Care Homes in Ventnor

Ventnor has 3 CQC registered care homes. 2 are rated Good, 1 Requires improvement. 2 of the 3 were last inspected more than three years ago.

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

Choosing a Care Home in Ventnor and What to Look For

Reading three different records

Two of these homes start from a stronger position than the third, and the reports explain why. Downside House and Penshurst both hold a Good rating from the Care Quality Commission, so read their reports for the strengths inspectors identified and note how recently they called. Byrnhill Grove Registered Care Home is rated Requires Improvement, which is a reason to read that report in full rather than to rule the home out, since it names the specific shortfalls found. Ask the manager what has changed, when it changed and what evidence supports it, and check the date of every inspection.

What to look for on a visit

Ask how many carers are on duty by day and overnight, how long the manager has been in post and how vacancies and sickness are covered. Ask to see a sample care plan, the recent activity programme and the menu, then ask how choice is offered at mealtimes and what happens if someone prefers to eat in their room. Notice whether residents are occupied or simply seated, and whether staff greet people by name as they pass. Visit twice if you can, once by arrangement and once at a quieter hour, and ask what the home does when needs grow beyond what it can safely provide.

Arranging an Assessment and Funding a Place

Asking for the care needs assessment

Anyone who may need residential care can ask for an assessment of need, free of charge and whatever their savings. It records the help needed across an ordinary day and becomes the written account homes read before offering a room. Requests go to Isle of Wight Council Adult Social Care, which also arranges the financial assessment that decides whether funded support applies. Where the move follows a hospital stay, ask for the discharge team to be involved early, because those timescales are much tighter than for a planned move.

Fees and the terms to settle

Fees are quoted as a weekly figure covering the room, meals, laundry and personal care, with hairdressing, chiropody and outings normally charged separately. Where capital falls below the national threshold, the council may contribute once its financial assessment is complete, and above it the place is funded privately. Ask every home for its fees in writing, together with the policy on annual increases, notice periods and hospital admissions. Where a property is involved, ask the council about a deferred payment arrangement before anything is signed.

Care Homes near Ventnor

• Shanklin
• Sandown
• Ryde