| By :
Jamie Simpson
Care Homes: Get The Facts Introduction Moving to a care home can be a nerve-wracking proposition, particularly if you've been able to enjoy the comfort of one home your entire life. Whether you're looking into care homes for yourself or a loved one, there are several facts and figures you should know about care homes before starting your search. Knowing these key facts and figures will help you to better understand the care home system. About Care Homes Independent care homes make up the majority of all care homes in the UK. There were over 4,400 of these care homes in 2004, providing approximately 164,000 places for patrons. A care home can provide 24-hour service to you or your loved one, or can be more hands-off if the client is in better condition. Though the approach can be hands-off, patients in care homes have, in general, a much higher dependency than patients in the past. Many of the patients in today's care homes would have been admitted to a hospital thirty years ago. These patients are all cared for by qualified nurses, and each patient has a specific care plan to best serve the patient's needs. Financing Two thirds of patients receive help from social services to to pay for the cost of care homes, while one third receive no help from social services. All patients receive some allowance from NHS to help (theoretically) to provide for specifically the cost of the nursing element required in a patient's care. While the amount paid by the NHS is not usually enough to sufficiently cover the nursing costs of a patient, a care home in general is much less expensive than staying in a hospital ward. In 2004, the cost of an older patient staying in an NHS long stay hospital ward was estimated to be an average of £1,015 per week. The average cost per week of staying in a care home, by contrast, is approximately £494 per week. Projections and Regulations In the seven years prior to 2004, the number of care homes in the UK is estimated to have fallen by approximately 1,000 homes. This could contribute to a shortage of care homes in future years, as the estimation is that the need for care homes will increase dramatically in the next several years, with a rise of up to %65 in elderly patients needing a place in a care home by the year 2031. This shortage could be partially explained by the stringent restrictions and regulations of care homes. Currently, there are 244 national minimum care standards. Care homes must adhere to all of these standards, which ensure the proper care of patients regardless of the care home they are inhabiting. Conclusion Moving to a care home or moving a loved one to a care home can be a trying time for all parties involved. You can make this time less difficult by being prepared with all the facts and figures you need to know about care homes in the UK. Source: Registered Nursing Home Association
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