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This paper reports case study research that set out to identify what care managers do during independent care home closures. Little research has focused on the way in which care homes for older people are closed in England, or what those involved think about the process. This paper reports the activities and views of care managers directly involved in helping older people relocate from care homes that were closed by their owners. During such closures, residents and their families have no choice but to move, usually to a deadline, and with little control over the process. Care managers have a responsibility to help arrange alternative care for those current residents who are publicly funded, and to offer information and support to those funding their own care (the 'self-funded'). Closure related activities could involve considerable staff time. Care management arrangements, including the organization of teams and provision of needs assessments, varied across authorities. The care managers described drawing on emotional counselling and inter-personal skills, as well as practitioner knowledge and experience, particularly when offering support and advice about finding appropriate new homes. Tensions between aims, constraints on their actions and views of good practice are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In England, the majority of older people living in care homes are publicly funded and the majority of publicly funded places are purchased from the independent sector. While the sector is subject to regulation, there is currently no statutory guidance aimed specifically at how care home closures are managed. This article reviews the powers and responsibilities of councils and the rights of residents during care home closures, before describing the prevalence and content of existing council guidelines. Just over a third of councils in England responded to inquiries and, of these, two-thirds reported having guidelines. This suggests that a considerable proportion of councils have no guidelines in place. Existing guidelines also varied. Differences included approaches to allocating responsibilities and providing help, and assessment to self-funding residents. The large number of arrangements and activities described suggest that some sort of plan or guidance is warranted to support the task of front line care managers. At the national level, the variation found in the guidelines combined with the lack of national guidance specific to closures suggests that clarification of councils' legal responsibilities and powers during a care home closure is needed. Clarification of the role and responsibilities of the national regulatory body would also be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the rate of closure of nursing homes for older people, the types of homes closing and the reasons for closure. Methodology; Results of the study; Conclusions.