Adult Residential Care
Sometimes people find living in their own homes no longer possible because of frailty, ill health, disability or other difficulties. Whatever the reason, leaving your own home to be cared for by someone else, even for a short period, requires careful consideration. If you are able to make your own arrangements and completely fund the costs of your own care, then you can apply directly to any care home of your choice. The better caring website has a listing of all registered care homes in North Ayrshire with comprehensive information including bed availability, dual registered homes, nursing homes, charity information, respite care, Alzheimer's care and benefits.
If you think you may be eligible for help from us, you should contact your local Social Services Office who will carry out an assessment of your needs and provide as much advice and information as possible.
Some local care homes are managed by us. Other care homes are owned and managed by private or voluntary organisations. You have a right to expect a good quality of care from any home, regardless of who runs it.
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All care homes are registered which means that they must meet certain standards of care. To ensure that they continue to meet these standards, every home is regularly serviced by the care commission.You can request copies of inspection reports directly from care homes or the care commission. They are also available in public libraries.
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When you contact us arrangements will be made for an assessment to be carried out. The main purpose of the assessment is to decide what your needs are, and how you wish these needs to be addressed. It is about enabling you to make the best choice for your own future. This will involve talking to you, your relatives and carers about your circumstances taking into account: - · The things you are able to do for yourself and the things you would like to be able to do. · Health problems, including any recent admissions to hospital. · Ways you could be helped to stay in your own home. · Medical advice, usually from your GP, whenever you have a need for nursing care. If you disagree with the outcome of the assessment you can ask for a review.
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Moving into a care home from hospitals is a major change in anyone's life. Before this takes place, you and your carers will have been involved in the assessment process, which will identify what type of care you require. Both Social Services and hospital staff will provide you with information about moving into a care home. If you are assessed as needing care, you, your family and your carers will be given information on the range of care homes, their likely availability and cost. You will also be advised on obtaining inspection reports from the Care Commission.
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When it has been agreed that you need to move into a care home, you, your family and your carers will have the opportunity to make several choices of care home. When you have made your choices, and there is a vacancy for you, you will be helped to move.
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Discharge from hospital should normally take no longer than 6 weeks.
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If no places are likely to be available in your preferred care home within 6 weeks of you being declared ready for discharge, we will look into the availability of other affordable care home places. If a place in an alternative care home is found, we will help you move there as an interim choice care home. This should normally happen within 6 weeks of you being declared ready for discharge. You would remain on the waiting list or lists for the care homes you originally selected if you wish. Our staff will keep you informed of the local situation.
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Once you are settled into your interim accommodation and if you decide that you would prefer to remain here, we will try to arrange this for you.
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If you have to move to an alternative care home that is some distance away from the care home of your choice, financial assistance for additional travel expenses may be available to your family, friends and carers. This should be discussed with the care manager.
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Both Health and Social Service staff will be able to offer help and advice, as well as directing you to further sources of assistance. The Care Commission has information about care homes in your area based on the care home inspections they have carried out.
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If you decide to fully fund your care costs, you will be offered the same advice, guidance and assistance on care home choice as someone who is fully or partially publicly funded. If you choose to make your own arrangements for post-hospital care, the NHS will expect these arrangements to be made within 6 weeks of you being declared ready for discharge from hospital.
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If you believe that the decision to discharge you is not appropriate, the first thing to do is discuss this with your consultant, care manager or named nurse. If after doing this, there is still disagreement, Health and/or Social Services staff will advise you on how to appeal. However, unnecessary time spent in hospital can affect your health, reduce your confidence and independence, and affect your ability to cope.
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