Types of care homes

There are many levels of service and support offered by care homes. The choice will be driven by level of need of the person you care for. Here are brief descriptions of the levels of service commonly available (Taken from the Care Choices directories).

Sheltered accommodation

Though not really care homes - sheltered accommodation offers reassurance of more security and companionship without loss of independence.

• Traditional sheltered housing has communal areas and a warden usually available to help during working hours.
• Very Sheltered housing is designed for optimum mobility, with easy level or ramped access all round, tend to have services provided and guarantee 24 hour emergency cover.
• Continuing Care is a type of housing which offers both accommodation for more independent people as well as increasing levels of support to the equivalent of a care home (please see below).

Care homes

Care homes are places offering 24 hour help, a safe environment, meals, companionship, activities and outings alongside private personal space possibly with a bathroom and some space to display or store treasured possessions. Some limited nursing care can be provided by the district nurse. Care homes are now categorised and inspected by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC). It is advisable to be sure that the care home you might be considering is registered with them.

Care homes with nursing

If there is a high level of care needed and ongoing medical attention is required, these homes offer the advantage of 24 nursing care. Although the nursing element of care in English care homes has been provided free by the NHS, personal care does have to be paid for. Support with things like bathing, feeding, dressing and moving about may need to be budgeted for.

Specialist homes

Some homes specialise in supporting people with specific ailments or disabilities. The options available depend on the level of learning and/or physical disability or state of mental health of the person you care for.

There are people who can help:

West Sussex Carers Support Services

You can get more information from:

www.ageuk.org.uk/ - Age Concern and Help the Aged merged in April 2010 and became Age UK. Information and advice section contains details about different types of accommodation for older people

www.housingcare.org - Elderly Accommodation Council - look at their housing and care options section

www.counselandcare.org.uk - factsheet on extra care housing available to download

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