Deciding which care home to go into

Continued

• Can you see a copy of the home’s contract/written conditions?

What are the home’s fees?

• Is it clear how the fees are structured and calculated?

• How are fees collected?

• Is a top-up fee required for local-authority assisted residents?

• Are extra items not covered by the basic fees clearly identified and accounted for?

• What arrangements are there for handling your personal money?

• How will your valuables be kept secure? You can either look for a home yourself or ask adult social care for help. We can give you information about the range of homes in Barnsley to help you decide which will suit you best.

You should visit the home with your family or friends if possible. Most care home owners would prefer people to visit before they decide and you can visit more than one home before making your choice.

When you visit a care home you may want to ask the manager of the care home or the care home staff some of the questions above.

How much will I have to pay towards my care?

Adult social care can provide financial help if you have less than £23,250 of capital assets and you have been assessed as having a high enough level of need for care –known as ‘eligible needs’.

If your care is being provided at home and you are a home-owner this amount does not include the value of your main property. If you are moving into a care home then the value of your main property is usually taken into account and it is therefore unlikely that you will qualify for financial help. However in these circumstances you may be eligible to take out a deferred payment agreement so that you can delay paying the costs of your care and support until a later date.

Before any decision is made about how much you may need to contribute you will have to have a financial assessment which will involve someone asking you about your income, savings and any capital assets that you own. You do not have to provide this information but if you do not do so you will have to meet the full cost of your services. Help with paying for care in a care home

If your care is being provided in a care home most of your income and any capital assets of more than £14,250 are taken into account. Your income includes state benefits and private pensions. Capital assets include savings, investments and the value of any property (unless your partner or close relative still lives there or if you are staying in a care home for a short time).

If you have less than £23,250 in capital assets, adult social care will make up any difference between your contribution and the home’s fees providing that the home does not charge more than the Council would normally expect to pay for similar accommodation. If you wish to move into a home with higher fees you will have to find someone else, for example a relative, friend or charity (other than your spouse) to pay the ‘top up’ for as long as you are in the care home.

Care home fees will cover all of the normal things that a care home would provide including your meals, activities, etc. The home should not ask you for any more except for personal items that you wish to buy.

Everyone staying in a care home will retain a small personal allowance, after their weekly contribution has been made, to help pay for everyday things such as newspapers, hairdressing and toiletries. This is a set amount determined by the government.

You may find that you are entitled to receive Income Support/Pension Credit in a care home even if this was not the case whilst you were at home or in hospital. It is important to claim if you are eligible. Contact your local office of the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP). If you are already receiving state benefits you should tell the DWP when you move into a care home. DWP can be contacted on 0345 6043719.

If your income changes at any time whilst you are in a care home, for example an increase in your works pension, the sale of your property or an inheritance you must tell adult social care.

Paying for your own residential or nursing care

Even if you plan to pay for your own residential or nursing care or think that you may not be able to receive financial help from us, you can still ask us for advice and an adult social care assessment.

We may be able to tell you about other ways of meeting your needs as well as residential and nursing care. The Department for Work and Pensions can give advice about any additional welfare benefits that you may be entitled to.

If your capital drops to around £23,250 you should let adult social care know as you may be able to claim help with your funding at that point.

Help with paying for care at home

If you are receiving care in any setting other than a care home, for example in your own home, you may be required to contribute towards the cost of that care. If you have more than £23,250 in savings you will not be entitled to any financial help but adult social care can still help you to arrange your care if you wish, a Brokerage fee of £122 (or £260 if it’s a PA, plus DBS charge). If your savings are below £23,250 the amount you will have to pay can only be worked out following a financial assessment. This means you will have to tell us about all your income, including benefits, and any savings and investments you may have. We will ensure, in accordance with national rules that you are not asked to contribute more than you can afford. People with a low income may be entitled to receive care services free of charge. Again, if you do not wish to provide this information you will have to meet the full cost of your services.

More information

If you need more information or advice about the financial cost of your care you can explore this online at https://barnsley. mycostofcare.com/

How care homes are rated?

All care homes in the UK have to be registered with the national regulatory body, the Care Quality Commission.

In October 2014, CQC began to roll out its new inspection regime for adult social care services across England, using specialist teams who inspect and rate services against what matters to the people who use them. All of England’s adult social care services are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. By law, care providers have to display the ratings CQC gives them.

You can contact CQC by phone: 03000 616161, fax: 03000 616171 (calls charged at standard rate), email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk or write to

CQC National Customer Service Centre Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PA www.cqc.org.uk