Our care guide
How to choose a care home
Our care guide
The care process explained.
How to choose a care home
Many people have to make a decision about a care home in a crisis, perhaps after a fall or illness, or a carer no longer being able to do the caring role.
Where do I start?
To decide which homes to visit, it may be useful to speak to friends and relatives for their recommendations. Your can also ask your local GP, and your local Social Services department, which should be able to provide a list of registered homes in your area. You can contact the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (Tel. 0207 820 1343 or click here for lists of homes in most areas. You can also search The National Care Forum's website for a list of registered care homes.
Choosing care for a relative can be a difficult and emotional decision. The Relatives' and Residents' Association can offer advice and support. Click here for further information.
You may also find it useful to look at inspection reports for individual homes, which are produced independently by The Care Quality Commission. Click here for further information.
What is the first step?
If the resident is self funding and paying all the care home's fees, direct contact with the home can be made. Once the home is chosen, they will make an assessment of your needs, so that an assurance can be given that they can meet the needs of the prospective resident. If the local authority is needed to help with all or part of the fees, you should speak first to your GP or your local Social Services department. They will carry out an assessment of your needs, and produce a report called a care plan that outlines the care, including any nursing care, they think you need.
Choosing your home
Many people think that care homes in the independent sector are only for the wealthy. You may be surprised to know that the majority of care homes in the UK are owned by the independent sector, and that 70 per cent of residents have their fees paid partly or wholly by their local authority. If you are paying all the fees yourself, you can choose whichever home you find suitable for your needs in your price range. If your local authority is assisting with funding, it doesn't mean you have to choose one of their homes. You can request any home that accepts residents funded by the local authority. However, the local authority will want to be sure that the home is suitable for your needs and doesn't cost more than it would usually pay for that type of care. If you want a more expensive home than the authority is willing to pay for, you are allowed to 'top up' their contribution from another source.
Care South check list
Useful questions
Click on the following topics to help you make the right care choice
First impressions
- Will it be easy for friends and family to get to the home?
- Is the home convenient for shops, public transport, etc?
- Is there somewhere to sit outside?
- Did you receive a warm and friendly welcome?
- Were refreshments offered during the visit?
- Is the atmosphere homely and welcoming?
- Is the home clean and pleasantly furnished?
- Does the home smell pleasant?
- Do residents seem happy and well cared for?
- Was the home's statement of purpose made available?
- Was the latest home's inspection report available?
Care
- Can the home offer care suitable for the needs?
- How often will care needs be reviewed?
- Will the home be able to provide any future care needs?
- Are people involved in making decisions about the care?
- Does the home offer/arrange complementary therapies?
- Which doctor can a resident see?
- Are there visiting dentists and opticians?
- How often does the hairdresser visit the home?
- Can the home provide other services such as chiropody, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, if required?
- Does the home have suitable assisted bathing facilities?
- Can residents get up and go to bed when they want to?
- Will relatives be advised as soon as a resident is taken ill?
- Environment
- Is there more than one room where residents can sit or see visitors?
- Is there a quiet lounge without a television?
- Are there safe gardens?
- Are there arrangements for people who wish to smoke?
- Is there easy access for wheelchairs and walking frames?
- Are there toilets within easy reach of all parts of the home?
- Are there handrails in the toilets and corridors?
- Did you see the room that is available?
- Can residents bring their own possessions and furniture?
- Was it bright and well decorated?
- Do bedrooms have a television?
- Can bedrooms have a telephone point?
- Can residents use a telephone in privacy?
- Can residents lock their room?
- Is there a lockable drawer or cabinet in the room?
- Does each room have a call system?
- Can residents keep pets in their room and can they go in other parts of the home?
Food
- Can residents eat when they want to?
- Can meals be taken in a resident's bedroom?
- Is there a choice of menu for each meal?
- Can special diets be catered for?
- Can residents make themselves a drink?
- Are snacks available at all times?
- Are copies of current menus available to look at?
- Are the menus rotated?
- Does the chef consult the residents on their preferences?
- Can residents choose who they sit with in the dining room?
- Can relatives and friends have a meal with you?
- For residents who need help with eating, are staff trained to do this sensitively?
Activities
- Is there a weekly plan of activities on display?
- Are residents consulted on what hobbies/interests they have?
- Are special events, eg birthdays celebrated in the home?
- What form of exercise, if any, are residents encouraged to take?
- Does the home take residents on trips outside the home?
- Does the home have access to transport?
- Is it possible to take part in activities outside the home?
- Would the care home be able to help with transport to these?
- Are daily newspapers available for residents?
- Does the home have access to a library facility?
- Can residents be taken to places of worship?
- Can residents take part in the daily activities within the home, if they wish, eg cleaning, gardening, cooking?
- Is there a residents' committee?
- Can relatives/friends help with activities?
- Did you see any photographs of activities in the home?
People
- Did you observe staff being friendly and caring towards residents?
- Does each resident have a member of staff particularly responsible for their care?
- Do staff look as though they've got time to spend with residents?
- What training do staff receive?
- How do staff get to know about a new resident's background, likes, dislikes?
- Did you feel that individual needs and preferences could be met by the home when you visited?
- Are there set visiting times or are visitors welcome at all times?
- Can children visit?
- Can visitors stay overnight if they have traveled a long way or a resident is ill?
General
- Can a trial stay be arranged?
- Is there a waiting list?
- Is there a complaints procedure?
- What's included in the weekly fee?
- What's charged as 'extras'?
Care South is a registered charity dedicated to meeting the needs of the community
39 Commercial Road, Poole BH14 0HU 01202 712400