Care homes for adults

Introduction

Choosing and moving into a care home is a big decision. If you are thinking of moving into a home you should contact us. We may be able to assess your needs and situation and help you find out what is best for you. We may also be able to help you consider other options like getting more help to continue living in your own home. There may also be other suitable options - like sheltered housing or very sheltered housing.

Finding a care home

The Bristol and Area Care Home Guide (pdf, 1.0 MB) is produced by local councils to provide advice and lists of homes. Local home care providers - that can help people continue to live at home are also included.

You an also search for a home on the Care Quality Commission web site.

If you require advice on choosing a home, read our leaflet Choosing a Residential Home leaflet HSC52 (pdf, 103 KB)

Information about care homes for the ex-Services community (including ex-Service homes, private and voluntary care homes, and information on sheltered housing across the UK) is available from SSAFA (The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) Ex-Service Homes Referral Agency. 

The Stationery Office, in conjunction with other care related charities and agencies, runs a website- www.bettercaring.com with details of care homes in your preferred location.

The following charitable organisations can also provide information and guidance about finding and choosing a suitable residential or nursing home

• Counsel & Care for the Elderly Tel: 0845 300 7585
• The Elderly Accommodation Counsel Tel: 0207 820 1343
• The Relatives and Residents Association Tel: 0207 916 6055
• Help the Aged SeniorLine Tel: 0808 800 6565

Take care and time when selecting a home.  Visit several homes, preferably with a friend, relative or carer.  Read our checklist of issues (pdf, 11 KB)to consider and ask questions about when visiting a home.

Inspections of care homes

Read Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection reports - they register and regularly inspect homes. The CQC can provide the latest inspection reports for homes and up-to-date lists of local homes.

To get a report, first search the CQC web site - see link below, and order online or call 0870 240 7535.
Directory of care homes and care services

Paying for care

There are fees for living in all care homes.

Social workers are responsible for doing a financial assessment for anyone considering going into one of our homes. This assessment will show the weekly cost of living in a home.

Depending on your financial circumstances we may be able to contribute to the cost of a placement in a private home. See our leaflet Residential Care Charges HSC37 on our charges page.

Care homes with nursing

If you now need a substantial amount of help with personal care or require regular medical attention, you may need to consider a care home where nursing support is provided.  In this type of home there will be qualified nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day.  This means that there is always someone available who is qualified to assess your medical needs and administer appropriate medication or identify the need for a doctor.

Care homes for people with mental confusion or dementia

Finding a care home for someone with Alzheimer's Disease, dementia or a pattern of severe and permanent confusion can be difficult and requires careful research and investigation.  It is worthwhile seeking advice from specialist agencies in the relevant field such as:

• Bristol Alzheimer Disease Society
  Tel - 0117 961 0693 
   
• Dementia Voice
  Tel - 0117 975 4863

Some care home providers have developed schemes specialising in care for elderly mentally infirm residents.  If you are seeking care for someone with this type of mental disability, it is always advisable to obtain a full assessment of the person's needs from Social Services even if no help will be needed with the cost of the care.

Being assessed

You will be visited by a social worker to discuss your personal circumstances, how you manage at home, what help you receive and the difficulties caused by your health problems.

Before the visit, Social Services should send you a booklet "Assessment – What to expect".

It is very useful if a friend, family member or carer can be present when you receive this visit.  It is also a good idea to prepare ahead of the visit a list of the questions you want answered. Your wishes and preferences are a key and essential part of the assessment process, so do not be afraid to say what you think and feel.

Contact Care Direct for more information

Moving in

You need to talk to the manager of the home you will be moving into about arrangements for furnishing the room, whether you have to share, and whether residents may have their own TV and/or telephone in their room.

It is also advisable to talk to staff in the home about agreeing a ‘care plan’ which takes full account of your health, dietary and social needs and preferences.  For example, it should be possible for you to choose to have breakfast in your room and for any special dietary needs to be catered for.  If you have a medical condition, diabetes or asthma, for example, make sure that the staff are clear about how to handle any health emergency and administer treatment if necessary.

If your move into care has been organised through Social Services, a trial stay of four weeks will be recommended to ensure that you are happy with the choice of home. This also allows the staff at the home to confirm that they can provide the level of care you require.

This is good practice and you are advised to follow the same procedure even if you are selecting and paying for care without assistance from Social Services.

If you are considering a move into long -term care but have not yet made a final decision it can be very useful to have a short “respite” stay in one or two homes to see how the arrangement suits you.  Most homes offer this facility.

Contact us

For more information about care homes and to arrange an assessment contact our Care Direct service