Care homes provide accommodation and personal
care. Some also provide nursing care. They are staffed 24
hours a day and all meals are provided. Care homes are intended for
older people whose care and support needs mean that they can no
longer live independently.
Care homes provide support for people who cannot live safely in
the community with a comprehensive package of care. Where nursing
care is provided, qualified nursing staff are on duty 24 hours a
day. In other homes, where needed, nursing support is
provided by the district nursing service.
The accommodation itself consists of a bedroom and sometimes, in
more modern homes, an en suite toilet and bathroom. Residents
have access to communal areas such as lounges, dining room etc.
Care Homes are registered with the Care Quality Commission, and
star rated from 0-3 based on regular inspections and other
information gathered. The council also regularly visit and
check the quality of care homes in our area.
The legal rights of residents are different from those in
sheltered or Extra Care housing. Care home residents neither
own their own accommodation or have a tenancy, and therefore have
no security or tenure.
Costs
In North Somerset, care homes are
owned and run by independent sector providers (voluntary sector
organisations, private companies and in some cases, individual
proprietors). Care homes charge a fee which is set by the home
itself. There is a wide variation in what care homes charge.
People who have capital or property with a value above £23,500 or
who have a high income are liable to pay their own fees. The
council will assist with fees for people who do not have access to
their own funds up to a level it agrees each year with the care
home sector.
The council only funds people who it has assessed as needing
care following an assessment of need under the NHS and Community
Care Act 1990. People funded by the council make a
contribution to costs based on their income and capital. Further
information on fees and funding will be provided at a future
briefing. North Somerset Council’s Care Connect offers advice and information
about all forms of care and support and is the first point of
contact for people wanting to have an assessment of their
needs.
