Long-term care | Connecting Carers

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Choosing the right option

Thinking about long-term care for the person you care for can be bewildering and confusing

This can be a very lonely task, difficult to share with others. It helps to know that you have considered all the important factors in making a decision, and that you are not alone at this time.

Choosing a care home

A number of online directories can be accessed to search for care homes in Highland and other areas. A good starting point is the Care Inspectorate, where you can view the up to date inspection report for the care home you are interested in. Visit their website or call 0345 600 9527.

You can arrange a visit to a care home or ask for someone from the home to visit you. Write down the things you and the person you care for want to ask, and take the list with you on visits. A care home should be homely, safe, secure and enable people to carry on leading as full a life as possible. Don’t be embarrassed to ask lots of questions and have a good look around. Here is a list of things you may need to think about:

Location: Is it close to local amenities and your home?
Ambience: What is your first impression?
Staff: Are there enough staff? How do they behave?
Accommodation: Do you get your own room? Toilet facilities?
Facilities: Are there visiting hairdressers, chiropodists etc?
Freedom: Are safeguards in place for vulnerable adults?
Meals: Is a choice of good quality, nutritious meals available?
Pets: Are pets allowed in the care home?
Activities: What activities are provided by the care home?
Keeping in contact: Access to telephone or internet?
Having a say: How does the home handle problems?

Paying for care

If someone is assessed as needing to live in a care home, their finances are assessed including their capital and income. Capital includes property, investments and savings in that person’s name. Half of any capital in joint names is taken into account. The value of property is not treated as capital if the person’s spouse or partner, relative over 60, or a relative under 60 with incapacity continues to live there. If a Carer (who is not a spouse or partner) has been living in the house, the value may be disregarded.

There are upper and lower limits to how much someone needs to pay. These figures change in line with inflation and are included in the revised versions of the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide. If someone has income over the upper limit they are asked to pay the full cost of care.

Care home residents can get 50% of their private pension paid to a spouse who continues to live at home. If the person you care for is assessed as needing personal and/or nursing care, they get the costs for both deducted from care home fees (the amount deducted is less for people under 65). Charging procedures can be complicated, so it is worth seeking advice.

Emotional Support

Thinking about long-term care in a care home be an emotional time. As a Carer you may need to deal with a range of different feelings. Our Carer Liaison Workers can help.

If you would like more information call our Carer Support Line on 01463 723560 or email us by clicking the link below.

Practical Support

Many Carers are concerned about paying for care home fees, how much they will have to pay, and what happens to property. Discuss this with your local Carer Liaison Worker who can put you in touch with services to help.

If you would like more information call our Carer Support Line on 01463 723560 or email us by clicking the link below.