FAQs

Heathlands Care Home has compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you navigate the moving process or understand the care we provide.

Take your time to explore our FAQs, and if you cannot find the answer you are looking for, our friendly team is always on hand to provide further information and support.

Care Questions

At Heathlands Care Home, each resident has a personalised care plan that is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in their needs or health. If a resident’s care requirements evolve, our team works closely with them and their family to adjust support, ensuring the care remains appropriate, compassionate, and tailored to their individual preferences and wellbeing.

Residential care at Heathlands Care Home offers full-time, live-in support for individuals who need help with daily tasks such as personal care, mobility, and day-to-day routines, with staff available 24 hours a day. Nursing care provides the same round-the-clock support but also includes the expertise of a registered nurse on site, who can manage medical needs, administer medications, and provide specialised healthcare for residents with complex conditions.

At Heathlands Care Home, we support residents’ overall well-being by providing compassionate, personalised care that helps with daily tasks such as personal care, mobility, and managing health needs. Beyond physical care, we focus on mental, emotional, and social well-being through a wide range of activities and facilities that encourage residents to socialise, pursue hobbies, learn new skills, and enjoy meaningful experiences. Our goal is to help every resident live life in a way that feels fulfilling and true to them.

Yes, Heathlands Care Home offers respite care for short-term stays. Before admission, we assess each resident’s needs to ensure the length of stay is suitable. Respite care is ideal for those recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, as well as for family carers who need a temporary break while knowing their loved one is in safe and supportive hands.

At Heathlands Care Home, we require a 28-day notice period for residents receiving any of our long-term care services who wish to move out. Our supportive team is available at all times to assist with the transition and answer any questions you or your family may have.

Finance Questions

At Heathlands Care Home, weekly fees cover your accommodation, all meals, snacks, and drinks, as well as participation in group activities and use of in-house facilities. Local trips and excursions may be available, with some activities potentially incurring a small additional charge.

All personal care and support are included in the fees, ensuring residents receive the help they need throughout their stay. Certain specialist services, such as dental or chiropody appointments, may be charged separately. The team is happy to provide guidance on any additional costs for specific requests.

At Heathlands Care Home, care home fees can be covered in several ways depending on individual circumstances. Residents with eligible care needs and limited financial resources may have all or part of their fees paid by the local authority, with the amount depending on their financial assessment.

For those with complex healthcare needs requiring full-time nursing care, NHS Continuing Healthcare funding may cover the full cost of care, including accommodation and personal care. Residents with sufficient income, savings, or assets are typically self-funding, though family members may also choose to contribute. In some cases, fees are covered through a combination of funding sources to ensure comprehensive care.

If a resident at Heathlands Care Home experiences financial difficulties, we will do all we can to provide support and explore available options. This may include discussing alternative funding arrangements or looking at different room choices within the home. Our team is here to offer guidance and work with you and your loved ones to find a solution that ensures your care and wellbeing continue without disruption.

At Heathlands Care Home, all fees linked to the Care Agreement end on the date of death. However, accommodation charges continue for up to ten days afterward, giving families time to make arrangements and collect personal belongings in a supportive and respectful manner. Our team is always on hand to offer guidance and assistance during this difficult time, helping to ease some of the practical pressures so loved ones can focus on what matters most.

Top-up fees are additional payments made when the cost of a chosen care home is higher than the amount the local authority has agreed to fund. In these cases, a third party, usually a family member or friend, may agree to pay the difference to cover the full cost of care.

It’s important to know that residents themselves cannot usually pay their own top-up fees if they are receiving local authority funding. Instead, the extra payment must come from someone else. At Heathlands Care Home, we’re happy to explain how this works and answer any questions to make sure families have a clear understanding of all care home costs before making a decision.

In England, care home fees are assessed through a financial means test carried out by the local authority. This looks at a person’s income, savings, and assets, including property, to determine how much they are able to contribute towards their care.

If an individual’s assets are above the current threshold, they will usually be expected to fund their own care in full. If their assets fall below this level, they may be entitled to financial support from their local authority, which could cover part or all of the cost depending on their circumstances. For those with specific health needs, NHS funding may also be available.

Our team at Heathlands is always happy to explain the process in more detail and provide guidance on the options available for you or your loved one.

At Heathlands Care Home, fees are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure we can continue providing the highest standards of care and facilities. Should any changes be made, residents and their families will always be given at least four weeks’ notice before adjustments take effect. Reviews typically take place in April each year, but our team is always happy to discuss the details and answer any questions you may have about fees and payment options.

Facilities Questions

At Heathlands Care Home, residents have access to a wide range of facilities designed to support comfort, wellbeing, and enjoyment every day. These include an on-site hair and treatment salon, a cosy cinema room, welcoming communal lounges, and private dining spaces for special occasions. Our beautifully landscaped gardens and roof terrace provide safe outdoor spaces to relax, while our varied activities programme ensures there is always something engaging to take part in.

Our talented chefs at Heathlands Care Home prepare a varied and seasonal menu, offering residents a choice of freshly made meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We take dietary needs and personal preferences seriously, ensuring that everyone has food they can enjoy safely and with confidence. Snacks and refreshments are also available throughout the day, so residents are never without something tasty to enjoy.

Meals can be enjoyed in the dining room, in the privacy of a resident’s own bedroom, or even outdoors in the garden when the weather allows. For special occasions, our private dining room is available so residents can share mealtimes with family and loved ones.

At Heathlands Care Home, there’s always something for residents to enjoy. Our dedicated Activities Team organises a wide variety of daily sessions, from arts and crafts, games, and quizzes to pamper treatments, gardening, and gentle exercise. We also host regular live entertainment, film nights, and even pet therapy visits. Whether residents prefer lively group activities or quieter pastimes, there are plenty of opportunities to socialise, try something new, and simply have fun.

Yes, every bedroom at Heathlands Care Home comes with its own private en-suite wet room, complete with a toilet, sink, and shower. This ensures residents can enjoy both comfort and privacy, as well as the reassurance of safe, accessible facilities whenever they need them.

Yes, Heathlands Care Home has its own on-site hair salon, where a professional hairdresser visits regularly. Residents can enjoy a range of hair treatments in a welcoming setting, helping them look and feel their very best.

We encourage all residents to personalise their rooms with items that mean the most to them. Bringing along favourite photographs, decorations, or small pieces of furniture helps create a comfortable and familiar space that truly feels like home.

General Questions

Yes. Heathlands Care Home is regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure that our care home in Chingford consistently meets high standards of care, safety, and wellbeing for all residents. Inspection reports are available for families to review and provide reassurance about the quality of care provided.

We warmly welcome prospective residents and their families to visit the care home and take a tour, so they can see first-hand if it’s the right fit.

Allowing pets into our home is dependent on any allergies others may have who live in our home. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this in more detail.

Yes, Heathlands Care Home offers the option to arrange a trial stay, allowing prospective residents to experience daily life at the home before making a permanent move. This gives you the opportunity to get a feel for the environment, meet our friendly team, and see the activities and facilities available. Trial stays can be tailored to individual needs, with flexible durations discussed with our team.

Life at Heathlands Care Home Care Home

At our home, what you do in your daily life is driven by you, so there really is no such thing as a typical day. There is an element of routine, of course, because staff must make sure that each resident gets the care and help they need every day. But you do have a lot of choice about how you spend your time – from how you get up in the morning, to when and where you dine. And we do our best to help you to live your life in the way that you choose.