Question 1

Will Devon County Council contribute towards nursing home fees?

Accepted Answer

It may, where a needs assessment shows that a nursing placement is required and a financial assessment confirms eligibility for help. Capital above the national upper threshold means funding the place privately, while those below contribute an assessed amount from income. Residents assessed as needing nursing also receive a weekly NHS contribution towards the nursing element, paid straight to the home. If the chosen home costs more than the council will fund, a third party usually meets the difference.

Question 2

How is a care needs assessment arranged in Devon?

Accepted Answer

Contact adult social care at Devon County Council and explain what has changed and why nursing care is being considered. The assessment carries no charge and no savings test. A practitioner will look at health needs, mobility, medication, nutrition and risk, then set out in writing which needs are eligible and whether nursing is required. Keep a copy of that outcome, because homes and funders both rely on it.

Question 3

How far ahead should we begin looking for a nursing home?

Accepted Answer

Start as soon as nursing care is raised as a possibility rather than waiting for the decision to be made for you. Assessment, financial checks and each home's pre admission visit all take time, and hospital discharge timetables compress everything. A few weeks of lead time lets you see homes at different points in the day and speak to relatives of current residents. Where the situation is already pressing, say so clearly when you contact the council.

Question 4

How many nursing providers are listed in Devon?

Accepted Answer

Sixty five registered nursing providers appear on this page, ranging from small independent homes to larger groups. Each profile names the registered provider, gives the address and shows the current regulatory position. Registration for nursing is what separates these from residential homes, so confirm it on the profile rather than assuming from the name. Viewing a few profiles together makes comparison considerably faster.

Question 5

What should we ask when visiting a nursing home in Devon?

Accepted Answer

Ask about nurse numbers on each shift, including nights and weekends, and how sickness is covered. Find out how long the manager has been there and what the turnover among permanent staff has been like. Ask whether residents can remain if their health declines, including through end of life care, and how a doctor is called out of hours. Request the fee in writing alongside a list of anything billed separately.

Question 6

How does a nursing home differ from a care home?

Accepted Answer

Both provide accommodation, meals and help with personal care such as washing and dressing. The difference lies in registration: a nursing home has registered nurses on duty and can therefore manage wounds, tube feeding, complex medication and conditions that alter quickly. A residential care home relies instead on community nurses visiting. Where needs are likely to increase, choosing a home registered for nursing can spare the person a distressing second move.

Nursing Homes in Devon

66 nursing homes in Devon (showing 51–66)