|
|
|
How do I access residential / nursing home care? |
|
All services provided are based upon completion of an assessment by a social worker and/or nurse to identify your needs. You will be fully involved in this assessment and you can invite others to take part such as a relative or friend if you feel it helpful.
Once your needs are established, all options will be discussed with you. When you require a high level of support one of the options may be Residential or Nursing Home care. This might be for a short while to give someone who cares for you a break or might be a long term admission.
What happens after I have been assessed as needing short or longer term residential care?Your case will be presented to a panel of health and social care professionals to ensure this is the most appropriate way forward and to agree any funding which the local authority or health may have to contribute to your care.
Can I choose which residential Home I go to for respite and longer term care?If agreed by the panel, your Social Worker will give you and/or your carer a list of all the homes in the Borough which can provide the type of care you require. You and your carer would then be able to visit the ones of your choice to decide which one you accept.
You may choose a home outside of the Borough but you would need to discuss this with your assessor to ensure the home is properly registered to meet your needs and will accept the level of funding we pay.
Will I have to pay for residential/nursing home care?You will be required to pay a contribution depending on your financial means. You would only have to pay the full cost if you have capital which exceeds a given amount set by the government. A full financial assessment will be undertaken to determine the level of any contribution you will need to pay.
Any nursing care element is paid for by health provided they have agreed it is required at the panel referred to above. It should be noted, however, that even where the cost of nursing care is paid by health, the person still contributes to the cost of the residential element contained in a nursing placement. The exception to this would be where it is identified by the panel that a person is entitled to fully funded continuing health care. In this case no contribution is made to the cost. Panel would advise of this decision in writing.
Will the home know what assistance I need?Yes. The assessment of your needs will be sent to the home and from this a personal profile will be developed with you to identify details of the assistance you need. A plan will also be drawn up with you to address any specific concerns you may have and how they can be addressed.
What are the visiting times of the residential/nursing home?There are no restrictions placed on visiting apart from those which you may want to impose yourself. Clearly the privacy of other residents has to be considered and so there is an expectation that visitors will act appropriately and call at reasonable time.
Will I be able to keep my own doctor if I go into a home?Provided your doctor is willing to call at the home you select, this is not a problem. If he/she is not prepared to visit the home staff would help you to select an alternative doctor.
Will I have room to myself at the home?All Local Authority Homes operate a single occupancy policy unless a couple request to share. Occassionally Independent Homes have shared rooms and you would be given a choice as to whether you were prepared to accept shared accommodation or not.
Will I be able to come and go as I please at the home?Yes. We would ask that you inform one of the managers if you do go out. There are several reasons for this such as the fire regulations and if you need your meal reserving. We can also advise visitors that you are not at Home and ensure you have returned safely.
Can I take my own furniture etc. into the home with me?In most cases it is entirely appropriate and encouraged. This will need to be discussed with the manager or proprietor, however, as the size of the items may need to be considered and also health and safety regulations.
Will I be able to stay at the residential Home if my health deteriorates?Every effort is made to care for residents in the Home of their choice for as long as possible. If your needs are met to the satisfaction of the medical professionals nothing will change but if your needs can only be met in a Nursing Home or Hospital a transfer will need to be undertaken.
What if I am dissatisfied in the home?
Everyone who enters a home has a review within the first 3 months. The person who arranged the placement sets this up with you. The purpose of the review is to ensure the home is meeting your needs as required and that you are satisfied with the arrangements. The review provides an opportunity for you or your representative to say if there is anything you are dissatified with and put in place measures to make things right.
After the first review there is at least one every year. If you want one sooner you simply let this be known and it will be set up.
Most people are satisfied with their care, but as well as reviews, all homes will have complaints procedures in place which should resolve problems. Outside of this, if a placement is make through a local authority, they too have complaints procedures and would respond by investigating matters, put things right where possible and reply in writing as to what had been done.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
