Care homes Moving into a care home is a big decision and it can cost a lot of money. Before choosing a care home for you or someone you know, it's worth considering all of the options.

 Care homes

Moving into a care home is a big decision and it can cost a lot of money. Before choosing a care home for you or someone you know, it's worth considering all of the options.

When to consider a care home

A care home may be the best option if you or someone you know:

is struggling to live alone – even with help from friends, family or paid carers

had a needs assessment that suggested a care home is the best choice

has a complex medical condition that needs specialist attention during the day and night

Care homes can reduce the stress of looking after your health and care. This may help you focus on other things, like your social life and general wellbeing.

Which? Later life care: when to consider a care home

Other ways to get care and support

Many people feel they don't need to move into a care home, or are worried about moving out of their home.

You may want to consider other options, which could be cheaper or help you feel more independent.

Making changes to your home:

adapting your home – for example, adding stairlifts, hand rails or extra security

using household gadgets and equipment – to help you cook, clean and get dressed

Hiring a carer or getting more support:

hiring a care worker – where someone comes to your home to provide help and care

supported living services – where you live in agreed accommodation, with staff that visit you to provide help and care

Moving to a new home:

more independent housing options include extra care housing or retirement villages

If you decide a care home is the best place to meet your health and care needs, you'll need to choose which type of care home is right for you.

Understanding the different types of care home

There are 2 main types of care home:

residential homes

nursing homes

Some care homes offer both residential and nursing care places. Care homes may be run by private companies, voluntary or charity organisations, or sometimes by local councils.

Residential homes

These provide accommodation and personal care, such as help with:

washing

dressing

taking medicines

going to the toilet

Some care homes also offer activities, such as day trips.

Nursing homes

These also provide personal care but there will always be 1 or more qualified nurses on duty to provide nursing care. These are sometimes called care homes with nursing.

Some nursing homes offer services for people that may need more care and support. For example, people with:

severe learning disabilities, severe physical disabilities or both

a complex medical condition that needs help from a qualified nurse – such as someone who has a colostomy or who is fed through a tube

How much will a care home cost?

The cost of a care home will be different depending on the type of care home you need and where you live.

Nursing homes usually cost more than residential homes as they provide nursing care.

The average cost of a care home in the UK is:

around £600 a week for a residential home

around £800 a week for a nursing home

How to pay for a care home

Before deciding how to pay for a care home, it's worth asking your local authority for a needs assessment. The council can then help you look at all your options.

Paying for your own care (self-funding)

You can choose to pay for care yourself if you're able to afford it or you don't want a financial assessment.

Read more about paying for your own care.

Financial help from your council

Contact social services at your local council and ask for a needs assessment. You can call them or do it online.

Apply for a needs assessment (GOV.UK)

It's important not to sell your home or cancel a tenancy before the council has made a decision.

Read more about when the council might pay for your care.

Financial help from your family

The council won't look at your relative's finances when they assess you. But if your family are able to help pay towards the cost of a care home, they can add to the money the council gives you. This is known as a top-up fee.

This means you could live in a care home that costs more than the council will pay. If your family have to stop paying, you may have to move out.

Telephone helplines

If you need advice about a financial assessment or financing a care home yourself, you could call:

The Society of Later Life Advisors (SOLLA) on 0333 2020 454 (for older people)

MoneyHelper on 0800 138 7777 (for all ages)

Choosing a care home

If the council is paying for your care home

You should be given a care plan by the council, which lets you know your options. The information in your care plan might also help you decide which care home best meets your needs.

You can choose which care home you prefer, as long as the council agrees it:

meets your needs

is not more expensive than another suitable care home

If you're paying for a care home yourself

You might have a lot of options if you're paying for care yourself.

It's important to do some research to make sure it's the right place to meet your needs. The council can also advise you on the best options.

How to find a care home

Your local council's adult social care services can give you more information about care homes in your area.

Find your local adult social care services

EAC Housing Care has a directory of care homes in the UK

How to decide if a care home is right for you

Things to consider before choosing a care home:

where it is (location) – for example, do you want to be near your family or local shops?

how much it costs

whether they offer the right services or activities you need

how visiting and leaving the care home works – for example, do you want to be able to go out on your own or with staff assistance?

Signs of a good care home include:

staff and managers with the right time, skills and experience to do their jobs

clean buildings, rooms and bathrooms

a wide range of activities for residents at home and outside

good quality food choices and options about where to eat meals

fast and easy access to health professionals, such as GPs and dentists

the care home makes sure any cultural, religious or lifestyle needs are met

feedback from residents is asked for and used to improve care

How to research a care home

To get more information about a care home you could:

phone them

visit their website

request a brochure

visit the care home

request a temporary stay

There are also organisations that inspect care homes to see how well they are doing. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates all health and adult social care in England.

You might see a CQC inspection rating when you visit a care home or search online. Their 4 ratings are:

Outstanding

Good

Requires improvement

Inadequate

You could also search for care homes on the CQC website to see their full reports.

How to plan your move into a care home

Before you move, it may help to:

ask family or friends to help you move and settle you in

contact the benefits office, if you have one (including disability benefits, as these can be affected by care home stays)

make sure other services at your old address have been told you're moving

let friends and family know your new address and when you might feel up to receiving visitors

let the care home know about any health problems or disabilities you have

Complaining about a care home

You may need to make a complaint about a care home if you're not happy with the quality of care you or someone you know is receiving.

Speak to the care home operator or manager first

All care homes should have a way to listen to your feedback and complaints. This may be enough to help resolve the problem.

If you're not happy with the care home's response

Contact your local council directly if they are funding your care home.

If you're not happy with the council or care home's response

Contact your Local Government Ombudsman. They investigate all adult social care complaints. It doesn't matter if you're paying for the care home yourself or it's funded by the council.

Read about how to make a complaint on the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman website

If you need someone to speak up for you

There are people called advocates who can help if you're finding it difficult to understand your care or you're not able to speak up.

Advocates can help with things like:

writing letters or attending meetings for you

supporting you during assessments and other meetings

helping you make decisions

Read more about how to get an advocate.

Telephone help for care homes

If you want to talk to someone about making care home decisions, call:

Age UK on 0800 678 1602 (for older people)

Family Action on 0808 802 6666 (if you care for a child)

Read about other helplines and forums for social care and support

More in Care services, equipment and care homes

Care and support you can get for free

Household gadgets and equipment to make life easier

Personal alarms, monitoring systems (telecare) and key safes

Home adaptations

Walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters

Driving and using public transport if you have mobility issues

Help at home from a paid carer

Moving to a new home: housing options for older people or people with disabilities

Care homes

Supported living services

Shared lives schemes

when-someone-dies

 

https://www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies 

What to do when someone dies: step by step

Check what to do after a death - how to register the death, notify government departments and deal with the estate.

This step by step is also available as a Welsh (Cymraeg) guide.

Show all steps

Step1:Register the death, 

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Register the death within 5 days

Check what to do if:

the death has been reported to a coroner

the death happened outside the UK

you're registering a stillbirth

someone is missing and you think they're dead

Step2:Tell government about the death, 

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The Tell Us Once service allows you to inform all the relevant government departments when someone dies.

Use the Tell Us Once service to tell government

If you cannot use Tell Us Once, tell government yourself

You'll also need to tell banks, utility companies, and landlords or housing associations yourself.

Step3:Arrange the funeral, 

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Arrange the funeral

Get help paying for a funeral

Get help paying for a child's funeral

Step4:Check if you can get bereavement benefits, 

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You might be eligible for financial help.

Check if you can get:

Bereavement Support Payment if your partner has died

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave if your child has died or you’ve had a stillbirth

Guardian's Allowance if you're bringing up a child whose parents have died

andDeal with your own benefits, pension and taxes, 

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Your tax, benefit claims and pension might change depending on your relationship with the person who died.

Manage your tax, pensions and benefits if your partner has died

Check how benefits are affected if a child dies

andFind bereavement support and services, 

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Get help with managing grief and the things you need to do when someone dies.

Find bereavement help and support

Find bereavement services from your local council

andCheck if you need to apply to stay in the UK, 

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Step5:Value the estate and check if you need to pay Inheritance Tax, 

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To find out if there’s Inheritance Tax to pay, you need to estimate the value of the property, money and possessions (the ‘estate’) of the person who died.

Estimate the value of the estate to find out if you need to pay Inheritance Tax

Find out how to report the value of the estate

Pay Inheritance Tax if it’s due

Step6:Apply for probate, 

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You might need to apply for probate before you can deal with the property, money and possessions (the ‘estate’) of the person who died.

Check if you need to apply for probate

Apply for probate

Step7:Deal with the estate, 

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Pay any debts or taxes owed by the person who's died. You can then distribute the estate as set out in the will or the law.

Deal with the estate

Update property records

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The Misadventures of Good and Evil

Chapter 1: A Whimsical Introduction

Once upon a time, in the quirky town of Sillyville, there existed a peculiar balance between good and evil. It was a place where the absurdity of life was taken to new heights, and the residents embraced the comical chaos that ensued. In this tale, we dive deep into the psyche of our characters, exploring the notion that evil seems to hold more power than good, all while maintaining a comedic stream of consciousness.

Chapter 2: The Rise of the Villain

Meet Dr. Maleficent, the quintessential villain with a wicked sense of humor. With his maniacal laugh, he concocts schemes that disrupt the peace of Sillyville. Despite his malevolent intentions, the townsfolk can't help but chuckle at his outrageous antics. Dr. Maleficent revels in the knowledge that evil has an inherent charm that good cannot match.

Chapter 3: The Bumbling Hero

Enter our unlikely hero, Captain Goody Two-Shoes, a well-intentioned but hilariously clumsy individual. Armed with his trusty sidekick, Sarcasm Man, Captain Goody Two-Shoes endeavors to save Sillyville from the clutches of evil. Though his heart is pure, his missteps and mishaps often lead to unintended consequences, leaving the townsfolk in stitches.

Chapter 4: The Battle of Wits

As Captain Goody Two-Shoes battles against Dr. Maleficent's evil plans, the town becomes a playground for absurdity. From exploding pies to banana peel booby traps, every step forward for the hero seems to be two steps back. Meanwhile, Dr. Maleficent revels in his victories, convinced that evil's power lies in its ability to twist reality into a delightful mess.

Chapter 5: The Great Revelation

Amidst the chaos, the townsfolk begin to question the very nature of good and evil. They realize that evil's allure lies in its unpredictability and ability to challenge societal norms. The residents of Sillyville find themselves laughing at the absurdity of life, embracing the idea that good and evil are not so easily defined.

Chapter 6: The Ultimate Showdown

As the story reaches its climax, Captain Goody Two-Shoes and Dr. Maleficent face off in a battle of epic proportions. But instead of resorting to violence, they engage in a witty banter, each trying to outdo the other in absurdity. The townsfolk watch in awe and amusement, realizing that good and evil are two sides of the same coin, forever intertwined in the comedy of life.

Chapter 7: A New Understanding

In the aftermath of their encounter, Captain Goody Two-Shoes and Dr. Maleficent come to a surprising revelation. They realize that, in Sillyville, evil's power stems not from its inherent strength, but from the ability to make people laugh. Goodness, on the other hand, brings joy and harmony to the town, a power that cannot be underestimated.

Chapter 8: The Sillyville Legacy

With newfound wisdom, Captain Goody Two-Shoes and Dr. Maleficent join forces to create a harmonious balance between good and evil in Sillyville. Their adventures become the stuff of legends, and the town thrives on laughter and camaraderie. Sillyville becomes a beacon of absurdity, reminding the world that, in the grand comedy of life, good and evil are equally powerful forces.

Epilogue: The Joke is on Us

As the curtain falls on our tale, we are left with a profound realization that evil is not inherently more powerful than good. Instead, it is our perception and interpretation of these forces that shape their influence. Life, after all, is a comedy, and it is up to us to find the humor in both the good and the evil that surrounds us.

Shadows of the Abyss

 

Chapter 1: A Sinister Beginning

In the heart of the city, where shadows lurk in every corner and darkness reigns supreme, a notorious killer named Adrian Blackwood walked the streets with a chilling confidence. Known for his gruesome acts and the artistry of his kills, Adrian had become a legend in the criminal underworld. But little did he know that someone else, equally skilled in the macabre arts, was watching his every move.

Chapter 2: The Hunter's Game

As the moon cast an eerie glow over the city, Adrian felt a growing unease creeping up his spine. He knew his reputation had drawn unwanted attention, but he had always been one step ahead of his pursuers. However, this time, the hunter stalking him seemed different, more cunning. The feeling of being hunted gnawed at his soul, leaving him restless and paranoid.

Chapter 3: Whispering Shadows

In the depths of the night, whispers echoed through the empty streets. Adrian's sleep was plagued by nightmares, visions of his past crimes haunting him with every breath. He saw the faces of his victims, their eyes filled with terror, their blood staining his hands. But amidst the torment, a new presence emerged from the darkness, a malevolent force that seemed to feed on his fears.

Chapter 4: A Deadly Dance

As the hunter closed in, leaving cryptic messages at each crime scene, Adrian found himself entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. The city became their battleground, with each gruesome kill escalating the tension. The stalker reveled in the psychological torment, leaving Adrian questioning his own sanity. Were the whispers in his mind real, or the product of a twisted imagination?

Chapter 5: Unmasking the Shadows

Driven to the brink of madness, Adrian embarked on a desperate quest to unmask his relentless pursuer. He delved into forgotten archives and consulted with twisted minds, seeking any clue that could lead him to the truth. But the deeper he dug, the more he realized that his hunter was not just an ordinary psychopath. No, this was a creature born from the darkest depths of human depravity.

Chapter 6: The Final Confrontation

As the clock ticked toward the final hour, Adrian's world spiraled into chaos. The hunter's relentless pursuit had cost him dearly, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. But Adrian, driven by a primal instinct to survive, refused to succumb to the terror that threatened to consume him. In a cataclysmic showdown, the two killers clashed, their battle echoing through the night, their fates entwined in a dance of death.

Epilogue: Shadows of the Abyss

In the aftermath of the deadly confrontation, the city breathed a sigh of relief. Adrian Blackwood, the infamous killer, was finally silenced. But as the sun rose on a new day, a chilling realization settled upon those who had witnessed the horrors that unfolded. The shadows had not been vanquished; they had merely found a new host. And so, the cycle of darkness continued, lurking in the depths, waiting for the next unsuspecting victim to fall prey to its insidious grasp.

Note: This novel is a work of fiction and is not intended to glorify violence or harm. It is purely a product of imagination and creativity within the horror genre.