It’s only natural that you have questions

Combining independent living with person-centred support can be a really good option for people with learning disabilities. It enables them to have their own space and be their own person, whilst receiving the learning disabilities support they need from their visiting care team in their own home. This combination of independence and expert support is often referred to as supported living.

The cost of supported living for learning disabilities is calculated by adding up living costs (such as rent, household bills and groceries) and the cost of the individual’s bespoke package of learning disability care. Depending upon the individual’s circumstances, they may be eligible for financial assistance with one or both of these elements of their total supported living expenses. They may also meet the criteria for Extra Care Housing (ECH) through their Local Authority, which consists of self-contained accommodation, such as an accessible flat or bungalow, within a supported housing scheme, with 24/7 on-site support staff available.

There is no single approach to caring for people with learning disabilities, as a learning disability can affect different people in different ways, and with a different severity of symptoms.

Someone with a mild learning disability may only need minimal support to live a full and fulfilling life, perhaps assistance with securing employment or a voluntary placement, or help to understand and manage their household bills. By contrast, someone with a severe or profound learning disability may need round-the-clock, specialist learning disability care to manage all aspects of their daily life.

As a result of this, there are a wide variety of services available for learning disabilities. These can include everything from positive behaviour support to manage behaviours that challenge, to assistance transitioning from child to adult learning disability care services, or help to enable an adult with learning disabilities to make the move from hospital to a home of their own. There is also specific support available to assist individuals with daily tasks, with building life and social skills, and with short-term emergency support to help safely navigate a period of personal crisis.

All person-centred learning disabilities support services aim to build confidence, independence and life skills, supporting people with learning disabilities to live the life they choose.

Like all specialist care, learning disability support should be person-centred and tailored to the unique requirements of the individual, taking into account the tasks that they find challenging, as well as their ambitions and preferences in life. This is not so much of an adjustment to care, as an individually-tailored learning disabilities support plan which is designed to meet specific needs.

Caring for people with learning disabilities in their own home is about enabling and empowering them to live the life they choose – helping them to build the skills and confidence they need to become more independent, feel more in control of their life choices, and better able to communicate their needs and preferences.

By understanding the individual as a person, rather than a diagnosis, and using proactive, positive behaviour support, specialist learning disability care has the potential to empower, transform and change lives for the better.

Some lifetime health insurance policies can provide financial support towards the cost of home care, however, this varies according to the specific policy and the provider.

If it is important to you that your health insurance policy makes provision for your later care needs, it may be worth contacting your insurance provider to confirm in what circumstances your policy would pay out, should you need it to.

Non-medical home care is a package of support for those who need a little extra help to remain safe and independent in their own home, regardless of any medical conditions which they may or may not live with. Examples of non-medical home care include support for vulnerable adults, companionship for the elderly, household help for families with children or relief for family carers.

All Somerset Care home care services are open to anyone who needs them, regardless of age or medical conditions.

Hospice home care is specialist care for those nearing the end of their life, and wishing to remain in their own home.

All of the care we provide is person-centred and tailored to your individual needs and wishes. We know that time spent with loved ones in familiar surroundings is precious, and our home care teams are dedicated to providing high-quality, reliable, consistent, and compassionate end-of-life care.

Regardless of how your care will be funded, you will need a care assessment to apply for home care.

The purpose of the assessment is to understand your individual care and support needs, as well as get to know you as a person. This enables your home care team to understand what is important to you, and what you are hoping that your care package will enable you to achieve.

Your care assessment will provide the blueprint for the home care services you need, ensure that your chosen home care provider can meet your needs, and is the first step to arranging a care package that will enable you to thrive in your own home.

The way you access home care packages may depend upon who will pay for the care and support you need.

If you are a self-funder and are covering the full cost of your home care, you have complete freedom to choose the home care provider and home care package which suits you. It can be overwhelming to try and narrow down the range of apparently similar home care services on offer, but thankfully there are several independent resources which you can turn to for an unbiased perspective on the care on offer.

For the assurance that your chosen home care provider has been assessed as delivering safe and high-quality care, look to industry regulators the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC regularly and routinely assesses all regulated home care providers to ensure that they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, rating them as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate, and publish their results online.

For independently verified reviews from home care customers and their families, it is worth checking out homecare.co.uk. All CQC-registered home care providers are listed on the site, with customers rating aspects of the home care they receive, and sharing their feedback. Home Care reviews can be a good source of information about the customer experience from both the care recipient’s perspective and that of their loved ones.

Your Local Authority will also have a number of paper and online resources to support your search for local home care providers who can meet your individual care and support needs. If your home care is partly or entirely funded by your Local Authority, the Adult Social Care team will discuss their recommendations with you and those involved in making decisions about your care.

Whilst there isn’t a ‘home care grant’ as such, there are several specific funding schemes which you can apply to for financial support with your home care, subject to eligibility. These schemes are not means-tested and could help to offset the cost of your home care if you do not qualify for Local Authority funding, there. These include:

• Attendance Allowance – For those over state pension age living with an illness or disability, who need extra help to live at home.
• Personal Independence Payment – Support for eligible individuals under state pension age who live with a long-term illness or disability.
• NHS Fast-Track CHC scheme – For those whose health is declining rapidly, and need immediate support with end-of-life care, to enable them to remain in their own home.

When searching for care at home which meets your needs, it is first helpful to understand how home care packages are funded.

There are three main routes through which home care services can be funded:

• Self-funded – This is where you are responsible for covering the full cost of your home care.
• Local Authority funded – Depending upon your financial circumstances, your Local Authority may make a contribution towards, or cover, the cost of the home care services you receive.
• Specific funding schemes – Funding to support specific care requirements which meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria.

To find out if you are eligible for financial support towards the cost of your home care, it is best to start by speaking with the Adult Social Care Team at your Local Authority. They will compare your financial circumstances against criteria set by the Government, and advise whether you qualify for full or part funding for your home care.

Whilst the funding criteria is subject to change, you will generally be considered eligible for some financial support from your Local Authority if you have less than £23,250 in savings and assets. The lower the value of your financial savings and assets, the more support you will be entitled to receive.

If your Local Authority is providing financial support for your home care, they will either source your care package for you, or provide you with direct payments from which you can fund your own care. If you are in receipt of direct payments, you will need to evidence how and where this money has been spent, and how this has supported care requirements.

All Somerset Care nursing homes provide palliative care for those nearing the end of their life.

We believe in working alongside the individual and their loved ones to offer high-quality, reliable, consistent, and compassionate end-of-life care. This approach has been recognised by the Gold Standards Framework, which has awarded a Platinum status to a number of our nursing homes for the care and support they provide when it is most needed.

The cost of short-term respite care in a nursing home is calculated in the same way as longer-term residential nursing care. Your total nursing care fees will combine the nursing home’s fixed accommodation cost with the cost of meeting your individual nursing care needs.

Your individual financial circumstances, along with the level and type of nursing care you need, will be used to determine who pays for your care. Please contact your Local Authority adult social care team to discuss your eligibility for funding towards the cost of your care.

NHS Funded Nursing Care is paid at one consistent rate across England, regardless of the individual’s geographical location or specific nursing care needs. This amount is set by the NHS and subject to change, but currently stands at £209.19 per week. This funding is paid directly to the nursing care home, and deducted from your total nursing care fees.

Please check the NHS website for the current FNC rate.

An assessment is used to determine who is eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care. This is usually carried out by a registered nurse and carried out by the relevant Local Authority or NHS Integrated Care Board (the new name for a Clinical Commissioning Group).

In general terms, nursing home residents who have been assessed as needing support from a registered nurse, but who do not qualify for the CHC (Continuing Healthcare) scheme, may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care.

Often referred to by the abbreviation FNC, Funded Nursing Care is funding provided by the NHS towards the cost of nursing care provided within nursing homes, by registered nurses, for eligible individuals.

In certain circumstances, and regardless of your financial circumstances, the NHS will cover the full cost of care for those assessed as having a ‘primary health need’, through the NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme.

To determine if you qualify for Continuing Healthcare, an initial checklist will be completed by a registered nursing or Local Authority social worker, to capture the level and type of support you need on a day-to-day basis. If your combined health needs meet this first stage of eligibility, a further full assessment will then be carried out to confirm if you qualify for a fully-funded CHC care and support package.

If you do not qualify for fully-funded nursing care under the NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme, you may still qualify for a Funded Nursing Care contribution towards the cost of your nursing care.

To find out if you qualify for financial support from your Local Authority, your local adult social care team will complete a financial assessment to consider the value of your income and assets. This figure takes into account any income, savings and property you hold solely in your own name, as well as an equally divided share of any assets you may hold jointly.

The value of your assets will place you into one of three bands, and determine the level of financial support you can expect from your Local Authority:

• If your assets exceed the ‘upper capital limit’ set by the government (currently £23,250), you will be deemed a ‘self-funder’ and required to meet the full cost of your care.
• If your capital is between £14,250 and the upper capital limit of £23,250, then you will be expected to contribute a certain amount towards the cost of your care, with the remainder covered by your Local Authority.
• If your assets are less than £14,250, you may still be required to contribute towards the cost of your care, but the majority of your care fees will be covered by your Local Authority.

Please visit the government website to check the current upper capital limit amount.

If you qualify for relevant funding schemes, your nursing care may be free or partially paid for by your Local Authority or the NHS.

Not everyone will be eligible for financial support, and you may be required to meet the full cost of your nursing care. Decisions about who qualifies for financial support with their nursing care are made on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authority.

The cost of nursing home care will vary according to the level and type of nursing care an individual needs to meet any complex or long-term medical conditions in which they live with.

Nursing home costs will generally be calculated by combining a fixed accommodation fee, with the cost of providing your bespoke nursing care. Your individual financial circumstances and nursing care needs will determine who pays for your nursing care.

A day care centre for the elderly provides specialist care and support to meet the individual needs of older members of the local community. As well as being a physical meeting place, day care provides regular opportunities to socialise with new and existing friends, who can discover and enjoy new hobbies and interests together.

Regular day care visits often take place in a residential care home, offering an insight into daily life there, an opportunity to meet residents and staff, and a chance to sample the all-important home-cooked food. Day care can be a great option to supplement any care you may be receiving in your own home, as well as a means of connecting with your local community, safe in the knowledge that your specific care needs are being taken care of.

Anyone can be eligible for respite care, provided that their chosen care home can safely meet their care and support needs, and has availability on their chosen dates.

All of Somerset Care’s residential care homes and nursing homes offer respite care throughout the year, so we can offer plenty of choices! Our helpful enquiries team will be happy to discuss your care needs and respite break options with you. They will be able to share a range of respite care options which meet your needs and suggest alternative care if your original choice is unable to accommodate you.

Depending upon your individual circumstances and care needs, you may be eligible for financial support towards the cost of your respite care.

Respite care may be fully or partly funded by your Local Authority if you meet specific criteria in terms of your finances, or medical needs. Some Local Authorities will provide eligible individuals with a respite ‘allowance’ of a set number of days of respite care per year or will pay up to a certain value of respite care fees, which you might be asked to top up.

To find out if you qualify for respite care funding, the best place to start is by contacting the Adult Social Care team at your Local Authority, who will be able to advise if you are eligible.

If you are looking to get the maximum value from your respite stay, we also run seasonal respite care offers for selected Somerset Care residential homes throughout the year, so it’s always speaking with our enquiries team to check if there are any offers running when you book.

Respite care in a nursing home is a short-term stay complete with the tailored, expert nursing care you need.

Depending upon your care needs and circumstances, a respite care break could support your recovery and rehabilitation following time in hospital, to ensure that you can return home safely. If you are normally cared for by family members, it can also offer them a much-needed break, giving them a chance to relax, recharge, and return to simply being your loved one, rather than your carer. You and your loved ones can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that all of your needs are being taken care of.

You can also look upon respite care in a nursing home as a little holiday and change of scene, without the worry of having to arrange specialist care and support to meet your needs.

The first step to arranging respite care, for yourself or a loved one, is to get in contact with the care home you would like to stay in. They will discuss your care needs with you to ensure they can safely support you within the home, and check that they have availability for the dates you would like to stay.

All of Somerset Care’s residential care homes and nursing homes offer short term respite care, subject to availability and being able to meet your individual needs. To find out more about booking a respite break at your chosen care home, please contact our friendly enquiries team, who will be able to chat through the options available, and answer any questions you may have.

Short term respite care is a temporary stay in a residential care home, with access to all of the tailored care and support, facilities and amenities available to permanent residents.

Taking a short respite break in a care home is a brilliant way to get to know the home and residents, and experience the atmosphere, facilities, food and activities for yourself, perhaps as a stepping stone to moving in as a long-term resident.

A respite stay can last for anything from a few days to a few months and can be a really helpful option if you normally receive care in your own home, perhaps from a family member, but they are away or unable to support you for a period of time.

Specialist dementia care is person-centred, meaning that it is completely tailored to the care and support needs of the individual who is living with dementia.

One of the most important aspects of dementia care, particularly for those where dementia presents itself as confusion and memory loss, is a safe, secure and stimulating environment. Somerset Care’s specialist dementia care homes have dedicated dementia care suites, where residents are supported to live as independently as possible, safe in the knowledge that their care needs are being met.

Our highly-qualified dementia care teams support those living with dementia to continue their existing hobbies and interests, and discover new pastimes which benefit their wellbeing, physical and mental health.

Different people are affected by dementia in different ways, and so the level and type of care they need will very much depend upon the symptoms they experience. Some may only require a little extra support to carry out daily tasks, whilst others may need specialist nursing care to remain safe and well, particularly if they already live with a long-term or complex medical condition.

Residential care can often be beneficial for dementia patients, as specialist dementia care homes will be set up specifically to accommodate their needs, with care which can adapt and change as their symptoms change or develop. Dementia is often a progressive condition which means symptoms can worsen over time, so choosing a dementia care home which can meet your needs now, and in the future should they progress, is often a good idea.

Look for a home which is ‘dementia specialist’ (rather than ‘dementia-friendly’), and which has a fully-qualified dementia care team who understand the condition, and can support you with the care you need to live the life you choose.

Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain, and can affect an individual’s ability to think, understand, remember or do certain things. Because every individual can be affected differently by dementia conditions, the type of care that is needed can also vary for each person.

A person-centred approach to dementia care considers the person as an individual, supporting them to manage the symptoms they experience so that they can live well with dementia. It is perfectly possible to live a full and fulfilling life with dementia, with the right support.

Our friendly and knowledgeable Enquiries Team are here to help you understand the dementia care options available, and support you to find person-centred care which your loved one’s needs.

When you can no longer safely manage a dementia patient’s care needs at home, it is time to get some help. Depending upon the severity of the individual’s dementia symptoms, this could either be in the form of home care visits, or residential care in a specialist dementia care home.

There is no shame in asking for help if you need it. Caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia is challenging, so it is worth considering all of the options available for dementia patients. Day care visits or a short-term respite break in a care home which specialises in providing dementia care can be a good way of experiencing the dementia support available, and getting to know the care home, care team and other residents, before moving into a care home. This also gives you, as your loved one’s carer, a well-earned break and the chance recharge your batteries.

To find out about the different types of dementia support available near you, please contact our Enquiries Team who will be happy to help.

There are a variety of different types of dementia care available for those diagnosed with the condition. These include care visits in your own home, dementia day care and respite breaks at a dementia-friendly residential care home, or long-term care as a resident in a specialist dementia care home. The right type and level of care will be tailored to an individual’s dementia symptoms – we call this person-centred dementia care.

At Somerset Care, we have carried out two decades of research into dementia with our university partners in Exeter and Bradford. We have used this to shape the support we provide to people living with dementia, helping them to live full and fulfilling lives, with as much independence as possible. We call this approach PETALS, which stands for: Person-Centred, Empowerment, Trust, Activities, Life History, and Stimulation.

Our mission is to support people to live the life they choose, regardless of their dementia diagnosis. Please visit our dementia care page, or contact our knowledgeable Enquiries Team, to find out how our specialist teams deliver tailored dementia support in safe and stimulating environments.

A short term respite care stay includes absolutely everything that you would expect from a longer-term stay in one of our specialist residential care homes:

• A fully furnished room in one of our well-equipped care homes, which you can personalise to help you feel at home;
• All of your meals, drinks and snacks (tailored to meet your preferences and dietary requirements);
• 24/7 Individual care and support including help with medication and personal care;
• Full use of all of the home’s indoor and outdoor communal areas, garden and facilities;
• Participation in as many of the home’s activities, events and entertainment as you choose;
• A warm welcome for any visitors you may like to invite;
• Utilities, linen, laundry, housekeeping and cleaning.

How you chose to spend your time in respite care is up to you – you can treat it as a relaxing break and change of scene, recovery time to help you to safely return home from hospital, the opportunity to ‘try out’ a care home before making a longer-term commitment, or perhaps the chance to meet new friends and discover new interests.

A respite care break can last for anything from a few days to a few months – it really is up to you! We’re here to support you with whatever works best for you, whether you simply fancy a change of scene or are keen to try out one of our homes, or whether you need support for a particular period of time as your usual carer is taking a break.

Provided we have availability, we’re happy to accommodate whatever length of stay you need in our respite care homes.

We also offer day care packages at selected care homes across Somerset. If you are not yet ready to book an overnight stay but would still like to spend a day with fellow residents, enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal and experience some of the activities on offer, then day care could be the perfect solution. Please contact us to find out about our available day care packages.

Provided the individual’s needs can be safely met at the chosen respite care home, there is no set criteria for respite care. All of our care homes across Somerset offer respite care breaks, subject to availability.

The purpose of respite care is to provide a short-term package of tailored care and support which meets the individual’s needs, within a care home environment. This can be to support rehabilitation following illness or injury, to complement care already delivered in the individual’s own home or at a day care centre, as an introduction to longer term residential care, or simply to provide a holiday with care and support included.

Whilst we like to ensure you have lots of time to make your move to your new home, we understand that on occasion, you may require emergency support. Our homes work closely with Health Professionals across the system to ensure an emergency admission can take place and keep you or your loved one safe and cared for.

We have a very clear fee structure for all of our care homes, which are based on accommodation costs and a dependency cost to provide a banding for a weekly fee.

Dependency costs are determined as a result of our assessment process, all of which can be shared with you and explained in full, upon request. 

Pre-assessments are completed for all new residents by a member of our Senior Care Team. This is so that we can accurately determine your individual care needs and make sure we can safely support you within our care home.

This assessment is used to determine the care element of your weekly fees, dependent upon your individual requirements.

Pre-assessments are completed for all new residents and respite visitors by a member of our Senior Care Team. This is so that we can accurately determine your individual care needs and make sure we can safely support you at the Halcon Centre. This assessment is used to determine the care element of your weekly fees, which is combined with your accommodation cost to form your overall weekly fee.

Your support team will monitor your progress and wellbeing on a daily basis. If a significant change in your care needs is identified, a member of our Senior Care Team will re-assess you to ensure you are receiving the right level of support. We will consult with you and/or your representative about any subsequent changes to your tailored care plan, and any resulting fee increases or decreases. Re-assessments will occur whenever required to meet your changing needs, and any fee changes are separate to the annual fee review.

We have worked closely with Local Authorities and NHS teams for over 30 years to provide support to all those within the community within which we operate. We are passionate that everyone is entitled to quality care when and should the need arise.

We are able to support you if you are funded by the Local Authority, although dependent on the Care Home and your dependency needs, we may require a top up or a higher rate in order to support you with a placement.

Please do contact our teams on 0800 8174 990 so we can talk through your needs in more detail, and advise on how we may be able to help.

We always recommend that you make contact with your local Adult Social Care department in your local authority who will be able to organise a care needs and financial assessment, to determine if you are entitled to any support.

As a general rule, if you have over £23,250 in savings or assets, you are classed as self-funding.  If you have below this amount, you may be entitled to some support or fully funded care.

We recommend you contact the adult social care team regardless as there are a number of benefits that you may be entitled too, which can support you funding your care needs.

Your Local Authority (LA) can assess your financial status and advise if you are entitled to financial support to cover some or all of your care home costs. Please note that LA funding may need to be supplemented (either by yourself or a third party, as appropriate) to meet your full accommodation and care costs.

If you have been diagnosed with certain long-term complex health needs, you may qualify for NHS funding towards your care costs via the Continuing Healthcare (CHC) scheme. Your GP or other medical professional will be able to advise if you may be eligble. Our nursing homes are able to accept CHC funded clients.

The NHS pay a contribution to care homes that provide nursing care, called Funded Nursing Care (FNC). If applicable, the FNC contribution can cover part of your weekly care home fees. If FNC arrangements are not in place at the time of your admission, you will be charged the full weekly fee until this is in place. Once the backdated FNC has been received, the equivalent refund will be credited to your account.

• Fully-furnished accommodation
• Food and drink tailored to your dietary requirements
• Full use of all communal areas, including lounges, dining rooms and gardens
• Full use of the on-site recreational facilities
• Comprehensive activities programme arranged by our in-house team
• All utilities including central heating, electricity, lighting and hot water
• Bed linen and towels
• Laundry services, including ironing
• Team on site 24/7 to support as needed
• Grounds and buildings maintenance
• Daily and weekly cleaning services, alongside regular deep cleaning as and when required
• Insurance of the building and supplied furniture
• Internet access
• Concessionary TV License scheme (if applicable)

• Hairdressing (available in all homes)
• Toiletries (purchasable from the in-house shop)
• Clothing
• Newspapers/Magazines
• Dry cleaning
• Care and maintenance of pets
• Insurance for personal items
• Private transport to access services and attend
• appointments (e.g. hospital, dentist, optician)
• Private telephone lines

We want your home with us to be for life, however, there are some instances where a move is necessary. If your needs change from residential to nursing, it may become unsafe for you to remain in your current home, if nursing care is not provided in that setting.

Yes, and we encourage them to do so. They are welcome to come along before-hand to help set up your room or accompany you on the day. How you do this, is entirely down to your preference, and we are here to help you settle into your new home.

Yes, we love to have visitors in our home, and we love to see you spending time with your family and friends. Your visitors can come along when they wish, and do not need to book an appointment.

We are pleased to say that our homes all have safe visiting pods, should there be any incidents of Covid-19 or other virus outbreak in the home. These visiting pods allow your friends and family to spend time with you, in a safe way.

We take meal times very seriously in our homes and understand how important the meal time experience is for all of us. We have daily menus available in our homes, with locally and responsibly sourced produce with our trusted suppliers. Our menu is seasonal, and we have a variety of themed days, where we experience lots of different styles of foods. If you fancy something a little different, just speak to our passionate kitchen teams who will cater to your needs. 

You are welcome to invite your family to eat alongside you, especially on special occasions. We love nothing more than a party and look for any reason to have a celebration – food will always play a central part to these events.

Our talented teams are able to cater to all dietary requirements and soft diet requirements.

We would love for you to bring your own furniture and creature comforts, to make your new home feel as comfortable and familiar as possible. Our rooms are decorated to a high standard but our in-house maintenance team are also on hand to support with any reasonable requests that you have.

We always recommend that you take the time to view the homes you are interested in. Feel free to visit any of our homes, or call us to book an appointment. A tour allows you to experience the home first hand, understanding the layout of the home, view some bedrooms and communal areas and ask any questions that you may have. Our teams are on hand to show you around and make you feel at ease. Why not join us for a cup of tea and a chat, and we will be sure you leave with all the information you need to make the right decision.

Building a relationship with those we support is a vital step in supporting you to live the life you choose. Your team will be with you from day one, and will work you and your family, where you wish, to support you with your care needs, as well as your goals and wellbeing. 

We encourage you to speak to us, participate in residents’ meetings, chat to our care team, managers and area managers, as well as contact our regulators at the Care Quality Commission should you chose.