Advice on housing and careoptions for older

people in East Sussex

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ContentsAdvice on

housing andcare options

for older people in East Sussex

2 Introduction

3 Helping you to stay putGeneral

Condition or layout of your home

Safety and security

Social needs

Health

Finance

9 Wanting or needing to move onMoving if you are a tenant

Moving if you are a home owner

Living with the family

Moving to sheltered or retirement housing

Moving to a care home

12 Sheltered or Retirement HousingHousing with care (Extra Care Housing)

Retirement villages

Choosing sheltered or retirement housing

16 Renting Sheltered or Retirement Housing

Renting from local authorities and housing associations

Other options for renting

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Contents continued

19 Buying Retirement HousingOther tenure and product options

Affording sheltered or retirement housing,whether buying or renting

22 Care HomesThinking about care

Is a care home right for you?

Types of care home

Respite care

Paying for care yourself

Local authority help with the costs of a care home

Choosing a care home

National variations

30 Your Rights

31 Useful Organisations

You can get this guide in large print,easy-read format (simple words and pictures), in Braille, on audio tapeor CD, or in other languages if youask us. Please phone Social CareDirect on 0345 60 80 191. You canalso download it from the website atwww.firststopadvice.org.uk

Introduction

This guide is an introduction to services inEast Sussex that can help older people livemore comfortably or independently at home,and the options available to those who decideto move in later life. It is written for olderpeople who rent their current homes as wellas those who are owner-occupiers, regardlessof their income or savings.

Each section in this guide suggests some pointsyou may like to think about before decidingwhat is best for you, and provides informationabout what is available and where to go for further advice. The ‘Useful Organisations’ section at the end of this guide gives contactdetails. You can contact FirstStop in EastSussex by calling the freephone Advice Line on0800 377 7070 or you can look through all theinformation about housing options for olderpeople on the website www.firststopadvice.org.uk.

FirstStop also operates nationally, so if youwould like to move to another part of the UK,or want information to help an older relativewho lives outside East Sussex, please don’thesitate to get in touch.

2

If you have recently been unwell, or arecoming out of hospital, you may be concerned about how you will cope in thefuture. There are a range of options thatmight be available, and a range of organi-sations that may be able to help you,depending on your needs and circumstances.

The 'useful organisations' section in this guidegives contact details for the organisations,services, grants and schemes mentioned.The FirstStop website contains informationabout many more services, and you canalso contact the FirstStop advice line forfurther advice.

Helpingyou to stay

put

General

If you are finding itdifficult to manage

in your home butwould really prefernot to move, there

may be ways tomake your life

easier and safer.

If you are finding it difficult to cope withdaily tasks or think you need home care,special equipment or meals or any othertype of support, contact East SussexCounty Council’s Adult Social CareDepartment by phoning Social Care Direct(or the hospital social worker if you are inhospital) and ask for an assessment of yourcare needs. Adult Social Care will also beable to explain what, if anything, you mightbe expected to pay towards the costs ofany support it agrees that you need.

Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs):These are not-for-profit organisations set upto help older or disabled home owners andprivate tenants arrange and pay for repairs,improvements and adaptations to their

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Condition or layout

of your home 3

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times also run small repairs or handypersonschemes. These may vary in the range andthe size of jobs they can do.

Repairs: If your property is in poor repairand you are a tenant, you should report theproblem to your landlord. If you have difficultygetting your landlord to carry out necessaryrepairs you should contact the EnvironmentalHealth Department of your local Council orits Private Sector Housing Team. If you area home owner, or a private tenant who isresponsible for certain repairs you may beable to get help from your local HIA orCouncil. If you are arranging repairs yourself,you may want to use Buy With Confidenceor TrustMark to find a reputable builder.

Buy With Confidence is a scheme supportedby East Sussex County Council which putsconsumers in touch with approved traderswho have agreed to provide high standardsof customer service.

TrustMark is a scheme supported by thegovernment, the building industry and consumer groups to help you find reliable,trustworthy tradespeople.

Adaptations and equipment: Equipmentor adaptations to your home can sometimesmake a real difference to your ability to liveindependently. If you are having difficulty

Helping you to stay put

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EAST SUSSEXIN

using the bathroom or getting to the toilet,Adult Social Care may be able to providegrab rails, bath seats or portable equipment.If these do not solve the difficulty, otherchanges to the bathroom, or putting in adownstairs toilet or a stair lift may be possible.A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) may beavailable to help with the costs. Contact SocialCare Direct for an occupational therapyassessment or your local Home ImprovementAgency for advice and possible assistance.

Heating: If you are a home owner or privatetenant, are 60 or over and get a means-testedor disability benefit you may be eligible for theWarm Front Scheme. This can provide adviceand a range of energy efficiency, insulationand heating measures, including assistanceto install central heating or replace a boiler. A grant may be available, worth up to £3500(£6000 if the central heating is oil-fired).

Alarm system: An emergency alarm or‘careline’ could be installed which wouldallow you to call for help 24 hours a day if you have an accident or are unwell. Your local authority will have a service, andalarm systems are also available throughcharities and commercial providers (some-times these systems are called ‘telecare’).

Telecare: Other telecare equipment (assistivetechnology) is being developed that can helppeople remain independent or live more safely

Helping you to stay put

Safety andsecurity

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of gas or carbon monoxide, smoke or fire,flooding, or drops in temperature. The equip-ment can also monitor for movement (or lackof it), falls, doors being opened (including thefridge door), taking medication etc.

Home safety check: Your Home ImprovementAgency (HIA) or other local agencies may alsobe able to carry out a home safety check tohelp you identify changes you could make toreduce the risk of accidents or falls. East SussexFire and Rescue Service has a Home VisitScheme where they offer free visits to yourhome to carry out safety checks, give advice onpreventing fires and can fit free smoke alarms.

Security: The Crime Prevention Officer (CPO)at your local police station can give advice onsecurity if you feel unsafe in your home. Thereare schemes all over the UK that provide andfit home security equipment, such as locks,chains and spyholes, and the CPO should haveinformation on what is available in yourlocal area.

Social activities: Age Concern Eastbourneand Age UK East Sussex can give you information about social activities, visitingschemes or information services.

Community Transport: If you are findingit difficult to get around or get to the shopsor local amenities, there may be communitytransport or Dial-a-Ride services in your area.

Helping you to stay put

Social needs

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Community transport services vary fromarea to area.

Shopmobility: Shopmobility schemes hireout or lend manual wheelchairs, poweredwheelchairs and powered scooters to anyonewho needs help getting around. Shopmobilitycentres are usually located in a town centreor shopping centre, enabling people to goshopping and to visit leisure and commercialfacilities. Each scheme varies, so it isimportant to contact the scheme you wishto use before you go. For example, in somecentres you need to book in advance; someservices are free, but some centres make a charge. You do not have to be registereddisabled, or hold a ‘Blue Badge’ to use theservice, just have mobility problems.

Health: Your doctor can give advice onmanaging your health conditions, or arrangefor you to see a community nurse, healthvisitor or other support such as FallsPrevention initiatives. Your health centre ordoctor’s surgery should have details and beable to refer you.

Benefits: If you are finding it difficult tomanage financially, the Pension Service oryour local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)could check that you are claiming all thebenefits that you are entitled to.

Helping you to stay put

Health

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Finance

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Equity Release: If you own your ownhome, you may wish to consider releasingsome of the equity to adapt your home orcarry out necessary repairs. South CoastMoneyline offer HomeTrust Loans for homeimprovements, repairs and adaptations tohome-owners who do not have the funds tocarry these out and help guide peoplethrough the process. Repayment optionsare designed to be affordable and matchpeople’s needs and circumstances.Alternatively, the Home Improvement Trust,a not-for-profit organisation, offers equityrelease for repairs, improvements or adaptations – and FirstStop can providedetails of other providers. You are stronglyadvised to take independent financial andlegal advice before buying any equityrelease product.

Helping you to stay put

Wanting or needingto move on

Your options might be:

moving to a home that suits your needsbetter e.g. with no stairs or near shops,public transport or supportive relatives;

living with family;

moving to a sheltered, retirement, extracare or assisted living housing development;

moving to a care home.

When deciding on a move, there are important issues to consider to ensure it is right for you, for example:

Think about your personality and thethings that are important to you. Will youstill be able to do the things you enjoy now?

Are there good public transport links?(even if you drive now, you may not beable to in the future)

Is there access to local amenities?

If you decide to move to a different area,would you miss your friends and neighbours?

If you move in with family, what wouldhappen if the family circumstances changed?

If you move to sheltered or retirementhousing, would you be able to take yourpet with you? Would you be happy in accommodation occupied exclusively by older people?

You may decidethat you no longerwish to remain in

your present homeand that you want

to move on, or itmay not be possibleto adapt it to meetyour needs, or you

may need morecare and support

than can be provided in your

present home.

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Wanting or needing to move on

If you are a local authority or housing association tenant you can approach yourlandlord and ask for a transfer to a moresuitable property or ask for details of mutualexchange schemes. You can also use theonline Sussex Homemove service. You canuse Homemove if you are an existing tenantseeking a transfer within your council's areaor a homeseeker applying for the first time.The scheme covers all the available counciland housing association homes, includingsheltered housing. Your local housing depart-ment will be able to give you advice on joiningHomemove and how to bid for properties.

Think about all the things that make yourpresent home unsuitable for you now, asklocal estate agents how much your currenthome is worth, then approach estateagents in the area you want to move to andask them to send details of properties thatmatch your requirements and budget.

You may think about moving in with familybut it is worth considering the following:

will you still have access to friends andother relatives?

will you have access to local or socialamenities?

will you be able to maintain your independence?

Moving if youare a tenant

Moving if youare a home

owner

Living withthe family

EAST SUSSEXIN

Moving tosheltered or

retirementhousing

Moving to a care

home

Wanting or needing to move on

what would happen if the family relationship broke down?

what would happen if the family had to move?

what would your legal rights be to live there?

what are the financial arrangements? If youput some of your money into the property willyou be able to get your money back if thearrangement does not work, you want to moveor you need to go into a care home later?

It would be advisable to take legal andfinancial advice before moving in with family,and to consider having a written agreementabout how to address disputes, and how toend the arrangement if necessary.

You may prefer to consider moving to sheltered or retirement housing. The nextsection describes the types of retirementhousing and support available and givesinformation on renting and buying.

If you feel that other options will not meetyour care needs you may wish to considermoving to a care home. Or, you may havebeen assessed as needing a care home place.This option is discussed later in the guide.

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These schemes often have shared facilitiesthat everyone can use, such as a lounge,laundry, guest flat and garden. Meals are notnormally provided but a few schemes offer arestaurant or can arrange a hot meal.

There are many different types of sheltered orretirement housing schemes, both to rent andto buy. Schemes usually consist of between15 and 60 self-contained homes which maybe bedsits (studios), 1 or 2-bedroom flats,bungalows, or even luxury apartments.

There is a minimum age for residents, usually60, sometimes 55 and very occasionally 50.This type of housing appeals to people who likeliving independently but want the reassuranceof knowing that help is on hand if there is anemergency, or who want the possibility ofsocialising with people of a similar age.

Over recent years there have been manychanges to the way the scheme managerservice is delivered, and the role varies considerably between schemes. Generally, the scheme manager is expected to:

manage the scheme and respond to theemergency alarm when on site;

get to know the residents and make surethey know about local services;

provide some support him/herself;

Sheltered or retirement

housing

Sheltered housing(often called

retirement housing)is designed to

meet the needs ofolder people. Mostestates or ‘schemes’

have a schememanager (warden)and an emergency

alarm service.FirstStop can

provide details ofall schemes in

East Sussex.

EAST SUSSEXINSheltered or retirement housing

encourage residents to ask for more supportfrom statutory and voluntary organisationswhen it is needed.

Scheme managers generally do not providepersonal care for residents, or carry out taskslike shopping or housework. Some schememanagers live on-site, but most do not. Evenif they live on-site they are usually only onduty during normal weekday office hours.

The availability of an emergency alarm servicethough, offers reassurance that help is athand round-the-clock if needed. By pressinga button on a pendant or pulling a cord, amessage is relayed to the scheme manger (if on duty) or to a monitoring centre staffed24 hours a day. If help is needed, thescheme manager will attend or the centrewill alert relatives or friends, or contact yourGP or the emergency services.

Extra care housing is housing designed withthe needs of frailer, older people in mindand with varying levels of care and supporton site. It may also be known as very shel-tered housing or assisted living. There arealso ‘close care’ schemes where retirementhousing is built on the same site as a care home and a range of services may be available.

Housing with care

(Extra CareHousing)

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Sheltered or retirement housing

Properties can be rented, owned or occasionallypart owned/part rented. There is a limitedamount of extra care housing in most areasand many rental providers set eligibility criteria,which applicants have to meet.

People who live in extra care housing have theirown self contained homes. The services andfacilities provided may vary a lot but typicallythey may include 24-hour emergency support,some personal care, domestic support, arestaurant/dining room, lounges, laundry facilitiesand possibly a specialist bathroom.

If you are thinking about a move to extra carehousing, check what care services are available,whether they meet your needs, how they areorganised, how they are paid for and whetheryou are eligible for financial help.

Retirement villages are larger complexes andgenerally offer more leisure and care facilitiesthan ordinary sheltered or retirement housing.

Once you have decided to move to sheltered orretirement housing, you will want to considerwhich features are important to you. If possible,visit several schemes and meet the schememanager and other residents. FirstStop canprovide detailed information on all schemes inEast Sussex.

Location: Are there shops, banks, parks,doctors, pubs nearby? Are there hills toclimb or busy roads to negotiate?

Retirementvillages

Choosing sheltered or

retirementhousing

EAST SUSSEXIN

Transport: How good are public transportlinks? Is parking available?

What are the communal facilities? Are social events organised?

Are pets allowed?

Facilities: Is there a lift? Are doorways andcorridors wide enough for walking frames andwheelchairs? Are doors and windows easyto operate and light switches and electricsockets easy to reach? Is there space and a charging facility for mobility scooters?

How good is the insulation? Is therenoise from the lift, communal lounge, laundryor neighbours?

How secure is the main entrance (if thereis one) and your own front door? Are theresecurity locks on the windows?

Is there a residents’ or tenants’ association?

What are the rent, service and supportcharges and what do they cover?

Are any furnishings or appliances provided?

What type of heating system is there andhow is it controlled?

What happens if you become frail ordevelop dementia and begin to need morehelp than the scheme provides?

Sheltered or retirement housing

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Renting from local

authoritiesand housingassociations

They generally aim to offer places to peoplein the greatest housing need, at rents whichare affordable – perhaps paid with the help ofHousing Benefit. They set criteria describingwho qualifies for their housing and whichapplicants have the highest priority (oftenmore people apply than they can assist, sothey have to decide who to accept and whoto turn down). The cost of renting is madeup of rent plus a charge to cover the servicesand support provided. Rents vary significantlybetween landlords and around the country.

Many landlords will consider applications fromowner-occupiers, depending on their circum-stances. A lower priority may be given tothose who have the resources to buy aretirement flat, particularly if rented accom-modation is in short supply. You will need tocheck your local council if you own yourproperty and want to rent sheltered housing.

To apply for sheltered or retirement housing,contact your local Council housing departmentwho will tell you about the application procedure. All councils and most largerhousing associations in East Sussex nowadvertise and allocate their propertiesthrough the Sussex Homemove service, andyour council will explain how this works.Some housing associations may also have awaiting list of their own, so it is a good ideato contact all the providers in the area, to

Renting sheltered orretirement

housing

Most shelteredor retirement

housing for rentis provided by

your local counciland by housing

associations, butthere are somecharitable andprivate sector

providers withplaces to rent.

EAST SUSSEXINRenting sheltered or retirement housing

see if you can apply directly to them as well.

Applicants are generally expected to showthey are in housing need:

because they are homeless or at risk ofbecoming homeless; or

because of the physical condition or over-crowding of their present home; or

because of medical and/or social reasonsfor wanting to move e.g. poor health, disabilities, loneliness, fear or isolation from friends and family; or

if not local already, that they have agood reason for wanting to move to anarea, e.g. wanting to be nearer family or close friends.

Abbeyfield houses are run by voluntaryorganisations and offer supported housingfor between 5 and 12 older people. Eachhouse has a paid house manager and providestwo or three meals a day and support fromlocal volunteers. Residents have their ownrooms, often with en-suite facilities

Almshouses are independent local charitabletrusts that provide affordable housing. Mostalmshouses have rules as to who they canhouse. As an almshouse resident you will bethe beneficiary of the trust rather than a tenant and will have less security.

Other options

for renting

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If you are offered an almshouse property it isadvisable to check the requirements of thetrust, and what would happen if your needsor circumstances changed.

Private renting is available for a limitedamount of sheltered or retirement housing.Most of the properties are in leaseholdschemes which accept tenants over theminimum age (55 or 60). You need to checkwhat services are included in the rent andthe terms of the tenancy.

Renting sheltered or retirement housing

Once all the properties in a new shelteredor retirement housing scheme have beensold, the ongoing management of the schemeis often transferred to a management company, which may be either commercialor non-profit making. The managementcompany employs the scheme manager and organises the maintenance and cleaningof external and shared areas.

There is usually a minimum age for peopleliving in sheltered or retirement housing(55 or 60) but younger people can oftenbuy properties on behalf of someone whohas reached the minimum age.

The scheme manager and shared facilitiesare paid for through service and supportcharges. These can range from a fewpounds a week to £100 or more a weekdependent on the services and amenitiesprovided. In addition you will have to payground rent, council tax, water charges,contents insurance, and telephone and fuelbills. Optional home care and meal serviceswill normally be charged for separately.

The majority of properties are sold on along lease. The lease sets out in a legal andbinding form the duties and obligations ofboth the management company and residents,including any restrictions on the use of theproperty. It is very important that youunderstand the implications of all the clauses

Prices and typesof property vary

enormously. A small second-hand flat might

be found forunder £100,000in some parts ofthe country, butnew properties

usually cost considerably

more, especiallythose in luxury

developments withall amenities.

FirstStop canprovide detailed

information onall sheltered

and retirementschemes in

East Sussex

Buying retirement

housing

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of the lease. Most management companiesare members of The Association ofRetirement Housing Managers (ARHM) andare bound by its Code of Practice.

Most leasehold sheltered or retirement housingis offered for sale at the full price on theopen market. However, a few organisationsoperate special arrangements for older people with limited income and insufficientcapital to buy at market prices.

Typically these are:

Shared ownership

A small number of housing associations offerthe option of buying a part share in a propertyand paying rent on the balance. The proportionyou can buy varies. The rent element maybe eligible for Housing Benefit. There willnormally also be service and supportcharges to pay.

Leasehold Schemes for the Elderly (LSE)

These are run by a small number of housingassociations and require you to buy 70% of the equity, the remaining portion beingowned by the housing association. When yousell, you receive 70% of the market value.

A Lifetime Lease

This product offers an arrangement wherebyyou buy the right to live in a retirementproperty for the rest of your life (or lives

Other tenureand product

options

Buying retirement housing

EAST SUSSEXIN

in the case of a couple). The price is wellbelow the normal purchase price but onceyou leave the property it reverts back tothe company. Lifetime leases are availableto people aged 60 and over. Lifetime leasesmay also be available for non-retirementproperties.

Part exchange A few developers may offer part exchange deals, especially onnew properties. These can be very usefulbut you are advised to compare the priceoffered with the full market value.

Ensure you are getting all the financial benefits that you are entitled to, especiallyany supplements to your retirement pensionincluding Pension Credit and Council TaxBenefit. People who are renting sheltered or retirement housing and who have a lowincome and limited capital may be eligiblefor Housing Benefit (which could cover rentand some parts of the service charge) andhelp from the Supporting People programme(which could cover support costs such asthe scheme manager and emergency alarm).Leaseholders in receipt of Pension Credit or on a low income may also be eligible forhelp with the service charges. Contact the Pension Service, or the East SussexSupporting People Team.

Affording shelteredhousing,whether

buying orrenting

Buying retirement housing

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It is often a sudden crisis that sparks offthinking about whether a move to a carehome might be necessary. Decisions mayhave to be made in a hurry and there canoften be firm, and sometimes conflicting,advice offered by family, friends and professionals. It can be difficult for theolder person as well as everyone elseinvolved to arrive at the best decisions in these circumstances.

Before deciding to move to a care home,have you:

considered whether it is possible for youto stay in your own home, with care supportor adaptations or whether sheltered orretirement housing or extra care housingwould meet your needs?

contacted East Sussex Adult Social Care andasked for a needs assessment for servicessuch as home care, meals or respite care?

contacted your doctor to make sure a medical assessment of your needs has been carried out?

been in touch with organisations such asAge UK Eastbourne or Age UK East Sussex tosee if there is any way they can support you?

asked Adult Social Care services if they canprovide useful equipment if you are findingusing the stairs, bath or toilet difficult?

Care Homes

Thinkingabout care

Is a carehome right

for you?

EAST SUSSEXINCare Homes

asked your local Home ImprovementAgency or local council whether repairs oradaptations would make your home moresuitable, and explored whether you wouldbe eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant(DFG) or other financial help?

contacted the Pensions Service, HousingBenefit section of your local council, ororganisations such as Citizen’s Advice Bureauto see if you are getting all the benefits towhich you are entitled?

Care homes may be owned and operatedby private individuals, companies, not forprofit organisations and (some) social caredepartments. All care homes in England areregistered and inspected by the Care QualityCommission (CQC). Inspection and reportsare available from the home or from CQC.

Care homes providing personal careThese are often called residential homes.They vary in size and facilities. All areexpected to provide a room, possibly withen-suite facilities, shared areas, meals, help with personal care such as dressing, supervision of medication, companionshipand someone on call at night. Care homesproviding personal care give extra supportduring normal short illnesses but do notprovide constant nursing care.

Care homes providing nursing careThese are often called nursing homes.

Types of care home

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Paying for careyourself

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Care Homes

They also vary in size and facilities but allprovide personal and nursing care 24 hoursa day for people who are bedridden, veryfrail or have a medical condition or illnessthat means they need regular attentionfrom a nurse. There is always a qualifiednurse on duty.

Care homes for dementiaOlder people with dementia may need acare home with an additional category ofregistration (DE). These were previouslyknown as EMI (Elderly Mentally Infirm) homesand some people still use this term.

A stay in a care home does not have to bepermanent. You might want to stay in acare home for a short period to give yourcarer a break, or to build up your strengthafter an illness. This is called respite care.Some care homes allocate specific beds forrespite care; others accept residents forrespite if they have a vacancy. You may haveto pay towards this cost. If you think you,or any family carer, would benefit from youhaving some respite care, ask East SussexSocial Care Direct for a needs assessment andto explain about any charges for respite care.

Care homes vary in cost, depending on thelocation and services provided. Fees mayrange from £350 per week to more than£1,000 per week for a home providingnursing care.

Respite care

EAST SUSSEXIN

People with very high nursing or medicalneeds may qualify to have their care fullyfunded by the NHS under the ContinuingCare criteria.

If you are paying your own fees you canchoose a home and make your own arrange-ments. Before doing this, ask Social CareDirect for a needs assessment, particularlyif you may need help with the fees in thefuture. The care home must provide a writtencontract at the time you move into the home.If possible, try to arrange a trial stay in ahome before making a decision.

If you are paying your own fees in a carehome providing nursing care, the NHS willmake a financial contribution subject toassessment of your nursing needs. This sumis paid directly to the home.

If you are paying your own care home fees,you should be eligible for an AttendanceAllowance, and should make an application.If you are not already receiving this, contactthe Benefits Enquiry Line for a claim pack, ordownload a form from the Directgov website.

You may also want advice on the best waysof investing your capital to pay for futurecare. There are ways of meeting care costsusing only part of your capital. An ImmediateNeed Care Fee Payment Plan can provide aregular increasing income for as long as

Care Homes

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of care from the outset. It is important toseek independent advice from experts withthe CF8 qualification, and FirstStop Advice hasselected a panel of Care Fees Advisers withthis qualification. These advisers specialise incare funding, can advise on your entitlementsfrom the state and provide financial adviceon care plans or other financial products thatmay be suitable for meeting care costs and,where possible, preserving capital.

If you would like your local care fees adviserto contact you please complete the form at the end of this guide and return it to theaddress given, or complete a form on line at www.firststopadvice.org.uk. Please callFirstStop on 0800 377 7070 if you needhelp completing it.

East Sussex Adult Social Care needsassessment and financial assessment

If you need help towards the cost of a carehome you should first contact East SussexSocial Care Direct and ask for a needsassessment. This will provide you withinformation as to whether you meet thecouncil’s criteria for a care home and howmuch they will normally pay for someonewith your assessed care needs. They thenhave to assess your finances (income andsavings or capital) to find out how muchyou might have to pay towards this cost,

Care Homes

Local authorityhelp with the

costs of a carehome place

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using a system set by the government. If you are unhappy with any aspect of theassessment, call FirstStop’s Advice Line.

Treatment of CapitalThe capital limits for assistance with care feesare set in April each year by the government.East Sussex Social Care Direct or FirstStopAdvice will be able to tell you what the currentlimits are. From April 2010, the upper capitaland savings limit is £23,250. Anyone withcapital or savings in excess of this figure willnot get any financial help towards the costs ofcare from Adult Social Care. From April 2010,savings between £14,250 and £23,250 areassumed to generate a notional income,which are included in the financial assessmenttogether with your other sources of incomesuch as any pensions. Savings of less than£14,250 are ignored.

Treatment of your own homeIf you own your own home, its value will beignored for up to 12 weeks after you become apermanent resident in a care home. Thismeans that if you have less than £23,250(April 2010) in savings other than your home,Adult Social Care will help with the fees for thefirst 12 weeks, but after that your home will beincluded in the financial assessment unless:

your husband, wife or partner still lives in the house, or

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a relative over 60, or under 60 but incapacitated, lives in the house.

The council can use its discretion to disregardthe value of your property in other circum-stances. Once Adult Social Care has agreedyou need to live in a care home, you shouldhave some choice as to the area and thehome to which you move.

If you envisage funding your care yourself,now and into the future, you are free tochoose your care home. If you need helpwith the fees, or envisage you might in thefuture, you still have a right to some choiceas to which home you move to, thoughthere will be a limit on how much the localauthority is willing to pay.

FirstStop can provide details of all carehomes in East Sussex. In choosing a carehome that will suit you, apart from checkingthe charges and the contract, you maywant to think about the following:

Trial period: Most homes will be happy toaccept potential residents on a trial basis,to see whether they can meet your needs,and for you to see if life in a care home iswhat you expected.

Level of care: Is the home able to providethe care you need?

Personal needs: Can the home cater forany cultural, spiritual or dietary needs you

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Choosing a care home

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have? If you are a smoker, what is thesmoking policy?

What about your personality: Do youlike a routine and setting where a lot ofthings are done for you; or would you preferto be encouraged to be as independent aspossible, and expect to be consulted aboutmost decisions?

Location: Is the home near enough tofamily and friends so you will be able tohave visitors?

Social activities: What activities areorganised, and how often? Will you be able tokeep up any hobbies you are still able to do?

Meals: What are the meals like? How muchchoice is there?

Facilities: If the shared lounge has a TV,how and by whom are the programmeschosen? Is there a separate room wherethere is no television, for those who want tobe quiet, or to be able to have conversationwith visitors?

Pets: Can you bring your pet if you haveone? Does the home have a pet?

Is there a residents’ or relatives’ associationor committee?

What happens if you become more frail or your needs change?

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Nationalvariations

This informationrelates primarily to

the situation inEngland. For furtheradvice on choosing

and funding care,including the

regulations in theother parts

of the UK, contact the FirstStop

Advice Line on0800 377 7070.

YourRights

Most organisations have a formal complaintsprocedure, but it may be possible to resolvethings informally by initially raising yourconcerns with the relevant department ormember of staff. You can do this in person,by telephone or in writing. You should keepa note of the person you speak to or makea copy of your letter, and ask that they writeto you confirming that your complaint has beenreceived and detailing who is dealing with it.

If you are still not satisfied you can make aformal complaint using the official complaintsprocedure for the organisation.

If you have difficulty resolving your complaint,help is available from Age Concern Eastbourne,Age UK East Sussex and Care for the Carers.Each organisation can provide an ‘advocate’– someone to speak up for you.

FirstStop’s own advisors are also availableto talk over your problem and advise onother sources of help to resolve it.

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Sometimes youmay be concernedabout the quality

of a service you ora friend or relative

is receiving orthings do not go

as you would wish,and you may want

to challenge a decision made by

a council or healthauthority or make

a complaint.

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Organisations

Adult Social CareSee East Sussex County Council below

Age Concern East Sussex 01273 476 704 www.aceastsussex.org.uk

Association of Retirement HousingManagers 020 7463 0660 www.arhm.org

Benefits Enquiry Line (for Attendance Allowance Claim Pack) 0800 882 200

Buy With Confidencewww.eastsussex.gov.uk/business/tradingstandards/buywithconfidence

Care for the Carers01323 738 390 www.cftc.org.uk

Citizens’ Advice Bureaux (CAB) in East SussexBexhill 01424 215 055Crowborough 01892 655 303Eastbourne 01323 417 177Hailsham 01323 842 336Hastings 01424 721 420Lewes 01273 473 082Seaford 01323 896 209Uckfield 01825 764 940www.adviceguide.org.uk

Care Quality Commission (CQC) 0845 015 0120 www.cqc.org.uk

Directgov www.direct.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE:Although 0800numbers are freefrom a land line,they may attracta premium from mobiles.

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0845 130 9177 www.dlf.org.uk

East Sussex County Council - AdultsEmergency Duty Service(for out of office hours) 01323 636399

East Sussex County Council/Adult Social Care Social Care Direct 0345 60 80 191Minicom via type talk 18001 0345 60 80 191Mobile SMS text – 0779 7878 111www.eastsussex.gov.ukSupporting People Team 01273 482 805

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service0800 177 7069 www.esfrs.org

Foundation for Assistive Technology 0207 264 8955 www.fastuk.org

Home Improvement AgenciesAnchor Staying Put (Wealden & Lewes) 01323 441 013 Eastbourne Care & Repair 01323 415 355In Touch Hastings & Rother HomeImprovement Agency 01424 464 880

Home Improvement Trust0800 783 7569 www.houseproud.org.uk

HomeSwapper www.homeswapper.co.uk

Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs)IFA PROMOTION www.unbiased.co.uk

Independent Living Advice 01323 415931

Useful Organisations

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Lifetime LeasesHOMEWISE 0800 043 4488 www.homewise.co.uk

National Federation of Shopmobility0845 644 2446 www.shopmobilityuk.org

Pension Service 0845 606 0265 www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

Private rentingGIRLINGS RETIREMENT OPTIONS

0800 525 184 www.girlings.co.uk

South Coast Moneyline02392 826180 www.scmoneyline.org.uk

Sussex Homemove www.homemove.org.uk

TrustMark01344 630 804 www.trustmark.org.uk

Warm Front0800 3162 805 www.warmfront.co.uk

Useful Organisations

District & Borough Housing Options & PrivateHousing/Environmental Health Teams

Eastbourne - Housing Needs and Strategy Team 01323 41530

Private Housing Team (Environmental Health Services) 01323 415350

Hastings - Housing Options/Housing Renewal 01424 451100

Lewes - General Housing Team 01273 484006

Rother - Housing Advice 01424 787999

(or the Bexhill Community Help Point 01424 787000)

Wealden - Housing Options Team 01323 443380

Private Housing Team 01323 443321

EAST SUSSEXIN

We aim to provide high quality, independent information and adviceto help people maintain their independence and live comfortably at home in later life. We provide guidance on the services available to help you manage better at home,including care services, as well assupport to help you move home if you prefer. Our service is available free to allolder people and, where appropriate,people with disabilities in EastSussex. This includes tenants as wellas those who own their own home,regardless of their income or savings.It is also free to their families andcarers and to professionals.

FirstStop in EastSussex providesadvice on housingand care optionsto older people,their familiesand carers. It isa joint initiativeby East SussexCounty Council,the county’s fiveDistrict andBorough Councilsand a group oflocal and nationaladvice services

Our service is supported financially by the Big Lottery Fundand the Communities and Local Government Department.

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Visit us online at:www.firststopadvice.org.ukCall the advice line: 0800 377 7070 Open Mon–Fri, 9am-5pm Calls may be monitored or recorded.

This service is primarily providedby FirstStop Advice,a national partner-ship which is runseparately fromEast Sussex CountyCouncil. Please contact their adviceline or see theirwebsite for detailsof their Privacy Policy.