What to look for when choosing a care home
When you visit any potential care home it’s a good idea to have a personal checklist in mind. It’s also a good idea to book an appointment while you’re there to meet the manager and any specialist staff who might be responsible for aspects of your care.
Your checklist might include:
The setting of the care home:
- What is the building like? What is the surrounding area like?
- For example, the proximity of local facilities and facilities such as shops.
- How easy it is friends and family to visit? For example, what are transport links and parking facilities like?
The facilities at the care home
- What are the bedrooms like? Do the rooms have ensuite bathrooms?
- Is there a nurse call system?
- What furniture is provided, if any, and what is it like?
- Is it possible to change the rooms in order to personalise them?
- What is the lounge and dining room like?
- What about laundry facilities like?
- What kind of special equipment is provided – such as wheelchairs and hoists?
- What are the gardens like?
Food and nutrition issues:
- Is there a menu choice available?
- Are drinks and snacks available between meals?
- Are meals prepared on the premises or shipped in?
- What’s the kitchen like?
- Are special diets catered for?
Care arrangements:
- Who is the GP and the District Nurse provision?
- Where are the nearest dentist and optician?
Staff:
- What are they like? Do they seem to be liked by the residents?
- Are there key workers?
- How well are staff trained?
- What is the staffing ratio for the various shifts?
And finally, activities:
- Is there an active programme of activities within the home?
- Are outings organised?
- How are birthdays and other anniversaries celebrated?
Other care home advice articles in this section:
General Information about care homes
Care homes and how benefits are affected
Staying temporarily in a care home
What happens to your possessions when you move into a care home
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