How to Choose a Care Home
First up, let’s be honest - you don’t want to choose one. You never wanted to be in the position of needing one either for yourself, or a loved one. Plus, you know nothing about them, and your head is all over the place. So, before anything else, give yourself some grace. It is a tough time, and you’re 100% allowed to feel that.
Now, deep breath, we’re going in.
Step One - Think Costs
There are huge differences, both nationally and locally, in how much care homes cost. Some will ask for proof that the incoming resident has two years worth of fees in the bank, some won’t. The amount that local authorities contribute (if this is the case) may not cover all of the costs of a more expensive home, limiting options. So understand where you/they can afford to be.
Step Two - Write a List of Requirements
Does the care home need to have nursing care? A dementia ward?
Do you need to make sure it’s on a bus route, and easily accessible? Or could something more rural work.
Thinking everything through, and making a list of firm requirements will make it much easier to narrow which homes to look at in the first place. There’s no point finding somewhere completely fabulous, if it’s too awkward for anyone to ever visit.
Step Three - Research the Homes in Your Area
You’ve checked the costings work, they fit your requirements, so what’s next?
My first port of call here would be the Care Quality Commission, as they visit, assess and rate care homes. You will be able to see when the home was last assessed, and what rating they were given on everything from safety to whether the home is well led. You can download and read entire inspection reports.
Bear in mind that these will be a snapshot of a home, so you can also ask on local Facebook groups for recommendations, or put a shout out to connect with relatives of residents, if you have a particular home in mind. Getting first hand accounts is really useful (you can of course, look at reviews on Google, too), and also check out Carehome.co.uk for reviews.
Bear in mind that staff turnover can be high at care homes, so you need the most current picture you can get, not an account of what it was like 5 years ago. If the CQC report is poor, but locally you hear it’s a good home, it may still be worth visiting yourself, discussing the report, and seeing what changes have been made.
Step Four - Visit the Homes
Before any visit, make sure the care home you’re looking at has spaces, because you don’t want to find somewhere that fits the bill, only for them to have no avaiIability.
I absolutely, 100% would not rate anywhere just by an open day, or an arranged visit. These might give you a great overview, but I recommend just dropping in and asking to be shown round. Sure, they may be too busy at that moment - I still wouldn’t schedule a time to be shown round, I’d drop in again.
Whilst I appreciate it’s not the most convenient thing for the home concerned (or for yourself when you are time limited), I want to know they weren’t prepared for a visit.
If the care home offers dementia care, take a look at that floor/ward even if it’s not relevant at this time. There can be a big difference between how facilities look for residents with dementia. Some of these are practical, and that’s fair enough. Other times it can be a sign there is a lack of care (and a lack of care in one area, to my mind will be across the board).
Don’t be surprised if a dementia floor seems loud or chaotic - they can be!
Safety, stimulation and a real sense that the staff care, are key, as well as the home, outside areas, common areas and individual looking well-maintained/clean.
Make an unscheduled visit and take a good look around any care home you’re considering.
Step Five - Drop the Guilt
Care homes exist to provide a level of care that is not possible at home. It’s no failing to not be able to offer 24/7 care by yourself - it’s simply not possible. So, yes, put thought into which home, but don’t expect it to be like home, and don’t feel bad that it isn’t. It’s a different environment because that’s what is needed.
