My Nan is in a care home. She has dementia and is currently being treated for cancer. The home has told us that they are a care home not a nursing home. They have said that if she gets worse then she'll have to move to a nursing home. Grandad pays for the home from his own pocket which is £443 a week.
What's the difference? She's happy where she is....that's the most important thing but how much is my Grandad looking to pay if she has to be moved.
ps...in case anyone asks. I'm not in his will so what he has to spend doesn't bother me :-)
it's because a care home doesn't do nursing care, or necessarily have qualified nurses on hand, whereas a nursing home does. most care homes will do the same as the one your nan is in, and transfer the person to either a nursing home or hospital if they become too poorly. unfortunately that's how it works and has nothing to do with how much you pay, it's all about what nursing care can be provided.
I would imagine things like insurance and the amount of care they can give (amount and experience of staff etc...) makes a big difference as to what they are able to deal with. Not sure if there are also additional constraints set by the care home regulators too?
I remember from my days volunteering at a home for the severely disabled and a local hospice that there were very set rules about what certain people could and couldn't do which got stricter and stricter over the years.
My nan went into a home quite recently after a spell in hospital and being diagnosed with dementia. I went to see her last weekend and have to say I was very impressed. She was obviously being kept clean and comfortable and being well looked after, the staff were all very pleasant. Just breaks my heart to see her like that. She just won't eat anymore.
She is in a specialist place which caters for people with dementia and can provide the appropriate level of care and nursing when required.
I also work in a special dementia unit with no nursing staff, last week we lost two residents one through cancer and one through a long term illness.
The way we judge whether to keep a terminally ill resident is "can we effectively provide all the palliative care needs of this person" in most cases the answer is yes, we are backed up by the community nurses and the Macmillan trust, like myself most of the senior staff are also trained in palliative care.
Not all homes can provide this level of support unfortunately, in which case it is better that your Nan is moved to a nursing home where they can meet her needs as they arise. Good luck.
I am confused with the Care Home/Nursing Home definition. My Mum is in a Care Home but does have a nurse in attendance on her floor. Our social worker, said that a nurse does'nt have to be in attendance at all times because its not a nursing home. Though on my Mum's floor, there are a number of people in bed, permanently, who need feeding, toileting, etc.
I was under the impression a nursing home costs more, my Mum's Care Home costs £545.00 per week.
Care homes provide "care" Nursing Homes provide "nursing" . Care homes cannot provide "nursing" as the staff are not quallified to do so. Hmmmmm it had'nt used to be like this. Chaffinch (ex SRN)
Care homes and nursing homes do overlap, I work in that overlap, we are a care home/dementia unit.
We will provide every aspect of care often until the end, we are supported by Macmillan staff and District Nurses calling as often as we need them.
What we try to avoid is sending a resident in their last days/weeks of life to another home, where they don't know anybody, these people are already confused with their dementia and don't understand what is happening to their bodies etc. it can be a very frightening time for them. rarely will we need to send them away unless we cannot cope with their levels of pain or keep up with their clinical care. Families usually request that their loved one end their days in our care. We actually always see this as a great compliment and honour and we will always try our best. staff trained in palliative care is really the key here.
I think the care system for the elderly in the country is appalling - I hope this statement does not offend anyone who works in nursing or care homes.
My mother has had two visits to a nursing home the last (earlier this year) whilst essential works were carried out on my aunt's home (my aunt is my mums career). This visit was very traumatic, despite visits to the care home and assurance from the local authority and social services my mother was not cared for properly - this cost us nearly £1,000 per week because my mother has savings. A complaint was made but nothing came of it.
My mum is now in hospital because her health has deteriated, but she is on the mend. Despite this we have been told for her safety she should go a nursing home. How can we do that to her, we love her dearly and want her with us for as long as possible. We also know (and have told the hospital social worker) she will be left in a room on her own all day without any stimulation and she will be encouraged to use a nappy instead of using a commode. This will now cost us over £1,000 a week.
My mother may be disabled ie arthristis and slight demture but she is capable of feeding herself, washing and if supported she will use a commode. But,because the hospital has insisted she does not do anything she has become lazy.
We suggested a care package was set up (which we would be prepared to pay for) but we've been told that is not possible because the agency or local authority careers could be at risk if there's an accident.
The options are my mum goes into a nursing home or we arrange our own care with no assistance from social services.
Hi umm, I to, work in a Care Home and have done for many a year. I feel I must disagree with some of the post on here. Its all well and good having care/dementia/and nursing homes, to which staff are trained but take it from me its nonsense as most of the homes are in it for the MONEY, thats why these private homes open. My home is a Dementia Home and half the residents are according to Eddies post are 'Nursing'. We ask for residents to be moved onto nursing but you usually find the homes dont want to as there will be empty beds to fill.. I do hope you find somewhere decent for your nan.