Involving Social Services
Whilst it is not obligatory to involve Social Services, particularly if your relative is going to be self-funding (being totally responsible for their own fees) it is best to inform them and ask for advice as soon as you or your doctor realise your relative needs full-time care.
A care manager will be appointed to help and advise. They will:
- Make an assessment regarding the most appropriate type of care required.
- Arrange a financial assessment if required.
- Give you a comprehensive list of homes in the area.
- Inform you which homes will give the type of care your relative needs.
- Arrange respite care during the waiting period if necessary.
- Reassess the placement of your relative during the first few weeks.
- Advise you if the placement is unsuitable and help find a more appropriate home for your relative.
If Social Services is involved four assessments will be made:
If Social Services are not involved only assessments 3 and 4 will apply.
The reason for the last assessment to determine the amount of nursing care a resident will need is because the National Health Service now pays for nursing services within nursing homes. This means that the resident no longer has to pay for this component of their care.
Comparing Fees
All homes have their own fee structure. Most homes charge different rates for single rooms, double rooms and for en suite facilities. Some homes will only admit residents who are self-funding, others will also admit those who are being helped by Social Services; some homes only admit residents who rely on Social Services for their funding.
It is sensible to contact your local Social Services offices and ask for a financial assessment before making any final decisions regarding your relative’s transfer to a care home.
Your relative’s care manager will assess the needs of your relative and decide the type of care which is most appropriate for them. This may be a residential care home, a nursing home or another type of care. If you disagree with their decision you may ask for a second opinion.
They will give you a list of homes in the area and guidance regarding the listed homes which may be suitable for your relative. However, care managers are not allowed to recommend any particular home.
Before you visit the various homes jot down a list of financial issues you need to know about, for instance:
- Will a monthly account be sent to me?
- Do the fees cover everything?
- Are there any extra charges for anything?
- When are fees due?
- Can fees be paid by direct debit?
- Who are the direct debit or cheques made payable to?
- Do Social Services send their contribution to the home?
Your care manager will arrange for your relative to have a financial assessment. This is mandatory if they hope to have financial help from Social Services. Even those people who expect to be self-funding may benefit from such an assessment because the assessor will ensure your relative is getting all the allowances to which they are entitled.
The Financial Assessment
An appointment will be made for a financial assessment to be carried out by one of the staff of the financial department of Social Services. They will visit your relative, provided they wish to have such an assessment which your relative is at liberty to refuse. You will be able to be with them during the assessment.
The assessor will need to know the source of your relative’s total income including any regular amounts of money from grants.
Some examples of income that the finance officer will need details of:
- State pension.
- Other pensions including disability; invalidity; industrial and war pensions.
- All allowances including attendance and disability living allowance.
- Net earnings and sick pay.
- Income from tenants and non-dependent relatives.
- Annuities and all other income.