The latest post in our care series looks at the reasons why somebody may want or need to change care home, as well as the different options and costs involved with making the move.

Choosing a care home for the first time is often a complex process as there are many considerations to make. You and your family will have invested a great deal of time, effort and cost into choosing the most appropriate home, considering personal preferences (such as the level of social activity and geographical location), as well as the type of care on offer. But sometimes, even after the decision has been carefully made and the research done, the care home may not end up being appropriate for your loved one.

A Change in Support Needs

A change in care needs is one of the most common reasons for the switch. This might mean the staff is not specifically qualified enough to provide the level of care required, or the facilities are no longer appropriate.

If your loved one is generally happy and settled in the home otherwise, we would advise in the first instance that you consult with the appropriate staff to see whether there is flexibility for their needs to be met without a move.

This would typically happen when a dual-registered care home has been chosen. These locations offer both personal and nursing care – if an individual begins without the need for nursing care but then circumstances change, then it may be possible to review the contract and make certain changes to the routine/living quarters enabling the individual to stay in the same home with an increased level of care.

Changing to another Care Home

Otherwise, if your loved one is in a standard care home where purely personal care is offered, they may need to move into a nursing home. They will then receive 24-hour assistance from qualified nurses. If they have developed symptoms of dementia, staying in a residential home may no longer be possible and they will need to move into a home with specialised dementia care.

Changing to a Full-time, Live-in Carer

Another option may be for the individual to return to their home and employ the services of a full-time, live-in carer or team of carers. This is an option that became more popular after the onset of COVID-19 when social distancing measures made it more difficult for families to visit their loved ones.

There are certain unique benefits that come with receiving care on a one-to-one basis in your own home. A live-in carer will encourage your loved one to stay as independent as possible through a range of daily activities and by offering an enhanced level of support, enabling them to maximise the time and options available. They also have the freedom and reassurance of staying in a familiar environment with their existing support network close by.

It also removes the practical and financial concerns associated with leaving home and weighing up options such as renting out or selling the property. Live-in carers are highly qualified and often specialise in specific medical conditions, meaning individuals receive the very highest and most tailored level of care.

They may also be eligible for care funding such as accommodation costs. If your loved one is planning to move back to their own home or to live with a family member, the house must be suitably adapted for care needs – a needs assessment will help to ascertain the changes that may be required.

A Change in Personal Preferences

A change in care home may also be due because the individual does not feel comfortable in their surroundings. Sometimes the geographical location may end up too challenging for visitors and the individual would prefer to be closer to home and family. Perhaps they – or you as their family – are not comfortable with the level and quality of care provided or cannot develop rapport with the staff or residents.

A Change in Financial Circumstances

Whether the developments are positive or negative, a significant change in financial circumstances may also warrant a care home move. Our team at Vintage Wealth offer a caring consultative approach, helping you and your family to carefully consider the practical and financial obligations associated with changing care needs.

This might include reviewing your current care home contract including any cancellation process and notice period. We may also arrange an up-to-date care needs assessment and review your finances to understand whether you are eligible for a higher level of funding as well as to identify the options available moving forward.

Regardless of your situation, we can help you to understand the costs and implications of both live-in care funding and residential care home stays, together building a tailored care plan offering financial security and peace of mind for the whole family.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this communication does not constitute financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. No warranty, whether express or implied is given in relation to such information. Vintage Wealth Management or its associated representative shall not be liable for any technical, editorial, typographical or other errors or omissions within the content of this communication.