Nursing Home Charges - Government Help.

[Coppit]

While the medics decide if I can have a hip op or am too old / not healthy enough, I am having to pay to move into a home. A friend says that I may be entitled to up to 6 weeks respite care fees paid for by the government.
Does anyone know anything about this?

[gingejbee]

...any financial help is provided by your local authority (council) - so you could contact them.

[Buenchico]

It looks to me as if the first step would be to get a social care needs assessment from your local council.

See here
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/carer-breaks-and-respite-care/
and here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

[gingejbee]

You need the Social Services department - I suspect that any help provided will depend on your financial situation, which they will examine!

[THECORBYLOON]

This link gives more information

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/care-after-a-hospital-stay/care-after-illness-or-hospital-discharge-reablement/

"If you or someone you know has been in hospital or had an illness or fall, you may need temporary care to help you get back to normal and stay independent.

This temporary care is called intermediate care, reablement or aftercare.

Most people who receive this type of care do so for around 1 or 2 weeks, although it can be free for a maximum of 6 weeks. It will depend on how soon you are able to cope at home.

If you need care for longer than 6 weeks, you may have to pay for it."

[jennyjoan]

well a friend of mine needed care from a serious operation and got into a great place for 6 weeks - she has plenty of money but she didn't have to pay for anything.

As I am sure you know - you need to be living on your own and therefore nobody to care for you.

[THECORBYLOON]

There is no mention of having to be alone in order to receive help.

There could be others in the household but what if they are mentally or physically unable to assist for example?

[jennyjoan]

I guess CBL - just that the friend fitted the criteria.

[Coppit]

Thanks for all responses. I'm looking into it.