Care Homes in Polegate

Polegate has 6 CQC registered care homes. 5 are rated Good, and 1 has not yet been rated. 5 of the 6 were last inspected more than three years ago.

Source: Care Quality Commission register, kept up to date as ratings change.

Planning and paying for care in Polegate

When every home on a list shares the same rating, the figures on the fee schedule end up carrying more weight than usual. That makes it worth understanding the money before falling for a particular building, rather than afterwards.

Assessments and local authority support

A care needs assessment is free, carries no means test, and can be requested by the person needing care or by a relative with their agreement. It records what someone can still manage alone, where the risks have grown serious and whether support at home could reasonably continue a while longer. East Sussex County Council is responsible for that assessment and for the financial assessment that follows it. Ask for both outcomes in writing, since each of these homes will want to know what was concluded before offering a place.

What the fees cover

Payment follows the financial assessment rather than the degree of need. Below the national threshold for capital and income the council contributes at the rate it sets for a residential placement, and above it the home is funded privately. Weekly charges differ between these five according to the room, its outlook and the support involved, so ask each for a written schedule that separates the fee from extras such as hairdressing, chiropody and outings. Establish how often fees are reviewed, whether a top up payment would be expected, and what happens to the room if someone is admitted to hospital.

Choosing a provider and what to check

Looking past a level set of ratings

Hill View, Victoria House Care Home, Bernhard Baron Care Home, Prideaux Manor and Oak Lodge are each rated Good, so none has to be ruled out on the published evidence. The shared grade conceals real differences, though. Read the reports rather than the ratings: inspectors describe how many staff were on duty, how people were spoken to, what happened at mealtimes and how the home responded when something went wrong. Note the date of each inspection too, since management and ownership can change between visits.

What to look for in the building

Go unannounced and go at a mealtime, when a home is least able to present a prepared version of itself. Watch whether residents are helped at their own pace, whether staff greet people by name in passing, and whether anything is happening beyond a television. Ask about staffing overnight, how long the senior carers have been in post, and what would happen if a resident's needs increased beyond what was first agreed. Then ask the manager what has changed since the last inspection.

Care Homes near Polegate

• Eastbourne
• Hailsham
• Seaford
• Heathfield