FAQs

We believe it is important that both our future residents, current residents and their loved ones know everything they need and want to know about our home before committing to staying with us; whatever your question might be, we’re ready, and happy, to answer it.

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions we receive and we invite you to have a look. If you have any further questions outside of those listed below, we’d love to speak with you and invite you to get in touch either in person or over the phone.

Care Questions

We provide Palliative Care at The Fleet Care Home for those who are nearing the end of their life. We endeavour to make a person’s last days, weeks, or months as comfortable as possible and extend our support to loved ones during this time.

We are glad to offer Respite Care at The Fleet Care Home. Prior to admission we will evaluate a person’s care needs and assess how long someone should stay at our care home. Respite care is suitable for those who have recently had an illness, injury, or operation and cannot return to normal life straight away. It can also be arranged for someone who is caring full-time for their loved one at home and who needs a well-deserved break.

We support residents’ overall wellbeing through the excellent care we provide that helps to alleviate daily stresses associated with personal care, mobility, or medical care needs. We also support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing through the all-inclusive facilities and activities we provide that enable residents to socialise with others, learn new skills, gain new experiences, and continue with their hobbies regularly. We encourage residents to live their lives the way they want to.

Our care plans are tailored to each individual and are assessed regularly to ensure that they continue to fulfill residents’ needs and requirements if a resident’s care needs change. We recognise that people’s health and well-being demands change over time, therefore our care is tailored to adapt to this. We work with each resident and their family members to create a personalised care plan that is ideal for them.

Residential Care provides live-in accommodation, with support 24 hours a day to those who need extra help with personal care or mobility. Nursing Care equally provides 24-hour care and support but the main differential is the assistance from a registered nurse, who is available day and night to provide medical care.

Care during Covid-19 Questions

During an outbreak, there may be risk assessments carried out to include but not limited to the control of visiting arrangements, admissions to the home, and the use of communal areas for a period of time. We work closely with local and national agencies in accordance with local agreements and guidance. For more information please contact our Home Manager directly.

Whilst being vaccinated is no longer mandatory we strongly recommend that all residents, their visitors and team members at The Fleet are fully Covid-19 vaccinated, including future boosters, unless medically exempt. To reduce the risk of infection to others we will continue to encourage our team members to have all their vaccinations.

Every resident will be supported to choose an essential caregiver to benefit from companionship and additional care and support provided by someone with whom they have a personal relationship. Essential caregivers can visit in periods of outbreak and when their friend or family member in a care home is isolating. If a care home resident has tested positive for COVID-19, essential caregiver visits can be made in exceptional circumstances (for example, severe distress or end of life) with appropriate IPC support, and consideration of vulnerability and vaccination status of the essential caregiver.

At any time, the COVID-19 regulations and guidance from the Government, National and Local Healthcare Agencies may change. For further information, please click here or contact the Home Manager directly. 

At The Fleet Care Home, our aims are to ensure that:

  • Residents, staff members, and visitors remain as safe as possible from the risks of COVID-19.
  • There are clear protocols and procedures in place, which align with the legislation and guidance issued by the government and key sector bodies.
  • There are clearly defined company-wide responsibilities to mitigate the ongoing risks of COVID-19, with strategic and flexible leadership provided by the Operational Leadership Team.
  • Procedural guidance is regularly reviewed and communicated across the company.
  • Accessible information is provided to ensure staff, visitors, and residents are well-informed, particularly about the steps to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and what to do in the event of a person becoming infected.
In line with recent Government recommendations effective from 15th December 2022, care homes in England can make risk-based decisions as to whether face masks are required to be worn. Following a risk assessment, our care home has made the decision to remove the universal wearing of masks. It is a personal choice whether visitors still wish to wear a mask and people receiving care can ask staff to wear face masks; our staff will continue to work in whichever way makes our residents most comfortable.
At any time, the decision to not wear face masks can be changed as determined by the Home Manager, company, local or national healthcare agencies.  COVID-19 regulations and guidance from the Government, National, and Local Healthcare Agencies may also change. For further information, please click here or contact our Home Manager directly.

When transferring from the community or another care home a person does not need to isolate if the circumstances at the care home / interim care facility from which the person has transferred are known.

If the resident is symptomatic or has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, then they should isolate and perform two LFT tests on day (0), and again on day (2). Isolation can end following two negative tests.

If the resident tests positive in the home, they must be isolated for 5 days. The resident can then return to their normal activities if they feel well and do not have a high temperature (without the use of medication paracetamol).

Residents who test positive should avoid contact with other people who are eligible for COVID-19 treatments for 10 days after a positive test. Residents unable to take the test should isolate for 5 days.

Facilities Questions

All of our residents are encouraged to bring their own furniture or personal items to make their rooms their own. Residents can make their room feel like their own by incorporating personal belongings such as photographs and decorations, small pieces of furniture, and furnishings. It’s the little additions to a room that can make all the difference.

Yes, all of our bedrooms have access to a private en-suite wetroom including a sink, toilet, and shower.

Residents are encouraged to participate in group activities and events by our fantastic team of Activities Co-ordinators. Examples of activities include pet therapy, arts & crafts, film nights, pamper sessions, gardening, exercise sessions, live entertainment, games, quizzes, and much more.

Yes, we have a friendly, professional hairdresser that visits our salon regularly to provide residents with a variety of hair services so that they can look and feel their best.

Our in-house chefs and kitchen staff cater to all dietary needs, with a varied seasonal menu to choose breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, beverages and snacks are available throughout the day. Meals can be served in the dining area, in the resident’s rooms, or in the garden during the summer months. Residents can also spend time in the private dining room with loved ones.

We provide a range of facilities for all of our residents. We have an in-house hair salon, as well as communal and private dining rooms, bistro, activities programme, and a landscaped garden for residents to pursue their hobbies and interests.

Finance Questions

In England, care home fees are assessed based on the individual’s care needs and financial situation.

The assessment of care needs is carried out by the local authority, which will determine the level of care required and the type of care home that is appropriate. The financial assessment is also carried out by the local authority or by an independent financial advisor. It will take into account the individual’s income, savings, and assets to determine whether they need to contribute towards the cost of their care.

If the individual’s assets and income are below a certain level, they may be entitled to financial support from the local authority to help pay for their care home fees.

If an individual is deemed eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, their care will be fully funded by the NHS. It’s important to note that eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare is not based on a specific diagnosis or condition, but based on an individual’s overall care needs and the level of support required to meet those needs.

Get in touch with the team for more information.

If your care home fees cost more than what your local council is willing to pay, someone else can make up the difference between that figure and the home’s fee, such as a family member.

There are different methods for paying care home fees. If the individual has been assessed as having eligible care needs and limited financial resources, the local authority may cover all or part of their care home fees. The amount of funding will depend on the individual’s means.

If the individual has complex healthcare needs that require full-time nursing care, they may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding. This funding covers the full cost of care, including accommodation and personal care. If an individual has sufficient income, savings, or assets, they may be required to pay for their care home fees themselves.

In some cases, family members may choose to contribute towards the cost of care. An individual’s care home fees may be paid for by a combination of sources, such as local authority funding and self-funding.

All charges related to the signed Care Agreement will be cancelled immediately. Housing costs will be covered for up to ten days after the death, or until the residence has been fully cleaned and cleared of personal items. We understand that this will be a difficult time for family and friends, and you can rest confident that all parties will be treated with dignity at all times.

If someone is having financial difficulties, we want to be able to help you in any way we can, whether that’s looking at different finance options or relocating you to a smaller suite inside the home. Speak to our team about how we can support you.

When you pay your weekly care home fees at The Fleet Care Home, this includes your accommodation, all meals, snacks, and drinks, as well as any activities you participate in, in-house facilities you use, and local excursions (some may incur additional charges where applicable). All care and support are also included within your weekly fees, although some additional medical services such as dental care or chiropody may come at an extra cost. We try to accommodate all our resident’s requests but some may incur additional charges. Please contact the team for more information regarding this.

Fees will be reviewed annually, and any change will be advised at least 4 weeks in advance of any change taking effect. The current fee uplift is effective in April each year. For further information please contact us.

General Questions

Yes, we welcome all prospective residents and their families to tour our care home to ensure it’s right for them.

Yes, we allow prospective residents to schedule a trial stay for a 4-week period so that they can experience what life will be like at The Fleet before making the decision to move in permanently.

Yes. The Fleet Care Home is regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission to ensure our care home in Dartmouth continues to meet a high standard of care in all areas of the home.

A Warm Welcome Awaits

The Fleet Care Home has been built and designed, entirely with residents in mind. We believe everyone who lives with us should have as much freedom as possible to make their own choices and live their life as they see fit. Our wide range of fantastic facilities enable us to provide a stimulating and active lifestyle for our residents, and our staff works tirelessly to provide the highest quality of care, ensuring that each person has all they need to live a fulfilling life. It’s important to us that our home feels like home right from the beginning and our admissions process is informative, relaxed and free from any unnecessary stress or anxiety; a warm welcome awaits you at The Fleet Care Home.