FAQs

The teams here at Penrose Court are often asked questions about the way we do things at our care home in Biggleswade, from the way we conduct our daily activities to how our rooms perfectly accommodate our residents, all the way to asking how to make important financial decisions regarding your stay with us. It’s safe to assume that we’ve heard it all, and we’ve been more than happy to answer time and time again.

As a result, we’ve compiled a list of as many as we can below, and we have endeavored to reply to each one as best we could. We encourage you to have a look through, and if you have any further questions by the time you reach the end of the page, we’d be more than to discuss any queries with you directly.

Care Questions

We provide Palliative Care at Penrose Court 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 Penrose 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.

At Penrose Court, 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.

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.

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 wellbeing 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.

Care during Covid-19 Questions

At Penrose Court 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Whilst being vaccinated is no longer mandatory, we strongly recommend that all residents, their visitors, and team members at Penrose Court Care Home 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.

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 luxury bedroom 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, 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.

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

We provide a range of facilities for all of our residents including an in-house hairdresser and beauty salon, as well as a cinema room, communal and private dining rooms, an activities programme, and a private garden for residents to pursue their hobbies and interests.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When you pay your weekly care home fees at Penrose Court 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.

As of the date of death, all fees related with the Care Agreement will be ended. The charges for accommodation shall be covered for up to ten days following the death, or until the residence is cleaned of all personal things. We understand that this will be a challenging time for loved ones, and of course we will handle any and all proceedings with the utmost respect for you, your friends and your family.

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 allow prospective residents to schedule a trial stay for a 4-week period so that they can experience what life will be like at Penrose Court Care Home before making the decision to move in permanently.

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

Yes. Penrose Court Care Home is regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission to ensure that our care home in Biggleswade continues to meet a high standard of care in all areas of the home.

FAQs

Care Questions

Care during Covid-19 Questions

Facilities Questions

Finance Questions

General Questions

Life at Penrose Court Care Home

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Care Questions

Care during Covid-19 Questions

Facilities Questions

Finance Questions

General Questions