Advice from the Independent about arranging care
2010-01-26 23:30:45
The Independent has published an article giving practical advice for people needing to arrange home or residential care for a relative. The article points out that January is a peak time for this to happen, as ‘…many families discover at their Christmas reunions that an older relative is struggling to cope.’ It gives details of several charities and organizations that can help people whose family members are in this position as well as giving an indication of what they can expect to pay for a care home place. Key messages in the article include:
- Take care when choosing a care home and try to visit potential homes unannounced. When you’ve chosen a home, keep an eye on care standards and read any new inspection reports.
- Consider a place in a retirement village or extra care accommodation as an alternative to residential care. Remember that personal care at home may become free from October 2010.
- When talking to social services about care needs, be very specific and describe the ‘worst case scenario’ rather than being stoical about requirements such as dressing and feeding.
- Watch out for an increase in care costs if you move your relative nearer to your home and into a different local authority area. Their original authority will still fund the same level of care and if care costs are more expensive in your area, you will have to cover the difference.
- Take advice from a financial consultant that is experienced in dealing with elderly matters and will take all relevant factors into account.