Paying for your own care

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Fees per week Quality rating* £ £ £

We suggest that you take paper with you when visiting care homes so that you can make notes. You can download and print this checklist at www.carechoices.co.uk/checklists

Staff

What is the minimum number of staff that are available at any time? Are staff respectful, friendly and polite? Do staff have formal training? Are the staff engaging with residents?

Activities

Can you get involved in activities you enjoy? Is there an activities co-ordinator?

Does the home organise any outings? Are residents escorted to appointments? Do the residents seem entertained?

Does the home have a varied activities schedule?

Life in the home

Is the home adapted to suit your needs? Can you bring your own furniture? Are there enough plug sockets in the rooms?

Are there restrictions on going out? Is there public transport nearby? Does the home provide any transport? Can you make/receive calls privately? Can you decide when to get up and go to bed? Does the home allow pets? Does the home use Digital Care Planning accessible to families? Personal preferences

Is the home too hot/cold? Can you control the heating in your room? Is the décor to your tastes? Are there restricted visiting hours? Is there somewhere you can go to be alone?

Does the home feel welcoming?

Catering

Can the home cater for any dietary requirements you may have? Does the menu change regularly? Can you eat when you like, even at night? Can you have food in your room? Is there a choice of food at mealtimes?

Is alcohol available/allowed if you want it?

Can visitors join you for meals?

Fees

Do your fees cover all of the services and activities?

Are fees likely to change regularly? Is the notice period for cancellation of the contract reasonable?

Could you have a trial period? Can you keep your room if you go into hospital? Can you handle your own money?

Eligibility for Adult Social Care services

If you feel you have care and support needs that cannot be met using the local and community resources mentioned so far in this Directory, contact your local Adult Social Care department. Details can be found on page 55.

Once you have spoken to your local Adult Social Care department, you may find there are still things you want to achieve. If this is the case, you will have a supported assessment, in the form of a conversation and discussion, where your local Adult Social Care department will work with you to identify what these things are and how you can meet them.

The conversation will start with the aim of understanding things from your point of view. You will be given the chance to communicate what you would like to change or experience to live the life you want to lead. The conversation will focus on your strengths, what you can do and what resources are available to help you stay as independent as possible. This could include doing something in a different way, using equipment or technology to support you or embracing adaptations that can help you, without the need for care provided by your Adult Social Care department.

During the conversation, different parts of your life and what is important to you will be discussed. You will also be asked about the following topics to find out more information about you: • How you look after yourself. • What’s working well for you. • What you have difficulty doing. • The kind of support you have now. • Your physical and emotional health. • Your involvement in your community. • Whether or not you have a carer. • What support you need.

A social care worker will ask about any care and support you currently get from other people. This could include your family or friends who give you unpaid support. The social care worker will also have the chance to share their views and ideas if you are happy for them to do so.

Paying for care services

It is important to understand that most people will have to pay something towards the cost of their care. You may be eligible to receive financial support from your local council if you have savings or capital of less than £23,250, subject to an assessment of your finances. If you have more than £23,250 you are likely to have to cover the full cost of your care. Also, if you expect your capital to fall below £23,250 as a result of paying for care, your local council may then help you with the cost, depending on an assessment of your finances.

What will you have to pay for your care?

Your home is not included in your financial assessment if you are receiving home care.

If you are moving into residential care, the value of your home is included in the assessment of your capital unless one of the following still lives there: • Your partner (that is, your husband, wife or civil partner, or someone you live with as if they were your husband, wife or civil partner). • A relative who is over 60 or disabled. • A child under 16 who you, or a former partner, are responsible for.