Finding a Care Provider

If you’re new to the business of finding a care provider – whether it’s residential care for an elderly person or finding extra help so a family member can stay living in their own home – here are a few pointers:

What type of care are you looking for?

Here is a guide to the various different types of care provision provided by our members, with the icons used in our member search section.

Children and young people's care

Care provision for children and young people in either a domicillary or residential setting.

Dementia care

Care provision for dementa sufferers in either a domicillary or residential setting.

Domiciliary/supported living care

Care to enable someone to live with help in their own home.
Contact your local council’s Social Services department for an assessment of needs – from cleaning and help with washing or dressing to medical help. Note: Getting an assessment is a useful step whatever the type of care you’re looking for. It will pinpoint specific needs and services which can help you identify a care provider.

Education and training

Training companies who provide training for providers withing the health and social care.

Extra care

Accommodation with care support for people who prefer to live independently

Hospice care

Care provision for the terminally ill.

Learning disability care

Care provision for people with learning disabilities

Mental health care

Care provision for people with mental health problems.

Nursing care

Nursing care provision for people with nursing requirements.

Physical disability care

Care provision for people with physical disabilities.

Residential care for adults or children

Managed care facilities staffed either by qualified care workers or social workers
Contact your council’s Social Services for a needs assessment and to find out if a person is entitled to state help in paying for their care. It will be able to provide a list of council-funded care homes – or find a list of private residential care providers using our search tool here.

Funding – where do I start?

A guide to what you need to know about finding the right care home.

Are you finding it difficult to look after yourself at home? It might have happened to you gradually. Or maybe you have had a sudden illness or accident. Either way - whether you are still at home or having a spell in hospital - this guide is for you.

The guide should help you and your family find out more about:

• what help you can expect from Social Services who are in your local council;
• your right to have your needs assessed;
• what choices other than a care home might be open to you;
• what life in a care home might be like;
• your right to choose the home that is right for you;
• how Social Services will assess how much you may have to pay;
• what you can do if you’re unhappy with a decision by Social Services, or someone in the NHS or if you are unhappy about how you are treated in a care home; and
• where you can go for help and for more information.

Click the Welsh Assembly Government link to find out more: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/olderpeople/publications/thinkcarehome/?lang=en

Most people will be expected to pay towards the costs of their accommodation and personal care in a care home from their income and capital if they have more than £22,000 in the bank (*April 2008 figure for residents in Wale; source Age Concern Cymru, fact sheet 10).
It’s a complex area and some sources of assistance are not means tested – and can sometimes meet the full cost of a care home (for example if needs are health-based).
Take advice from Help the Aged and Age Concern Cymru, and make sure your needs have been properly assessed by Social Services.

Who’s who in the care sector

CSSIW (The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales)

www.cssiw.org.uk

01443 848450
Welsh Assembly Government department which regulates and inspects care homes (and services for children) and agencies across Wales. It also inspects Social Services departments in Wales’ 22 local authorities.
Find the latest inspection report for you chosen care home or care service via its website.

Age UK Cymru

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/

029 2043 1555
Age UK Cymru specific help lines:
First Stop Line (advice on housing and care) 0800 377 7070
Age Concern Information Line (general enquiries) 0800 00 99 66

Since April 2009, these two organisations have been working together as a single charity to help older people in Wales.
Both websites offer a number of very useful fact sheets on topics including paying for your care home, care at home and sheltered housing.

Alzheimers UK

http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200139

Social Services

Contact your local council and ask to be put through to the Social Services department
Your first port of call when a family member needs help. It can advise on whether a person will receive state help in funding care, having first carried out an assessment of their needs. Get a written copy of the assessment for future reference.

Older Peoples Commissioner - Wales

http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/index.php?id=16&L=0

Our role is to ensure that the interests of older people in Wales, who are aged 60 or more, are safeguarded and promoted. We provide strategic leadership and act as an ambassador and authority on older people’s issues and speak on their behalf

Write to us

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square
Butetown
Cardiff
CF10 5FL

Telephone us: 08442 640670 (standard rate)  Fax us: 08442 640680 

Email us: ask@olderpeoplewales.com

Website: www.wcva.org.uk

For information about local voluntary groups which can offer help and advice.

Social Services Department (part of your local council)

For information and advice about services to help you cope at home, or about going into a care home.

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