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Residential accommodation
Medway Council provides some residential accommodation and
associated services directly while other services are purchased
directly from the independent or voluntary sector. The Adult Care
Guide is also available on this website and includes details of
residential and day care services for older people provided by
Medway Council and its partners.
The decision to leave your home and go into a residential or
nursing home is not an easy one.
Perhaps the support you have been receiving no longer meets your
needs or maybe your main carer is unable to continue providing the
level of support you require. Perhaps residential care has been
suggested following an assessment in hospital.
A residential care home aims to meet your personal and social
care needs and provide the care and attention you would receive at
home. The staff in a residential home can help with personal care
such as washing, taking a bath, getting up or dressing.
Help would always be available when you needed it. All meals are
provided and there are activities that you can take part in,
including outings. Visitors are welcomed.
Following an assessment, if the Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) criteria
have been met and it is agreed that you need a place in a
residential or nursing home, you and your carer can choose which
home is suitable for you.
You can choose a home within Medway or if you would like to live
nearer to family or friends, you may choose a home elsewhere. It is
important to ensure that you choose a home that will meet your
needs, both now and in the future.
There are many homes to choose from. Some are privately owned,
others are run by voluntary organisations and some are run by local
authorities.
Choosing a residential or nursing home
Moving into residential care and choosing a care home means
making some important decisions. If you are looking for a
residential place for yourself or a relative or friend, you should
visit several before you decide. Every home has something different
to offer. These are some of the questions you may wish to ask:
- Is the home near relatives and friends?
- Can they visit at any time?
- Is it in the area you want to live?
- Is there a choice of single or shared rooms?
- Do residents have a key for their own use?
- What personal possessions can the resident take into the
home?
- Is there somewhere to keep valuables safe?
- Can you have your own television and/or telephone in your
room?
- Is there an en-suite toilet?
- Are the bathrooms easy to get to?
- Are there aids and equipment for people with a disability?
- What facilities are available such as lifts, a television room,
telephones, a call system or a laundry?
- Are there any rules about alcohol or smoking?
- Is there a choice of food?
- Are menus displayed?
- How will your medical and health care needs be catered
for?
- Do the residents seem happy and alert?
- Is there a comfortable lounge area?
- What will I be expected to contribute towards the cost?
If you are paying privately for your care, you will need to ask
what the full cost of the placement is. There may be other costs
that you or your family may need to meet. For more information see
charging information for residential and nursing
care.
How to complain
Please download How to complain
about a care home or care in your home, a leaflet explaining
what to do if you or a member of your family has a complaint about
adult social care services. (pdf 466KB)
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