Nursing Homes

kgrant

Hi All...

My gran has just taken a bad turn in terms of her health and she looks like she will need to be in a nursing home rather than a care package or long-term hospital stay so has anyone any advice, experience or reviews of good or bad nursing homes in the Carrickfergus or East Antrim areas?

Many thanks.

missma

Hi sure about specific homes, but any homes you are thinking off you can look on the RQIA website and source previous inspection reports. Not sure if this helps.

Old_Git

I dont have any experience off nursing homes ,but I was speaking to social services a few months ago and they advised me to look for one for a relative as a precautionary measure .
One thing that did come up in the conversation was top up fees .Most now seem to charge a top up fee and it varies from £10 to £100 on top of the normal charges .This has to be paid by a third party (the family ) .If she is self funding get social services involved as they will pay £100 per week towards nursing care .If she has limiited funds social services will pay everything but not the top up fee .

happy_gardener

Is there any advice for residential homes? I know they used to be called 'folds'..not sure if they are called that now. I am at the first stage of enquiry and shall be approaching the 'AGENI' phone line Monday morning !!! I do not know where to get advice from.

markdebby

I would visit nursing home in my area to get the feel of places. I would talk to as many people as possible eg family of people already living in your chosen ones.
If there is a Care Manager involved in your case they will support you with the money side of things if not your GP could allocate you one.
There are still Folds when you need to be able bodied and be independent but still have the security and someone to monitor you.

pc10

http://www.rqia.org.uk/inspections/inspections.cfm

here you can view inspection reports for residential/nursing homes etc.

happy_gardener

Got some sort of form from the housing exe this morning to fill in...or at least my Mother will fill it in.
Not sure how this thing really works though.
She is a home owner and not in a council house.
I would definately view before deciding...assuming you get a choice....A warden maintained place would be preferred as she is quite an independent person and does not need fed/washed by someone..for example.
I can see that the house is getting too much and tiny things are at times blown out of proportion. She too is in agreement in a proposed move and would move closer to an area near to me.

happy_gardener

pc10 wrote: »

http://www.rqia.org.uk/inspections/inspections.cfm

here you can view inspection reports for residential/nursing homes etc.

I can see that these are for care homes...but do you know of the same sort of information for retirement homes/folds...where there is a warden. I can only see reports of premises that offer more care of their patients/residents.

Golden_Anemone

happy_gardener wrote: »

I can see that these are for care homes...but do you know of the same sort of information for retirement homes/folds...where there is a warden. I can only see reports of premises that offer more care of their patients/residents.

Folds are sheltered housing rather than care homes and therefore they are not regulated by RQIA.

Not sure who regulates them but maybe there is information on their website http://www.foldgroup.co.uk/

Abbeyfield are similar homes - http://www.abbeyfield.com/Pages/AbbeyfieldNI.aspx

RooBee

happy_gardener wrote: »

Is there any advice for residential homes? I know they used to be called 'folds'..not sure if they are called that now. I am at the first stage of enquiry and shall be approaching the 'AGENI' phone line Monday morning !!! I do not know where to get advice from.

'Folds' are not residential homes. Residential homes are basically large homes where the person has their own room (or sometimes a shared room) and where meals etc are provided with staff on premises 24/7. They are basically a nursing home but with for people with no/less intensive care needs.

'Folds' are sheltered housing. Many are provided by Fold Housing Association (hence why the names have become synonymous in many peoples' minds) but there are many housing associations who offer sheltered housing.

In shetered housing, the person has their own self contained flat and usually, there is warden on duty during the day. In the flat will be a telephone system/emergency pull cord which will alert help shoud there be a need for assistance in a emergency/at night/when there's no warden on duty. Sheltered accommodation is aimed at people who are capable of independent living but that require a little extra support and peace of mind that there is always someone available should they need them. They are, on the whole, not suitable for people who have significant care needs as the warden is there primarily to ensure safety and security/co-ordinate social activities etc. There is no-one employed to provide care, although you may live in sheltered housing and receive a care package from the local Health and Social Care Trust as you would if you lived in your own home or any other rented accommodation.

happy_gardener

Sheltered Housing. Thanks for the correct term. This would be ideal for my Mother
I no experience whatsoever in this area and I appreciate the help.
The form from the housing ex was completed and returned and it is just waiting for a call/visit from a person from that office.