to offer a fair choice
Care Home Support Services has created this guide to choosing a care home to assist people going through this sometimes difficult process. It can often be a stressful experience, as it is surely one of most important decision you will ever make.
We have first hand experience of supporting people through this process. We know exactly what is involved, from Council funding applications to those who are self-funding. Our advisors have specialist training and experience to take you through the entire process step-by-step.
At Care Home Support Services, we recommend you visit several homes before making your decision. Care Homes can vary extensively in regard to the services they provide. It is important to look at what facilities the care home has and indeed whether you have to pay for extra services that may be on offer. Some care homes have hairdressers on site, access to Chiropodist, physiotherapists, and hydro-pools, but usually, there is a charge for such services.
This list below will help you to have an overview of the sort of questions you need to be asking when considering a choice of care home. We realise that some questions may have more relevance to you than others and they are to be used as a reminder when you are looking to visit a care home.
As part of our free service to you, a Care Home Support adviser can accompany you during visits (we also supply transport if required) and make certain all of your queries are answered in full.
Remember, our personal one-to-one service is tailor-made for your requirements. We are not a care home database; we listen to your needs and wishes and help you make an informed choice of the care home that’s right for you.
Location, location, location!
Indeed, the location of the care home of your choice can be essential. Consideration should be given to the following:
- How near is the care home to family and friends to enable them to visit?
- If family / friends do not drive, is the care home near / on a bus route?
- What community activities/facilities are close by? (Shops, places of worship, local parks, local pubs and restaurants etc...).
- Is the surrounding area a place where you would feel comfortable living?
- Is the room offered to you spacious enough for your needs?
- In particular, do ask to view the room (this may not always be possible, but you can ask to see a similar room to the one offered).
- Am I allowed to have some of my own furniture and personal belongings? (Such as pictures on the wall, chairs, a television or even a pet).
- How is access to a Physiotherapist, Dentist, Optician, other health professionals or alternative therapies arranged?
- Can I keep my own GP? (often, care homes will have their own specific GP practices affiliated with them, if so, ask how often the GP visits).
- Is there a garden available and how accessible is it?
- What activities are available? Do I have any way of making formal suggestions for activities/days trips out etc...?
- Ask to look at the menu, also what choice do I have in regard to my meals? How often is the menu reviewed/changed? Do they cater for specific diets or cultural meals? Are the meals cooked fresh on the premises?
- Am I able to have a phone in my room? Do the rooms have access to a call bell or a way of raising the alarm in case of an emergency?
- How open are the times for people visiting?
- Will family, friends and children be made to feel welcome when they visit?
- Would I be able to ask a family member or friend to lunch or dinner?
- Could a friend or relative be accommodated for an overnight stay?
- What arrangements are there for handling my money?
- Will my clothes be washed separate from other residents? If not, what arrangements are I place to ensure my clothing is returned to me?
- Would care staff be able to accompany me outside of the care home (to the local shops or a restaurant etc…?).
- How many staff are on duty at any one time (during the day and night)?
- Is there access to alcohol on the premises? (some care homes have their own bar available).
- What are the arrangements for those that smoke?
- Will I be encouraged to join in any social activities within the care home?
- What arrangements are there for specialist mattresses, profiling beds or other essential medial equipment?
- Is such equipment included in the weekly fee? If not, how much will I be expected to pay?
- What specific training have care and qualified nursing staff undertaken and how often are staff evaluated?
- What arrangements are in place to prevent the onset of pressure sores?
- If I am in pain through specific conditions/illnesses, how will this be managed?
- What arrangements are there for palliative care and residents on the ‘Supportive Care Pathway’?
- Is the care home able to accommodate my cultural or religious needs?
How do I know if I meet Continuing Health Care?
If you feel that your health care needs are severe, you can request a Continuing Health Care assessment. Any individual assessed as having a certain level of care needs may receive NHS continuing healthcare. This is not however, dependent on a particular diagnosis, disease, or condition.
Additionally, it is also not dependent on who provides the care or wherever that care is provided. If a person’s overall care needs show that their principal need is a health need or that their health needs are unstable, they may be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. Once eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, care will be funded by the NHS. Please be aware that this is subject to review, and should the person’s care needs change significantly, then it is possible that funding arrangements may also change.