FAQs
We’ve provided the answers to the questions we’re often asked and have gathered them in one convenient place. If you have a question that we haven’t answered, call 020 8390 3366 to speak to a member of our team or email enquiries@futurecaregroup.com.
Our care homes
How many care homes does Future Care Group have?
Future Care Group operates 18 care homes across the UK. We aim to help you find the right care home where you or your loved one can feel safe and content within a supportive community.
Where are Future Care Group’s nursing homes located?
Our care homes are located in the South East of England in the following areas:
Hampshire – Belmont Castle, Oaklands House, Solent Grange, Steep House
London – Acacia Care Centre, Bourne House, Brook House, Hamilton, Southborough
Oxfordshire – Acacia Lodge, Stowford House
Surrey – Albany Lodge, Cedar View, Chestnut View, Priory Court
Sussex – Kings Lodge
Worcestershire – The Boynes Care Centre, Holmwood Care Home
What types of care do Future Care Group’s homes offer?
Future Care Group provides a range of person-centred care services, including nursing care, residential care, dementia care, short term respite care, and palliative care to support our residents at the end-of-life stage.
Residential care or nursing care – what’s the difference?
Residential care offers housing for those living more independently who wish to reside in an environment with other people as companions and friends. Support is on hand if required, but nursing personal care is not needed. Nursing care means that qualified nurses are on hand to offer support and assistance as required to meet an individual’s care needs. As 17 homes in the group are nursing homes, a person who is characterised as residential still benefits from the presence of a nurse at the home compared with purely Residential Care Homes where the regional nurse from the local GP surgery would come and visit once in a while.
What qualifications do your care teams have?
All the members of our care team are given the training and support needed to help them provide the highest standards of care. Many of our care staff are working towards further recognised care qualifications, such as NVQs. We have mandatory internal training which runs on an ongoing basis, and we also run apprenticeships and dementia training programmes for our staff.
What happens if the needs of my loved one change?
Because every person’s needs are different – in terms of medical, physical, emotional, and even social aspects – each person needs a package that is developed and tailored especially to them. This can be altered as quickly as their needs may change. Most of our homes offer residential, nursing, and dementia care, so if the needs of your loved one change they may not have to move into a new care home. However, please bear in mind that their fees may need to be adjusted accordingly.
How often do you raise invoices?
Invoices are raised on a calendar month basis and paid in advance. A refund will be calculated if needed.
Life at Future Care Group
How will you keep my loved one safe?
We take a multifaceted approach to reducing risk for residents. Our care is personalised, so each member of the team knows the specific mobility requirements for each resident. Alongside this, we utilise the latest technology, including electronic care planning and auditing systems as well as other technologies that are often specific for each home.
When can I visit my loved one?
Normally visitors are welcome at any time during the day. Residents can see their guests in their rooms or make use of any of our communal lounges and cafés. We also welcome family and friends to stay for a meal (a small fee may be charged for this) and eat with their loved one and encourage family and friends to take residents out when they can.
Can we bring in furniture from our loved ones’ home?
Yes. It is important to have familiar surroundings, so we encourage residents to hang photos, bring their most cherished possessions, and make their room their own. We do require all electrical items to be tested using PAT and will conduct fire risk assessments on any furniture.
Can I take my loved-one out for the day/weekend?
Of course. We have a superb activity schedule in all of our homes and we’re always looking to get our residents out and about, offering day trips to places like the seaside when and where possible. We always actively encourage friends and relatives to get involved too, so if you’d like to make your own plans, we’d always welcome and support them.
Can residents participate in the running of the homes?
Yes. All residents have the chance to be involved in residents’ forums to express their opinions and contribute to life in their care home. We also invite residents and relatives to participate in annual surveys so we can benefit from their feedback.
Can we bring our pet in when we visit?
Yes, we allow family and friends to visit with their pets. We also include animal home visits on our roster of social activities.
Is there a choice of food and do you cater for special diets?
Each resident has an individual care plan, which includes food choices and dietary needs. We work closely with our residents to find out their likes and dislikes and will also consult family and friends for extra support. Residents can choose from several options at each mealtime.
We cater for specific dietary needs including soft or puréed foods, diabetic and allergenic meals, vegetarian diets, and individual requirements. We also work extremely hard to ensure our menus are balanced and nutritious.
What activities do you offer?
The activities offered vary by home, but activities are planned for each day and are organised by our dedicated lifestyle coordinators. If there are activities your loved one has always done, such as seeing a friend for coffee every Tuesday or watching a certain TV programme every week, we will do our best to include these in our plans and facilitate these interests.
What do I need to bring with me when I come to stay?
You are only required to bring a few things with you. These are: your current medication in their original boxes, toiletries, and clothes. However, you can also bring any other personal possessions that you wish to keep with you. Our Agreement provides clear details on how to deal with personal possessions that are brought to the home. You are not required to bring bed linen or towels, though you can bring your own if you wish.
Funding
Which types of funding do you accept?
We accept funding from those paying for their own care (self-funding residents) and CCG funded residents. For specific information, please contact the care home of your choice.
What services are included in the fees of the care home and what do I pay extra for?
Our weekly charge includes your furnished accommodation and the full care services we provide. It also includes catering, housekeeping and laundry, support with daily activities, property maintenance costs, and the management of medication.
You can also buy small items such as toiletries in your care home and you will need to pay for personal services such as hairdressing or private chiropody. The weekly charge does not include activities that involve an entrance fee, such as theatre visits or food trips. Please note that, although we include laundry in our services, if you wish to do your relative’s laundry for them, we ask that you let us know.
Funded nursing care (FNC)
If we allocate nursing hours as part of the services, the fees quoted shall include the amount of NHS funded nursing care (FNC) you are currently, or may subsequently be, entitled to. We will deduct these FNC payments from the quoted fee (when charging by Direct Debit) but cannot guarantee that FNC will be approved and received from the NHS. We will endeavour to submit such an application at the earliest time possible. However, as the FNC is paid to the resident it is solely the responsibility of the resident or the resident’s authorised representative to make sure this is done.
If we do not allocate nursing hours as part of the service at the time of admission, the resident will be characterised as “residential”. A “residential” characterisation occurs if our assessment concludes that the resident does not qualify for NHS funded nursing care (FNC) at admission. If at a later assessment it is ascertained that the resident’s needs have changed and nursing care and nursing hours are required as part of care provided, we will write to you with a new costed care plan and adjust the fees accordingly (“adjusted fees”). We will also apply for FNC and if FNC is approved and received we will deduct it from the “adjusted fees”. If a “residential” resident or the resident’s authorised representative believes that FNC should be applied for due to changes in needs, they shall inform us within a reasonable time period if they submit an application for FNC. At this point, a new assessment and costed care plan will be created to provide for nursing hours.
Are all rooms individually priced?
Yes, rooms are priced differently depending on their size, location at the home, and amenities.
Are there any upfront or additional charges?
There are different charges listed in our Agreement – please read it thoroughly before signing. The key ones are:
- We charge a non-refundable admission charge. This primarily covers costs relating to the assessment, preparing the contract, preparing the room, and creating the initial care plan.
- In the event of the death of the resident, fees will be payable for seven (7) days from the date of death or until the room is cleared, whichever is later.
Dementia care
How do I choose a care home for dementia?
When choosing a home for a person with dementia you will need to know whether Registered Nursing care is required or whether they can be supported without this assistance. Check the care home’s brochure or website to be sure that they offer dementia care and then arrange a visit.
To make the most of this visit, it helps to prepare some questions for the care home’s management team. The transition into long-term care can be challenging so you’ll want to feel confident that your chosen home will meet all the needs of the person with dementia. They will want to feel comfortable and supported within this new setting.
How much does dementia care cost?
The starting weekly fee for dementia care across Future Care Group is £950.
When should someone with dementia go into a care home?
Whether or not a person with dementia needs to enter long-term care is an individual decision that will depend on their circumstances. However, because dementia is a progressive condition, there will come a time where the person finds it increasingly difficult to continue living independently. This is because the condition affects memory, decision-making, and the ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
It can be a difficult and emotional decision to place a loved one into care, but this may be the right choice if the individual is unsafe at home or is struggling with their daily needs. It could also be time to consider long-term care if friends and family are unable to meet the person’s needs and are being negatively impacted as a result.
During the earlier stages of their condition, the person with dementia may be able to make their own decision to enter a care home. However, once their dementia develops this will fall to their loved ones instead. To ensure that this is possible, it will be necessary to have Lasting Power of Attorney for health and wellbeing and for finances. You may need to consider putting these in place as soon as possible.
At what point do dementia patients need 24-hour care?
Once again, because each person is different there is no single answer to when 24-hour care is required. Care will be needed when the person’s dementia disrupts their ability to live independently and they can no longer be adequately supported by family, friends, or a community care package. In these circumstances, long-term care will be needed to benefit the person and ensure their needs are met.
How to care for someone with dementia before they enter a care home?
Supporting someone with dementia can be challenging but, in this situation, it’s important to maintain a safe environment within their home. Because dementia can make it more difficult to identify potential risks it’s important to remove these where possible, putting measures in place to keep our residents safe.
As well as adjusting their home, it’s important to make sure that a person with dementia can continue engaging in activities that they enjoy and can manage. Again, safety will need to be considered, but maintaining interests can be extremely rewarding.
Lastly, before moving into a care home environment, bear in mind that supporting a person with dementia doesn’t rest solely on the shoulders of family and friends. Keep the person’s GP up to date with their condition and see if there are other healthcare professionals who could provide help and support. These could include Admiral Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and dieticians.
What is involved in dementia care?
When we are caring for a person who lives with dementia, we focus on getting to know them, their likes and dislikes, and their history. We can then put together a suitable care plan that reflects their needs and wishes. As part of our dementia care we want to ensure that family and friends continue to be involved and remain a big part of the person’s life. This is because, as well as physical needs, effective care concentrates on psychological, spiritual, and social needs as well. By keeping people with dementia active and engaged, we can greatly enhance their quality of life. Our team will draw on the person’s life story and interests to keep the person occupied with a bespoke activity programme.
We have titled our dementia care strategy ‘LIFE’ because we know that, with the right care and support, people living with dementia can continue living a full and happy life.
What is meant by a person-centred approach to dementia care?
A person-centred approach uses an understanding of the person’s needs, interests, wishes, and preferences to deliver care that is tailored to them. It also involves family and friends in that person’s life. All of our staff follow our dementia ‘LIFE’ strategy:
L – Listen
I – Interact
F – Freedom
E – Engagement
How to get respite care for dementia patient
Respite care, also known as short-term or short-stay care, is a temporary living arrangement for residents within one of our care homes. We created a special respite care plan to help in providing personalised care that is tailored to their individual needs throughout their respite break. They’ll have their own furnished room, will be welcomed into the home, and will be encouraged to take part in the life of the home and the many activities on offer. All our care homes currently offer respite care for dementia.
Who pays care home fees for dementia residents?
We accept funding from those paying for their own care (self-funding residents) and CCG funded residents. For specific information, please contact the care home of your choice. Local Authorities will do a means test to decide whether they can fund you.
Contact Future Care Group
If you have any further questions, or if your question hasn’t been covered, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can call 020 8390 3366 or email enquiries@futurecaregroup.com to speak to a friendly member of our team.
