Help & Advice from Belong

What our residents say

What type of care and accommodation package do I need?

Belong villages offer care and accommodation in three streams - Independent Living, Assisted Living and Supported Living.

You can find out more about these streams by clicking on the relevant category at the top of the page.

Of course, it is not always clear which stream is best for you. So to help find the perfect care and accommodation package, our advisers consult you, your family and, if appropriate, Social Services to develop a clear assessment of your needs.

Your questions answered...

• How do I choose the care home that is best for me?
• How do I begin looking for a care home?
• What if my care needs change?
• Who pays for my care?
• How can I be certain that I will get what I pay for?

Q: How do I choose the care home that is best for me?

A: There are basically two types of care home:
1. Residential care home - which provides accommodation and personal care (help with daily living activities).
2. Nursing home - which provides residential care and nursing care for residents who require specialised support.

Belong villages are registered BOTH as residential care are AND nursing facilities because we provide both types of care. Our villages also have some apartments for independent living and also facilties such as hairdressers and bistros for everyone to enjoy.

Q: How do I begin looking for a care home?

A: If you or your family will be paying the care home's fees yourself, you can start to visit homes straight away. Try and visit as many as possible to see what is on the market. If your local council is paying for some or all of the fees, you can also start looking immediately. Social Services department will assess your needs to agree the type of care you need. Once you have found a home you like, the home will also assess your needs, to make sure they can offer you the kind of care you need.

Q: What if my care needs change?

A: If you are living in a Belong village, and you require more support or more specialised care, we can arrange for you to receive this extra support without moving out of the village.

Q: Who pays for my care?

A: Most people pay some costs of their care; some people pay all the costs of their care and a few pay little or no costs, with the local authority paying for the rest.

Currently, people with savings and assets of £21,500 or more pay for all of their accommodation and personal care. Assets may include the house you are living in if it is your property. People's ability to pay is means tested.

There are a number of benefits and allowances that people may be eligible for, depending on their level of need. These include Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Continuing Care Benefit and the Registered Nursing Care Contribution.

Belong works closely with the local authority and all our residents to make sure that they can access all the benefits they are eligible for and that their funding is on a secure basis.

Q: How can I be certain that I will get what I pay for?

A: When you come into a Belong village you will receive a written contract along with a written statement of the terms and conditions covering your stay. These explain clearly what fees will be charges, what care and services you will receive and all aspects of your stay with us.

Also, like all care homes in the UK, our villages are subject to inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection when residents and families get the opportunity to talk about the care given in our homes to CSCI inspectors.