Nursing Homes Support Scheme 2009

NHSS Application Process NHSS offices are the central point of contact for all aspects of the application. Assistance and guidance is provided to the applicants/nominated contacts On the day the application is received Care Need Assessment is requested from relevant Local Placement Forum (LPF) If applicant applying for Ancillary State Support (Care Loan) Title Search is requested from National Co-Ordinating Unit

Application process continued Application is examined to ensure all financial information and supporting documentation has been provided Application is acknowledged Any outstanding financial information is requested Care Needs Assessment and Financial Assessment are performed con-currently

Ancillary State Support (Care Loan) Option to borrow against asset to reduce weekly cost of care (may require care representative, REPOA, WOC) 3 year cap of charge for Principal private residence (Option to further defer collection of charge) 3 year cap on farms and relevant businesses subject to conditions Payment of Care Loan creates a charge against relevant property

Care Needs Assessment Applicant must require Long Term Care to qualify for State Support under the NHSS Prior to LPF meetings the relevant NHSS office receive a list of clients to be discussed Where possible the NHSS office completes the financial assessment pending receipt of the CNA approval

Care Needs Assessment Care Needs are assessed by suitably qualified staff on applicants ability to carry out activities of daily living, including- Cognitive ability, mobility, communication Ability to dress, feed & bathe unaided, degree of continence Availability of family/community support Availability of medical, health and personal social services If it is determined that the applicant does not require long-term care – applicant is informed and application closed

Determination of Application When CNA and Financial Assessment is complete the application is determined An application will be determined if Care Loan application is still pending – ensuring applicant is not disadvantaged Client notified of outcome of CNA & Financial Assessment Client is provided with a breakdown of the financial assessment and advised of the next steps e.g. choosing nursing home options

Common Causes of Delays Obtaining statements from financial institutions where applicant has cognitive issues Financial Information not provided Applicants who have no next of kin and are unable to provide relevant information Appointment of Care Representatives Registration of Enduring Power of Attorney Application for Ward of Court Legal issues – usually relating to applicants property Applicant/family not engaging in process

Funding Approval The Scheme is budget controlled therefore a National waiting list for funding is in operation Date application is determined is the date applicant placed funding waiting list - i.e. date Care Need & Financial assessment completed (waiting list currently 3 – 4 weeks) Funding released weekly (numbers depend on budget availability) Funding allocated STRICTLY by date of determination

Communications To facilitate hospital discharges it is essential the NHSS offices and our partners in the Acute Hospitals have strong communication processes in place Regular contact between Discharge Teams and the NHSS offices is important to ensure NHSS applications can be processed in an effective and efficient manner Each NHSS office has developed strong relationships and processes with the hospitals in its area

Example of Communication process CHO DNCC/Acutes NHSS office maintains a database for each hospital Hospital advise the NHSS office of Patients listed for long term care/Discharges/Deaths NHSS office advise Hospital when Application received/Assigned Case Officer/Application Determined/Funding released A central email address is in place to manage queries in relation to hospital applications

Transitional Care Funding Transitional Care Funding facilitates discharge from the Acute hospital pending approval of NHSS funding Hospital makes application to National TCF office Client must meet criteria for approval i.e. Geriatrician sign off Assessed client contribution does not exceed cost of care No legal issues that would prevent determination of NHSS application