You have the right to a “trial period” in the Home which is normally six weeks.

This provides an opportunity for you to come to a decision as to whether or not residential care is the most appropriate option and also affords the Home the opportunity to see if their existing resources, and those that might additionally be brought in, are appropriate to meet your needs.

The decision will usually be taken at a review. It is vital that you and your relatives have a clear understanding of what a review is for and when it will take place. Between four and six weeks after admission, a meeting will be arranged with yourself, your social worker, your family members or friend and the Home’s Manager. Discussion will take place to determine whether or not you will become a permanent resident.

The review will:-
- Assess your needs and wants
- Monitor progress
- See if the placement is in your best interests
- Find out if you wish to become a permanent resident
- Plan for the future
- Determine any further action

The outcome of the review could be that you:-
- Remain as a permanent resident.
- Return home
- Return to hospital
- Seek a more appropriate alternative placement
- Remain at The Lodge for an extended assessment period

Until a decision is made, it is essential that you do not give up your home in the community, whether owned or rented. If the trial period is extended there may be a need to negotiate with a hospital to keep a bed open but normally a social worker would organise this.
Decisions reached at reviews are clearly crucial to your future, and it is hoped that you will participate in the meeting and with your permission your relatives/ advocates will be included. The review meeting is essentially the end of the admission process into residential care.
Once the decision is made that you will remain permanently, the next phase of “settling in” can begin, in which we hope you will come to regard The Lodge as your home.

FURTHER REVIEWS
Further formal reviews of your care needs will be held at annual intervals, or more frequently if circumstances dictate.

The purpose of these reviews is:-
- To assess whether or not your needs have been correctly identified
- Establish whether your needs have been responded to or not
- Whether there are further care needs to be considered.

As with your first review these meetings should include you and any relative or advocates you wish to be present.