Your Care Home Guide
Overview
Different Types of Care
What To Look For
Paying For Care
What To Do Now
FAQ's
Information Directory
Different Types of Care
What To Look For
Paying For Care
What To Do Now
FAQ's
Information Directory
Guidance on care for elderly people
Everyone has the right to the level of care offered by Orchard Care Homes and we welcome enquires from everyone. This section shows whether you could receive help with paying for care, and answers many of the questions that often arise in the process of applying to a care home. You’ll also find some useful contacts for care in your area. We are delighted to accept both local authority and privately funded residents in our homes.
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What kind of care home is right for you?
We offer different types of homes to meet individual needs.
Residential Homes
Residential homes provide accommodation, meals and professional help 24 hours a day. Staff can provide personal care when needed, such as help with bathing, dressing and laundry. Each home has a communal entrance, lounge and dining room. Residents are provided with fully furnished and decorated rooms but are welcome to bring in their own possessions.
Each room provides a high level of privacy and amenities such as en suite facilities, an emergency pull cord, a television, a telephone point and internet facilities.
This level of care allows for independent living, but the support is there if it’s needed. Many of our residents chose to move into this type of accommodation for the community atmosphere, companionship and security.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes offer residents the benefit of having qualified nursing care 24 hours a day. This can be a great relief for those who are struggling to cope in their own home, with only visiting carers for support.
Like the residential homes, the entrance, lounge and dining rooms are communal. Medically trained staff assist residents with a variety of nursing needs and also promote independence wherever possible. A number of specialist facilities including bath aids, condition specific beds, stair lifts and wheelchair access ensure comfort and mobility within the home.
EMI Care
EMI (Elderly Mentally Infirm) homes offer specialist care for people with dementia (e.g. Alzheimer Disease) and ongoing mental health related problems. Residents may be physically fit, but require a degree of specialist support from appropriately trained staff. EMI Care is provided in purpose built homes which have been designed using specialist research from centres of excellence. The homes offer a safe and secure environment with enclosed sensory gardens, designed to encourage residents to move around freely and safely at their leisure.
The homes provide a wide range of activities tailored to residents’ needs and as well as being able to use communal areas, residents have their own rooms with en-suite facilities, and their own television. Each resident is allocated a personal carer who will provide a key point of contact for friends and relatives. All employees in the home also have training in EMI related conditions.
Short Break Care
Sometimes carers at home will be unable to care or will need to take a break. In this instance, individuals can move into a home on a short term basis. Some homes set aside rooms for this purpose allowing breaks to be pre-booked. Others will be able to offer a room when a vacancy occurs.
To book a visit to one of our homes please call 0845 602 7469
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Residential Homes
Residential homes provide accommodation, meals and professional help 24 hours a day. Staff can provide personal care when needed, such as help with bathing, dressing and laundry. Each home has a communal entrance, lounge and dining room. Residents are provided with fully furnished and decorated rooms but are welcome to bring in their own possessions.
Each room provides a high level of privacy and amenities such as en suite facilities, an emergency pull cord, a television, a telephone point and internet facilities.
This level of care allows for independent living, but the support is there if it’s needed. Many of our residents chose to move into this type of accommodation for the community atmosphere, companionship and security.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes offer residents the benefit of having qualified nursing care 24 hours a day. This can be a great relief for those who are struggling to cope in their own home, with only visiting carers for support.
Like the residential homes, the entrance, lounge and dining rooms are communal. Medically trained staff assist residents with a variety of nursing needs and also promote independence wherever possible. A number of specialist facilities including bath aids, condition specific beds, stair lifts and wheelchair access ensure comfort and mobility within the home.
EMI Care
EMI (Elderly Mentally Infirm) homes offer specialist care for people with dementia (e.g. Alzheimer Disease) and ongoing mental health related problems. Residents may be physically fit, but require a degree of specialist support from appropriately trained staff. EMI Care is provided in purpose built homes which have been designed using specialist research from centres of excellence. The homes offer a safe and secure environment with enclosed sensory gardens, designed to encourage residents to move around freely and safely at their leisure.
The homes provide a wide range of activities tailored to residents’ needs and as well as being able to use communal areas, residents have their own rooms with en-suite facilities, and their own television. Each resident is allocated a personal carer who will provide a key point of contact for friends and relatives. All employees in the home also have training in EMI related conditions.
Short Break Care
Sometimes carers at home will be unable to care or will need to take a break. In this instance, individuals can move into a home on a short term basis. Some homes set aside rooms for this purpose allowing breaks to be pre-booked. Others will be able to offer a room when a vacancy occurs.
To book a visit to one of our homes please call 0845 602 7469
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Paying for care
Ideally care would be free regardless of individual needs or financial background. Unfortunately, in reality things are a little less straightforward, with funding based on individual circumstances.
We believe that everyone has the right to a high standard of care, and some people in Orchard homes receive contributions from their Local Authority. In a nutshell, a Local Authority will contribute to the cost of care if an individual’s assets (their savings and the value of their home) are less than £21,000. There is a sliding scale of Local Authority contribution below this threshold.
This diagram should help you determine what you pay for:
The charges for each care home will vary according to the care provided. For specific fees, please see individual care home brochures. In an Orchard Care Home you will always be able to see exactly where your money is being spent with clear, itemised invoices. We welcome enquiries from everyone, irrespective of their financial situation.
Certain factors may complicate each particular case. To help you we have listed a few frequently asked questions.
The residential home I’m interested in costs £360 a week, but my Local Authority says it’s too expensive. Can I still move there?
The Local Authority will determine the amount they will contribute towards your care. So if they believe that a home charging £330 a week would suit your needs, they probably won’t pay any more. You will need to make up the difference.
My savings are £23,250, which means I must pay for accommodation and care myself. But what happens when that runs out?
When your savings fall to £21,000 you may be eligible for help. You will need to keep your Local Authority informed of your circumstances, so they know when their help will be needed.
I have very little money saved, but my house is worth £75,000. Will I have to pay for my care home immediately, before I even sell?
The value of your house will usually be disregarded for the first 12 weeks of your residence in a care home. Please contact your Local Authority for more details on this.
My husband will be going into a care home but I am staying in our own house. How will they work out what we need to pay?
If one member of a couple is going into a care home and the other is staying in their own house, the Local Authority will generally disregard the value of the home. An assessment will be made on any remaining capital before they decide on the level of contribution.
What the NHS will normally provide
Even if you are paying for your own fees, the NHS now makes a contribution to your nursing costs. Nursing Care is defined as the care you are assessed as needing from a registered nurse.
In England the NHS will pay a contribution towards the nursing part of your care that they determine needs to be provided by a registered nurse in a nursing home. The payment is £40, £87 or £139 per week, depending on the level of assesment, low, medium or high. This contribution applies if your care is paid privately or by a Local Authority. If you are paying your own fees, you will still have to pay for accomodation and personal care (such as bathing or help with dressing)
Where can I get more advice?
Paying for care is complex, and everyone's situation is different. You should seek advice about your own situation and here are some organisations that offer specialist help:
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We believe that everyone has the right to a high standard of care, and some people in Orchard homes receive contributions from their Local Authority. In a nutshell, a Local Authority will contribute to the cost of care if an individual’s assets (their savings and the value of their home) are less than £21,000. There is a sliding scale of Local Authority contribution below this threshold.
This diagram should help you determine what you pay for:
The charges for each care home will vary according to the care provided. For specific fees, please see individual care home brochures. In an Orchard Care Home you will always be able to see exactly where your money is being spent with clear, itemised invoices. We welcome enquiries from everyone, irrespective of their financial situation.
Certain factors may complicate each particular case. To help you we have listed a few frequently asked questions.
The residential home I’m interested in costs £360 a week, but my Local Authority says it’s too expensive. Can I still move there?
The Local Authority will determine the amount they will contribute towards your care. So if they believe that a home charging £330 a week would suit your needs, they probably won’t pay any more. You will need to make up the difference.
My savings are £23,250, which means I must pay for accommodation and care myself. But what happens when that runs out?
When your savings fall to £21,000 you may be eligible for help. You will need to keep your Local Authority informed of your circumstances, so they know when their help will be needed.
I have very little money saved, but my house is worth £75,000. Will I have to pay for my care home immediately, before I even sell?
The value of your house will usually be disregarded for the first 12 weeks of your residence in a care home. Please contact your Local Authority for more details on this.
My husband will be going into a care home but I am staying in our own house. How will they work out what we need to pay?
If one member of a couple is going into a care home and the other is staying in their own house, the Local Authority will generally disregard the value of the home. An assessment will be made on any remaining capital before they decide on the level of contribution.
What the NHS will normally provide
Even if you are paying for your own fees, the NHS now makes a contribution to your nursing costs. Nursing Care is defined as the care you are assessed as needing from a registered nurse.
In England the NHS will pay a contribution towards the nursing part of your care that they determine needs to be provided by a registered nurse in a nursing home. The payment is £40, £87 or £139 per week, depending on the level of assesment, low, medium or high. This contribution applies if your care is paid privately or by a Local Authority. If you are paying your own fees, you will still have to pay for accomodation and personal care (such as bathing or help with dressing)
Where can I get more advice?
Paying for care is complex, and everyone's situation is different. You should seek advice about your own situation and here are some organisations that offer specialist help:
- Charities such as Age Concern (0808 808 6060), Help the Aged (0808 800 6565), and Counsel and Care (0845 300 7585)
- Your local Social Services Department
- the Department for Work Pensions (0800 99 1234)
- the Nursing Home Fees Agency (0800 99 88 33)
- idependant financial advisors (ring 0117 971 1177 for the names of local IFAs)
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What to do now - the choices you have
When should I start considering a care home?
There are times when care is required immediately and times when you’re able to plan for the future. Whatever your situation, we can offer some advice to help you make a choice.
Every individual must have an assessment of needs carried out before they enter a care home. One of the management team at the home will carry out the assessment and if Social Services are providing funding they will also carry out an assessment before the one at the care home. We endeavour to make this process as easy as possible and aim to carry out assessments within one working day so you can stop worrying and start settling in.
There will be a number of questions that you’d like to ask when choosing a care home. We recommend taking the following steps:
How do I find help?
Help is available from many sources including:
What can the Local Authority do?
They will make an assessment of your needs, and produce a report called a care plan. It is important to be honest about your needs so that they can offer you the best help they can.
If you are assessed as needing assistance, the local authority has a legal duty to provide you with care at home, although the levels of care and charges may vary from area to area.
They may also be able to suggest other organisations who can help if the local authority cannot, or you do not want them to. They will also advise you about any benefits to which you may be entitled. Many people are hesitant about applying for benefits, but for example Attendance Allowance does not depend on your income or saving, and can be extremley useful to you and your carers.
Please contact us if you have any questions, call 0845 602 7469
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There are times when care is required immediately and times when you’re able to plan for the future. Whatever your situation, we can offer some advice to help you make a choice.
Every individual must have an assessment of needs carried out before they enter a care home. One of the management team at the home will carry out the assessment and if Social Services are providing funding they will also carry out an assessment before the one at the care home. We endeavour to make this process as easy as possible and aim to carry out assessments within one working day so you can stop worrying and start settling in.
There will be a number of questions that you’d like to ask when choosing a care home. We recommend taking the following steps:
- Research the care available in your area – seek recommendations from other people
- Create a shortlist of homes you want to visit
- Write a list of questions to ask on your visit
- Speak to residents and staff about the home
- Find out whether or not there is a waiting list
- Work out what your funding situation will be – the Care Home Manager will be able to give you advice on this
- Ask to be put on the waiting list of your chosen home
- If the manager believes you may get assistance with funding, contact social services
- If you are going to be self funding, contact your chosen home when you are ready to become a resident
How do I find help?
Help is available from many sources including:
- your GP
- your local Social Services department
- local voluntary organisations for older people
What can the Local Authority do?
They will make an assessment of your needs, and produce a report called a care plan. It is important to be honest about your needs so that they can offer you the best help they can.
If you are assessed as needing assistance, the local authority has a legal duty to provide you with care at home, although the levels of care and charges may vary from area to area.
They may also be able to suggest other organisations who can help if the local authority cannot, or you do not want them to. They will also advise you about any benefits to which you may be entitled. Many people are hesitant about applying for benefits, but for example Attendance Allowance does not depend on your income or saving, and can be extremley useful to you and your carers.
Please contact us if you have any questions, call 0845 602 7469
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start considering a care home?
It is never too early to think about where you or a relative may live later in life. In fact a little forward planning can save a lot of last-minute rushing and worry. For many people, a stay in hospital makes it clear that living alone will no longer be possible. However close you are to a move, it is highly recommended to find out as much as possible about a home, making a visit where possible.
Which kind of home is right?
This depends on the level of care needed. Your local authority will provide an assessment to determine what kind of care is necessary and will be able to answer any of your questions about which kind of home is suitable.
Who will pay?
This depends on the individual’s financial circumstances. Generally the state will pay if assets and savings total less than £12,750. If they are more than £21,000 it will be up to the individual to cover the costs of accommodation and care. There is a sliding scale of state contribution if your assets and savings fall between these two thresholds. See Paying for care for more information.
How much will it cost?
This varies from home to home. Homes welcome applications from everyone, but if the cost is more than the state will contribute, the applicant or a third party may contribute the extra amount needed.
Do you take local authority funded residents?
Yes, we are delighted to take both local authority and private funded residents into our homes.
Who can I talk to about...
...my options?
Counsel and Care offer an excellent helpline (0845 300 7585) and Age Concern have a freephone number (0800 808 6060).
...funding?
Your Local Authority should be able to answer your questions about funding. You may also wish to contact an independent financial adviser who specialises in care planning.
...if I have a complaint?
We have a rigorous complaints procedure in place – please ask any of our Care Home Managers for a written copy of the procedure and to clarify any concerns you have.
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It is never too early to think about where you or a relative may live later in life. In fact a little forward planning can save a lot of last-minute rushing and worry. For many people, a stay in hospital makes it clear that living alone will no longer be possible. However close you are to a move, it is highly recommended to find out as much as possible about a home, making a visit where possible.
Which kind of home is right?
This depends on the level of care needed. Your local authority will provide an assessment to determine what kind of care is necessary and will be able to answer any of your questions about which kind of home is suitable.
Who will pay?
This depends on the individual’s financial circumstances. Generally the state will pay if assets and savings total less than £12,750. If they are more than £21,000 it will be up to the individual to cover the costs of accommodation and care. There is a sliding scale of state contribution if your assets and savings fall between these two thresholds. See Paying for care for more information.
How much will it cost?
This varies from home to home. Homes welcome applications from everyone, but if the cost is more than the state will contribute, the applicant or a third party may contribute the extra amount needed.
Do you take local authority funded residents?
Yes, we are delighted to take both local authority and private funded residents into our homes.
Who can I talk to about...
...my options?
Counsel and Care offer an excellent helpline (0845 300 7585) and Age Concern have a freephone number (0800 808 6060).
...funding?
Your Local Authority should be able to answer your questions about funding. You may also wish to contact an independent financial adviser who specialises in care planning.
...if I have a complaint?
We have a rigorous complaints procedure in place – please ask any of our Care Home Managers for a written copy of the procedure and to clarify any concerns you have.
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