Choosing a care home checklist
Moving into a nursing home can be a big decision, it not only involves a change in location but it is also a large financial commitment for life care services.
Your future residential home should be a cheerful and comfortable environment for your loved one; in other words, it should feel like your own home.
Before shortlisting and visiting any nursing homes in your area there are generally
four key things to consider.
Location
If you're thinking about moving into a care home for the first time you'll want to see loved ones often. That's why it's so important to consider location when choosing elderly care. You might not be in walking distance but think closely about friends and family, will they be able to visit easily? No one wants to travel hundreds of miles for a hug and a quick catch up!
Type of care
Not all care homes are the same! Some homes will offer dementia care, whilst others won't. Knowing exactly what type of care services and treatment your loved ones require on a daily basis will help you narrow down your choices. So we strongly recommend doing your research about the different types of
care home services so if your situation or needs change they can be met in the same care home.
Cost
How much is this care home going to cost me? Work out exactly how much you can afford to budget and find out other costs that might come up. There are plenty of free advice lines if you don't know where to start but what's important is you do! Cost will always be important when choosing residential care so start by asking how much is the deposit? are fees reviewed each year? and are extra services covered by the basic fees stated? Care homes can cost a pretty penny but with the right planning you can spread the cost in a manageable and structured way.
Availability
It's best to start your search as soon as possible. A last minute search can leave your options limited. Start planning when your elderly relative or loved could start benefiting from a dedicated care provider. The best residential homes will often require at least 2/3 weeks planning.
When choosing home for elderly near me start with these four key considerations. You'll need to understand exactly what you are looking for so start your research earlier than later!
What resources are available for finding homes for elderly near me?
When your loved one needs professional and personal care on a permanent basis, there are many free resources available online that can help you find nursing care and right support
Online care directories
Online care directories are excellent resources to use to help in your search for suitable care homes within your area. These sites often provide registered charity numbers and a comprehensive list of
care home reviews.
The
Which? Later Life Care
website is a comprehensive directory that allows you to look for residential care homes, housing associates, nursing homes and home care providers in the UK. It also enables you to search by county or postcode, as well as service like dementia care. This makes finding a care home near me pretty easy for your loved one.
Likewise, the
carehome.co.uk
website is a leading UK care home review site, allowing users to search within their local area and browse through the listed care homes. The site features reviews from real residents, enabling you to come to an informed decision on whether a care home meets your requirements and whether you or a loved one will be happy there.
Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (‘CQR’) is a widely known governing body that inspects and monitors care homes and other care services in England. To determine whether an individual care home meets your standards, we suggest reading the latest reports and reviews by the CQC. You can visit
www.cqc.org.uk
for further information.
Google My Business, local listings and reviews
Reviews on Google helps you identify whether customers are satisfied with the services provided, and whether the staff are performing above or below standards. Reviews provide transparency and clarity for potential residents, assisting them in making the right decision when choosing a care home.
When searching on Google, make sure you have your location set on, as the local search function will return search results of care homes based on your location, either nearby or in a specific city. You can then browse their Google My Business profile, which provides easily accessible information about the company, their services, contact information, website, social media accounts and reviews. When choosing a care home, it is essential to first check whether the bad reviews outweigh the good reviews and consider the overall rating score on their Google My Business profile.
Personal recommendations
Recommendations are a great way to ensure that you are choosing the right care home, as you are getting real feedback from people who have actively utilised a care home’s services. As such, it is worth asking around and talking to any friends or family members, who may be able to recommend some great care homes in the local area.
However, while word of mouth recommendations can be valuable, you should also conduct your own research and personally visit some care homes to make sure there are no hidden surprises.
Request brochures
Once you have shortlisted some suitable care homes, you should visit their website, check their current availability and request a brochure. Expect the brochure to address the level of care provided and how the care home meets the resident’s needs.
As you read through it, it would be a good idea for you to make a note of any questions you have or concerns you would like to be addressed, which you can follow up on when you visit the care home in person.
Visit the elderly care home
Once you have carried out your research and narrowed down your choices, it is time to visit your chosen care homes. You can usually book an appointment by calling the care home directly or via their website. Please note that during the current Coronavirus pandemic, this process is likely to be a little different, so be sure to check with each individual care home regarding their rules on care home visits.
During your visit, talk to the care home manager, the nurses, and other residents about the home and what it is like to live there as a resident. Every care home is different, which is why it is important to ask plenty of questions and spend some time observing the staff before you come to a decision on where you think you will be the happiest.
There are several key things you might want to consider when visiting, such as:
- Are the staff friendly and caring towards the residents?
- Do the staff possess excellent communication skills?
- Do the staff interact with the residents? Do they take the time to sit and chat to the residents?
- Are there any registered nurses available on-site?
- Does the care home manager have a friendly relationship with the residents and staff?
This list is not extensive, and we recommend going to your care home visits armed with a wide range of questions that will cover all bases.
Why Choose Avon Park Care Home?
At Avon Park Care Home, we are committed to providing quality care to ensure that all our residents feel welcome and valued within a homely environment. The well-being, comfort, and care of all our residents are always a priority to us. Our dedicated team of carers and nurses are on duty 24/7 to provide support to residents.
To arrange a visit by appointment, please contact
a member of our team or call us today at 01489 574616
for further information.
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Respite Care
Short term care as a temporary solution for a variety of issues
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Assisted Living
Midway point between a residential care home and independent living
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Day Care
Compassionate adult day care all year round
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Care Home Activities
Avon Park Care Home offers a full range of activities all year round.
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