Thank-you for the 3 responses. No surprises in anything you've said. Rob7Lee, I had reached the same conclusion as yourself, but was hoping I'd missed something. I've spent days visiting homes, making phone calls and researching the internet. I'm back visiting 4 homes tomorrow and I suspect my sister in law will choose the £85Kpa best room in the 4. I'm hoping she may just go for the £62K pa option. Excuse me whilst I cry at the wife's inheritance, disappearing quicker than Elfsborg when it's his round :-(
PS Any recommendations for top quality homes in say Blackheath or Bromley would be welcomed, although I think I've already viewed or will have viewed Bromley's best.
Thank-you for the 3 responses. No surprises in anything you've said. Rob7Lee, I had reached the same conclusion as yourself, but was hoping I'd missed something. I've spent days visiting homes, making phone calls and researching the internet. I'm back visiting 4 homes tomorrow and I suspect my sister in law will choose the £85Kpa best room in the 4. I'm hoping she may just go for the £62K pa option. Excuse me whilst I cry at the wife's inheritance, disappearing quicker than Elfsborg when it's his round :-(
PS Any recommendations for top quality homes in say Blackheath or Bromley would be welcomed, although I think I've already viewed or will have viewed Bromley's best.
Might be worth messaging @killerjerrylee , CE as he's had experience of homes in this area.
Forgot to add that if your Mum owns her own house, as it would appear from the cost per annum you have indicated for care, have you considered renting out the property to offset some of the costs?
We did this for Richard's Mum's maisonette in Dartford via an agency that guaranteed a pre set monthly income whether or not they had a tenant in situ.
When MIL passed away, the family was able to sell the property and hence have something passed down as she would have wished.
I'm sure that you are including her pension/s and care allowance when calculating the deficit in monthly payments.
Forgot to add that if your Mum owns her own house, as it would appear from the cost per annum you have indicated for care, have you considered renting out the property to offset some of the costs?
We did this for Richard's Mum's maisonette in Dartford via an agency that guaranteed a pre set monthly income whether or not they had a tenant in situ.
When MIL passed away, the family was able to sell the property and hence have something passed down as she would have wished.
I'm sure that you are including her pension/s and care allowance when calculating the deficit in monthly payments.
I considered this with my dads house when he went into a home, I came to the conclusion that a 500k house and the fact with pensions my dad was already a higher rate tax payer meant that at £1250 gross a month (it was a bit dated) by the time we paid fee's, tax, insurance etc he'd at best net about £6,500 plus any capital gain or 1.3% before capital gain and I could easily better that.
I have to say I got very down looking at all the homes down here in the SE, none particularly stood out for me as being 'great' and the costs of some were eye watering. My sister lived in Nottingham and they were of a different class so in the end for that and other reasons (my sister only works a day or two week so had time to regularly visit) we took him to a home there and we couldn't have been happier with it.
I've lost track a little of the latest rules, are they still bringing in a cap for the maximum you will have to pay for care costs?
Good luck @Covered End it's not a nice thing to have to do but you are doing the right thing for her own welfare and ultimately in the end thats all you can do. I so wish my father had not have had to go in a home but ultimately it was the best thing for him (and in his own little world he quite liked it).
The NHS Continuing Healthcare Team have been ok to deal with for us. My Grandad is in Foxbridge House in Green Street Green and as a Care Home, overall we can't fault them. Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group are the people who review those residing in the borough of which the Care Home is based and we believe the home communicate with them on a frequent basis on our part if required, as has been the case for us.
They complete a checklist, and whilst no two people are the same, it is done with dignity and they do generally have empathy with the situation or the caseworker we got at least did show it. We can't complain. My Grandad is self-funded and he does get some financial help after their visit. His condition has progressed and they are reviewing his funding on request from the home as he requires a higher amount of care now.
On the subject of Care Homes, during our search, it was an eye-opener. I'm sorry to say it is hard and can be upsetting. We did a fair bit of research and the CQC ratings are a good start. But do really go and look at a couple of homes, look at the layout and what is around it. For example, Foxbridge House is next to a car garage but we waited for a room away from that for example, and we are very happy with the care he gets there, as well as the facilities.
As well as what is outside, look at what sort of layout you want inside. Communal areas can either have the rooms all around the area so that it is a short distance for the residents or can be further away down a corridor. Communal areas can be loud, each resident and family want different things and some are just not the right fit. Do nurses pass the family members door often? Walk down the corridors? Is their enough Privacy? Where is the alarm system if they have one?
Other aspects may be a bit more cosmetic as such but Frognal House, Sidcup is a nightmare with parking (hospital next door) and the Coffee Shop is a fair distance from the Dementia living area if you want to take the family member away from their new home for an hour or so. Last thing you want is to have trouble parking or negotiang loads of corridors, some are more confusing than others. Also find out about extra-curricular activities, male to female ratios in both residents and staffing. How does the meal arrangements work, and what happens if you want to take the family member out, or bring food in. We also asked about Sky TV, phone lines and the such (for Phones we find a normal house phone style mobile works with a PAYG Sim Card - not Care Home advised BT Line - seriously save £££!)
In terms of costs, you do get what you pay for and whilst some of the bigger companies such as Age UK, Care UK etc may be a little more than independents, look at what you get. The frameworks many put in place are second-to-none, but there are bad eggs and they can be anyway. Don't be put off but large 'Entry Fees' as this covers rent up front, as we as admin etc. But do inquire as to what it includes at the set home you visit. Also, see if different rooms have different prices and why. What does the extra cost bring? A Garden View normally, but worth a check.
Finally, my advice would be to look at any potential progression too. It's hard, it really is. I'm incredibly sorry for those families who need to make the decision to move a family member into a care home, apologies to hear it @Covered End. I tried to view it as the next stage and we were only doing it to support my Grandad and help him have the care he required to maintain a quality of life. I hated it. But it is always with good intentions.
Some homes only offer standard care, some offer Dementia Care and some offer Nursing Care. You never want to think about it but there is always potential at some point the care team may not be able to meet the needs a family member requires. Would you want to move the family member to another Care Home? Many do offer all types of care, but the same amount do not. From the homes we looked at for example, Frognal Corner, Sidcup offered the bottom two tiers, and Foxbridge House offered all three. Some others didn't cater for nursing or dementia.
Any questions, feel free to ask. My Grandad has been in Foxbridge House for a year and we are very happy with how it is going for him. He has deteriorated with his dementia but he gets the care he needs. The nurses are great with him, and the advice we receive on all levels has been more than I'd imagine (Care he requires, financial aspects, general day-to-day items such as haircuts etc). Yes, certain areas can be improved but where is perfect? Hope it goes ok @Covered End.
We chose Sundridge Court Nursing home if anyone is interested. £1200 per week. Thank you to one and all and in particular Rob7Lee, who was advising me well past midnight Sunday evening.
We chose Sundridge Court Nursing home if anyone is interested. £1200 per week. Thank you to one and all and in particular Rob7Lee, who was advising me well past midnight Sunday evening.
That is almost twice the going rate for London care homes.
We chose Sundridge Court Nursing home if anyone is interested. £1200 per week. Thank you to one and all and in particular Rob7Lee, who was advising me well past midnight Sunday evening.
That is almost twice the going rate for London care homes.
Possibly, but I looked into more than 30, visited the "best" dozen and it's twice as good as many. The best we can do for "mum" that was the most suitable and at a fair but not exorbitant price was the aim. I was relieved that other relations didn't want the £86K place. The issue is now rent or sell her home, as her cash with no rental income or sale may only last 2/3 years. I started a separate thread on whether to rent or sell.
We chose Sundridge Court Nursing home if anyone is interested. £1200 per week. Thank you to one and all and in particular Rob7Lee, who was advising me well past midnight Sunday evening.
That is almost twice the going rate for London care homes.
Loved to know where, the cheapest I found a few years back was around £900 a week.
We chose Sundridge Court Nursing home if anyone is interested. £1200 per week. Thank you to one and all and in particular Rob7Lee, who was advising me well past midnight Sunday evening.
That is almost twice the going rate for London care homes.
Loved to know where, the cheapest I found a few years back was around £900 a week.
Me too ! £900 (or slightly less) definitely the lowest I found in Dartford/Swanley area.
We chose Sundridge Court Nursing home if anyone is interested. £1200 per week. Thank you to one and all and in particular Rob7Lee, who was advising me well past midnight Sunday evening.
That is almost twice the going rate for London care homes.
Possibly, but I looked into more than 30, visited the "best" dozen and it's twice as good as many. The best we can do for "mum" that was the most suitable and at a fair but not exorbitant price was the aim. I was relieved that other relations didn't want the £86K place. The issue is now rent or sell her home, as her cash with no rental income or sale may only last 2/3 years. I started a separate thread on whether to rent or sell.
Regardless of cost, the most important factor in choosing a home is smell, smell, smell.
Walk through the front door and smell urine then walk straight out. Sure sign of lack of care.
My brother (who used to teach at Charlton School) & his wife (who did nurse training at Greenwich District Hospital) have owned an excellent nursing home in North Norfolk for more than 30 years so understand how difficult it can be finding the right place.
We chose Sundridge Court Nursing home if anyone is interested. £1200 per week. Thank you to one and all and in particular Rob7Lee, who was advising me well past midnight Sunday evening.
That is almost twice the going rate for London care homes.
Possibly, but I looked into more than 30, visited the "best" dozen and it's twice as good as many. The best we can do for "mum" that was the most suitable and at a fair but not exorbitant price was the aim. I was relieved that other relations didn't want the £86K place. The issue is now rent or sell her home, as her cash with no rental income or sale may only last 2/3 years. I started a separate thread on whether to rent or sell.
Regardless of cost, the most important factor in choosing a home is smell, smell, smell.
Walk through the front door and smell urine then walk straight out. Sure sign of lack of care.
My brother (who used to teach at Charlton School) & his wife (who did nurse training at Greenwich District Hospital) have owned an excellent nursing home in North Norfolk for more than 30 years so understand how difficult it can be finding the right place.
Actually none smelt of urine, but I did only visit those rated 9/10 or above.
Even the rubbish ones are not cheap. I think some of the expensive ones are not great too - I know of incidents. What is really important is the quality of the staff. That is really difficult to gauge and there has to be an element of luck because of this!
Comments
Rob7Lee, I had reached the same conclusion as yourself, but was hoping I'd missed something.
I've spent days visiting homes, making phone calls and researching the internet.
I'm back visiting 4 homes tomorrow and I suspect my sister in law will choose the £85Kpa best room in the 4.
I'm hoping she may just go for the £62K pa option.
Excuse me whilst I cry at the wife's inheritance, disappearing quicker than Elfsborg when it's his round :-(
PS Any recommendations for top quality homes in say Blackheath or Bromley would be welcomed, although I think I've already viewed or will have viewed Bromley's best.
We did this for Richard's Mum's maisonette in Dartford via an agency that guaranteed a pre set monthly income whether or not they had a tenant in situ.
When MIL passed away, the family was able to sell the property and hence have something passed down as she would have wished.
I'm sure that you are including her pension/s and care allowance when calculating the deficit in monthly payments.
I have to say I got very down looking at all the homes down here in the SE, none particularly stood out for me as being 'great' and the costs of some were eye watering. My sister lived in Nottingham and they were of a different class so in the end for that and other reasons (my sister only works a day or two week so had time to regularly visit) we took him to a home there and we couldn't have been happier with it.
I've lost track a little of the latest rules, are they still bringing in a cap for the maximum you will have to pay for care costs?
Good luck @Covered End it's not a nice thing to have to do but you are doing the right thing for her own welfare and ultimately in the end thats all you can do. I so wish my father had not have had to go in a home but ultimately it was the best thing for him (and in his own little world he quite liked it).
They complete a checklist, and whilst no two people are the same, it is done with dignity and they do generally have empathy with the situation or the caseworker we got at least did show it. We can't complain. My Grandad is self-funded and he does get some financial help after their visit. His condition has progressed and they are reviewing his funding on request from the home as he requires a higher amount of care now.
On the subject of Care Homes, during our search, it was an eye-opener. I'm sorry to say it is hard and can be upsetting. We did a fair bit of research and the CQC ratings are a good start. But do really go and look at a couple of homes, look at the layout and what is around it. For example, Foxbridge House is next to a car garage but we waited for a room away from that for example, and we are very happy with the care he gets there, as well as the facilities.
As well as what is outside, look at what sort of layout you want inside. Communal areas can either have the rooms all around the area so that it is a short distance for the residents or can be further away down a corridor. Communal areas can be loud, each resident and family want different things and some are just not the right fit. Do nurses pass the family members door often? Walk down the corridors? Is their enough Privacy? Where is the alarm system if they have one?
Other aspects may be a bit more cosmetic as such but Frognal House, Sidcup is a nightmare with parking (hospital next door) and the Coffee Shop is a fair distance from the Dementia living area if you want to take the family member away from their new home for an hour or so. Last thing you want is to have trouble parking or negotiang loads of corridors, some are more confusing than others. Also find out about extra-curricular activities, male to female ratios in both residents and staffing. How does the meal arrangements work, and what happens if you want to take the family member out, or bring food in. We also asked about Sky TV, phone lines and the such (for Phones we find a normal house phone style mobile works with a PAYG Sim Card - not Care Home advised BT Line - seriously save £££!)
In terms of costs, you do get what you pay for and whilst some of the bigger companies such as Age UK, Care UK etc may be a little more than independents, look at what you get. The frameworks many put in place are second-to-none, but there are bad eggs and they can be anyway. Don't be put off but large 'Entry Fees' as this covers rent up front, as we as admin etc. But do inquire as to what it includes at the set home you visit. Also, see if different rooms have different prices and why. What does the extra cost bring? A Garden View normally, but worth a check.
Finally, my advice would be to look at any potential progression too. It's hard, it really is. I'm incredibly sorry for those families who need to make the decision to move a family member into a care home, apologies to hear it @Covered End. I tried to view it as the next stage and we were only doing it to support my Grandad and help him have the care he required to maintain a quality of life. I hated it. But it is always with good intentions.
Some homes only offer standard care, some offer Dementia Care and some offer Nursing Care. You never want to think about it but there is always potential at some point the care team may not be able to meet the needs a family member requires. Would you want to move the family member to another Care Home? Many do offer all types of care, but the same amount do not. From the homes we looked at for example, Frognal Corner, Sidcup offered the bottom two tiers, and Foxbridge House offered all three. Some others didn't cater for nursing or dementia.
Any questions, feel free to ask. My Grandad has been in Foxbridge House for a year and we are very happy with how it is going for him. He has deteriorated with his dementia but he gets the care he needs. The nurses are great with him, and the advice we receive on all levels has been more than I'd imagine (Care he requires, financial aspects, general day-to-day items such as haircuts etc). Yes, certain areas can be improved but where is perfect? Hope it goes ok @Covered End.
Thank you to one and all and in particular Rob7Lee, who was advising me well past midnight Sunday evening.
The best we can do for "mum" that was the most suitable and at a fair but not exorbitant price was the aim.
I was relieved that other relations didn't want the £86K place.
The issue is now rent or sell her home, as her cash with no rental income or sale may only last 2/3 years.
I started a separate thread on whether to rent or sell.
Walk through the front door and smell urine then walk straight out. Sure sign of lack of care.
My brother (who used to teach at Charlton School) & his wife (who did nurse training at Greenwich District Hospital) have owned an excellent nursing home in North Norfolk for more than 30 years so understand how difficult it can be finding the right place.