Choosing a Care Home

Choosing a Care Home for yourself or a loved one is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be rushed. You need to think carefully about whether a Care Home is the best choice considering the level and type of care that you require. Care Homes provide care for those people who can’t be looked after in the community or in their own home. For people who are unable to care for themselves due to physical, emotional of mental problems, Care Homes provide a wide range of personal care and health services.
Moving yourself or a relative into a Care Home can have a great emotional effect, so make sure you plan ahead to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Care Homes can be very expensive. As well as 24 hour care, room, meals, activities and some personal care are provided. Most UK homes will charge a basic fee for accommodation, meals and personal care but extras such as specialist medical care will be charged additionally.
When choosing a Care Home, we recommend choosing four or five that fit your personal requirements, and then having a good look round each one as this will give you a good basis for comparison. It may be that none of the first five are suitable, but at least you will have formed a checklist in your head of things you like and things you don’t.
To find out more about each home during your visits speak to current residents as they will give you an honest opinion on what to expect day to day. Also try to speak to members of staff from different departments and don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how intrusive they may seem. Find out whether there is a choice of rooms and ask to see an example of each type. Look at the menu in each home to find out what types of meals you can expect, and if possible find out about recreational activities and on site facilities such as Sky TV, swimming pools (not very common), gardens etc. Even details such as the Care Home furniture and decor should be considered. Sit in the chairs and lie on the beds to test for comfort.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a Care home is location, not just in terms of proximity to family members but also with regard to shops, parks, gardens and other areas of interest within the vicinity. A Care Home located within the countryside can be wonderful for the peace, tranquility and beautiful views it offers but may leave residents feeling isolated after a while. On the other hand a Home located within a city may not be peaceful enough, and may leave residents feeling unsafe. Most Care Homes are located within good sized gardens and in close proximity to shops, cafes and other entertainment venues which ensures that residents have plentiful options should they wish to venture out and maintain their sense of independence.
All UK Care Homes undergo an annual inspection and the reports are made available for you to read when you visit.