b'approved, trained and highly skilled Shared Lives carersIf you do decide that a residential care home or a open up their own family homes to provide long- orcare home with nursing is the best option for you, this short-term care and support. The Shared Lives Schemesection will help you to make informed decisions. can be offered to any adult in West Sussex with assessedWe strongly recommend that you get specialist care and support needs and, in some cases, to youngfinancial advice on paying for long-term care as soon people from the age of 16. The scheme is available toas possible. Please see information about the Carewise people with a range of different needs, including peoplecare funding scheme on page 22. with learning or physical disabilities, mental-health needs or dementia, and vulnerable older people. Residential care home Shared Lives can provide:Staff at a residential care home can help with personal #longer-term accommodation and support;care such as washing, bathing or showering, getting up #short breaks (for example, to give the main carersand getting dressed, and can support you with eating a break, to support people as they move towardsand drinking. Help is available 24 hours a day and adulthood, and in emergency situations); andmeals are provided, usually with a choice of main meal. Activities and outings are usually available, and visitors #day-time support involving sharing the home, familyare always welcome. and community life of the Shared Lives carer.Care home with nursing The scheme works to:Care homes with nursing generally care for people #support people to be actively involved in theirwho have complex or changing care needs and need localcommunity;the sort of care that can only be provided under the #enable people to live the life they choose;supervision of a qualified nurse. By law, care homes #listen to people and treat them with respect,with nursing must have a qualified nurse on duty kindness and dignity;24hours a day. In West Sussex, most care homes with #support people to live in a place they can call home;nursing are owned and managed by independent organisations. #make sure people have a say in every aspect of their care and support;Can I choose the care home? #support people to maintain friendships andIf you are paying for your care, you can choose any relationships, as well as to make new ones; andhome that you can afford to pay for. If we are paying #support people to maintain their health and wellbeing. for your place in a care home, you can choose any home as long as: Further information#the accommodation is suitable for your Contact us at Adults CarePoint by phoning assessedneeds; 01243 642121 or using the Contact us form on#the cost of your care is not more than the amount the How to get adult social care support sectionstated in your personal budget for accommodation of our website. You can also call using Relay UK onof that type or, if it is more expensive, you or 18001 01243 642121 (from a textphone or thesomeone else on your behalf agrees to cover the NGT Lite app downloaded onto a computer, tabletextra cost for the full length of your stay; or smartphone). Or you can contact our Shared Lives#the accommodation is available; and Scheme direct.#the provider of the accommodation is willing to enter Phone: 0330 22 25700 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm a contract with us to provide the care at the rate Email: sharedlives.dutyworker@westsussex.gov.uk stated in your personal budget. Website: www.westsussex.gov.uk/sharedlivesAt the front of this guide there is a checklist of the things you may want to consider when making your choice. It Care homes and care homesmay be helpful to take the checklist with you when visiting withnursingcare homes. As a quick guide, you may want to consider: The decision to leave your home and move into#the current CQC report and rating for the home; residential care is not an easy one, and it can take#whether there is a registered manager; some time to adjust to the change.#whether the staff seem caring and attentive; #whether the residents seem happy and involved; and Before considering moving into a residential care home,#whether there is clear information on how to make we strongly recommend that you look into all of theacomplaint. options that are available to support you to live safely at home. Wherever possible, care and support servicesWhat kind of accommodation can I expect? will help you to continue living at home (see page 16).A care home will normally offer you a single room. Other options include sheltered or extra-care housingSome homes will offer you your own bathroom, but in (see page 19). These can help you to maintain someothers the bathroom and toilet are shared. As well as independence with the added security of regular careyour room, the care home will provide a lounge, dining and support when you need it.room and other shared areas. 20 Living well in your community 2025/26'