Care Questions
Understanding how the care sector provides care is one of the most frequently asked questions we answer when meeting people who are seeking a residential, nursing or dementia care home place for a family member or a loved one.
We have compiled a list of the most common questions and our answers. We have also referenced independent reference sources, including Age UK and the NHS. Our aim is to be impartial, to provide knowledge and to help alleviate what can be a stressful experience.
Choosing a care home can be an emotional experience. Castlemeadow Care recommends the following six simple steps to follow:
- Think about location. Are you seeking a care home near to you, or local to where your loved one lives currently? Use google to find care homes in your area.
- Research your care home list using reputable sources of information. Care homes are inspected by the Care Quality Commission, also known as the CQC, which is part of the Department of Health and Social Care. This is an independent regulator responsible for health and safety in all health and social care settings. It maintains a register of providers and enforces standards.
- Check PAMMS. PAMMS stands for Provider Assessment and Market Management Solution and is an online assessment tool used by a Local Authority’s Adult Social Services team to assess and audit the quality of care delivered by care home providers. Search using the name of your local authority + the acronym PAMMS. Inspected care homes can be searched by name.
- Check review sites such as carehome.co.uk , www.autumna.co.uk and www.lottie.org These sites provide user feedback on care facilities. Autumna provides an OpenScore and Live Ratings service.
- Seek opinions from family and friends. They may know someone who is in a care home.
- Visit several homes. Age UK has a free checklist of questions to ask during your visit.
At Castlemeadow Care, visitors are welcome at any time and our doors are always open.
Care homes can be busy during early morning and mealtimes. If possible, it is best to book a visit.
You should be greeted warmly, by name and offered refreshments. You will be offered a tour of the home to better understand the facilities and care available, and to meet the care team and the residents. Subject to timing, you may be invited to join in an activity.
Your tour will not be time-limited, and you can ask as many questions as you wish.
At the end of your tour, you will be able to meet the Home Manager and to discuss your care requirements privately. This will include explaining the weekly cost of providing care and how we will assess the care that is required.
Throughout your visit we will take notes, and you will be asked if you are happy for us to keep in contact.
Yes, all Castlemeadow Care homes are wheelchair accessible, and lifts operate in homes of more than one storey in height. Doors are power controlled.
Our ensuite rooms have bathroom facilities which are fully accessible and include a wet room/shower.
There are many different descriptions of the types of care services that are available. These include respite, or short stay care, residential care, assisted living, residential dementia care, nursing care, retirement living, home care and domiciliary care.
At Castlemeadow Care, we provide respite care, residential care, residential dementia care and nursing care. We have a retirement village at Woodgate Park near Dereham where a home care service is available, if required.
The care we provide is unique for every resident and is reviewed regularly. Every resident has an individual care plan which is a comprehensive record of their medical and clinical health conditions, requirements for dental, physio, chiropody, and other services, next of kin contact details, and personal interests and hobbies.
Short stay, or respite care is a temporary care service provided by all Castlemeadow Care homes. It enables someone who is thinking about moving into a care home to experience the environment and daily life before they decide. Many of the people who live in a Castlemeadow Care home have tried short stay, or respite care.
People also choose short stay, or respite care when rehabilitating after time spent in hospital or to provide a break from caring for someone at home.
Whatever the reason for choosing a short stay, or respite care, we will help you to feel at home and to enjoy your time with us.
A minimum stay of one week is required.
Every Castlemeadow Care home provides exemplary dementia care. Dementia care teams in each home are fully trained and supervised by a Head of Dementia.
People living with dementia can live fulfilled and happy lives in a supported and safe environment. We pride ourselves on ensuring good nutrition, joyful daily activities and a positive and stimulating environment.
Please visit one of our homes to find out more.
The cost of care provided in a residential home or nursing home is a weekly cost, which varies by the type of home, the level of care required and the type of accommodation, i.e., how big your room is.
Fees charged are inclusive of care, accommodation, meals, and activities provided by the home. Some extra costs may be levied on ancillary services, such as hairdressing, trips out not provided by the home and subscription TV services (Netflix, Prime, Apple TV and others).
At Castlemeadow Care, our weekly care costs vary across our homes. Our Home Managers are happy to discuss care costs and care funding with you.
An exact cost of care will be advised after a pre-moving in assessment is completed. (See also What happens after I have chosen a care home?)
There are three types of care funding available: self-funding, local authority funded, or NHS Continuing Healthcare funded.
Self-funding means that you will meet the cost of your weekly care fees directly. Typically, this is from savings, or other assets that you may have. Self-funding is also known as private pay.
Local authority funded care means that your local council has agreed to meet the weekly cost of your care up to an agreed maximum amount. This will vary by local authority. If the cost of your care is more than the maximum funding amount, then you will need to pay the difference. This shortfall can be covered by a lien agreement on any property that you may own which would be sold at a later date to repay the local authority. You should contact your local authority Adult Social Services team for more information.
NHS Continuing Healthcare is for people who have a complex and long-term needs which have been assessed by medical professionals. More information can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/nhs-continuing-healthcare/
Care homes will usually ask for proof that you are able to cover the costs of your care for a period of time. This will vary by care home. At Castlemeadow Care, we request proof of funding for at least two years.
Once you have selected a care home and are happy with the level of care and accommodation which will be provided, a pre-assessment of care needs will be completed.
This is a conversation with the Home Manager to capture in detail your care needs and wants, and to get to know you as a person – what you like, what you do not like, your hobbies and interests and what would make life at Castlemeadow Care the best it could be.
Your pre-assessment of care needs will determine the level of care you require – and if we can provide this care, and your weekly fee. We will also confirm with you how your care will be paid for and agree a contract to provide care.
Once all the paperwork is in order, we will agree and arrange a moving-in date with you.
Yes, we welcome couples moving in to care together. We would recommend a larger room is selected. If single rooms are preferred, then we will endeavour to locate these next to each other although this may not always be possible. Our Home Managers are happy to discuss your requirements.
Yes, we are happy for you to bring some of your own furniture for your room. Many of our residents bring cherished heirlooms with them.
Well-behaved pets are welcome in some Castlemeadow Care homes. Please speak with your Home Manager as welcoming pets will be at the Home Manager’s discretion.
Moving in can be a stressful experience, and we will do everything to make the day seamless and calm. You are welcome to bring some of your own furniture and, in some of our homes, well-behaved pets are welcome.
At every step of the moving process, we will support you. After you move-in we will help you orientate around the home, meet other residents, and understand daily life. Living in a care home will take time to get used to and we will be by your side every step of the journey.
Many of our residents pop-out on a regular basis with friends and family. We would ask that you advise us of your plans, including your expected return time.
Some of our residents have more severe mobility and neurological issues which means that support by our care team will be needed for any trip not organised by the care home. We always put the safety of our residents first and, in some circumstances, will advise against unescorted trips.
Our homes have regular escorted trips out to local attractions, cafes and restaurants, the seaside, the theatre and cinema and sports events.
Our in-house chefs take great pride in preparing nutritious and balanced meals every day for our residents. This includes breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Our menus change weekly.
We take careful note of each individual resident’s nutritional and dietary requirements and ensure that these are complied with. This includes vegetarian/vegan alternatives, gluten free options, lactose intolerance, nut allergies and compliance with religious practices. Post operative and dysphagia dietary needs are carefully monitored.
Individual dietary requirements are discussed prior to moving into a Castlemeadow Care home and reviewed with you regularly.
Provided there is no medical or clinical reason hy you cannot have alcohol, a modest intake of alcohol is permitted and will be provided by the care home.
Smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes is not permitted inside Castlemeadow Care homes. Provided there is no medical or clinical reason why you cannot smoke, smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes is permitted in a designated smoking area outside of the building.
Safety and security are paramount for our residents. We do not have video monitoring at Castlemeadow Care homes. The exteriors of our homes are monitored.
Should you have any concerns about safety and security, please speak confidentially to the Home Manager. Your concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon.
We take any complaint very seriously and will listen carefully to understand the issue and how best it can be resolved. Our Home Managers have an open-door policy for you to discuss any issue with them at any time.
Our homes also have local Home committees comprising people who live in our homes and their nominated people. These committees meet regularly with Home Managers to suggest ideas, request improvements and to raise any complaint that has not been addressed.
Please contact your Home Manager should you have any concerns.
Assisted living and supported living sound very similar but are very different types of care services.
Assisted living is usually provided within a residential care home environment for older adults who require support but do not need 24 x7 medical care such as that provided in a nursing home. Personal care is provided which is tailored to the needs of the individual and includes assistance with daily activities such as washing and dressing and toileting, medication management, and social and recreational programmes and trips. Residents in assisted living will have their own ensuite bedrooms and share communal areas within the home.
Supported living is a more individualised approach to residential care and is designed to support more vulnerable individuals, including those with learning disabilities, to live independently at home or in small, community-based environments. The aim of supported living is to help the individual live as autonomously as possible. Services may include supporting daily living activities such as job training, social activities, and access to healthcare.
Assisted living is usually provided within a residential care home environment for older adults who require support but do not need 24 x7 medical care such as that provided in a nursing home. Personal care is provided which is tailored to the needs of the individual and includes assistance with daily activities such as washing and dressing and toileting, medication management, and social and recreational programmes and trips. Residents in assisted living will have their own ensuite bedrooms and share communal areas within the home.
Castlemeadow Care provides assisted living in St John’s House, Norwich, The Mayfields, Long Stratton, Highfield House, Halesworth, The Paddocks, Swaffham and Wyndham House, North Wootton.
Domiciliary or homecare involves providing care and support to individuals in their own homes. It is a care service which helps people maintain their independence and quality of life, particularly those who may struggle with daily activities due to long term health conditions, mobility challenges or illness. Homecare can be temporary service to help someone recuperate after an operation, or long-term, helping someone live independently for as long as possible. Care visits are typically for 30 minutes two times a day in the morning and afternoon. Longer and more frequent visits can be arranged, and many agencies offer an overnight service, also known as sleep on call.
Castlemeadow Care provides homecare as an optional support service in its retirement village at Woodgate Park.
People can live life with dementia in its earlier stages. The Alzheimer’s Society has many useful articles on how to live with dementia and caring for people with dementia.
As the disease progresses, there will be a stage where a care home specialising in dementia would be a safe and caring decision to make. The Alzheimer’s Society has a useful guide on the stages of dementia.
Castlemeadow Care provides residential dementia care in St John’s House, Norwich, The Mayfields, Long Stratton, Highfield House, Halesworth, The Paddocks, Swaffham and Wyndham House, North Wootton and nursing dementia care at Lincoln House, Dereham.
Our parents are independent people and value their home highly. However, living at home often alone can be challenging with age and longer term health conditions and mobility challenges.
Here are some possible scenarios which may occur and which may signal an underlying health and wellbeing issue for some people.
Medication:
Regular medication is missed or taken erratically. Medicine becomes stockpiled. It becomes apparent that health may be affected. GP check-ups may be missed, and concerns are raised.
Mobility:
Using the stairs safely, moving around the house using furniture for fear of falling over, difficulty getting up out of a chair, difficulty getting out of bed, concerns on using the bathroom and toilet safely, and an increased number of falls.
Washing and dressing:
Struggling to maintain personal hygiene due to mobility challenges or cognitive impairment, wearing the same clothes, which may be soiled for an extended period of time, losing interest in or lacking the ability to wash and shower regularly.
Personal appearance:
Changes to how clothes are worn, washing and brushing hair, cleaning hands.
Eating and drinking:
Fluid intake reduces, difficulty preparing and eating a meal, visibly losing weight.
Home environment:
Changes to the tidiness and cleanliness of the home that is unusual, unemptied bins, unwashed pots, leftover or stale food.
Socialising:
Changes to a usual pattern of contacting and socialising with family, friends and neighbours.
Exercise:
Going outside less often, sitting more.
Money management:
Changes to how money is spent which could signal a problem.
Very often, making physical changes to someone’s home environment can be helpful, such as removing trip hazards, installing handrails or a stairlift. Sometimes additional support from homecare agencies can be helpful in ensuring medication is taken and monitoring food and drink intake.
If the current home environment is no longer suitable then consider:
Supported living: this can be within a housing scheme where on-site care is available but there is still a high level of independence. For example, care village environments or apartments. A bungalow in a Castlemeadow Village is an example; other provider accommodation is available.
Assisted living: this is typically within a residential care environment where a higher level of care is available 24 x 7. Castlemeadow Care residential care homes provide an assisted living environment in East Anglia.