RMBI News
In this issue of MQ you will find inserted a
copy of RMBI News which has even more
informative and entertaining articles about
your care home provider. Please enjoy
reading it and get in touch if we can be
of service.
Above:
The RMBI has a new Freephone number
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New Information Line
The RMBI has a new Freephone number
to help improve access to care information
and the activities of the RMBI. The new
number is part of the constant efforts by
the RMBI to provide the best service to
the Masonic community in a simple way.
More general leaflets on a range of subjects
affecting older people are also available
for free. The new number for the RMBI’s
Information Line is: 0800 068 7624
Our original Information Line, launched
in March 2003, was in partnership with
Age Concern and was for a trial period
which has now come to an end. The RMBI
has now set up the service on its own.
Our team at Great Queen Street will field
the calls and will provide information about
the RMBI, its Homes and how we can help
you. As mentioned above, we can also send
you information leaflets, published by Help
the Aged, on a range of subjects including,
but not limited to:
Community Care finding help at home, NHS
care, direct payments from Social Services
Consumer Issues television licenses,
making a will, planning a funeral
Health Issues dental care, help with
continence, staying healthy in later life
Housing help with heating, noise and
neighbour nuisance
Income & Benefits income tax, housing
benefit, the state pension
Leisure, Learning and Work holidays
for older people, leisure and learning,
older workers.
The Freephone number is for the express
use of those interested in the RMBI’s
services. For general enquiries, donations
or Lodge business please continue to call
the main office number – 020 7596 2400.
Respite Care: NMSF and RMBI
working together
The RMBI provides many services in
addition to residential accommodation at
our Homes, and one of these is temporary
stays for respite or convalescence.
This has previously only been available
for self-funding applicants or those in receipt
of local authority funding. Because it is often
difficult to get local authorities to fund
respite care, the New Masonic Samaritan
Fund (NMSF) has initiated a trial
programme in conjunction with the RMBI.
People in need of respite care, who are
unable to gain local authority support and
who cannot afford to meet the cost
themselves, will be able to apply for help
from the NMSF.
If you or someone you know would
benefit from this service, they should
call the RMBI to discuss an appropriate
location. There will be an assessment
by the RMBI to ensure that the chosen
Home has the correct facilities to meet
the individual’s needs.
At the same time there will need to be
financial assessment in order to determine
eligibility for support from the NMSF.
Please note that owing to the high demand
for respite care for people suffering from
dementia, accommodation may not always
be immediately available.
It is the intention that once a respite
need has been registered, subsequent stays
will be offered according to need and the
availability of suitable accommodation.
If you have specific questions about
support from the NMSF, please contact
them direct on 020 7404 1550.
Above:
Respite care is available for temporary stays
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