Help & Support
Help build a community that cares
We are working with the local health and care community to provide a safe, comfortable place for people to recuperate from hospital. To do this, we are transforming spare rooms and annexes into secure spaces for guests who are waiting to be discharged. We will support you as a host, fit out your room, pay you a rental income, and provide independent care and medical support services.
General
CareRooms provides their Guests with a practical alternative to hospitals and care homes to recuperate in.
Where is the nightly fee distributed?
The host receives a payment for the rent of their room then additional payments for any care provided, the rest of the fee covers the additional services such as telemedicine, monitoring, and equipment rental where appropriate. CareRooms also takes a small margin to reinvest in the company.
How does it work?
If you have a spare room or annexe with access to a private bathroom, you can host people who are deemed fit to be discharged from your local hospital.
If you meet the CareRooms criteria to become a Host, including DBS Security checks, we will ask you to complete the necessary basic training, have a makeover of your spare room, and allow us to install the latest safeguarding technology and equipment for you and your Guests. Once everything is prepared, we will begin to use your room for local Guests.
How does this best help the health service?
The health service and local authority are under extreme pressure and by making additional beds available within the community, we can help reduce the strain on our services. CareRooms allows discharged patients, who become our Guests, to recuperate in a safe and comfortable environment out of hospital.
Is it safe?
It is a priority of CareRooms to safeguard both the Guest and the Host, throughout the service. We ensure that each Host is closely connected with an Area Manager to have personalised contact if any questions or concerns arise. Each room has the latest technology within it to monitor the Guest’s health. For example 24/7 monitoring service and an emergency contact at the touch of a button.
What are the benefits?
We provide potential Guests with an alternative for recovery within their community to assist the health service and local authority.
We provide extra income for Hosts and help reduce social isolation. We help the community to help their health service.
What do we mean by 'Private Bathroom'?
We ask that when a Guest stays in a Host’s home, they have access to a bathroom that is just for them or a low traffic bathroom, e.g used by one other in the property. This doesn’t mean a Guest requires an en-suite, just the privacy and use of a bathroom.
Guests
Who will look after me? Can my family visit? Your questions answered.
What type of person would use CareRooms?
They are people that the health service has determined as suitable to be discharged from hospital. CareRooms Area Managers will work closely with the health professionals to ensure only suitable people are directed to CareRooms as a solution if they require or choose it.
Who will look after me?
The Host is responsible for meeting and greeting you, for providing your breakfast, lunch and evening meal and refreshments.
If you require personal care, you can bring your existing care package with you or arrange care for during your stay. Some of our hosts are trained to provide personal care.Can my family visit me?
Yes, the Host reserves the right to limit the number of visitors at any one time, however, we recognise it is in your interest to have friends and visitors to support you and speed your recovery. Visitors should be tested using rapid lateral flow tests before every visit to ensure your continued safety and well being.
Why CareRooms?
Hospitals and Care services are under extreme pressure, CareRooms is helping the health services and local authorities by engaging communities in looking after each other. It is important for your recovery to leave hospital as soon as your medical team are happy to discharge you. By being back in your local community or close to loved ones, you accelerate your recovery, and have a safe and private place to recover.
I want to rent a CareRoom, what do I need to do?
Simply register your interest on www.carerooms.com or call us on 0333 1212 227
We will do all we can to find a room to suit your requirements.
Do I need approval from my GP?
You do not need approval from your GP, however it is important for your continuity of care that your GP is informed of your location and care, every step of the way.
What safeguarding measures are in place?
We have worked hard over the past 20 months to design safeguarding policies, processes and technology solutions which ensure that our service is as safe as possible and are happy to discuss these with you. Every Host, their family members (over the age of 16) and our employees are vetted with a series of checks including Data Barring Service (criminal record check) alongside interviews and spot checks to ensure only the highest calibre are included in CareRooms.
Will the Guests be monitored remotely or in person by medical staff?
We can provide both depending on the level of need of the individual. Every room comes equipped with 24/7 monitoring equipment and those with higher service needs can have additional care provided in the room who can monitor the Guest in person.
Host
Learn how to make your room CareRoom ready and find out what’s involved.
What is the Host selection process
We are highly selective when choosing Hosts to ensure we recruit people who have a caring mindset to take on this role. Our vetting process for Hosts includes:
– Initial phone interview
– In-person interview and vetting of the room to be let and communal rooms in house
– Ongoing DBS check for Host and all residents over 16
– 3 references supplied by Host
What training is required for Hosts to complete?
We have a bespoke online training package for Hosts that covers subjects such as:
– Adult Safeguarding
– The Mental Capacity Act
– Food Hygiene
– Cleaning and infection control
Who will be caring for the Guests?
Our Hosts do not provide any care to the Guest, they are simply there to offer food/beverages and conversation. Any care needed by the Guest can be with their existing care agency or arranging a new care package for their stay. The Guest will also be provided with any equipment they need throughout their stay, from a trusted health services approved supplier.
I don't have any experience in health - can I still Host?
You do not need any care experience to become a Host. CareRooms will provide all the necessary training you need in order to become a Host, the role is as simple as providing a cup of tea and some company.
What's in it for me?
Other than making the most of your spare room you gain an extra income and if you are living on your own you gain some new company whilst providing extra support to your community.
Can I choose my Guests?
CareRooms will provide the Host with a notification of when a Guest would like to stay with them, giving the Host the option to accept or decline.
Is there a minimum number of days I have to Host for?
This will depend on the Guest’s needs but the minimum will be 1 -2 nights.
How many people can I Host?
You can Host up to two Guests at a time, depending on the size of your house.
Do I need to be at home all day to Host?
No, we understand many Hosts will still have their day jobs, as long as the Guest is provided with three meals a day and has access to what they need we do not expect the Host to be there all day.
What if I go on holiday?
If you’re planning to go on holiday simply notify CareRooms at least two weeks before so the room is marked as unavailable.
What do I need to provide?
The Host will need to provide the following; bedroom, private bathroom, bed, chair, cleaning, heat three pre-prepared meals a day (delivered to your door), drinks, reasonable access and a welcoming safe environment.
Do I need to wash the bedding and clean the room?
Yes, CareRooms will provide the Host with necessary training on how to clean the room and wash the bedding, which needs to be provided for each new Guest’s arrival and twice a week for longer term stays.
What equipment do you provide?
CareRooms will provide equipment such as mobility aids, hand rails and over the bed tables, then add on any specialist equipment relevant to each individual Guest when required.
What checks will I need to complete?
Your DBS check, online training, current insurance certificate, proof of home ownership, approval from mortgage lender and an in person visit with the Area Manager.
As a Host will I receive training?
Yes, you will be provided with all the necessary training to be a Host.
We have a bespoke online training package for Hosts that covers subjects such as:
– Adult Safeguarding
– The Mental Capacity Act
– Food Hygiene
– Cleaning and infection control
Will carers come and look after my Guest?
This will purely depend on the needs of the Guest as some may need professional carers to visit. This does not mean you have to be present as we can provide key access for the carers. We will also have technology monitoring who is going in and out of the room and a visitor record book.
What if the role isn't for me?
You will initially sign a 3 month contract after which you can cease your relationship with CareRooms.
What if there's an emergency situation?
We will provide you with all necessary contacts for an emergency and the technology within the room will also alert the necessary services. We also provide a key-safe to ensure the emergency services will always be able to access your home, even if you’re out.
What adaptations will be included within the room?
Our aim is to keep the look and feel of your room, we’ll need to make some small adjustments, such as monitoring equipment and mobility aids through to soft furnishings to make it a pleasant environment to stay in.
If something happens to the Guest, how can we ensure the right help is in place at the right time?
If the Host finds the Guest’s health has deteriorated then please contact 999. The technology within the room also can be used to contact the emergency services and there is 24/7 monitoring within the room to monitor changes with the Guests health to best assist.
How much will I get paid?
Hosts will be paid up to £50 a night, your total earnings will be dependant on your occupancy rate and Guest availability.
Who will pay me and how?
You will be paid from CareRooms on a monthly basis.
Will I get taxed on my CareRooms earnings?
Anybody that earns over £7,500 on the rent a room scheme per year will be taxed, it is the responsibility of the host to inform the HMRC of any changes to their income status.
Will it affect my benefits?
Due to this being based on a very individual basis we can only advise to check with the benefits office to see whether this affects your entitlement.
Do I have to pay for setting up the room?
Yes, but we also provide options to deduct this cost from your fees once Guests stay with you. This cost is a £200 (plus VAT) signing up fee to cover your DBS check(s), all training and your CareRooms branded room pack and as we said, this can be paid once you have Guests staying with you.
Will I need to sign a contract?
Yes – to maintain our safeguarding process and because you are providing a service, therefore contracts are in place to protect the Guests, Hosts and CareRooms.