Four Seasons Health Care

Overview

Quality of Care

Short-term Respite Care

Admission and Fees

Intermediate Care

End of Life and Palliative Care

Dementia Care

Advice Leaflets

Questions

Links

Elderly Care

Questions

Are there different types of Care Homes?
Are all homes registered and inspected?
How is care in a home paid for?
How is the care offered to each resident monitored?
Whats the food like?

Q1. Are there different types of Care Homes?

A1. There are primarily two types of Homes. Those which provide mainly personal care (previously called residential homes) and those which also provide nursing care.

People who can no longer cope with their day to day activities alone in their own home, even with a carer or outside help need the support offered and personnel care of a Care Home including accomodation, personal care (such as help with bathing and dressing) and meals.

People whose infimity, illness or injury require nursing care on a regular basis, which cannot be provided for them at home by the District Nursing Services, also need a Care Home (these used to be called Nursing Homes). This sort of care, the law says, can only be provided by a Qualified Nurse or under the direct supervision of a Nurse.
Nursing care generally requires higher fees than personal care because of this care being by Qualified Nurses, on top of the personal care, accomodation and meals.

In addition, for those elderly people who are mentally infirm with dementia or Alzheimers Disease, some homes are classed as 'EMI' Care Homes.

It is important to make sure that the home you choose is the right kind for your needs, both now and in the future.

return to top

Q2. Are all homes registered and inspected?

A. Yes they are. The purpose of registration and inspection is to guarentee the standard of care you are entitled to receive. In order to be registered, a home has to comply with the law and also with the registering Authority's own guidelines. These specify the high standards required, for example the room sizes, number of bathrooms and toilets, staffing levels, food, services and facilities, fire safety and records to be kept.

Each home is regularly inspected. After each inspection a report is sent to the home detailing any recommendations and actions required. Homes may be willing to let a prospective patient view the latest report, to ask to see it.

return to top

Q3. How is care in a home paid for?

A3. It is a complex process and this outlines just the key points. We would encourage you to seek further specialist advice.

The charges for staying in a Care Home are divided into two different elements.

- Nursing Care which is care provided by a Qualified Nurse.

- Personal Care (such as help dressing, eating, bathing, mobility etc) and accommodation (which includes food, heating and living costs).


Nursing Care

You may be entitled to a contribution from the NHS towards your nursing costs.


England - If you wish to be considered for support, the NHS will assess a persons nursing needs. If you meet their criteria, the NHS will contribute £40, £80 or £129 from 1st April 2005, according to the level of nursing input.

Scotland - In Care Homes in Scotland there is a flat rate payment of £65 per week towards nursing costs.

Wales - People in Care Homes in Wales recieve a flat rate of £107.63 per week towards their nursing costs.

In all cases, these amounts are paid directly to the Care Home.

Personal Care and Accommodation

In England, if you have over £20,500 in savings and assets or in Scotland over £19,000 or in Wales over £21,000 - you will be expected to pay the full cost of your personal care and accommodation. If you have assets of less, your Local Authority will carry out both clinical and financial assessments to determine what type of care package best suits your needs and how much they believe you can contribute towards your care.

If you have between £12,500 and £20,500 in savings and assets in England, you will be expected to contribute a small amount from your savings, plus any benefits and pensions you receive. In Scotland, the figures are £11,750 to £19,000 and in Wales £14,750 to £21,000.

If you have less than these figures, you will be expected to contribute any benefits you receive such as Income Support and Retirement Pension plus any Private Pensions you receive.

In Scotland from July 2002, personal care at a rate of £145 per week for older people in Care Homes is paid for by the NHS. This amount is paid directly to the Care Home.

In many cases this total amount will cover the cost of your fees, however, if you want to move into a home that the Authority won't pay the total costs for, then this amount can be "topped up" by a relative/friend or charity.

If you own your own home prior to entering a Care Home the value of your home will be included in your assets, unless the house is occupied by your spouse (or in exceptional circumstances an incapacitated close relative). However, the Local Authority may disregard the value of your property for the first 12 weeks after your admission. After this period you will normally be expected to put the property on the market. Whilst the property is being sold the Local Authority will continue to make a contribution towards your fees, however, once the property is sold, you will be expected to repay them this amount. Alternatively, you can retain your property, with all payments made by the Local Authority deferred and deducted from your estate.

You should seek further specialist financial advice on these matters before making a final decision (to find it see section to left).

Advice on this topic is also available in our free advice leaflet.

return to top

Q4. How is the care offered to each resident monitored?

A4. For the peace of mind of anyone being cared for in a Four Seasons home, and their family, we ensure a unique care plan is individually prepared for every new resident.

The Care Plan ensures that:

. Your needs are identified by careful assessment, with your own involvement or that of your nominated relative/friend.

. The Plan will describe those identified needs and the way in which our staff will meet them.

. You or your nominated relative/friend can choose to be involved in the ongoing care planning process.

. Care Plans are reviewed periodically and also when your needs change.

At Four Seasons we firmly believe that you, and if you wish, your family, should play an integral part in the care planning process.

return to top

Q5. Whats the food like?

A5. Meals are an important part of the daily routine in any care home and we take great trouble to provide a nutritious menu for our residents.

If they want, residents can take meals in their rooms and we're also used to catering for special diets and individual preferences.

return to top