foresthealth's blog

Funding Support for Places in Local Care Homes: Assessing the Financial Assistance You May Be Eligible For

 

Hundreds of families need to make complex and often emotional decisions every week about how best to manage the care, welfare and safety of loved ones – and many more people are considering a move into a residential care or nursing facility as they find it difficult to cope independently at home.

Across the Forest Healthcare network, discussions about financing support are incredibly common. People and their loved ones need to assess whether they qualify for assistance or the proportion of their care costs they might be expected to self-fund.

Part of the confusion is that the government originally announced reforms on care funding in November 2022, but they have since been postponed several times and are now expected to come into force in October 2025.

In the meantime, we’ve collated all the currently available guidance and information to explain how financial assistance works and how to assess the help you may be eligible for.

 

Funding for Local Care Home Places: The Essential Information

The first point to cover is that your care needs, or those of your loved one, may influence the types of care and residential homes that are most suitable. For example, a residential home usually provides help with personal care and emotional support and offers comfortable, safe accommodation for residents with a team of qualified carers and support workers.

In contrast, a nursing home is more appropriate for residents with ongoing medical conditions or progressive diagnoses. Along with the above services, nursing care homes have around-the-clock medical cover and trained nurses within their workforces who can help with medications, rehabilitation and recovery from illnesses or hospital stays.

This all matters because, aside from the funding support available from your local council, you may qualify for additional or separate assistance from the NHS depending on your or your relative’s medical needs.

State vs Self-Funded Care Placements

There are two primary ways to cover the costs of a care home space, usually paid monthly or weekly depending on whether you require long-term ongoing care, or short-term assistance such as rehabilitation or respite care.

 

·         Self-funding means paying for the care home fees directly. You can discuss your specific care needs with the care coordinator on-site.

 

·         State funding means the local council pays for some or all of the care home costs.

In many cases, the local authority will pay a proportion of your care costs, and you may be expected to contribute the balance. Much relies on a means-testing process, where the council evaluates the income, assets, and overall wealth of the person requiring care.

 

Care Home Means Testing Thresholds 2024/25

Local authorities use means testing to ensure they allocate the right financial support to each claimant. However, we appreciate that many families find an evaluation of their assets and income intrusive.

The system is intended to ensure that individuals with low incomes and minimal capital remain able to access high-quality care and that more affluent families receive support proportional to their ability to contribute.

For the 2024/25 financial year in England, the thresholds are as follows:

 

·         The lower limit is £14,250: a care recipient with income and capital below this value is normally entitled to fully state-funded care in a suitable setting.

 

·         The upper limit is £23,250: if you or your loved one owns or earns above this value, you will typically be expected to cover all care home costs.

 

 

·         Those with an income and assets between the two thresholds will generally receive partial state funding and independently finance the rest of their care costs.

While this system seems straightforward, it is often anything but. For example, some families find that their loved one is over the upper limit, but the majority of their capital is tied to a property they own and do not wish to sell.

To add to the complexity, people who fall above the upper limit may have a clinical need for high-quality residential care due to their health, frailty, or mobility. In these scenarios, the NHS can sometimes offer full coverage of all care costs through the NHS Continuing Healthcare system.

 

Alternative Funding Options in England to Help With the Costs of a Local Residential Care Home

The NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding service is available for people with a primary health need who must have the right assistance to remain healthy and comfortable. The application process involves a care needs assessment, but there is no means testing element.

Therefore, regardless of the upper and lower limits, a person with a complex, ongoing condition may qualify for fully funded social care based on an evaluation of their personal care requirements and aspects such as their medications, cognition, emotional welfare and ability to communicate.

NHS Funded Nursing Care differs again and may be available to people who do not qualify for Continuing Healthcare Funding or local council support. The NHS can contribute towards a proportion of the care home fees related to nursing, based on a fixed weekly contribution.

Currently, that contribution is set at £235.88 per week, although some people living in a nursing centre who began claiming before October 2007 may be eligible to claim up to £324.50 per week to assist with their care costs.

 

Independent Advice on Managing Care Home Costs

We recognise that the different funding options, means assessments, and care needs evaluations can be confusing. We hope this information outlines some of the various ways to access support with the costs of a care home or nursing care centre for yourself or a loved one.

The first step to arranging the right care may be to arrange a good time to visit your nearest Forest Healthcare centre. Our skilled care coordinators and managers can provide a guided tour to show you the accommodation, amenities and facilities, and discuss the right care solutions.

You can also contact your local authority if you are concerned about managing the financial costs of care, who will often be able to provide localised information about the application and assessment processes they offer and any applicable waiting times.

While many of our outstanding care centres operate a waiting list due to sustained demand, we remain available to provide guidance, explain how care funding may work, or discuss the ideal care environment to safeguard the well-being and comfort of any prospective resident.

 

Information Source: - https://www.foresthc.com/funding-support-for-places-in-local-care-homes/

 

Many people and their loved ones find that moving from their own homes and transitioning to a nursing care home comes with mixed emotions, especially when everyday life becomes challenging and they require support with daily activities.

 

That might include reassurance that their care needs and personal care requirements will now be well looked after, combined with concerns about how life will change in a care setting or whether they will be able to make friends and continue to enjoy their favourite hobbies.

 

The right approach will, of course, depend on the individual and how they feel about relocating to a professional care centre, with some residents viewing a private, comfortable care space as a welcome transition, particularly when they have complex care needs and require round-the-clock support.

 

Nursing homes are staffed with qualified nurses and a registered nurse is available 24/7 to ensure high-quality care and support for residents with complex care needs.

 

In this Forest Healthcare article, we share some advice and tips from our experienced team members, ensuring the move into a nursing home is smooth, well managed and a positive experience for all.

 

Planning Ahead of the Move into a Specialist Nursing Care Home

If you’re already approaching your moving-in date, you’ll likely have already conducted all the necessary due diligence and have the assurance that your selected nursing care home has the right facilities, amenities and nursing staff to meet your care needs.

 

However, this is also a great time to raise any questions or organise an additional in-person visit to address any worries you might have. Additionally, our dedicated customer support team is available to answer any questions and assist with the transition into the nursing care home. For example:

 

·         Many nursing centres have a range of optional activities and social events, such as hair salons, musical evenings, seasonal celebrations and open days. Be sure you are happy with all the services on offer and know which of those you might be expected to pay extra for.

 

·         We always encourage new residents to furnish their private accommodation to their taste. You might wish to check the capacity of your room or suite to ensure your furniture or home comforts will fit nicely, or take a few pictures so you can sit down with your loved ones to plan the perfect layout.

 

·         Visiting schedules vary between nursing homes, particularly for residents with more involved personal care requirements. It’s well worth asking when and for how long your family and friends can visit so you can start putting together a visitor schedule to look forward to.

 

Any good care home or nursing centre will be happy to spend as much time as you need discussing their routines, services, amenities and care provisions, and having a one-to-one chat or meeting a few members of the care team helps to ensure you’ll be greeted by a friendly face on the day.

 

Contributing to Your Nursing Centre Care Plan

Care plans are meticulously designed documents prioritising residents’ health and well-being, setting out everything your carers need to know – and they’re fluid, flexible plans that can change alongside any variations in your medication, health, preferences or wishes.

 

Rather than a form created solely for the use of registered nurses, a care plan is collaborative and covers everything from the foods and flavours you most enjoy to your medical needs.

 

Working through your residential care plan or taking a copy home to review in your own time is a great way to set your mind at ease.

 

You can review every detail and request necessary changes, advising the nursing centre or residential care home about any information that will make a difference to your comfort. That could include:

 

·         Making a list of your favourite authors, TV shows or musicians to ensure you have a good range of books, movies, films or music to maintain a familiar routine.

 

·         Advising on the food, drinks and snacks you like – and those you don’t! If the nursing care centre knows in advance that, for example, you aren’t fond of a certain flavour, they can remove it from your meal planning.

 

 

·         Creating an overview of your preferred routine, or your routine for specific parts of the day such as settling down to sleep. You may wish to have warm cocoa at bedtime, play relaxing music in the evening, or have an hour or so of quiet time to enjoy a book.

 

Although care plans also include important information about medications, your health, the healthcare professionals engaged with your well-being and details such as whether a resident might need help with PEG feeding or mobility, this is also a space where you can record other requirements and wishes.

 

The Importance of Managing Nursing Home Transitions with an Experienced Care Team

It is always essential that new care home residents feel safe, supported, and comfortable that the care and assistance they receive will be right for them—and an accomplished nursing care centre plays a part in helping before, during, and after the moving-in day.

 

Our specialist nursing care is designed to cater to individuals with complex medical conditions and physical disabilities, ensuring a team of experts is always on hand to provide the necessary support and expertise.

 

Rather than leaving anything to chance or accepting niggling worries that something might not be quite right, we are here to listen, consult on the types of care we provide at each location, and offer insights into how the routine and schedule at the nursing centre works.

 

We often speak with prospective residents alongside family caregivers, partners, and loved ones to ensure that all parties are fully up to speed with the nursing care we expect to offer each resident, particularly when a person has a progressive condition that may need extra support.

 

Visiting together, having a walk through the nursing home and grounds, dropping in to see social events and activities, and speaking with current residents and care teams are excellent ways to get a feel for the environment and ensure you know where everything is.

 

Advocating for Independent Decision-Making around Residential Nursing Care

Our final tip, whether you are considering a nursing care home for yourself or are looking for professional residential care for a loved one, is to have open discussions about what relocation means and when and how this will happen.

 

Family members may feel that an older person with a condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s require them to make sensitive decisions on their behalf, particularly where they hold power of attorney and represent the wishes and needs of the individual.

 

Depending on the condition and health of the person, offering them autonomy when choosing a nursing care centre, making key decisions about things like furnishing and decorating their new living space, and ensuring they have support to ask questions can make a world of difference.

 

Before making any decisions, it’s crucial to understand the role of the local authority and local council in assessing needs and providing financial assistance for nursing care. They can help determine eligibility for funding based on savings, income, and assets, and offer guidance on the process, including the importance of not taking certain actions before a decision is made by the council.

 

You are welcome to contact the nearest Forest Healthcare nursing team at any time for further guidance about nursing care, the complexities of the transition many families experience, and how you can make this as smooth and stress-free as possible.

 

Information Source: -https://www.foresthc.com/advice-on-managing-the-transition-to-a-nursing-care-home-with-sensitivity-and-compassion/

 

As a leading care home company, our experienced care and nursing centre managers often consult with families and loved ones who benefit from guidance, support and independent advice when making key decisions about the care for themselves or a relative.

We never underestimate the complexity of these conversations, which many find emotional, with concerns about how they can compare one care home to another or what they should ask to verify whether a residential home has the compassion, kindness and sensitivity they want their loved one to be treated with.

Our first tip is to pick a care home provider who welcomes questions and in-person chats and is happy to take as much time as you need to talk you through care planning, facilities, and available care services. It is essential that all parties feel assured that their selected care setting is right for them and that their preferred care home has the necessary team members and support services.

Evaluating Potential Residential Care Facilities 

Family members pour time, effort and energy into finding the perfect home for older people and loved ones and often refer to regulatory inspection ratings published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England. These ratings are useful and provide a broad-stroke overview of how well a care home conforms to safeguarding, record-keeping, confidentiality and patient care standards.

You can also use resources such as CareHome.co.uk to access each care centre’s review score to see how other service users and residents feel about the care they have received.

However, it is always valuable to take the opportunity to visit a care home in person. Speaking to all the staff, getting a proper look at accommodation and suites, and seeing how carers engage and connect with their residents is a great indication of whether a care home has a friendly team and delivers good care.

The care teams in each Forest Healthcare location also encourage families and residents to visit any of our facilities that they may be interested in, whether a specialist nursing care centre or residential care home. Having that first-hand experience can make the transition into a care home far smoother and less stressful for all and ensures our care managers and teams are familiar faces.

Next, we’ll run through the questions we’d advise you to ask during those visits and before making any decisions.

1. What Care, Support, Accommodation and Amenities Are Inclusive?

Care homes charge varied fee structures, depending on the type of care required, the accommodation or suite a resident wishes to reserve, and whether the individual or family receive funding support to contribute towards their overall care costs. 

Although most amazing care homes offer absolute transparency, it’s worth enquiring during your visit if you are unsure whether everything is included in that fee. For example, you might find that visiting therapists or beauticians offer manicures, haircuts and beauty treatments at an additional charge or that the care home can organise extra amenities within a room for a nominal fee.

Particularly when you are arranging long-term or complex care, you should be informed about any potential changes to care home fees, if these are reviewed annually, or whether you need to make a deposit there and then to avoid losing out on a high-demand accommodation space.

We suggest asking to see either the room or a similar room during your tour, where you can check what is included, what you might be able to bring from home, or what the care home might be able to organise on your behalf. Simple things like a private TV, a comfy sofa, generous wardrobe storage space and a radio can make a big difference.

2. How Does the Care Centre Provide Entertainment, Activities or Opportunities for Socialisation?

Entertainment facilities add real value and ensure that all care home clients, whether living as residents in a dementia care or complex care setting or short-term recovery and rehabilitation care, have plenty of things to do, from crafting to day trips, garden parties to birthday celebrations and movie and quiz nights where residents chat, make friends and relax together.

Although all care homes are required to offer daily activities, the broader the range on offer, the better every resident will be able to pick and choose outings, organised entertainment or group activities that bring them joy.

It’s also a great idea to ask about outdoor activities or visits. Our award-winning care homes place huge value on social interaction and organise all sorts of day trips, cinema evenings, days out or shopping trips for residents who wish to participate and can do so.

3. What Level of Nursing Care or Medical Expertise is Available?

If you are organising a care home place on behalf of a family member with an ongoing or degenerative medical condition or cognitive illness, the standard and availability of nursing support may be key. Care homes normally provide medication reminders and help patients take prescribed medicines at specific intervals, but more in-depth or ongoing supervision may be required.

For example, you might ask how the care team tracks medications and what they would do if a doctor or consultant prescribed a change in dosage. You may also need to know what happens if your loved one becomes ill or needs help with an intravenous line – is there a registered nurse on duty at all times, or does the care home have a resident or nearby doctor they can call upon?

4. How Often Are Family Members and Loved Ones Able to Visit? 

Visiting arrangements may vary depending on the type of care delivered. However, even residents with profound disabilities or cognitive impairments benefit from regular visits from people they know and love, and the impact on their mental health is impossible to overstate.

Some care homes have specified visiting hours or durations or might allow a resident to have a maximum number of people per day to avoid overcrowding in smaller facilities. Others will have an open access policy and offer a warm welcome to every relative, taking the time to organise larger gatherings for special events or celebrations.

5. Does the Care Home Cater to Individual Catering Preferences and Dietary Requirements?

Finally, meal times are a focal point for many care homes, and it’s important that your loved one can advise on the types of foods they like to eat – not solely based on medical requirements, allergies or intolerances.

Excellent care is centred around health, well-being and comfort, and providing a varied, tasty and fresh menu every day is hugely important to the happiness and enjoyment of residents. Never hold back from asking to see the menu, enquiring about snacks during the day, or wanting to know whether your relative will be offered a soothing cocoa at bedtime if this is part of their routine.

For further information about comparing care homes, choosing the best care facilities for you or a loved one, or raising questions and concerns during care home visits, please get in touch with Forest Healthcare at any time.

 

Information Source: - https://www.foresthc.com/choosing-a-great-care-home-company-for-you-or-your-loved-one/