Care Homes UK. A Guide to Nursing Homes in Britain

Do I need to use a 'Care Consultant' or independent care advisers ?

Independent Care Advisers and Care Consultants may not be professionally qualified to provide advice relating to homes for the elderly. Some may have set themselves up as Care Advisers after seeking advice for themselves whilst looking at nursing homes to accommodate an elderly relative or friend. Indeed their 'database' may be derived from collecting nursing and care home brochures after calling those listed in telephone directories and online guides to UK care homes such as www.carehomes-uk.co.uk.

Embarking upon the quest for an ideal residential home for the elderly could be a confusing cloudy prospect, without the assistance from 'Care Consultants', we'll look at the alternatives.

We are forced to look for care homes, nursing homes or residential care because staying at home is not appropriate or practical for a variety of reasons. Ideally, we would like to be close for easy access and frequent visits. A 'care Consultant' or 'Independent Care Adviser' may ask what special needs are present, these needs don't need to be medical needs. Pets for example are important or indeed essential and it might be a priority to seek a nursing home that accepts pets. Mealtime favourites could be an issue, anything from a particular type of marmalade on specific bread - or only free range eggs. A 'home from home' is the key, so we can reduce the number of homes by focussing on such quality of life priorities.

If medical needs are an issue, your GP is an excellent source of information, especially if the is well established locally. He will more than likely have more experience and knowledge of local homes than any independent care care advisers and care consultants. He can offer advice on options such as; Sheltered Housing, Extra Care Housing, Close Care (also known as Very Sheltered Housing), Care Homes, Care Homes with Nursing and Dual Registered Homes.

Besides your Doctor, you may already be in touch with your local Social Service Department. A care consultant or independent care adviser should not assess individuals for Community Care Services such as Care Homes, Day Care, Equipment and Devices, Home Help, Respite, Meals on Wheels etc. Social Services can also provide information and help with financial support for long-term care after being assessed to meet your Local Authority's criteria.

A care consultant or independent care adviser will not be qualified to offer legal advice, unless of course they are also solicitors. Your family may have to decide to look at the financial situation of the relative in question, in order to make provisions to pay for care. Inheritance Tax and trust planning falls into this equation, as does Power of Attorney. There is also 'The Court of Protection' . There may be a case where an elderly relative feels pressured or that there is no one they can trust to administer their affairs, or where Power of Attorney was transferred but that person cannot take up the role for whatever reason. A solicitor is the best person to advise as opposed to a Care Consultant or Independent Care Adviser. see www.solicitorsengland.com.

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