Once you have done your homework, you will have a pretty good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each home on your list.
Before you go any further you really need to visit the homes. Choosing a care home is like any other home – you’ll know in a few minutes if it is for you or not.
But before you make any final decisions it is useful to ask a few pertinent questions. You need to know that the home you select lives up to your expectations in reality. Consider:
First impressions
- Did you receive a friendly welcome?
- Is the atmosphere friendly?
- Is the home clean and friendly?
- Did the people you met seem happy and well cared for?
- Does the home smell fresh and clean?
Location
- Will the home be easy to reach for your family and friends?
- Will you have access to shops and services?
- Does it have somewhere where you can sit outside?
Communal Areas
- Are they clean, tidy and nicely decorated?
- Is there a family room?
- Is there more than one room where service users can sit?
- Is there easy access for wheel chairs and walking frames?
- Is there a sensory room?
Bedrooms
- Did you see the room that is available?
- Was the room bright and welcoming?
- Can you bring your own things into your bedroom?
- Are you allowed to personalise the front door?
- Did the room have an ensuite facility?
- Does each room have a call facility?
- Did the room have a television?
- Is there a telephone point in the room?
- Can service users use the telephone in private?
- Is there a lockable drawer?
- Can you change rooms if you want to?
Food
- Are snacks available at any time?
- Are guests offered snacks?
- Is home baking available?
- Is there a café or bar where food is available?
- Can service users eat when they want to?
- Can they eat in their own room?
- Are special diets catered for?
- Are the meals nutritionally balanced?
- Is there a choice of menus?
- Are service users consulted on likes and dislikes?
- Are the menus displayed each day?
- Can relatives and friends eat with service users?
Activities
- Did you see a weekly activities plan?
- Are service users encouraged to keep up their hobbies?
- Can service users continue to attend your local social groups?
- Are special events celebrated in the home?
- What form of exercise is service users encouraged to do?
- Does the home have access to transport?
- Does the home have access to a library service?
- Can service users be taken to their own place of worship?
- Is there a service users committee?
- Are daily newspapers available for the residents?
Staff
- Is the staff friendly and caring?
- Do they take a pride in the home?
- Does each service user have a key worker?
- What training does the staff receive?
Care
- Is the home able to provide the care you need?
- Will the service user have a personalised care plan?
- Will the relatives be involved in making any decisions?
- Can the service user still see their own doctor?
- Can the home provide other services such as physiotherapy?
- Can your still use your own services such as physio?
- Does the home provide complementary therapies?
- How will relatives be informed if the service user is taken ill?
General
- Are there set visiting times or are visitors welcome at any time?
- Can children visit?
- Can a trial visit be arranged?
- What is included in the fees?
- What isn’t included in the fees?
- Is there a waiting list?
- What is the complaints procedure?
And finally
- As you walked out the door, what was your lasting impression of the home?
