Good OSJCT Oxfordshire & Lincolnshire achieve 100% good rating pg 12 Trust employees recognised for excellence pg 20 Trust in Care WINTER 2019 · EDITION 39 THE MAGAZINE OF THE ORDERS OF ST JOHN CARE TRUST Virtual reality helps residents reminisce pg 03
from Dan Inside this issue 03 Virtual reality helps residents re-live their past 04 The many benefits of music therapy 05 What’s on across the regions 14 16 Welcome to the latest edition of our Trust in Care magazine, where you can find all the latest information about what’s going on in the Trust and in the care sector. I am delighted to announce that every single one of our care homes in Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire, and all of our Extra Care Housing Schemes, have achieved a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Help with choosing a care home I’d also like to applaud the six Trust employees who were shortlisted as finalists in the prestigious Great British Care Awards, plus those homes that have enjoyed success in county care awards. Inspired artwork on show Elsewhere in this issue you can read some of our Trust news stories that have appeared in national, regional and local press. News of our virtual reality reminiscence sessions for the benefit of residents at Marston Court in Oxford was covered internationally, appearing on BBC World News! 16 17 05 06 Meet our three high-flying residents 08 Postcards from the Trust 09 Cirencester’s new centenarian 10 18 Advice on paying for care Other Trust news includes the opening of a beautiful woodland walk at Edwardstow in Gloucestershire, a project at Gregory House in Lincolnshire that has seen residents’ memories captured in a book, and you can also read how I took to the dance floor to help one of our residents at Lake House in Oxfordshire celebrate her 99th birthday. Reaching out this Christmas 20 Trust employees and homes shortlisted for success 22 The Chairman’s Commendations and Awards In recent weeks our homes have celebrated harvest and are now gearing up for the busy Christmas season. We had to say goodbye to Southfield House and Wyatt House, and I would like to thank everyone who worked over many years in those homes, for making them such wonderful places to live. I would like to pay particular thanks to Karen West, Nicky Priest, and the current care teams, who closed the homes with such professionalism and dignity. Trust in the press 12 OSJCT Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire achieve 100% good care rating @OSJCT /osjct Finally, as this is the last edition of Trust in Care for 2019, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and the happiest of times in 2020. 22 Dan Hayes Chief Executive @OSJCT 02 OSJCT embraces new technology to help residents re-live their past The Trust has been trialling innovative virtual reality reminiscence sessions at one of its homes in Oxford to help residents re-live special memories from their past. The BBC made a seven-minute film about the virtual reality sessions which have been offered to residents at Marston Court in Oxford. The BBC film showed three residents Bill, Betty and Sarah experiencing the personalised 360-degree footage to help re-live some of their formative memories, including favourite hobbies and significant places from their past. Dan Hayes, Trust Chief Executive, said: “Virtual reality is such an innovative concept and one which the elderly are not frightened to embrace. We hope to continue to provide our residents with these wonderful opportunities and experiences.” Bill was taken back to the dance halls of the rock n’ roll era, Betty saw where she started her married life in the house, street and church where she was married, and Sarah visited France where she ran a bed and breakfast with her son and reminisced about her time there. They described the experience as “marvellous”, “unreal” and “beautiful”. Betty added: It’s unreal, really. It just transports you back and how can you do that when I am sitting here? It’s beautiful.” 03 Marston Court Marston Rd, Oxford OX3 0DJ 01865 241526 www.osjct.co.uk/marstoncourt
Living with Us Moved by music We have all experienced the power music has to bring joy, evoke memories of the past and provide comfort. For years, people have benefitted from music therapy, which helps with physical, mental and emotional challenges in people of all ages. Music therapy is used to help older adults deal with agerelated issues, such as stress, depression, chronic pain and even memory impairment. It’s used in memory care treatment to slow the decline of speech skills in those who are living with dementia. Music can bring people together to help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation and playing music can also motivate older adults to get moving. Goodson Lodge in Trowbridge is looking to harness the power of music by launching a choir. All are welcome to take part, with residents, family, friends and members of the local community all invited to join in. If you are a singer at heart, rehearsals take place every Thursday evening at 6.30pm at Goodson Lodge. The choir even has its first booking: it will be performing at a festive celebration at Paxcroft Community Hall in December. Living with Us 04 Action To book onto either event, please call 01225 617000 and speak with Sue or Leanne. Vibrant artwork inspired by gardens around the world has been created by residents of Longlands Care Home in Oxford as part of a national project. Tony’s Night at the Opera Life-long classical music fan Tony was treated to a trip to the opera after the team at Grace Care Centre discovered he would love to go. An exhibition of artwork at the home was the culmination of a national project run by Creative Mojo, which specialises in providing craft experiences for the elderly and people with learning disabilities. The initiative encouraged care homes and other community centres across the country to create and showcase artwork inspired by gardens around the world. Tony told the team about his passion for classical music during an All About Me session, which are held to help us better understand our residents and help enhance their experience whilst staying with us. Emma Polin, the local Creative Mojo co-ordinator, who has been running regular arts sessions with residents at Longlands since the start of the year, said: “It’s fantastic for them to see their work on display like this. They really enjoy recognising what they’ve worked on and it keeps the conversation going about their art and what they’ve achieved.” On finding out that he hadn’t recently been to the opera Activities Coordinator Emma organised to take him to the Bristol Hippodrome to see ‘Un ballo in Maschero’ presented by the Welsh National Opera. Renee was one of the founding members of the art trail which has been held at the end of August for more than 30 years. The event sees 150 artists and makers in the town open up their studios, houses and galleries to create a walkable, open-house arts trail. Longlands activity co-ordinator Donna Shirley added: “Emma has really inspired our residents and helped many of them discover hidden artistic talents. She’s so good at getting them involved and encouraging those who don’t usually join in with activities. Her sessions have really brought a lot of residents out of themselves.” This year St Wilfrid’s took part in the festival, displaying some of Renee’s work as part of the trail. Home Manager Rachael Staker said: “We were very proud to be able to exhibit some of Renee’s artwork as part of this year’s Arundel Art Trail. “It was a very fitting way of celebrating not only her individual artistic achievements, but also her important legacy to the town in helping to set up this fantastic annual arts event.” Other Trust homes which also took part in this project include Townsend House in Headington, Henry Cornish in Chipping Norton, Madley Park House in Witney and Langford View in Bicester. Renee’s Art Exhibition St Wilfrid’s Arundel Priory helped celebrate the artistic legacy of one of their residents Renee at a special event this summer as part of the annual Arundel Gallery Art Trail. Tony said he had really enjoyed the trip, adding “I had a wonderful time, I used to enjoy the opera with my mother growing up in Wales.” 05 Living with Us
High A dream come true... had any any air to ground connection in those days. We couldn’t phone or get in touch with anyone else. Once we were in the air we were on our own.” Eleanor was one of the famed ‘Spitfire Women’, serving as a female pilot in the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) from June 1943 to September 1945 ferrying Spitfires, Hurricanes and other types of new, repaired and damaged military aircraft planes between units across England. Eleanor initially went to work for the ATA at White Waltham in Berkshire in 1941 as an assistant architect, but after seeing a notice saying the civilian organisation needed more pilots, including those with no flying experience, she put her name down. In June 1943, the 25-year-old began her initial training and was one of the first six people on the course. Eleanor said: “Before we got into an aircraft, we had to do meteorological training and learn all about internal combustion and the different engines. “Navigation was also really important because we never Living with Us 06 Peter got the chance to sit behind the pilot in the navigator’s seat on the Avro Lancaster NX611 ‘Just Jane’ during his visit to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. Flying solo after just 12 hours of training, the then 26-year-old went on to pilot 22 different types of aircraft in the war effort, including 132 Spitfires, 28 Hurricanes, two Hellcats and one Mustang. Eleanor Wadsworth, Britain’s last surviving female pilot from the Second World War, celebrated her 102nd birthday at Oxlip House last month. His visit was made possible after a group of people from the local church fundraised for it. Peter said he never dreamed that this would have been possible, and that he was most grateful for all those who helped make it happen. But the Spitfire was undoubtedly her favourite plane to fly. Eresby Hall resident Peter Horry’s dream came true when he took a taxi ride in a Lancaster Bomber. By the end of the war in 1945, Eleanor had clocked up 590 flying hours, 430 of which were solo. The sky’s the limit! Athelstan House resident Cyril Foulds fulfilled a life-long ambition by passing his pilots licence aged 81! That same year she married Bernard Wadsworth, a flight engineer, and the couple settled in Bury St Edmunds 11 years later with their two sons George and Robert. The couple spent 70 years together before Bernard’s death in 2015. He approached the Leicestershire Aero Club and the then chief flying instructor John Pugh agreed to take on the challenge of teaching him. In an interview with BBC Leicester for a feature on growing old disgracefully, Cyril said: “I’ve always wanted to fly ever since I was a youngster and joined the RAF. I volunteered for air crew but the selection board suggested I wasn’t tall enough to be a pilot and I wasn’t educated enough to be a navigator.” Cyril was in the RAF from 1944 until 1948 and had wanted to be part of the aircrew but was told he was too short. Eleanor also has five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, some of whom were able to help celebrate her 102nd birthday at Oxlip House. Eleanor, who enjoys recalling her memories of her time with the ATA, said: “Sometimes it gets a bit fuzzy and seems like so long ago. But there are things that are always so clear and when I look at my logbook and my pictures I remember little details about that time and it all comes back to me.” It took slightly longer that the regulation 45 hours of flying time required to qualify but 18 months later, and after passing seven examinations, Cyril was finally awarded his Private Pilots Licence. After his wife Dorothy died his children, Alison, Richy and Ros encouraged him to take up a new hobby, prompting him to think again about taking to the skies. He was even voted Student Pilot of the Year by all the instructors at the club. At 80 years old, Cyril was the oldest student the aero club had ever had, and he impressed all with his sheer determination to achieve his lifelong ambition. 07 Cyril, now 93 years old, enjoys thinking back to the words of the RAF selection board. They were wrong, they didn’t know what they were talking about. I proved it to myself and that’s the most important thing.” Living with Us
Ernie turns 100! Ernest Nightingale has celebrated his 100th birthday at Paternoster House in Cirencester. Ernie said the secret to his long life was “contentment, a bit of luck and proper food!” rids f St Wilf o Jennifer, a trip to ok Priory, to sit places evi Italy to r d and live she had er 20s in h worked Ashwood residents Peter and Rhona Bettesworth celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Born in Canada, Ernie moved to England with his family when he was 17. A few years later he moved to Cirencester to work at Kemble Air Base. This was where he met Jean, the daughter of the family he was lodging with, whom he married in 1942. The couple had a daughter Ann, who sadly died earlier this year, and they also adopted twin sisters Sharon and Gislea. High flying fundraisers Clients at House Oxlip in Edmun Bury St ds treated were to the tow tours of n by ric kshaw A team of high-flying fundraisers from Goodson Lodge in Trowbridge took the plunge to raise more than £2,000 for the home. The team comprised of; Dementia Lead Sue Hilton, Deputy Manager Hannah Mason, Care Lead Kirsty Haley, Kirsty’s partner James, Gavin Sims, husband of one of the home’s activities co-ordinators, and Paul Hudd, a friend of Goodson Lodge. Paul and Gavin jumped 15,000 ft, whilst Sue, Hannah and Kirsty jumped 10,000 ft – congratulations to them all! t Cour ry estbu Marina W to t siden a fun pho ith re w ed enjoy complete and n t, shoo per sessio a pam es! l bubb Living with Us 08 Ernie worked in Cirencester’s telephone exchange and then joined the civil service, working for the Ministry of Pensions in both the Cheltenham and Cirencester offices. In recent years Ernie discovered a talent for writing poems and has also written his life story. Sharon and Gislea described their dad as very kind and generous, who loves helping other people. “You will always hear him say how lucky he has been throughout his life but it is actually the people in his life who are the lucky ones for knowing him”. Ernie, whose wife died in 1991, has eight grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and eight great-greatgrandchildren. Exercising for life Film night They say exercise is key to a longer and happier life – and Liz is living proof! Spencer Court hosted an evening for film and music lovers at its first ever open-air cinema screening. Liz has always enjoyed being active and didn’t want that to change when she moved into Edwardstow Court in Stow-on-the-Wold. The team there were just as keen to ensure Liz could continue with activities that were important to her and found accessible transport to take her to a local gym and a personal trainer to attend the home. Melissa Jones now visits Liz regulary at the home to train and support her to stay fit and strong, physically and mentally. Dozens of people enjoyed watching Bohemian Rhapsody, the awardwinning film about British rock band Queen and its lead singer Freddie Mercury, in the garden of the Woodstock home. On arrival, guests enjoyed a glass of fizz from the garden prosecco bar and as the sun began to set popcorn was handed out and the film started. The audience sang along throughout and even broke into applause at the finale! Melissa said: “I love being able to see a difference in Liz since we started training. She’s just great and I really enjoy it.” Liz, who enjoys dancing and singing along with Melissa to the music they work out to, added: “Having these sessions makes me feel more alive.” 09 Living with Us
Press Living Memory Avonbourne’s amazing Phyllis Haley was featured on BBC Radio 4’s series Living Memory. 108-year-old Phyllis answered an array of questions, talking proudly about her husband, who was a colonel in the army, and of her siblings whom she misses greatly. Some of the highlights from across the Trust over the past few months. Find more news stories online at www.osjct.co.uk Woodland Walk BBC Radio Gloucestershire ran a fantastic piece about Edwardstow’s new woodland walk, which was opened for the benefit of residents and the local community. Over the last year a patch of woodland next to the home in Stow-on-the-Wold has been transformed into an attractive and tranquil outside space. A new path, accessible for all, including wheelchair users, now winds through the woodland, and new seating areas have been added. The woodland, which is hoped will become a haven for wildlife, will be a lovely spot for residents and their loved ones to sit or enjoy a gentle walk. The local community has been very involved in the regeneration project and are also very welcome to use the space. “No, let them get on with it!” Dan Hayes, Chief Executive at the Trust, said it had been fantastic to hear Phyllis take part in this programme, which discusses topical issues with some of Britain’s centenarians. When asked if she was an optimist, Phyllis answered: “Oh rather. I take each day as it comes and I always have done – just live, and enjoy it. No use worrying about things. If you worry they don’t come and if you don’t worry they come.” The Mayor of Stow-on-the-Wold, Ben Eddolls, officially opened the woodland walk, describing it as a real asset for the town and a great way of bringing younger and older generations together. Many of those who had supported the project also attended the opening event, including representatives of Cotswold Friends, which created bug houses for the woodland, and local artist Louise Evans, who painted a watercolour map of the site. Pupils from Stowon-the-Wold Primary School also attended and were excited about how they could use the woodland for outside events and activities. Residents who had been heavily involved with the project, including choosing seating and judging the winner of a best bird box competition, loved getting their first chance to explore the finished woodland walk. Edwardstow resident, Shirley, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that the 10 To find out more about events at Avonbourne please phone the home on 01722 429400 The Banbury Guardian shone the spotlight on Alison Prew, of Lake House in Adderbury, who celebrated her 99th birthday by taking to the dance floor with Trust CEO Dan Hayes. He added: “This programme was a reminder to us all of the vibrancy and good quality of life that can be enjoyed at over 100 years of age. It also showed that people of such great age remain engaged with current issues and can offer a real contribution to the debate.” The journalist also asked if she had any advice for the younger generation, to which Phyllis replied: new woodland walk was a “fabulous idea” where both young and old could experience the seasons and wildlife. Another resident, Tom, added: “It’s a wonderful place, they have done a terrific job. I have already come out here twice in the evening just to listen to the birds.” Dan said he was “honoured” to be asked to help fulfill Alison’s birthday wish to “dance the waltz with a strapping man,” even taking a waltz masterclass beforehand to ensure he got the steps right! At a special birthday tea dance the couple danced a waltz to one of Alison’s favourite songs, Vera Lynn’s Somewhere in France watched by fellow residents, colleagues and Alison’s daughter Sue. Kerry Dearden, Deputy CEO, commented: “The woodland walk opening was a wonderful event which was shared not only by our residents and the team at Edwardstow but by several members of the local community who came out to support this venture. Life Stories The Grantham Journal highlighted a lovely project at Gregory House which saw residents’ memories captured and published in a book. “I would like to thank everyone involved who helped to prepare the woodland walk and the Trust hopes it will be fully utilised by all in Stow and the surrounding region.” added: “It was also lovely for our residents to spend quality time together getting to know each other’s life stories a bit better. “The Gregory Book is our real pride and joy – a great memento of a fantastic project.” The Elder Tree Project, which aims to celebrate the wealth of experience, knowledge and talent that older people bring to communities, involved residents being interviewed by professional writers who then collated these stories in The Gregory Book. BBC Radio Gloucestershire attended and interviewed Trust Deputy Chief Executive Kerry Dearden, residents and members of the community who had been involved in this special project. In The Press Dancing with Dan Alison said dancing the waltz with Dan had been “wonderful.” You can watch a video of Dan and Alison’s birthday dance on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/osjct/videos To find out more about events at Lake House please phone the home on 01295 811183 Photo by Toby Roberts of the Grantham Journal Home manager Anna Lewkowicz said residents really enjoyed sharing their memories in this way. She To find out more about events at Edwardstow Court Care Centre please phone 0800 9888133 To find out more about events at Gregory House please phone the home on 01476 562192 11 In The Press
FREE HOT DRINKS for Health Care Professionals and Emergency Service Crews As a small thank you for your work, our care homes would like to invite all public service men and women to join us for a FREE hot drink any day. Lincolnshire & Oxfordshire achieve 100% Good rating! We are delighted to announce that every single one of our care homes and extra care housing schemes in both Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire have achieved a ‘good’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating. The CQC is the independent regulator for health and adult social care in England that inspects and rates care homes to ensure people receive safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care. In total, 31 homes and schemes in Oxfordshire and 15 homes in Lincolnshire have been rated good or outstanding. Lucy Holl, Trust Operations Director, said these ratings are an “exceptional achievement”. In The Press She added: “We are absolutely delighted to have this independent endorsement of the quality of our care. To achieve a 100% good rating across two counties is a truly exceptional achievement and reflects the absolute commitment and dedication of our employees to our residents and their work as a cohesive deliverable team, led and supported by strong management.” Free coffee mug also available for Health Care Professionals and Emergency Service crews. this recognition and thankful for all the hard work delivered by our colleagues in Oxfordshire to ensure this independently endorsed success across the region. The knowledge that our residents and clients are happy and receiving the best possible care with individual needs being met is a testament to the values and ethos of the Trust and the hard work of all the teams.” We are absolutely delighted to have this independent endorsement of the quality of our care.” Caroline Dunagan, Assistant Operations Director for Lincolnshire for OSJCT, added: “Our homes in Lincolnshire take much pride in delivering the best possible care and always go above and beyond their roles to ensure the residents living in the homes receive excellent positive outcomes. I would like to thank everyone for being so committed to those in their care, which reflects the values and ethos of our Trust.” Patsy Just, the Trust’s Assistant Operations Director for Oxfordshire, comments: “I am delighted by 12 For participating homes and for event information, contact: 0800 988 8133, go to osjct.co.uk, visit our Facebook pages or see page 14 of this magazine. osjct.co.uk • 0800 988 8133 13
the regions? HT Testing yo ur genera l knowledg little fun all in the aid of char e and having a ity! Edwardstow Court Every Friday 10:30am -12:00pm Langford View Every Friday 10:30am - 11:45am Meadowcroft Every Thursday 10:00am - 12:00pm Jubilee Lodge Every Tuesday 11am QUIZ NIG Henry Cornish Care Centre Every Friday 10:30am - 12:00pm Grevill House Every Wednesday 3:00pm - 4:30pm Contact Windsor Street on Please no 01242 54 te: No en 5150 to bo try on the ok and pa day, must y for you book/pay r place! in advan ce by Ma rch 21 st. Coffee Morning/ Afternoon Ashwood Care Centre Every Friday 11:00am - 12:30pm Millbrook Lodge Every Wednesday 10:30am – 12:00pm Orchard House Every Monday 2:30pm – 4:00pm Windsor Street Every Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm Beckside Every Friday 10:30am - 12:00pm Patchett Lodge Every Tuesday 10:45am - 11:45am Reminiscence Club and Memory Cafes Monkscroft Care Centre 1st Wednesday of every month 2:00pm – 4:00pm Henry Cornish Care Centre Every Wednesday 10:30am - 12:00pm Avonbourne Care Centre Every Monday 10:30am Hayward Care Centre 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month 10:00am - 12:00pm All these events were correct as we went to press but before you attend please do double check with the home to make sure they’re still going ahead as planned! You can find out phone numbers for all our homes on our website at www.osjct.co.uk/homes-directory What's on? Quiz/Bingo Gregory House: Quiz Every Saturday 3:00pm Gregory House: Bingo Every Monday 10:00am Oxlip House Every Wednesday and Fridays 10:30am – 12:00pm Gents’ Club Langford View Every Tuesday 2:30pm Cream Tea Edwardstow Court 3rd Tuesday of the month 2:30pm - 4:00pm Brookside Last Tuesday of the month 10:00am - 12:00pm Brookside Every day 3:00pm - 3:45pm Avonbourne Care Centre Every Thursday 10:30am - 12:00pm Jubilee Lodge 3rd Wednesday of the month 2:45pm Brookside First Friday of the month 10:30am - 12:00pm Fish & Chip Club Blue Light Breakfast Edwardstow Court Every Friday 12:30pm – 2:30pm Buckland Court Every other Wednesday 10:30am - 12:00pm Avonbourne Every Friday 12:30pm – 2:30pm Goodson Lodge Last Friday of the month 10:00am - 12:00pm Hayward Care Centre Every Friday 4:00pm - 5:00pm Cinema Club Apple Trees Every Saturday 2:30pm - 5:00pm Edwardstow Court Every Friday 8:30am - 10:00am St Wilfrid’s Arundel Priory Every Monday 8:00am - 10:00am Henry Cornish Care Centre: Quiz Every Tuesday 10:30am - 12:00pm Avonbourne Care Centre: Bingo Every Saturday 10:30am - 12:00pm £5 Hayward Care Centre: Bingo & Quiz Every Wednesday 1:45pm - 4:00pm per person A lunch club for older people. Serving fish and chips from 12 – 1.30pm Gregory House Every Tuesday 2:00pm Fosse House Every Monday 2:30pm - 4:00pm Langford View Every Tuesday 2:30pm Athelstan House Every Thursday 2:15pm Oxlip House Every Saturday 10:30am - 12:00pm Goodson Lodge Every other Saturday 10:30am - 12:00pm Ashwood Care Centre Every other Thursday 10:30am Hayward Care Centre Every Tuesday 4:00pm - 5:00pm Seymour House Every Wednesday 2pm - 4pm Willowcroft Every other Tuesday 10:30am - 12:00pm Knit & Knatter Knit2gether Arts & Crafts Club St Wilfrid’s Arundel Priory Every Friday 12:45pm - 2:00pm Fosse House Every Thursday 5:00pm - 8:00pm Isis House Every Tuesday 5:45pm - 8:00pm Marden Court Every Wednesday 10:30am - 12:30pm Oxlip House: Bingo Every Monday 2:00pm - 3:00pm 14 Avonbourne Care Centre Every Friday 6:00pm St Wilfrid’s Arundel Priory Every Wednesday 11:00am - 12:00pm 15 s at Thur sday e Car Lark rise d Ce ntre an are sC The Lake Centre What's on?
Help Advice Choosing a care home is often an emotional and complex process. The decision to move into a home, or to help your relative to do so, is such an important one, and you will undoubtedly have worries about the impact of this change. Alongside this, the decision as to which home to choose can be daunting, particularly if time is a pressure, and you or your loved one needs to make this move as soon as possible. We know that often people start the decision-making process by doing some online research into providers or homes that may have been suggested by family or friends. Making the Paying for care right choice The next step usually involves shortlisting two or three homes to visit from those discovered in your research. If you are just embarking on this stage of choosing a care home the Trust has prepared a checklist to help prepare for your visits to shortlisted homes. This covers key areas to consider, including what your first impressions are, what care is provided and what facilities the home offers. The checklist will also prompt key questions to ask while you are looking around such as: • Is the location suitable? Paying for long-term care is a complex subject and many people don’t know where to start. • Are there activities and events available for residents to get involved with? • Do health care professionals, such as opticians, chiropodists and physiotherapists visit the home? Unlike healthcare delivered in the NHS, residential and nursing care for older people is not free for everyone. Exactly how much you might be asked to pay will depend on your individual circumstances and will also vary depending on where you live and the kind of care that is needed. • Can residents eat when they want to and is there a choice of menu options? The full Choosing a Care Home Checklist, along with other helpful guides, can be downloaded from our website at: Generally, there are three ways to meet the costs of your care: www.osjct.co.uk/help-advice or if you have any questions please get in touch on 0800 988 8133. • NHS funded nursing care • Local Authority funding • Does the home provide the right type of care for your needs? • Self-funding Local Authority state funding is means tested, based on nationally set guidelines, unlike medical care on the NHS that is free at the point of need. If you’re not eligible for NHS fully-funded care or Local Authority funding then you’ll need to pay for your care yourself. Help & Advice 16 For many people payment of care costs is often made using a mix of Local Authority funding, personal savings and assets. Whatever your situation it is definitely a good idea to get some specialist financial advice on the funding of your care. We recommend you contact the independent, accredited Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA), which can put you in touch with a local accredited financial adviser. They are completely independent of OSJCT but can offer advice on a range of issues. They also offer one hour’s free advice without any obligation on your part. 17 To find a SOLLA adviser near you please see www.societyoflaterlifeadvisers.co.uk We also strongly recommend that you make arrangements to appoint a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) within three months of moving into an OSJCT care home. This will enable the people you choose to appoint to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapable of making them yourself. For more details on this subject as well as other useful sources of helpful advice see www.osjct.co.uk/help-advice where you can download a Paying for Care leaflet. Help & Advice
Fleepit Digital © 2021