Care Home Finance

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:

1. Assessment by a care manager to establish the type of care required.
2. A financial assessment to determine your relative's contribution towards care.
3. An assessment by the matron of the care home to establish whether the chosen home is the best possible home for your relative.
4. An assessment by the health authority to determine if your relative requires nursing care. If they do it will be decided how much nursing care need.

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.