What do I do if I need care?
Contact your local Social Services Department. If they think you need help they will carry out an assessment of your needs. This will involve talking to you and those people who already help you. They will give you a care plan which details the help that you are entitled to and may recommend that you move into a care home.

If you are in hospital the doctors and nurses may feel you need to be cared for in a care home after your discharge and will arrange for a social worker to advise and help you.

How do I find a care home?
Your Social Services Department will provide you with information about local homes that provide the type of care you need. You can also find a list of homes in your area at The National Care Homes directory. If Social Services arrange for your admission into a care home they will take account of your preferences where possible.

Can I choose the home?
If you are paying the full fees yourself then you may choose which home to go into. If Social Services are making the arrangements you can choose which home to go to as long as there is a vacancy, the home provides the type of care you need, a contract can be arranged between the home and Social Services and the fees are no more than Social Services would normally pay.

What if the fees are more expensive than Social Services will pay?
If a relative, friend or charity will pay the balance of your fees you may go to a more expensive home in most cases.

Can I move from one home to another?
Yes, as long as the new home meets Social Services requirements as stated above.

How do I pay the fees?
If Social Services have arranged for you to go into a home they will workout how much you will have to pay. Your contribution towards the fees of the home will be calculated using standard rules based on your income, savings, investments and the value of any property you own. You will be allowed to keep a personal allowance for personal expenses. Social Services will calculate your weekly income including pensions and other benefits you are entitled to.

Will I have to sell my home to pay for my fees?
You may have to sell your home unless your spouse lives there, or a relative under the age of 16 who you are responsible for, or a relative over 60 or who is incapacitated lives there. Social Services will also take into account someone who has been caring for you and still lives in your home.

If you have to sell your home then Social Services will continue to pay your fees until it is sold. When the property has been sold they will recover the amount they have paid towards your care home fees.

Will my husband or wife have to pay anything towards my fees?
If you are not paying the full cost yourself your husband or wife may be asked to contribute towards your fees. The amount will be agreed with Social Services.

If your spouse depends on your income, Social Services must take this into account and ensure they have a reasonable amount to live on. If you are married and have an occupational pension, Social Services must only take account of half of it as long as you are giving at least half to your spouse.

For further detailed information you should contact your local Social Services Department regarding finances.

Do you accept residents whose fees are paid by Social Services?
Yes, we have rooms in our home that are available to residents funded by their local authority.

Who inspects your home?
The Care Commission, inspected by the Central West Office of Scotland.