Start with a needs assessment
Anyone who may need care can ask Norfolk County Council for a free needs assessment under the Care Act 2014. It looks at what help you need and whether you are eligible for support from the council. You can ask for one even if you expect to pay for your own care.
Residential or nursing care
A residential care home provides personal care, such as help with washing, dressing and meals. A nursing home also has registered nurses on duty. Some homes specialise in dementia care. Check the home is registered for the type of care you need.
Check the CQC rating
Every care home in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC inspects homes and rates them Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Homes must display their latest rating at the home and on their website. You can read full inspection reports at cqc.org.uk.
Paying for care
Norfolk County Council will carry out a financial assessment to work out whether it will pay towards your care. It looks at your income and savings, and in some cases your home. The savings limits change, so check the current figures on gov.uk or with the council.
If the council arranges your place, you can usually choose a more expensive home if someone else agrees to pay the difference. This is called a top-up. If you own your home, ask about a deferred payment agreement, which means you do not have to sell your home in your lifetime to pay for care.
If your needs are mainly health needs, you may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. In a nursing home, the NHS pays a contribution towards nursing care. Ask about both at the assessment.
Visit more than once
- Visit at different times of day, including a mealtime.
- Ask how staffing works at night and at weekends.
- Ask about activities, visiting times and trips out.
- Ask how residents see a GP, dentist and optician.
- Talk to residents and their families if you can.
Read the contract
Ask for the contract and fees in writing before you agree. Check what the fee covers, what costs extra, how and when fees can go up, the notice period, and what happens to fees after a resident dies. The Competition and Markets Authority has published guidance for care homes on treating residents fairly under consumer law.
Complaints
Raise concerns with the home first, using its complaints procedure. If you are not happy with the response, you can go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, whether the council or you pay for the care. You can also tell the CQC about your experience.