Change in routine or any kind of upheaval can be distressing for care home residents. In the event that their needs change, care pathways are available - this is a term used to describe care homes that provide a combination of residential, nursing and dementia care. By offering this, residents can remain at the same home without having to relocate even if their needs change.
Every new resident to the care home will be assessed to ensure they receive the right type of care catered to their individual needs. Following this, a care plan will be created which sets out how the staff at the home will meet those needs for a comfortable stay. Care plans are typically reviewed on a monthly basis and are updated in the event there are any changes
Being surrounded by items from home can allow new residents to feel more comfortable and settled. At Devonshire care we welcome small items of furniture - such as a favourite armchair - and other treasured belongings - including photographs - so residents can personalise their rooms. All electrical items will be PAT tested and furniture will undergo a fire risk assessment to protect the safety of our residents and staff.
If you are paying for your care home fees yourself (otherwise known as ‘self-funding’), then you will continue to receive your State Pension as usual. If you receive monetary support from your local authority, then your State Pension will be considered income and taken into consideration when calculating how much you need to contribute towards the care home costs. This will also factor in a weekly income that you will receive, also known as ‘Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA)’.
This is a free assessment carried out by local authorities to establish what type of care and support a person needs. Based on the findings, they can provide recommendations on how this care must be provided so that plans can be made accordingly.
If you find that your money starts to run out while living in a care home, you will need to arrange a care needs assessment and a financial assessment with your local authority immediately, as you may be eligible for some financial assistance. Likewise, if your loved one who is a resident in a care home finds themselves in this situation, make sure you support them in arranging the appropriate assessments if they are unable to do so.
The UK’s different regulatory bodies are: Care Quality Commission (CQC) for England, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) for Wales, Care Inspectorate (CI) for Scotland, and Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) for Northern Ireland.
Our friendly staff at Devonshire care will provide a warm welcome to visitors at all our care homes across the UK and are happy to show you around the premises. It’s worth noting that we recommend you pre-book a visit so that we can ensure someone will be available to take you on a tour of the home and provide you with everything you need to make an informed decision.