Choosing a care home for an elderly parent is one of the most significant decisions a carer can face. The process can often feel overwhelming, especially when it happens under pressure. Whether it’s a short-notice hospital discharge or the realisation that more support is needed than can be provided at home, it’s crucial to make informed decisions. Here’s what you need to know to help navigate this important step with confidence.
1. Avoiding Pressure Purchases: Take Your Time
Carers and elderly parents frequently find themselves needing to find a care home at short notice. The most common scenario is the pressure to secure a place to enable a hospital discharge. Although the urgency can be stressful, it’s important not to rush into a decision. Selecting the right care home is a significant commitment, both emotionally and financially, so take the time to assess your options carefully, even if you feel pressured.
2. Understand the Variable Quality of Care Homes
Unlike our national health service, there is no national care service and the availability of care homes varies between towns and counties across the UK. The quality of care provided in each home is also variable.
While healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors, and therapists undergo professional training and regulation, the same cannot always be said for care workers in care homes. Many care workers receive minimal training and are often paid the minimum wage. This lack of standardised training can lead to varying levels of care quality.
All care homes are registered with a national regulatory body. Each of the four nations in the UK has its own regulator but they are very similar in their remit and approach. There is currently concern about the rigour with which the CQC undertakes assessments in England.
3. Finding the Right Care Home
If you’re looking for a care home, a good starting point is to use the regulators’ directories. These provide a list of care homes in your area along with inspection reports that can offer insight into the quality of care provided. However, be prepared for waiting lists; the care home of your choice may not have an immediate vacancy, so it’s important to reach out and enquire directly.
| England | The Care Quality Commission (CQC) |
| Northern Ireland | The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) |
| Scotland | The Care Inspectorate (CIS) |
| Wales | The Care Inspectorate (CIW) |
If you don’t have the time or capacity to research and contact care homes yourself, there are private services available that can assist you in finding a suitable placement – for an agreed fee
4. Different Types of Care and Support
Different homes provide different levels of care. Some – not all – care homes can accommodate people living with dementia. Others can also provide nursing care. Before making a decision, consider both the current and potential future care needs of your elderly parent. Moving from one care home to another can be disruptive and distressing, so choosing a facility that can accommodate evolving needs may be beneficial in the long run.
5. Paying for Residential Care: What You Need to Know
Financial support for residential care is means tested but the financial cut offs are different in each of the four countries of the UK. Currently, in England the main cut off is very low – around £23,250 in savings and property. Generally, in England, around half of those who need care do not qualify for any financial support and need to fund the care themselves.
Care homes can be expensive – a ballpark figure is £1,000 per week / £50,000 per year. It doesn’t take long to cut into lifetime savings. Always read the contract carefully to avoid unexpected fees down the line – beware of “hidden costs” or “extras” such as phone calls, chiropody or even toiletries. Being aware of what’s included in your fee will help you decide which services you may want to add – or reduce – from your care plan, especially as some care homes may well “put their prices up”.
6. NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding
In some cases, the NHS will fund nursing care in a residential care home setting. Unlike other funding arrangements for care home residents, this funding is based on need and is not means tested.
In some instances, medical staff can fast track patients who they believe are in need of urgent help but others must make a formal application for this funding.
NHS CHC funding is a complex process underpinned by a formal legal framework. Strict national criteria determine who is eligible for these funds. Find out more about CHC Funding.
Key Takeaways:
• Avoid pressure: Don’t let urgency force a rushed decision; take the time to find the right care home.
• Quality varies: Research thoroughly, as care home quality can vary significantly between regions and homes.
• Understand the costs: Be aware of the financial implications, and don’t overlook hidden fees.
• Know your options: Consider both current and future care needs to avoid disruptive moves later on.
• Explore NHS funding: Understand the eligibility criteria for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, which could significantly reduce costs for those who qualify.
Choosing a care home is a major decision, but with careful consideration, research, and planning, you can find a suitable place that meets your loved one’s needs.
