Useful Links
Useful Links
We understand that the decision to move into a care home is a significant one. It can be an emotional, challenging and uncertain time. To assist we have shared a short list of organisations that we feel will provide further useful information, resources and support to anyone considering care.
Action For Elders
Tel: 030 330 30132
Web: www.actionforelders.org.uk
Action for Elders supports and encourages elderly people to exercise and become active, improve their social lives and reduce their isolation and loneliness.
Admiral Nurses
Tel: 0800 888 6678
Email: helpline@dementiauk.org
The specialist dementia nurses are available on a free, confidential Helpline and are here for you when you need help. Whatever you’re worried about, they have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems.
Age UK
Tel: 0800 678 1602
Web: www.ageuk.org.uk
Provides information on issues affecting older people and their carers.
Age Well East
Tel: 0300 37 33 333
Web: www.agewelleast.org.uk
Services include providing advice and information about pensions, benefits, housing, blue badge applications, one to one volunteer friendship, pen friending and groups and activities. As well as support for people living through loss, bereavement, mental health struggles and end of life care and ongoing support to people with a dementia diagnosis and their carers.
Alzheimer’s Society
Tel: 0300 222 1122
Web: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Promotes knowledge and understanding of dementia, campaigns for change and funds research to find a cure for dementia.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Tel: 03000 616 161
Web: www.cqc.org.uk
The independent regulator for health and social care in England, ensuring health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care.
Carer Support
Tel: 020 7378 4999
Web: www.carersuk.org
Give expert advice, information and support to people caring for others.
Dementia UK
Tel: 0808 808 7777
Web: www.dementiauk.org
Provides specialist dementia support for families through their website and the provision of their trained Admiral Nurses who provide one-to-one support and expert guidance.
Marie Curie
Tel: 0800 090 2309
Whether you have months, weeks or days left to live, the charity Marie Curie are here for you with clinical and emotional care, supporting you to be comfortable, free of pain and other symptoms, and able to live the best life you can to the end.
NHS Choices
Web: www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide
Care and support guide which explains people’s options and where to get support for those who need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability.
Parkinson’s Society
Tel: 0808 800 0303
Web: www.parkinsons.org.uk
Provides support, advice and information to people living with Parkinson’s, their carers, families and friends.
Stroke Association
Tel: 0303 3033 100
Web: www.stroke.org.uk
Discover insights into causes, symptoms, prevention, and rehabilitation, but also what services and support the Stroke Association offers for stroke survivors or anyone involved with stroke.
The Cinnamon Trust
Tel: 01736 757 900
Web: www.cinnamon.org.uk
The National Charity for older people, the terminally ill and their pets. As a network of 20,000 volunteers “hold hands” with owners to provide vital loving care for their pets, the Cinnamon Trust is the only specialist national charity which seeks to relieve the anxieties and problems faced by elderly and terminally ill people and their pets.
The Silver Line
Tel: 0800 470 8090
This charity offers friendship, conversation, and support to older people aged 55 and over. Whatever the day or time, you can pick up the phone and speak to one of their friendly Silver Line team members.
Local Authority Funding
Local Authority funding is not accessible to individuals where capital assets exceed £23,250. Where assets exceed this amount, you are considered a self-funder, which essentially means you will have to pay for your own care fees until such a time that your capital falls below this threshold. Some assets are excluded from the assessment which is undertaken by the Local Authority. In particular, the treatment of the persons home can sometimes lead to confusion. This asset is excluded if:
- A spouse or partner still resides at the property
- A relative aged 60 or over lives at the house
- A disabled relative lives at the house
- A dependent child under 18 lives in the house
- The care is being provided on a temporary basis
- The person is in the first twelve weeks of needing permanent care
With Local Authority funding, you can top up care payments of the amount provided if it does not meet the cost of the chosen care provider. Local Authorities will only assess the individual needing care and do not assess a couple’s joint resources. For more information you will need to contact your Local Authority. For those in Essex please visit https://www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health for more information.
“A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went” D. Ramsey
NHS Continuing Health Care
NHS continuing healthcare is an ongoing package of health and social care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS where an individual is found to have a primary health need. Such care is provided to an individual aged 18 or over to meet needs that have arisen as a result of disability, accident or illness.
To qualify for Continuing Healthcare funding, it must be proven that you have a ‘primary health need’. This means that your care requirements are primarily for healthcare, rather than social or personal care needs. This is usually judged via a two-step assessment process.
If you think you may be eligible for continuing healthcare you should speak with your GP, healthcare professional or social worker first. Alternatively, you can contact the local continuing healthcare team in your county of residence. For residents currently in Essex, please visit https://www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/housing-options-and-care-homes/continuing-healthcare
NHS Funded Nursing Care
NHS-funded nursing care is registered nursing care funded by the NHS for eligible nursing home residents.
You may qualify for NHS-funded nursing care if the following is true:
- You live in a care home which is registered to provide nursing care.
- You are not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare but have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse
You should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare before a decision is made about whether you are eligible for NHS-funded nursing care. Most people don’t need a separate assessment for NHS-funded nursing care. However, if you do need an assessment or you haven’t already had one, your integrated care board (ICB) can arrange an assessment for you. Please visit https://suffolkandnortheastessex.icb.nhs.uk/ for more information
Further Information
You can also find further useful information on funding your care by AGEUK at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/paying-for-care/
