With the majority of people living far longer in today’s world, many families will face the ongoing problem of housing Birmingham’s older population, namely elderly parents, grandparents etc. Birmingham Elderly Care Homes, however, do offer solutions to this very unfortunate problem.

Also in the current economical climate a lot of elderly people are beginning to give serious thoughts in providing their children with financial assistance by selling their assets, namely property, and living instead in rented accommodation. Again Birmingham Elderly Care Homes in the name of sheltered accommodation is a possible solution where private home help is no longer sufficient.

There are various directions families can take in resolving such matters. One is simply by selling up and renting a flat, maisonette or house, the decision of which will be very much dependent on the parent or parent’s individual capabilities associated with the management of the garden, should one exist.

For those people who may struggle to cope with day to day life there are various forms of accommodation open to them, namely sheltered care accommodation, rest home/residential care and nursing home care. Live in care for senior people is another area of consideration

Birmingham has numerous nursing homes, sheltered housing, residential care homes and rest & retirement homes spread throughout the city and its surrounding areas and further information is also available on the internet. Care homes, if vacancies are available, will also provide respite accommodation in the short term for elderly people being looked after at home by families during annually holiday periods etc. Nursing homes will also provide convalescent facilities.

For the job hunters amongst us there appears to be a regular requirement for care staff at all levels advertised in the jobs and work available sections of most local newspapers. However, one important consideration is that self control and ongoing patience is a major requirement, especially when dealing with elderly people suffering with dementia. Most colleges will offer courses about home care and how to care for the elderly. Agencies also provide work opportunities for those experienced in caring for the elderly at their home and/or care homes.

Monthly costs obviously vary depending on the type of accommodation required with basic sheltered accommodation commencing in the region of £550 plus, residential care £2300 plus, but nursing homes costs will be very much dependent on the individuals nursing time requirement. All fees will be adjusted annually, generally in line with the September RPI figure.

Assistants with some of the cost can be obtained from local authority Social Services or Community Care Services, but the amounts provided are very much associated with individual savings, income from state, private pensions and attendance allowances. Also private care home charges will normally be in excess of council run homes and the maximum contributions made by authorities will be no more than that charged for their own homes, with the next of kin expected to pay extra cost. The alternative, if a family member is currently in a private home when their savings drop to the figure indicated below, is to arrange a transfer to a council run home, should such an opportunity be available and argue the payment costs if a local authority room cannot be made available.

Currently, if an individual has been assessed as needing a care home placement and their capital is below £23,250, they should be entitled to financial support. If they have capital below £14,250 they will be entitled to maximum support, although they will still contribute any income less £22.30 per week retained for personal expenses. If they have capital of between £14,250 and £23,250 they will also pay a capital tariff of £1 per week for each £250 or part thereof between these two figures. It is important to note that the capital figure must also include for the value of any residence they may own. Further advice and information should be obtained from your local authorities Social Service department.

There are parliamentary discussions currently taking place regarding care costs, with the view that there should be maximum care payments and there may be changes to current charging rules in the foreseeable future.

A sheltered accommodation residence normally comprises a single or shared bedroom, hall, lounge and kitchen and with communal clothes washing and drying facilities and is ideal for individuals or couples who can generally manage on their own, with residence being encouraged to be as independent as they can, with various levels of support available should they be required.   Such accommodation will normally have a central area where residence can meet daily for general conversation, coffee and biscuits. Such accommodation will normally have a qualified manager, deputy and staff operating on a daily basis, normally between 0800hrs - 2000hrs with a central pull cord service being available outside these times should assistance of any type be required. The central body will normally arrange for doctor, ambulance or maintenance attendance should the need arise and also advise the residents family if this is determined necessary. The cost of such accommodation does vary, but would normally cover all support services, including water rates, with gas, electricity, telephone, council tax etc. and staff support services being paid for as extra over’s by the occupiers. The accommodation is normally of the unfurnished type.

Rest home/Residential care accommodation is available for those individuals who find themselves unable to manage the chores and normal household tasks of daily life. Rest/Residential Care homes provide 24 hours a day staffing arrangements, a qualified manager, deputy manager and a caring staff.

Rooms normally provide a bed, wash basin and commode, with communal toilets and bathrooms which are all adopted for any disabled residents, available elsewhere. A staff call system would normally be available in all rooms, toilets, bathrooms and common rooms. Staff would receive continuous and comprehensive training and development programmes aimed to meet the special and individual needs of residence. All meals, including special diets, are provided and can be served in the residents own room should they not be in a position, due to health reasons, to join other residents in the main dining room. A monthly payment covers all services apart from the attendance of hairdresser, chiropodist, dental and optical personnel.

Residents would also be encouraged to participate in various activities including bingo, cards, and gentle exercise classes to music, sing-along’s, reminiscence therapy and occasional outings.

Nursing Home care in Birmingham is normally associated with frail, ill and dependant old people and such homes provide similar facilities to Rest/Residential Care homes plus the full-time services of registered nurses, licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, nursing aides and assistants available 24 hours a day in order to ensure appropriate medical treatment can be administered at all times. A licensed doctor also supervises patient care.

Whatever the type of care you are seeking for a loved one, you are strongly advised to visit a number of homes, ask questions and seek the views of relatives of some of the current residents housed there.