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Willow Lodge is no ordinary Care Home. You can sense the warmth and the kindness as soon as you walk through the door and it feels like home

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We are sending this card to thank you all for the wonderful care you have given dad in the past four years.

Please Read the letter Sent to us from our guests

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The post John Love Family- Hunters Lodge first appeared on EnglishOak Carehomes.

 I have always found the atmosphere at Oakview stimulating and calm, with lots going on. I have observed the staff have open, caring and supportive relationships with the residents, treating them with dignity and respect. This ethos has been also been apparent in the way I as a professional have been welcomed and supported in my work. Similarly I have seen how positively family members are welcomed and involved in the home. There has been a very person-centred approach to my involvement with the resident. This has been particularly important as their needs are very different from many of the other residents. It was a member of staff who instigated my involvement, as she felt that the person might benefit from Intensive interaction and this has proved to be correct. I have been particularly impressed by the open and forward thinking approach of the individuals that I have had dealings with. Intensive Interaction is not a standard approach in Dementia Care (although it is becoming increasingly recognised to be of benefit) and requires thinking outside the box. However it has been embraced by the organisation as they have seen the benefits for this resident and can see its potential for others within the home. They have expressed an intention to invest in training in the future. On a more practical level, the accommodation is bright and functional and I have always observed the home to be clean and safe. The system for gaining access to the building is well managed, making visitors feel welcome while ensuring security for vulnerable residents. Rachel Woodhouse (Intensive Interaction Coordinator) November 2018″

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Whether you’re getting full-time care in your house or a private care home, you may have to fund your entire dementia care yourself if you’re not eligible to receive the National Health Service (NHS) continuing healthcare funding. If you’re eligible, the NHS or local authority may fund a part of your care while you contribute towards any added cost due to the nature of care you require.

Who is eligible for the NHS continuing healthcare?

The Continuing Healthcare is “Care provided over an extended period of time, to a person aged 18 or over to meet physical or mental health needs that have arisen as a result of disability, accident or illness.”

However, there is usually confusion about whether someone with dementia would be eligible to receive the benefits. That’s because of the “health needs” clearly written in the definition. Dementia care is mostly categorized as primarily social rather than health (medical treatment), so some people with dementia may not qualify.

It is usually advisable to have both a medical assessment of dementia and a care assessment. These are two different things and may play a vital role in determining the scope and complexity of the care you need. Consequently, they may determine whether you’re eligible to get the NHS funding or not.

Furthermore, one criterion to be eligible for the NHS continuing healthcare is to have a total asset value not exceeding £23,250. Even when you’re in a private care home, the NHS may fund your dementia care through the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) provided you have below that threshold amount. They regard you as not having enough to cater to your financial needs.

But it’s also possible that your dementia gets complex such that you require more personalized care. This is most often the case, unfortunately. The social care will not fund the added cost of the extra care required, so you may have to foot that surcharge yourself. In that case, you’re only funding the top-up while the local authority funds the basic care.

On the other hand, people with dementia who have estates valued over £23,250 will have to pay out of pocket for their entire dementia care. This is called being a “self-funder“.

How to fund dementia care when you do not have the financial capacity and are ineligible for Continuing Healthcare

In reality, some people may not enjoy the benefit of NHS even when they own less than £23,250 in total estate value. That’s because there are several other criteria involved. Such persons with dementia may therefore have to foot the cost of their care themselves.

If you have a home, one way to fund your dementia care is to apply for a deferred payment scheme where the local authority pays for your dementia care, and then you repay when you sell your home or eventually pass away.

You would no longer stay in your property while in a care home, so it makes perfect sense to fund your care this way.

Other forms of financial support for dementia

Aside from the NHS, there are several other benefits the UK government offers to certain categories of people, of which those with dementia or their carer may qualify. We discuss some of them below.

Attendance Allowance

This is a government benefit to people over 65.

There are two weekly rates:

• £58.70 if you need help or supervision either in the day or at night
• £87.65 if you need help or supervision both in the day and at night, or if you’re terminally ill

Eligibility: you may be eligible if a mental condition or disability hampers your ability to care for your personal affairs.

Carer’s Allowance

This benefit is for someone who cares for another person that receives government benefits, such as the Attendance Allowance. It is £66.15 a week.

Eligibility—You must:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Spend at least 35 hours weekly performing your care duties
• Earn no more than £123 weekly once allowable expenses are deducted
• Not be receiving certain other benefits.

Carer’s Credit

This is a UK government benefit paid to carers which helps build their entitlement to the basic State and Additional State Pension.

Eligibility: Income or estate value does not affect eligibility for Carer’s Credit. You only need to be caring for someone who receives certain benefits for at least 20 hours weekly, and you must be above 16 years of age.

Although you don’t receive the cash, you’ll get credits that help fill gaps in your National Insurance record.

Some tips to know when funding dementia care

1. Your being at home or in a care home doesn’t affect who gets to pay. Where you get your care isn’t a criterion for Continuing Healthcare eligibility.
2. If anyone in health or social care says you must pay for your care, ask them why that is. That conclusion can only be reached if NHS funding has been considered and you are found ineligible.
3. You can and should appeal if you find the Continuing Healthcare funding denial to be unfair.
4. You don’t have to complete any financial assessment forms, especially when you’ve been found ineligible for Continuing Healthcare. That’s because you’d have to self-fund in this case, so it’s of no use showing anyone your net worth.
5. Remember that some people working in social care maybe rookies and therefore have inadequate knowledge about how these things work. So be sure to read the Care Act, so you know when you’re being misinformed.

Next steps

About two-thirds of people in the UK living with dementia receive care in their own homes. Having relatives around to care for you can help trim down costs.

However, dementia is a progressive condition, and soon, you may require more specialized care than your family can offer. It makes sense to live your final years in a care home that ensures you get the best quality of life that you can obtain at this time.

Even when you’re not eligible for NHS funding and aren’t financially strong, rest assured you can get several other benefits like the Attendance Allowance and carer’s allowance. In all, it’s all about ensuring your final years are more enjoyable and that your loved ones get to spend more quality time with you rather than worry about your basic needs round the clock.

If you or your relative’s dementia seems like you’d be safer and better cared for in a care home setting, we at English Oak Care Homes are here to receive you. We do not provide environments that we would not want our own parents to live in. We provide environments where people with dementia can feel safe, accepted, and as comfortable as they would be in their own homes.

Reach out to us today.

The post How to Fund Care for People with Dementia UK first appeared on EnglishOak Carehomes.

If you or your loved one has developed dementia or is at risk of it, then you’d likely be concerned about the cost of care.  Dementia is a progressive condition, so care would typically be required until one’s final moment. But note, dementia costs are essentially associated with care rather than treatment.

According to Alzheimer’s Society, the total (lifetime) cost of care for people living with dementia is around £100,000. This is the expected cost from the time care begins to when the inevitable happens. However, dementia care can also cost as much as 500,000, especially when the patient has complex health and care needs and they end up living for longer.

On average, the annual cost of care for a dementia patient in the UK is 32,250.

Do I get to pay the cost of dementia care myself?

Of course, the amount looks overwhelming, and you’re probably asking if you’d get any public assistance. Yes, you will.

Families may not get to shoulder the entire financial burden of their elderly loved one’s dementia care. Persons with dementia may be eligible for The National Health Service (NHS) continuing healthcare if they have complex health needs. It is free and funded by their local clinical commissioning group (CCG).

However, care will not be administered by the NHS but through the social care system.

How do I become eligible for social care with dementia?

As things currently stand, your local clinical commission group will pay for your entire dementia care if you own below £23,250 as total assets. However, the real situation is that two-thirds of the total annual dementia care cost (£34.7 billion) is paid by the individuals and their families, whether in their own property or a private care home. We can assume that this is because most people earn above the threshold amount.

Why are people affected by dementia and their families responsible for the cost of care?

Dementia is a complex condition that may require personalized support. Care homes may need to charge a premium rate for the extra care, which becomes more than social care offers, about 15% more on average. Therefore, families would need to pay for this extra cost (top-up) as the NHS will not readily fund it.

Unfortunately, some people with dementia may not get to benefit from the NHS funding. In fact, they may have to foot it all by themselves, as opposed to other seniors without dementia.

The lifetime cost of care for people with dementia was found to be around £133,850 more than those without.

What if the person affected with dementia does not have the financial capacity to fund their cost of care?

An individual with dementia will not have to fund their entire care if their estate values below £23,250. The local authority will be responsible for basic care, while the individual would have to fund the remainder and any top-ups themselves.

If you eventually run out of money, the council will continue paying for your care.

However, your entire estate value may be tied to your home. That is, your house is all you have. In that case, you can apply for a deferred payment scheme where the local authority pays for your dementia care, and then you repay when you sell your home or eventually pass away.

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What exactly is a care home?

As we age, it’s natural to need a little extra help with our daily activities. That’s where care homes come in. Care homes are designed to provide compassionate care and support for elderly individuals who need it most. Whether it’s nursing care, personal care, or social activities, care homes are there to help seniors maintain their independence and quality of life. Whether run by private companies, charities, or the government, care homes offer different levels of care depending on each individual’s unique needs. Some even specialise in providing care for those with dementia or cognitive impairments. All in all, care homes are an invaluable resource for elderly individuals who require support and care in their daily lives.

Taking care of a parent with age-related conditions like dementia can be challenging. It’s important to remember that they once cared for you and deserve respect and proper care. However, if you have a job and family to attend to, a care home may be the best option for your loved one.

A care home is not primarily a medical facility, but rather a comfortable living space for elderly individuals in their final years. They receive assistance with daily activities, including bathing, toileting and eating. Most homes also offer a variety of entertainment and social activities to make daily life as enjoyable as possible. It’s natural to wonder what life is like in a care home and what daily life for your loved one will consist of.

Things to expect in a care home

1.     Genuine companionship

Ideally, a care home should be a place where you can converse freely with everyone, just as you would in your own home. Imagine a place alive with conversation and good humour, your fellow residents and staff on a first-name basis. Life would be exciting.

A quality care home should strive to create a warm and cheerful atmosphere, much like the kind of environment one would want for themselves. When searching for a care home, it’s important to look for signs of such a positive and homey environment. If the atmosphere seems too formal and gloomy on your initial visit, it could be a warning sign. A good care home should offer genuine companionship and friendly conversations.

2.     Different room types

Just as with your home, a care home will typically have different room patterns and structures. You may find standard rooms, executive rooms, and deluxe rooms, and you’ll likely be able to choose the room you want. Every room must be tailored to offer the occupant comfort and maintain a befitting quality of life. Many homes will allow you to customise your room to fit your needs. A great care home encourages individuality.

3.     You have the right to complain

If you’re not happy with the care you or your elderly loved one is receiving in the care home, there are steps you can take. Most issues can be resolved by speaking with the care home manager, especially when the complaint is against a staff member. If nothing is done after some time, you can contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Sometimes, the care home may report that your loved one refused care, which was why they got less than the quality of service you expected. Make sure the carer has a written record of when and how your loved one refused the care, and discuss what solutions there could be to help the situation.

4.     Wheelchair access

You’ll usually find this in the care home’s brochure or website, but it doesn’t hurt to call them and confirm. Your parent may need a wheelchair to aid mobility even when they’re not physically disabled.

A condition like dementia, especially vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia, can cause movement problems in seniors. So if that’s the case with your elderly loved one, you want to be sure that they will get all the equipment and accessories they need to aid their quality of life.

5.     Lounge, leisure areas, and shop

When looking for a care home, it’s important to ensure an active lifestyle is offered. Seniors shouldn’t be restricted to a sedentary life, as they need to be able to move around and engage in physical activities just as

they would in their own homes. While a golf course isn’t necessary, a communal lounge where residents and caregivers can socialise and relax is a crucial aspect of a quality care home. along with offered activities and other forms of entertainment.

When you go see the care home for the first time, observe the residents:

Do they seem happy? Can you find staff chatting cheerfully with the residents?

Often, you just need to trust your judgement and ask yourself ‘Would I be happy living here?’. If the answer is ‘yes’ then you may have found your care home.

The post What to expect in a care home first appeared on EnglishOak Carehomes.

There are different types of dementia, but before going into that, let’s understand what dementia is.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a progressive brain disorder that causes impairment in cognitive ability, such as memory loss.

As a person ages, the brain goes through considerable modifications. One of such modifications is brain shrinkage, which begins after 60. Cells also begin to wear out and no longer regenerate.

Typically, dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells in the brain. This may result in difficulty remembering things, which can be severe enough to hamper the individual’s social life.

Although memory loss is often associated with dementia and is considered one of its early signs, it’s often not a determinant of the condition. One can have memory loss but not have dementia.

General Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia symptoms vary depending on the area of the brain affected. That’s the reason why people experience dementia differently.

However, some conditions that look like dementia may not be it, such as those resulting from medication or vitamin deficiency. Such conditions typically improve with treatment over time.

Generally, the symptoms of dementia include:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty reasoning and analyzing problems
• Difficulty handling logical tasks
• Difficulty coming up with the right words
• Frequent confusion and disorientation
• Loss of ability to organize and plan
• Loss of coordination
• Getting lost while walking or driving around a familiar environment

If you notice some of the following in yourself or an elderly loved one, it is likely dementia.

Causes of Dementia

Many things cause dementia (damage to brain cells). Depending on the cause, the condition is either reversible or irreversible (progressive). But we generally don’t regard the irreversible one as actual dementia because, although the symptoms are virtually the same, it is not progressive. It can be treated. Actual or progressive dementia doesn’t get better with time. It’s the opposite.

The 5 Types of Dementia

There are typically five types of progressive dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. And unfortunately, people whose parents have Alzheimer’s are at risk of it. That’s because one of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease is a mutation of three genes, which can be passed from parent to offspring. However, this is just one out of the many causes of Alzheimer’s. Many of the causes are still unknown.

Common signs of dementia include:

• Confusion about where they are and what day or year it is
• Difficulty expressing themselves because they can’t remember suitable words
• Losing things and difficulty remembering where they kept them
• Mood swings and depressive moments.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia often results from strokes and other cardiovascular incidents. The shock to the blood vessels causes damage to the brain, such as tissue loss. After a stroke or similar incidents, the patient may start having memory deficiency and trouble planning and making decisions. These are the first signs of vascular dementia.

Other symptoms of vascular dementia include:

• Progressive memory loss
• Trouble speaking or understanding others
• Instability and frequent falls
• Trouble recognizing things that were originally familiar to them, such as their favourite songs
• Confusion and agitation
• Mood disorders

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

This condition has symptoms like Parkinson, such as tremors and stiffness. The patient may also suffer from hallucinations. Lewy Body dementia results when clumps of protein, known as Lewy bodies, form in the brain. These same clumps also form in patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. However, the symptoms are different, and that’s how you know it’s Lewy Body Dementia and not Alzheimer.

Common symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia include:

• Hallucinations
• Acting out one’s dream while sleeping
• Problems focusing and paying attention
• Abnormally slow movement, tremors, and rigidity (as with Parkinson’s disease).

Frontontemporal Dementia

When the neurodegeneration majorly affects the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain, the condition is classified as frontotemporal dementia. This type of dementia typically impacts the person’s behaviour and personality, although they may still show signs of memory loss.

Symptoms specific to frontotemporal dementia include:

• Movement problems, such as falling, wobbling, and muscle spasms
• Problems finding the right words to use
• Sudden lack of inhibitions, like someone under alcohol influence.

Mixed Dementia

As the name suggests, this is a combination of two types of dementia. Interestingly, autopsy studies of dementia patients of 80 years and above showed that they had a combination of different dementia types. The most common combination is Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Some also included Lewy body dementia.

However, there is not much research on ground regarding the specific symptoms mixed dementia patients experience.

Risk factors of Dementia You Can’t Change

1. Age: Dementia isn’t a normal ageing process, but people above 65 are at greater risk.
2. Genetics: having a family history of dementia puts you at risk.
3. Down syndrome: as early as 45, people with Down syndrome begin to show signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk factors of Dementia You Can Do Something about

• Lack of exercise
• Poor diet
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Smoking
• Air pollution
• High fat and cholesterol levels
• Head trauma
• Frequent Trouble Sleeping
• Deficiency in vitamin D, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B 12 and folate.

Complications

Dementia can significantly reduce one’s quality of life. Although our older years should be a time to retire, rest, and relish all your life’s success, dementia can steal the joy away and make life bleak.

If your elderly loved one has dementia, they may suffer further complications such as:

• Inability to eat well. Difficulty swallowing may even lead to choking
• Inability to perform regular self-care tasks, such as bathing, using the toilet, and brushing
• Pneumonia
• Safety concerns. Regular things like walking and eating become life-threatening.

Get Help

If your elderly loved one has dementia, there’s every need to keep an eye on them at all times. Putting them in a Care Home becomes a wise choice.

But you want to put your loving parent in a home you can be proud of, a worthy place they deserve, a home away from home.

At English Oak Care Homes, we understand that, and we provide a place where our guests can feel at home and even invite their friends over just as they would when on their actual property. We’re all about retaining that homely feel for you and your parent.

Let us help you give your loving parent the care they deserve so you can be relieved of your responsibilities to enable you to spend more quality time with them.

Call us today.

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