1. Who is Abbeyfield for?
2. Can married couples apply?
3. What are the charges?
4. Will you need to know my financial circumstances?
5. What is a ‘sponsor’ or representative?
6. Will my room be decorated and furnished?
7. Do I look after my own room?
8. Cooking is a real chore and I need a special diet. Can you help?
9. Will I have to share a bathroom and toilet?
10. Is smoking allowed?
11. Are the rules strict?
12. Could I bring my pet?
13. What about a telephone and television?
14. How will I know if an Abbeyfield house will suit me?
15. What happens if I become ill?
16. What is registered residential care?
17. Can I go straight in to a registered residential care home?
18. Why can’t I choose an Abbeyfield house as I would a hotel?
19. Do all Abbeyfield societies operate in the same way?
20. How can I find out about particular houses?
Anyone over pensionable age who no longer feels able to cope or does not wish to live alone at home. Particular consideration is given to local people (or to those with local connections). Abbeyfield strives to practise equal opportunities and thus is open to all, regardless of race, gender, colour, religious belief and ethnic origin. Preference is usually given to applicants in greatest need and those with local connections.
Top of the page Abbeyfield primarily caters for older people who are living alone, but some married couples do live in Abbeyfield. This is usually where societies have two vacant rooms, one for use as a bedroom and one as a sitting room.
Charges vary among Abbeyfield societies; enquiries should be made at the particular house where you hope to become a resident. Low income is not a bar to coming to Abbeyfield. You may be entitled to claim Income Support or Housing Benefit when living in an Abbeyfield supported sheltered house. The level of your savings may affect your entitlement to benefit. Individual Abbeyfield societies, Citizens’ Advice Bureaux and local offices of the Benefits Agency can provide advice on the best options for residents.
Charges in care homes are higher than in supported sheltered housing to cover the costs of staffing and provision. If you need help with paying the fees in a care home, you will normally have to be assessed by the local authority as needing that level of care.
The society will need to ask how you will meet the charges and will request you sign an agreement to pay. All personal information is always treated in the strictest confidence. You may wish to ask for help in claiming certain benefits. If not, your privacy will be respected.
Abbeyfield asks residents to nominate a trusted relative, friend or professional adviser to be a sponsor or representative who can be contacted and consulted in case of emergency. No financial involvement is required; it is the sponsor’s continuing interest and support that is important.
The role of the sponsor or advocate is to support you, ensure that your interests are met and to liaise on your behalf with the society, especially in times of illness. If you are unable to suggest someone, the local Abbeyfield society may be able to recommend suitable people who live locally.
You would usually move into an unfurnished room, although it may have a carpet and curtains. This is to allow you to bring your own choice of furniture and furnishings to your room. Societies often use the opportunity of a temporarily vacant room to redecorate.
In some supported sheltered houses and all care homes cleaning is part of the standard service. In many houses cleaning your room is your responsibility, but you can engage domestic help at your own cost, if you wish. The social services department may provide assistance.
Abbeyfield houses employ a house manager who is responsible for providing two meals each day. Residents are usually responsible for the preparation of their own breakfasts - with items supplied by the house manager. This means you can get up and eat breakfast when you wish.
Special diets can usually be accommodated. Talk about your particular needs with the house manager or with a committee member of the house where you wish to live. All meals are provided in homes.
Possibly yes; but most houses offer en suite facilities.
Societies vary. Smoking is usually permitted, although you may be requested to smoke only in designated areas.
There are no rules other than those of common courtesy. Abbeyfield is your home.
It is not always possible for residents to move into Abbeyfield and bring their pet with them. Small or caged animals such as budgies or goldfish can usually be accommodated, but a dog or cat may prove more difficult. The society you apply to will discuss with you whether they would consider accommodating your pet as well as you.
There is usually a payphone for communal use in each house. Many houses have a phone-point in each room if you wish to install a phone at your own expense. Most houses have a communal television. You can use your own TV in your room.
All houses are different and have different facilities, locations and atmosphere. It is advisable to look at several houses before you make up your mind. Talk to the committee member, the house- keeper and some residents to find out about the house. Some houses have a guest room you could stay in for a few days in order to help you make a decision. If not, you could ask if you could come to a meal or meals.
Minor illnesses may be managed within the Abbeyfield house. In an increasing number of houses, residents are able to buy in care services (privately or through social services departments) should they need them. If you have to stay in hospital for any reason, it will be taken for granted that you will return to your room in Abbeyfield when you are well enough.
If you become very frail, it may be advisable to move to an Abbeyfield care home or one run by another organisation. Should you require long-term nursing care, then other arrangements may have to be made in consultation with you, your sponsor, family or friends and the local health authority.
It is important to ask at the house you are applying to what sort of frailty or disability cannot be supported.
If you become unable to look after yourself in your own room, you may need the additional care offered by Abbeyfield houses which are care homes providing 24-hour care and a wide range of support in specially designed (usually larger) houses.
Residents currently living in Abbeyfield supported sheltered houses are usually given priority in moving to a care home. But societies do not exclude direct entry from the local community if places are available. There are around 80 Abbeyfield care homes throughout the UK. Residents needing financial support will generally have to be assessed by the local social services department.
An Abbeyfield house is a small household. Each society has a responsibility to assess the needs of those who apply for its limited number of rooms. Inevitably some residents are selected, but not others.
All Abbeyfield societies are bound by Abbeyfield’s guiding principles; but otherwise they are locally managed and are responsive to local needs and conditions.
Click here to see a list of places in the UK where there are Abbeyfield houses.
If you want further information, please contact us using the information request form, or by e-mail.
