care homes.

You can ask your local council to assess you for respite care services. If they assess you as needing care they may be able to help pay for it. This may include the same means test as if the move was permanent.

You can ask your local council about their charging procedures. You may be able to claim Income Support towards the cost of your stay.

Carers are entitled to an assessment for their own health and well being needs. This may include help with short-term care for the person they look after.

  • Age Concern Fact Sheet - Paying for temporary care in a care home

    This factsheet explains how the local authority charging rules for a temporary stay in a care home differ from those for permanent care. A more detailed account of the charging rules can be found in Factsheet 10, Paying for residential care. It is aimed at individuals who are aged 60 and over.
 
What is a direct payment for care?
 
A direct payment for care is money paid by the local authority directly to a person whom it has assessed as needing care services. The local authority makes the payment instead of arranging services.

In practice direct payments are used by recipients to employ their own Personal Assistants to support them whilst living independently in their own homes. If your local council agrees that you need a temporary stay in a care home then you may be able to use your direct payments to pay for it.
 
Temporary stays with nursing
 
You can ask your health authority to assess you for respite care with nursing - if you are eligible for this type of care, your health authority should pay. You can ask your health authority for a copy of their eligibility criteria.
 
Day care
 
You may just be looking for day care in a care home either every day or one or two days a week to enable you to continue living in your own home.

Your local council can let you know about care homes offering day care services in your area. If you are assessed as needing day care services they can arrange to provide them for you.
 
Contact your Local Authority  
 
 


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