Choosing a Care Home working with you

Transcription

1 Social Work Services Choosing a Care Home working with you Published: March 2013

2 2 Moving into a Care Home The Social Work Service recognises that the decision to move into a care home is an important one for you and the people who care for you. There are many aspects to consider when choosing a care home. We have included information in this guide that we hope will help you and, the people who care for you, to choose the home which is best suited to your needs. Need a service? If you think you, a family member or friend need some support then you can either: ask your health worker to contact the service on your behalf or, contact Social Work direct via the Council Contact Centre Contents How can Social Work help? 3 What happens next? 3 When should I consider moving into a care home? 3 How do I find a Care Home? 4 How do I choose a Care Home? 4 How much will I have to pay? 5 What rights do I have as a resident? 6 Residency agreement 6 Who checks on standards? 8 Checklist 9

3 How can Social Work help? Moving into a Care Home 3 If you, a family member or friend is considering a care home, then the Social Work Service can guide you through the process of choosing the most appropriate one. Some people may be entitled to financial support others just for free personal or nursing care whatever your circumstances we are here to help and advise. What happens next? After being contacted we will arrange for a Social Worker to visit you in order to carry out an assessment of your individual needs and circumstances. What is an assessment? The Social Worker will discuss with you the things that you find difficult on a daily basis, as well as those that you are able to manage. Your interests, likes and dislikes, background, hopes and the kind of support you have will also be discussed during the assessment visit. If you want, a relative or friend can help you with the assessment or can speak on your behalf. With your permission, the Social Worker may also seek information from your doctor, carer or other relevant people if this is going to help the assessment and make sure that you get the help you need. When should I consider moving into a care home? If the assessment of your needs identifies difficulties around supporting you in your own home the Social Worker may recommend that you consider a move into a care home setting, where 24 hour care and support is available. This is likely to be considered when; There is clear evidence that you are at unreasonable risk in your own home You require specific services that can only be provided in a care home environment. Your main carer can no longer continue caring for you without risking their own health and no satisfactory alternative caring arrangements can be made.

4 4 Moving into a Care Home How do I find a Care Home? Every care home is different you need to find out what type of care homes there are available to you, and what they offer. You can find care homes in your area from: Fife Council s Social Work Service online at or by calling Your social worker if you already have one. If you wish to consider care homes in other areas the Care Inspectorate website has a useful online search tool to find homes by location and the services they offer. How do I choose a Care Home? Once you have a list of care homes ask them for a brochure so you can find out a bit more about them. If you think they might meet your needs, it is important that you visit them and meet the staff and residents. It is a good idea to ask a friend, relative or social worker to go along with you. It can be helpful to visit each home a couple of times at different times of the day so that you can see for example what meal times are like, how residents and staff interact and what activities are on offer. If you have particular medical needs it is essential that you find out whether they can support you appropriately. Don t be afraid to ask lots of questions and make notes. The checklist at the end of the guide may be helpful Once you have chosen your preferred care home the next step is to consider how the care home fees will be funded. While this is being considered staff from the Care Home are likely to come and visit you, to make sure they are able to meet your needs this is known as the Care Home Assessment.

5 How much will I have to pay? Moving into a Care Home 5 Everyone assessed by the Social Work Service as requiring care in a care home setting will either have a financial assessment of their ability to contribute towards the cost of that care or be asked to confirm their capital, investments, etc are over the current threshold. A Contracts Officer will contact you to obtain the appropriate financial details required to carry out a financial assessment. The factors that will be taken into account during the financial assessment include a wide range of items, from ownership of property to pensions, benefits and savings. This assessment enables the Contracts Officer to determine the contribution you will require to make towards the cost of your care. A clear explanation of how this is calculated will be given to you and/or your family/ carers. When looking for a home it is important to find out what is included in the fees and what isn t. Costs that you may still need to consider on top of a care home s fees include: Clothing, toiletries and personal items Trips and treats Telephone calls. You may be entitled to a personal expenditure allowance which would cover these additional costs. In order to help you to make a contribution towards the cost of your care, we will help you to claim your entitlement to benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions. Will I be entitled to Free Personal Care? In July 2002 allowances for Free Personal Care were introduced for people aged 65 and over. Free Nursing Care has also been introduced for care homes residents of all ages. The assessment that your Social Worker carries out will decide whether you require residential or nursing care and this in turn will decide which Free Personal and Nursing Care allowances you are entitled to. Who sets the Care Home Fees? The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) sets the level of fees within the National Care Home Contract for accommodation and care in private and voluntary Care Homes. These fees are set on an annual basis and these represent the maximum amount that the Council will contribute. The actual amount of Fife Council s contribution and, your own contribution towards the cost of your place in a care home, will be decided by your financial assessment.

6 6 Moving into a Care Home What rights do I have as a resident? If you live in a care home you will retain your full citizen s rights. You have a right to continue to live, as far as possible, as you would if you had remained in your own home, be treated with dignity and have choice, privacy, independence and fulfilment. You also have the right to make complaints and to expect any complaint to be taken seriously and be fully investigated. In order to safeguard this right all homes must have written guidance which clearly states the procedure for making complaints and the timescale within which a complaint will be dealt with. For a number of reasons, some residents may no longer be able to express their views and wishes. In such cases residents may wish to have a relative or friend to act on their behalf. Residency Agreement When you move into your chosen home you will be asked to enter into a Residency Agreement as part of the National Care Home Contract Standards. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions of residency between you, the resident, and the Care Home.

7 All care homes should uphold the following values: Privacy Your right to: Have your privacy and property respected and Be free from unnecessary intrusion Dignity Your right to: Be treated with dignity and respect at all times and, Enjoy a full range of social relationships Safety Moving into a Care Home 7 Your right to: Feel safe and secure in all aspects of life, including health and well-being Enjoy safety but not be over-protected and Be free from exploitation and abuse Choice Your right to: Make informed choices, while recognising the rights of other people to do the same and Know about the range of choices Realising Potential Your right to have the opportunity to: Achieve all you can Make full use of the resources that are available to you and, Make the most of your life Equality and Diversity Your right to: Live an independent life, rich in purpose, meaning and personal fulfilment Be valued for your ethnic background, language, culture and faith or disability Be treated equally and to be cared for in an environment which is free from bullying, harassment and discrimination and, Be able to complain effectively without fear of victimisation.

8 8 Moving into a Care Home Who checks on standards? The Care Inspectorate is a national organisation set up to regulate and inspect Scottish care services. All care homes have to be registered with the Care Inspectorate. The registration process is based on legal requirements and professional guidelines to make sure that: Buildings are safe and suitable Care Managers are suitably qualified and experienced There are enough staff to ensure the right level of care and support for all residents Facilities and services are of good quality and suitable for the needs of residents. Care homes are issued with a certificate by the Care Inspectorate. This is called a Certificate of Registration and must be displayed in the home. The quality of all care homes is also monitored through inspections, which can either be announced in advance or unannounced. As well as ensuring that the conditions of registration are maintained, Care Inspectorate Officers attempt to make sure that people living in care homes have a good quality of life and receive good quality care. Further information about the work of the Care Inspectorate and recent inspection reports of care homes can be found on the website

9 Moving into a Care Home 9 Checklist Is the home near family or friends? Is it near to the shops, public transport and local amenities? Are the staff welcoming? Is the atmosphere friendly? Is the building well maintained and cared for? Are there social events? Around the Home Does the home look and smell clean? Are the residents relaxed, happy and confident? How many single bedrooms are there? How many double bedrooms? Do the rooms have an ensuite bathroom? How many toilets? Do the rooms have good views? How many communal rooms? Are the communal areas well used? Are the beds and chairs comfortable? Is there a lift? What arrangements are made to safeguard money and valuables? Are visitors welcome at all times? What facilities are provided for them? Are there facilities for interests/hobbies? Are there any activities provided for residents? Are residents encouraged to go out and about with the assistance of a carer? Are pets allowed? What facilities are included in the weekly tariff eg entertainment, visiting the library, hairdressing, chiropody? Are there extra charges for anything? What care is provided for residents who have sensory losses? Is information available in different formats? Does the home support a loop system? Is it portable? Is it tested regularly? Do staff know how to use it? Are staff on hand to help residents who are unable to feed themselves? If a resident needs medical attention, what is the procedure? Which GPs normally attend?

10 10 Moving into a Care Home Around the Home (continued) Are residents accompanied on visits to hospital, clinic, consultants, GP? Are residents allowed to stay in bed when they feel like it? Can residents choose their own rising and retiring times? How does the home show it cares for residents as individuals eg diets, own furniture, pictures, TV and telephone? Can residents take their own belongings into the home? Does the home have a smoking/non smoking policy? Is space supplied to store and charge mobility equipment? Is there enough equipment in the home? Is there enough room for wheelchair use? How many overhead hoists do they have? Are there rails in the disabled toilet? Do they have a wheel in the shower? If a resident does not have a relative or friend would an advocate be appointed? Food and Drinks Is there a choice of mealtimes? Is there a choice of menu? Is a balanced diet supplied? Is there a chef or are meals bought in? Are special diets catered for? Are there facilities for preparing snacks and drinks? Can residents make their own food? Can residents have meals in bed? Management of the Home Who owns the home? Who manages it? Does the manager have a copy of the most recent inspection report available from the Care Inspectorate to view? How many staff are on duty during each part of the day and night? What are their duties? Are staff available to turn residents in their bed at night? Do staff have knowledge of conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer s disease or can any of them use sign language? Are advanced payments required? What are the arrangements if a resident goes into hospital or on holiday?

11 Moving into a Care Home 11 Jargon buster Carer Carers look after family, partners or friends in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability. The care they provide is unpaid. Day Care Extra care at a day centre to help someone who normally lives at home, by providing care, social contact opportunities and, where applicable, respite. Need Requirement for help to retain or restore ability to cope with daily living and personal care. Personal Care Activities in daily living such as being able to get in and out of bed, prepare a meal, bathe, move safely around the home. Free Personal and Nursing Care Free Personal Care is a legal entitlement for people aged 65 or over who have been assessed as having personal care needs that require services to be put in place. Free Nursing Care is similar but is available to people of all ages who are assessed as requiring nursing care services. The policy allows such people to access personal and nursing care without being charged. Residential and Nursing Care Permanent care in a home for someone unable to live safely at home. Respite Care (also known as Short Breaks) Alternative care arrangements to give a carer a break and provide a break in routine for the person being cared for. Risk The potential for someone to come to harm if their need for help is not met.

12 Contacting Social Work If you already have a named contact please contact them direct. Otherwise: Online Phone (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm) BT Text Direct (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm) In person to make an appointment call (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm) In an emergency If you have an emergency between 5pm and 9am Monday to Friday and all weekend, call Alternative Formats The information included in this publication can be made available in large print, braille, audio CD/tape and British Sign Language interpretation on request by calling Language lines Polskojęzyczna linia telefoniczna: Published 03/2013 by Fife Council Social Work Services Review 02/2014 Social Work Services