Planning for your funeral While you are thinking about the future, you may want to consider writing down your wishes for your funeral. This can help to alleviate pressures on your family. They may appreciate knowing your wishes and that they can make sure they are considered at your funeral. By detailing your wishes, your family can be comforted by the fact that they don’t need to make all the decisions about what you would have liked or wonder whether they are making the right choices. Things to consider are included in ‘My Funeral Wishes’, a form produced by Dying Matters and the National Association of Funeral Directors.
Visit www.dyingmatters.org/page/my-funeralwishes for more information. You do not have to instruct a funeral director but, if you do, ensure that the director you choose is a member of either the National Association of Funeral Directors or the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors. These associations have strict guidelines that members must adhere to. See page 61 for details of organisations that may be able to help you plan for the end of your life or your funeral.
Care homes All care homes and agencies providing care at home in England must be registered with the independent regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC inspects every care home and home care agency, publishing a report along with a rating.
CQC quality ratings must be displayed at the operator’s premises and on its website. You can also find inspection reports and ratings for all services on the CQC’s website (www.cqc.org.uk ).
Types of care home Care homes (personal care only) If you need someone to look after you 24 hours a day but don’t need nursing care, a care home offering only personal care may be the best option. Personal care includes bathing, feeding, dressing and help with moving. It is a good idea to have a needs assessment before you choose a care home to ensure it is the best way to meet your needs. See page 14 for more on assessments. Care homes with nursing A care home with nursing provides the same care and support as a care home offering personal care, but with 24-hour nursing staff on hand. If you think you may need nursing care in a home, you will need to be visited by a social worker or a care manager to work out what care you will need. This visit might be in your own home, or in hospital if you’ve been ill, or in a care home. You will be fully involved in planning for your care needs.
nursing care is the best solution for you, a social worker will give you information to help you find a home which meets your care requirements. The cost of the nursing care part of your fees may be paid by the NHS to the home directly: the current amount is £187.60 per week. This figure may change over the lifetime of this Directory – check with Adult Social Care. For help with finding care homes and care homes with nursing in your area, visit www.carechoices.co.uk
If, after a needs assessment, a care home providing Visit www.carechoices.co.uk for further assistance with your search for care
37
