Inspecting and regulating residential care services

Supported Living could also be for one person living by themselves. This could be part of a bigger scheme often referred to as a ‘core and cluster’ where multiple properties share a central ‘hub’ or office. This is where staff can be deployed from if needed or operate within the same scheme such as a block of flats where there is a communal lounge area. Support staff may have their own bedroom within the property if this is needed.

Sheltered Housing

If you need additional support on a long-term basis, Sheltered, or Extra Care Housing (see below) may suit your needs. Sheltered Housing is mainly for older people. In Sheltered Housing you have your own home but may have visiting support staff or possibly a warden in case you need help.

Accommodation is usually self-contained, and most schemes have a communal lounge, laundry room, and a garden. Many schemes run social events that are usually organised and run by residents living in the scheme.

Extra Care Housing

Extra Care Housing has been designed to enable older people to live independently. Like Sheltered Housing, you have your own home, but also have the reassurance of knowing that there is a care team on site 24 hours a day to meet your personal care needs.

Most schemes have a restaurant and dining area, communal lounge, laundry rooms, assistive bathroom, hairdressers, and a guest suite available for your visitors. Extra Care Housing can be rented, owned outright or shared ownership (i.e. partowned and part-rented). Many people choose Extra Care Housing as an alternative to a residential care home because it allows for a higher degree of independence and greater flexibility to have family and friends to visit and stay. Also, if you are part of a couple and one of you has greater care needs, Extra Care Housing could make it possible for you to continue to live together.

To be eligible for funding from Cambridgeshire County Council, you need to be assessed by the council and must have both a housing and care and support need. A housing need could be that your current home is no longer suitable for you to complete daily tasks. A care and support need could be that you need help with personal care. This might include help with bathing and showering or dressing and preparing meals.

Care homes

Moving into a care home is a major commitment – it involves changing where you live and potentially paying a lot of money for your ongoing accommodation and care needs.

Tip

Before you think about moving into a care home, consider other less disruptive, and potentially less costly options such as equipment, adaptations, or personal care support.

Consider whether you really need the amount of care available at a care home and look at alternative accommodation such as Extra Care Housing schemes or Supported Living. These offer independence with an increased level of care and support.

If no other accommodation options are suitable for you, a care home may be the way to meet your needs. Residential and nursing care homes are where a number of people live together, supported by care staff, who are available 24 hours a day. Care homes cater for older people, and for younger adults with disabilities.

All care homes must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). All services are inspected by the CQC, who award quality rating reports. The ratings mean you can easily see where a service is performing well, and where it needs to improve.

Tip

It’s always a good idea to check inspection reports and ratings when choosing a care service.

You can find reports and ratings on the CQC’s website at www.cqc.org.uk