Advice for families
Understanding care home funding
Understanding how care will be paid for can feel complicated, particularly when you’re also trying to make decisions about someone you love.
Because the people living in our homes have complex needs and require nurse-led care, most placements in our homes are funded through the NHS, a local authority, or a combination of the two.
You don’t need to have funding agreed before speaking to us.
Our Referrals Team can explain the process – although, please note, decisions about eligibility and funding are made by the relevant NHS or local authority teams.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care funded by the NHS for adults who are assessed as having a primary health need.
Eligibility is decided following an assessment by the relevant NHS body. If your loved one is eligible, the NHS will fund their agreed package of care.
Many people living in Exemplar Health Care homes receive CHC funding.
Local authority funding
If your loved one isn’t eligible for full NHS Continuing Healthcare, their local authority may contribute towards the cost of their care.
This usually involves an assessment of their care and support needs and may also include a financial assessment.
How much support is available will depend on their individual circumstances.
Joint funding
In some circumstances, the NHS and local authority may both contribute towards someone’s care.
The professionals involved in your loved one’s assessment will explain whether this applies and how their care will be funded.
What if my loved one is in hospital?
If your loved one is preparing to leave hospital, the professionals involved in their discharge will often help coordinate the assessments and funding discussions needed for their next placement.
Our Referrals Team can work with the hospital, NHS, and local authority teams involved to help plan a possible move to one of our homes.
Will I be involved in the process?
Where appropriate, families can share information and be involved in discussions about their loved one’s needs, preferences and care.
How you’re involved will depend on your loved one’s wishes, whether they’re able to make the relevant decisions themselves, and whether there are any formal arrangements in place for someone to make or support decisions on their behalf.
Not sure where to start?
You don’t need to understand the different types of funding or have funding agreed before getting in touch.
Tell us about your loved one and their current situation.
Our Referrals Team can explain the next steps and work with the professionals involved in arranging their care.
Looking for care for a family member?
Our Referrals Team is here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand the next steps.
