Housing

Finding a residential home

Summary: RNIB guide to finding a residential home

• Alternatives to residential care
• Sheltered accommodation
• What sort of home to choose?
• What to do next
• The initial visit
• It's your choice
• And finally
• Further help

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All of us face times in life when it is difficult to cope. Things change and sometimes thoughts may turn to moving into residential accommodation. This is a big decision so it's very important to make an informed choice.

This page is about some of the things you may want to think about when considering moving away from your own home. There is a section at the end detailing further help.

Alternatives to residential care

First of all, do you really need to leave your own home? With a little extra help you may be able to stay where you are. If this is what you want, contact your social services department and ask for a community care assessment. Someone will visit you to see what you need help with, and the social services department may then agree to provide you with help at home. So if this is what you want, and it's practical, insist on it.

You may also find that some adaptations to your home could make life much easier. We have produced another free leaflet, called 'Making your home fit you', which gives you ideas on how to make changes to your home, and where you can get help towards the cost of these changes. If you would like a copy, please contact RNIB.

Sheltered accommodation

Another possibility to think about is sheltered housing. Sheltered housing tends to be built in schemes of between 20 and 40 flats. There is nearly always an alarm system linked to a 24-hour monitoring service. There is usually a resident warden and sometimes there are communal facilities such as a lounge or laundry. Repairs, gardening and window cleaning are usually carried out by the landlord.

Meals are not normally provided. Some people like sheltered housing because it balances independence with the security of knowing support is available.

Sheltered housing can be run by the local authority, a housing association, or be privately owned. Your local council will have information about sheltered housing schemes in your area, and you can find their telephone number in the phone book.

What sort of home to choose?

If you decide to go into a residential home, you will need to decide which type of home will suit you best.

In a residential home you would have your own bedroom and meals would be served in a dining room. There would usually be living rooms, TV lounges and gardens which you would share with the other residents, and perhaps also activities and entertainment. You could also have help with personal care if you needed it.

If you are unwell and need qualified nursing care over a long period of time, a nursing home might be better for you. But it is important to know that the fees are more expensive for nursing homes if you have to pay for all or some of these yourself.

Some homes offer both types of accommodation which may be a good idea for you if think you might need more help later on.

What to do next

First of all, contact your local social services department. If you have decided you want to stay in your own home they can arrange for someone to visit you to see what extra help you might need.

If you are thinking about going into a residential or a nursing home, they can give you a list of the ones in your area. They can also tell you about any help you might be able to get with paying the fees, and help you arrange a visit or trial stay. You can find their telephone number in your local phone book.

The initial visit

It is important to visit any home you are thinking of moving to beforehand. The most important thing to find out is whether it will be somewhere you would want to live, but also whether the staff will be able to meet all your needs.

Don't worry about asking lots of questions. It's a very big decision, so ask as many questions and stay as long as you feel you need to. Here are some questions you may want to ask but there will be others you think of yourself.

• What are the total costs?
• What happens if I can no longer meet the costs?
• Will the staff of the home put information into large print or on tape for me?
• Is the home in an area I would like to live, and could my friends and family visit regularly?
• Can I have friends or relatives to stay for a night or so?
• Can I have my own telephone?
• Are outings ever arranged, for instance visits or for worship?
• Can I make myself a drink or snack if I want to? Are the facilities for this accessible, and if not, would they be made so?
• Can I keep my own pets?
• Will I have my own room, and can I take my own things with me?

It's your choice

If the social services department is finding a home for you, you still have the right to choose which one you go to. If you are not happy you have a right to say so and to insist that your views are taken into account when any decision is taken. If you feel you are not being treated fairly you have a right to complain.

And finally

Just because your sight isn't what it was doesn't mean you have to move into a residential home. Alterations to your own home and help with some of the things you need to do may mean you can stay where you are. Or sheltered accommodation may be something you could think about.

If you do decide on a residential home, remember that it is your home, and you have a right to choose which one you want, and which services you want. Finally, try to make sure that you are the one making all the important decisions where you live.

Further help

For more information about choosing a home, paying for care or other types of housing, contact the RNIB Helpline on helpline@rnib.org.uk or 0845 766 9999 / 020 7388 2525 (some callers may find it cheaper to call a landline, so we have detailed both 08 prefixed numbers and landline equivalents where available). Your local Citizens Advice Bureau will be able to help with general advice too.

For more detailed information about moving to residential care, Counsel and Care (telephone 020 7485 1566) provide free and impartial advice to older people and their carers. Their advice line hours are between 10:00 am until 1:00 pm Monday to Friday.

They also produce factsheets with information about residential homes and fees, and sources of financial help. Factsheets are also available from Age Concern groups.

Content author: ann.baxter@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13