Interim care beds have been implemented in Renfrewshire, as part of a 12 month pilot initiative. They are currently available within two locations in Renfrewshire (Montrose Care Home and Renfrew Care Home).
What interim care is, what the service involves and other frequently asked questions.
By offering a number of interim care beds in Montrose and Renfrew Care Homes, we aim to help slow decline and increased frailty. The service will be available to a range of older people, including those who may be clinically fit for discharge from hospital, but who are waiting for the provision of a Care at Home package or other homely destinations to be available for their needs.
This service will aim to reduce pressure on acute services and unplanned beds, which in turn will provide a better experience for older people moving through our care and support systems.
We know that interim care can help shift the balance of care away from hospital and can reduce the need for alternative, longer-term care services, such as home care, or permanent admission to a care home.
- What is interim care?
- How is it different to other hospital or care home provision?
- Where does interim care happen?
- What happens when I enter interim care?
- How long will I be in an interim care bed?
- What happens at the end of the provision of interim care?
- Can I choose to stay in the care home for longer than my care plan accounts for?
- Support for carers
Interim care is a service for people who are inpatients in hospital who are waiting on a care at home package to allow their discharge home, or who are awaiting a specific place in an allocated care home. Interim care allows people to be discharged from a hospital to a more homely environment, rather than wait on a ward. While in interim care, the support available will be similar to what you would receive through a care at home package or within a care home.
How is it different to other hospital or care home provision?
Interim care is different as it's provided within a residential care home. It provides a homely environment with care and support provided by carers. This is a free, short-term service and is a separate provision to permanent care home services. Any application to a care home for a permanent place would be carried out separately to this specific service.
Where does interim care happen?
Interim care beds are provided at Montrose Care Home and Renfrew Care Home. This is a specific service, provided separately to the permanent care home places.
What happens when I enter interim care?
You cannot self-refer to interim care. The offer of the service will be made to you by the professionals who have been caring for you. They will have ensured that you meet the criteria for the service and it would meet your needs while you wait for care at home services, or a bed in your chosen care home. In collaboration with you - and if you wish your family or carers, an assessment will be carried out by a professional that will take account of your abilities, your needs and your preferences.
Following this, a plan will be put in place that will be agreed with you and your family or carers. As part of this you will have a planned end date for your stay to work around your care plan. Your move to Interim Care could happen quickly, sometimes within a few hours or sometimes within a day. You can ask questions at any point.
How long will I be in an interim care bed?
The length of stay will be different for each individual, but usually no longer than two weeks in interim care. Your progress will be monitored by a team of professionals who will keep you informed at all stages.
What happens at the end of the provision of interim care?
At the end of your interim care stay, you will be supported to return home when your care at home package is ready, or you will move to your longer term care home placement. Information about other support available will be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Can I choose to stay in the care home for longer than my care plan accounts for?
No. The interim care service is a time-limited, short-term service with the aim of having individuals return safely to their own home or another specific homely destination. If you or your family feel that a longer term or permanent care home place is required, that would be assessed and planned for outwith the interim care service. Any stay longer than what is outlined in the care plan will incur costs.
You are an unpaid carer if you provide unpaid support and care for someone who has an illness, disability, mental health problem or addiction - and cannot cope without your support. You might not see yourself as a carer, yet you might be helping with everyday tasks such as personal care or emotional support like helping someone cope with the symptoms of a mental illness. There's a range of support available to help improve your quality of life and to help you continue in your caring role.
Contact Renfrewshire Carers Centre by email enquiries@renfrewshirecarers.org.uk or by phone on 0141 887 3643.
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