126 PLANNING FOR LATER LIFE
Free national advice line to help elderly launched
The UK’s only free, independent national advice line to help the elderly and their relatives through the maze of trying to fi nd suitable care has been set up by Tunbridge Wells company Chosen With Care. “With 654 care homes in Kent alone –
and more than 13,000 around the country – choosing the right care home can be a minefi eld,” explains Founder Debbie Harris (pictured), adding: “Most people simply don’t know where to begin or what questions to ask to make sure they get the right care for mum or dad, or themselves. “We want to take away some of the confusion and give people the information they need to make better, more informed decisions about care solutions. Choice that means mum and dad don’t have to be split up or accept a second-rate care home.” Chosen With Care’s new national
advice line includes a free 20-minute phone consultation with one of their care home experts, during which they carry out a health and needs check to identify the key issues, and provide advice on the type of care that would be most suitable, as well as likely fees.
Follow-up support includes a five- point action plan to make finding suitable care options easier and a checklist of questions to ask potential care homes. In addition, the company will provide guidance on other areas that should be considered, such as legal issues and financial solutions. “Choosing a care home is a huge decision that is emotionally very hard and which often has to be made at short notice,
www.indexdigital.co.uk
CHOOSING A CARE HOME IS A HUGE DECISION THAT IS EMOTIONALLY VERY HARD
maybe after mum has had a fall or dad has had a stroke. Finding the right care environment is crucial for the long-term happiness for the resident and their family, and that’s very hard to identify if you don’t know what to look for and what questions to ask,” explains Debbie. “We’re determined to change that and put people in a position of knowledge, so they fi nd the best possible solution for their loved one or themselves.” Chosen With Care helps self-funding families fi nd care homes. It is completely independent and does not accept commission from residential or nursing homes. • The free care home line is open from 8.30am-7pm
Monday-Saturday on 01892 300530, or you can request a call back by emailing info@
chosenwithcare.co.uk
CARE FACTS • 654 = the number of care homes in Kent
• 291,000 = the number of people aged 65+ who live in care homes in the UK *
• 11.6 million = the number of people in the UK aged 65+ *
• 24.6% = the proportion of the UK population that will be aged 65+ by 2045 (up from 15.9% in 2015) *
• 82.8 = average life expectancy of a girl born in 2015 *
• 49% = the proportion of residents in care homes who are self-funding **
Celebrating 50 years of caring in Kent
From humble beginnings in Kingswood Road, Gillingham, the Abbeyfi eld Kent Society has grown to become the biggest independent Abbeyfi eld in the world. In May it celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Residents of St Mary’s, the
Society’s supported home in Riverhead, Sevenoaks, got together to celebrate 50 years of the Abbeyfi eld Kent Society, with a coffee morning when residents, their relatives, neighbours and volunteers,
were joined by friends of the home and the Society’s Chief Executive, Leon Steer, for a morning of coffee, cake and commemorating. Tucking into the various delicacies on
offer, residents and their guests chatted about the history of the Society and in particular, its presence in Sevenoaks. A special cake had also been made, which was cut by resident, Rose Wheatley (pictured), to mark the occasion. • Visit www.abbeyfi
eldkent.org
* Offi ce for National Statistics – ** Laing and Buisson
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