Times care home survey
Do you have a relative in a care home?
mother
father
wife
husband
aunt
uncle
grandfather
grandmother
Other:
Who runs the home?
private
local authority
charity
Were you happy about the information the care home or the local council gave you in advance of moving into the home?
yes
no
How would you rate the overall level of care?
excellent
satisfactory
unsatisfactory
If you are satisfied with the standard of care provided, what is the most important factor?
individualised care
up-to-date care plans
staffing levels
well-trained staffed
equipment
activities offered
access to advice and information
Have you ever witnessed verbal abuse in a care home?
yes
no
Please describe the incident/incidents
Have you ever witnessed physical abuse in a care home?
yes
no
Please describe the incident/incidents
Have you ever had cause to complain about a care home?
yes
no
What was the complaint or complaints about?
food
cleanliness
noise
personal effects being stolen
behaviour of other residents
facilities provided
activities being offered
staff behaviour
staff training
level of fees
Other:
Please describe the circumstances
Were you worried about the possible consequences of making a complaint? (ie your relative or friend being asked to leave)
yes
no
Please describe the circumstances
Were you satisfied with the way your complaint was dealt with by the care home?
yes
no
If you took your complaint to the local council were you satisfied with their response?
yes
no
N/A
If you complained to the Commission for Social Care Inspection were you satisfied with the response from them?
yes
no
N/A
Where you able to access independent information and advice for your relative in the care home?
yes
no
Have you ever had to move your relative because you were disatisfied with the home they were in?
never had to move
once
twice
three times
more than three times
Who is paying for the care home?
local authority (less older person’s pension/income)
self-funding
mix of local authority and third party top-up
How much does the home cost?
up to £500 a week
£500 to £750 a week
£750 to £1,000 a week
Have you had to sell your home to pay for care?
yes
no
Do you struggle to pay for care?
yes
no
What could the government could do to improve life for care home residents and their relatives?
Why is your relative/friend in the care home?
can't afford the cost of care at home
they live far away from friends or relatives
they require specialist care
Other:
Judging from your experiences of care homes, would you live in one yourself in old age?
yes
no
Anyone with £22,250 or more in assets is liable to meet all the costs of residential care (less any state benefits to which they are entitled e.g. Attendance Allowance). Do you think this is fair?
yes
no
If no, what would be a fair level?
less than £22,250
£30,000 or more
£40,000 or more
£50,000 or more
Other:
From April, care home residents whose accommodation, food and nursing fees are paid by the state will get a personal allowance of £21.90 a week to pay for essentials such as clothing, shoes, transport and toiletries - a rise of 75p. Do you think this is:
more than adequate
adequate
less than adequate
If you think it is less than adequate, what would a fair level be?
£25 a week
£30 a week
£35 a week
£40 a week
Other:
What other support and services would you find helpful?
This survey is anonymous but if you are happy to be contacted to discuss your experience of care homes (or that of a relative) please give your contact details.