Residential Care There may come a time when the person you care for can no longer live at home, this may be because their care needs have increased, or because you are no longer able to provide the care they need. Residential care can be a sensible and realistic option.
involved to help make this decision. In some instances, a Continuing Healthcare (CHC) meeting held with these people to decide the best way forward and, how this might be funded. www.england.nhs.uk/healthcare/ There are many questions that come with making this decision and the following guide can help with this.
Residential care means long-term care provided in a care home. It’s for people who need substantial help with their personal care. There are two main types of care home:
www.carehome.co.uk/advice/what-is-the-difference-between-a-care-home-and-a-nursing-home
NHS-funded nursing care is when the NHS pays for the nursing care component of nursing home fees. The NHS pays a flat rate directly to the care home towards the cost of this nursing care. Sheltered Housing Sheltered housing is for people over 55 who wish to remain in the community and live independently but would benefit from additional support. It provides comfortable accommodation with the added security of supported housing staff providing regular support and contact. The benefits are:
• Residential- they offer personal care, such as help with washing, dressing, going to the toilet and taking medication. • Nursing- they provide personal care and have qualified nurses on duty at all times. They can be suitable for people who require frequent medical attention. It is never an easy decision but one that Northamptonshire Carers can support with. How you will know if it is the right time will depend on the following:
• Is struggling to live at home, even with support • Has had a needs assessment that suggested a care home is the best option • Has a complex medical condition that needs attention both day and night.
• Independence with support • Higher level security • Own front door • 24-hour emergency alarm in the property • Help on hand in emergencies • Handy person scheme • Designated support workers
It might feel hard to think about residential care, and you may have conflicting feelings about it. Carers have told us they experience sadness and guilt, as well as relief the person they care for is getting the level of help they need. Caring can be physically and mentally exhausting, so it’s better to arrange residential care rather than struggle on until you reach crisis point. Finding a suitable place for your loved one can be emotionally difficult but help is there to guide you. Please look at the www.cqc.org.uk in the first instance. In most cases, a financial assessment will need to take place if you feel you will be looking at residential care homes that accept Local Authority residents. Generally, there is a threshold that is in place, and this will dictate whether or not your loved one is entitled to support for this or if they are classed an ‘self-funding’. It is important to get support for this.
Some housing has facilities such as a community room, guest room and laundry room.
People can access sheltered housing by application to their local authority. To do this, people need to register with the online system and are then able to apply for a specific property that meets their needs. This is then awarded on a case-by-case basis.
www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/arranging-care-and-support-for-someone
www.northnorthants.gov.uk/council-housing/sheltered-housing
www.northnorthants.gov.uk/arranging-care/residential-care
www.westnorthants.gov.uk/housing-choices-later-life/older-persons-housing
www.westnorthants.gov.uk/getting-right-care-and-support/long-term-care-and-support
Promoting Healthy Ageing
Nursing Care As with residential care, nursing care provides long term care, but this offers higher levels of support. This will often include those discharged from hospital and who need 24-hour monitoring and those who have a long-term medical condition that requires around the clock care. Some care homes provide both and can be good if your loved one is in a residential home and their needs change. When deciding this, there is most likely to be a clinician or healthcare professional
www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/ageing-better/
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