Are there staff on duty 24 hours a day?
Schemes have members of the care team on site 24 hours a day,
providing planned care and emergency response plus support
staff during the day.
Who provides the care?
All carers are part of the on-site teams provided by the Extra
Care schemes, working in partnership with North Somerset
Council. The partnership consists of North Somerset Council,
Brunelcare, Hanover Housing, Housing 21, St Monicas Trust.
What happens if my care needs change?
This works the same as in residential care. If the changes
are small then the care provider will contact North Somerset
Council to request permission for the change. If there is a
substantial change of needs then a social worker will be asked to
carry out a reassessment to make sure that the care needs can still
be met within the ExtraCare Scheme and may involve arranging for
extra care to be purchased to meet the need if appropriate.
Are meals provided?
Both Waverley Court and Lakeside Court provide a mid-day meal to
residents as an integral part of the scheme. This is billed
with your rent and service charges and paid direct to Hanover
Housing. If you are eligible for full housing benefit, the
cost of having the meal prepared for you will be paid by Housing
Benefit and you will pay the cost of the ingredients.
Diamond Court and Sandford Station both have meals available at
lunchtime and it is an individual choice whether you wish to use
the restaurant or to prepare a meal within your own apartment, with
help from Carers if necessary.
Sandford Station offers both cooked meals at lunchtime,snacks,
tea and coffee during the day. It is an individual choice
whether you wish to use the restaurant or to prepare a meal within
your own apartment, with help from carers if necessary.
Meals within the restaurant are a good opportunity to socialise
with other residents, friends and families and other older people
from the local community who come into the schemes to use the
facilities.
Diamond Court does not currently have caterers on site, however
this is in the pipeline and expected to be functional before the
end of this year, and are looking to set up a temporary
arrangements shortly.
How much will it cost me to live in ExtraCare
Housing?
Please see Extra Care Housing Costs Table for more comprehensive
information regarding charges for each scheme.
Our Financial and Benefits Team (FAB) can do a
financial assessment and will look at all of your income, any
savings you have and the likely costs involved with moving into
ExtraCare Housing. They will also advise of any other
benefits you are entitled to claim and assist with any
claims.
What benefits will you get to keep in
ExtraCare?
Most people in ExtraCare are entitled to Attendance Allowance
and will receive an increase in Pension Credit.
What about utilities costs?
Most schemes pay communally for water and sewerage charges, and
some also include heating and lighting costs and this is
apportioned across the number of apartments as a Service
Charge. If there are individual metered services for heat and
lighting these are the responsibility of the individual residents
in the same way as they are in your current property.
Residents also pay for their own contents insurance, and telephone
services.
If a resident is under 75 a concessionary rate may be payable
for television licences.
What appliances are provided within the
schemes?
All schemes provide ovens and hobs for cooking as standard, and
most have communal laundry facilities. In some schemes
residents will have to provide their own fridge.
Will there be carpets or other floor coverings in my
apartment?
It is the responsibility of the tenant to arrange carpets or
other covering for the floors within their apartment.
However, sometimes an outgoing tenant may offer to gift floor
coverings if the new tenant is happy to accept them. The
Landlord is at no time responsible for maintaining these.
What if I have to buy more furniture/furnishings or a
fridge?
You may be eligible to apply for a Community Care Grant through
the Social Fund if you need to buy flooring furniture, furnishings,
utensils or household appliances. Forms can be collected from
Job Centre Plus offices or phone 0845 608 8616 to arrange for one
to be sent out to you.
What if I need help with laundry or shopping?
If this need has been identified during your care assessment and
included in your care plan laundry and/or shopping will be
completed by care workers.
Are there any restrictions on when I can have
visitors?
Your apartment is your own home so you choose who can visit and
when. Visitors are welcome at the schemes at any reasonable
time. If you have visitors who have to travel a long way to
visit you there are guest rooms available for rent within the
schemes.
Can I visit a Scheme before making any
decisions?
Of course! Contact the Scheme Manager(s) on the telephone
numbers below to arrange a visit. If you are offered a
tenancy you will be invited to view the apartment before being
asked to sign a tenancy.
Waverley Court Tel: 01275 846 039
Lakeside Court Tel: 01934 519 252
Diamond Court Tel: 03701 924038
Sandford Station Tel: 01934 825 910
How do I complain if I am dissatisfied with the service
I receive in an Extra Care Scheme?
All Housing Providers and Care Providers have their own
complaints procedures which they will be able to tell you
about. You can also make a
complaint
through North Somerset Council or directly to the
Care Quality
Commission.
Will I feel lonely in an Extra Care Scheme?
Although you have your own apartment with your own front door,
there are plenty of opportunities to socialise with your neighbours
and other people within the community. As well as the
restaurant, hairdressers, and communal lounges, schemes offer many
different activities from Coffee mornings to singing, art classes,
gentle exercise classes, visits from community organisations
etc. It is up to you to decide how much you wish to be
involved in within the scheme and surrounding community.
What if I need a lot of care but my partner
doesn’t?
Applications will be assessed on need. All of the Extra
Care Schemes have some flats with two bedrooms which are ideally
suited for couples who want to stay together but require separate
bedrooms.
What if I have a dog or cat?
Schemes are pet friendly and usually happy to accept a pet
providing it does not cause nuisance to other residents. Dogs
must be exercised outside the scheme grounds and not be allowed to
foul within the grounds.
