Help and Advice
When you start looking at a care home for yourself or a loved one, you will hear lots of different phrases and terms about the type of care you might need. Here is a quick guide to the types of care available.
Guide to Care Options and Funding in Somerset
Paying for Care
When you are considering a care home there will naturally be many questions around the care you will receive, how much it will cost, and how it will be paid for. Here are some of the most common questions we are asked.
Can I defer payment if I am selling my home?
Yes, in some cases we may offer deferred payment options if you are in the process of selling your home. Please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.
What support can the Local Authority provide?
A local authority may part-fund 12 weeks of care at the point you decide to sell your house. Local authorities can also offer their own deferred payment arrangements for care. This will typically involve a loan secured on your property. If either of these are of interest, we advise you to speak directly to your local authority.
You may also be eligible to claim Attendance Allowance for personal care. To ensure you receive the right advice on eligibility and how to claim, we recommend you talk to Age UK
I have heard people talk about CHC and FNC, what do they mean?
CHC is Continuing Health Care and FNC is Funded Nursing Care. They are both criteria-assessed NHS funding contributions that can be accessed if someone has complex health or extensive nursing needs. If we believe you may meet the criteria, we will co-ordinate the funding application for you. Both CHC and FNC are subject to reassessment by the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and may be withdrawn.
What happens if I don’t have enough money left?
If your assets fall below £23,500 then you have become ‘capital depleted’ and the local authority steps in to help fund care. If you think you are approaching this stage, please contact your local authority so that it can start the process, and let the Home Manager know. Please note, it is unlikely that your local authority will fund the full fee and therefore a family top up may be required.
Do fees rise every year?
We review our fees annually. Any increases will be in line with inflation and reflect changes in our running costs.
Choosing a Care Home
Choosing a care home can seem daunting, and it may seem difficult to know where to begin your search.
The first thing to do is be sure of the type of care you require, as this will remove homes from your search who do not offer it.
The next thing to do is think about the area you would like the care home to be in. If you wish to remain in the area where you currently live (many people do, to maintain familiar links with friends, family and professionals) or wish to move to be closer to family, put your/their postcode into a care home directory such as carehome.co.uk or Autumna. This will give you a list of possible homes in the location, you can also filter these homes by the type of care they offer.
When you have found some possible care homes, look at their ratings both on the Care Quality Commission website and on the care home directory site carehome.co.uk. Read the reviews of the care home both by residents and their families.
It is now time to arrange a visit to your chosen home(s). It is a good idea to make an appointment to do this, to ensure that the Manager is available to give you a tour and discuss your requirements and answer any questions you may have.
When you visit, look at the following:
Bedrooms – these can differ widely, as can the facilities available such as en-suite bathrooms, and private conservatories. Check if it is possible to bring your own furniture if you wish to.
Communal living spaces – a good care home should always include attractive and carefully designed spaces for residents to socialise.
Additional facilities – does the home have a hairdressing salon, therapy room or library?
Finally, how well maintained is the home overall? Is the garden well maintained? Are the walls, carpets and furniture as stain-free as you would expect?