16/11/2009

1. There are around 18,500 care homes in England.

2. Homes do differ – some are registered to provide nursing care, while others cater for people with dementia (homes for the elderly mentally infirm) or those with disabilities.

3. Local authorities often publish lists of care homes on their websites and produce guides on how to go about choosing one.

4. The charity Age Concern and Help the Aged also produce fact sheets and have an advice line – 0800 00 99 66

5. One of the best sources of information is the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website – www.cqc.org.uk. The CQC is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England. On their website you can search for care homes in your area and look through inspection reports on individual homes. They also have a helpline – 03000 616161

6. The CQC judges homes using a star system; three stars is excellent, no stars is poor.

7. The CQC may take enforcement action against homes with poor standards of care and they close around 60 homes each year in England.

8. If you’re interested in a particular care home ask them to provide you with a User Service Guide which should include information on services; terms and conditions, the fees and charges for extra services, such as hairdressing and the qualifications and experience of staff.

9. Homes in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are also required to produce a Statement of Purpose which gives information on admission criteria, fire safety, staff qualifications and how residents’ dignity and privacy is maintained.

10. Minimum care standards say residents of homes have a right to dignity and privacy and to make decisions about their own care.

11. The average care home place costs about £30,000 a year but your local authority or primary care trust may pay some or all of the fees depending on your circumstances when you are assessed. You can request your primary care trust to carry out a continuing care assessment to decide whether the NHS should pay for all the care you need.

12. Once you’ve decided on a home you will be sent a contract. Check that the terms are acceptable and legally correct. It should set out what is included in the fees, the
deposit, what extras you will have to pay for, what notice is required and any charges made if you go into hospital or if you die.