manager@theporterbrookcare.com0114 266 0808
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FAQ’s

We are happy to address any of your questions regarding how The Porterbrook Care Home operates. We believe it is critical that our future residents, existing residents, and their loved ones have access to all of the information they require and desire about our facility, therefore no matter how simple or unimportant you believe your question is, we will be delighted to respond.

We’ve gathered a substantial list of the most often asked questions. We’ve done our best to answer each one appropriately, and we invite you to have a look below. If you have any additional questions, we’d be happy to answer them either in person or by phone.

Care Questions

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. At The Portebrook Care Home, we do not provide Nursing Care, only Residential Care, Dementia Care, and Respite Care.

We offer respite care at The Porterbrook 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 well-being through the excellent care we provide that helps to alleviate daily stresses associated with personal care, tasks or mobility. We also support mental, physical and emotional well-being 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 wellbeing demands change over time, therefore our care is tailored to adapt to this. If changes are required to a resident’s care then we work closely with them and their family members to make updates and arrangements as necessary.

Care during Covid-19 Questions

Whilst being vaccinated is no longer mandatory we strongly recommend that all residents, their visitors and team members at The Porterbrook 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.

Our top focus is to support our residents’ well-being, and we take special care to ensure that their health is taken care of properly. Our care professionals provide around-the-clock care, along with stimulating activities that support our residents’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Masks are no longer required to be worn in care homes, however, our staff continues to work in whichever way makes our residents most comfortable. In line with Government guidance, vaccinations for residents and staff are still going ahead.
There are no longer restrictions to the number of visits per resident though we ask that you make arrangements in advance of your visit to ensure safe visiting practices can be maintained. LFT testing is no longer required, though to protect the safety and well-being of our residents and teams, we will still be screening visitors via our screening record.
In the event of the care home having a Coronavirus outbreak, residents can receive visits from one of their 3 named visitors, only once per day.

Newly admitted residents to a care home who are transferring from an interim care facility or transferring from another care home will no longer need to self-isolate upon arrival if the below requirements are satisfied:

  • The person admitted is fully vaccinated, wherever possible
  • The care home has taken into account the circumstances at the care home or interim care facility from which they are transferring, prior to admission
  • The person is subject to an enhanced testing regime consisting of a PCR test before admission (within 72 hours), a PCR test on the day of admission and a further PCR test 7 days following admission
  • The person admitted has no known contact with a person testing positive for COVID-19.
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 the Home Manager directly.
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 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.

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 teams of Activities Co-ordinators. Examples of activities include pet therapy, arts & crafts, film nights, pamper sessions, gardening, exercise sessions, live entertainment, knitting and much more.

We are proud to provide a private Hair Salon as well as Spa treatments, where residents are able to enjoy a wide variety of treatments from hair cuts and perms to nail treatments and massages every Tuesday and Thursday.

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, or even in a resident’s room. Residents can also spend time in the private dining room with loved ones.

A great deal of thought and effort has gone into developing exceptional facilities for residents to enjoy, as well as a full and varied activity programme that we welcome our residents to participate in. Residents have a plethora of facilities to choose from, including a premium cinema room, library, café bar, hair salon and aromatherapy room.

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 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 costs related to the Care Agreement you signed when you originally moved in 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 cleaned of personal items. We understand that this will be a difficult time for family and friends, and you can rest confident that we will treat everyone involved with dignity and respect at all times.

It is critical that you notify us as soon as possible if you believe you can no longer afford to stay with us due to financial difficulties. We want to be able to help you in any way we can, whether that means looking at different finance options or relocating you to another room in our home.

When you pay your weekly care home fees at The Porterbrook, this includes your accommodation, all meals, snacks and drinks provided, as well as any activities you participate in or facilities you use while you’re here. The fee also includes hair appointments, beauty treatments and local excursions. Some additional medical services such as dental care or chiropody may incur an additional fee. Contact the team for more information regarding this.

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.

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.

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 The Porterbrook before making the decision to move in permanently.

Allowing pets into our home is dependent on any allergies others may have who live in our home. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this in more detail.

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

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

Life at The Porterbrook Care Home