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Guide to care homes for over 50s

Health, mobility and finances may affect decisions you make about your housing arrangements. You may need a level of support that cannot be provided in your home. Once you have made the decision to move into a care home you need to begin the process of choosing the right one for you.

Choosing a residential care or nursing home

You may need a level of support that cannot be provided in your home. Once you have made the decision to move into a residential care or nursing home you need to begin the process of choosing the right one.

Your local Trust can provide information about what services are available for older people and how to get those services. The Trust has a duty to make sure your care needs (physical or emotional) are met.

You have the right to choose your care home. There are lots to choose from, but finding one that is right for you may take some time. You should make sure that the home you choose has the right facilities, equipment and trained staff to meet your needs.

Each local Trust sets amounts that they normally pay for someone with your assessed needs. If you want to move into a home that is more expensive, you may need to find a way to pay the difference.

Finding the right residential care or nursing home

Finding the right home can take time. If you have specific or complex care needs, it can sometimes be difficult. Charities and organisations related to your specific disability might be able to offer advice about choosing a home.

There are relatively few homes able to meet the needs of younger disabled people - your local Trust should be able to tell you about those in your area. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) inspects all registered homes and writes a report on what it finds.

Reading the reports on the homes you are considering might help you make a choice. These can be obtained from the RQIA or the homes themselves. Minimum standards issued by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety state that care homes should offer trial stays. This may include the chance to meet staff, have a meal and an overnight stay.

Covering the cost

Care home fees are a worry for a lot of people. Sometimes, care homes providing services and facilities appropriate to particular disabilities can be expensive. Health and care professionals will assess your needs and help you find a care home to meet those needs. They will then do a financial assessment to work out how much you can afford to contribute towards them.

Currently, if you have more than £23,250 in capital you will be assessed as being able to meet the full cost of your care.

Temporary stays in a residential care or nursing home

You might choose a temporary stay in a residential care or nursing home to recover from an illness or as a break for you and your carer. You should also be able to stay on a temporary basis for a trial period to see if the care home suits you. Some people also go to care homes for day care.

Will your benefits be affected?

Moving into a care home can affect the benefits you receive. Most of your benefits will form part of your contribution to your residential care or nursing home fees, so it is important to make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. Your benefits can also be affected by a temporary or trial stay in a care home.

Your home, your assets and your care home fees

Most people pay at least part of their residential care or nursing home fees but this doesn't always mean you have to sell your home. If you plan ahead, you can protect your assets and make sure you still have something to leave to loved ones in your will.

Your care home and your personal belongings

When you're considering moving into a residential care or nursing home, you may be worried about what will happen to your furniture and other personal belongings. Ask about a home's policy on household effects before you move in.

Residential care or nursing home and hospital

Some people move to a home directly from hospital. You cannot be discharged into a home against your will and you have the right to choose your home. Sometimes a hospital stay becomes necessary whilst living in a home.

Residential Care or nursing homes standards

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is the independent body responsible for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, and encouraging improvements in the quality of those services.

The RQIA's role is to ensure that health and social care services in Northern Ireland are accessible, well managed and meet the required standards. It works to ensure that there is openness, clarity and accountability in the management and delivery of all these services.

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