Choosing a care home–an insiders guide

Choosing a care home–an insiders guide

Before you take an elderly relative to look around a potential care home, print off our handy checklist to help you make the right decision.

Arriving at the Home
  • Were you and they welcomed when you arrived?
  • Are the furnishings and decorations in good condition?
  • Is the home fresh, clean and welcoming?
  • Does it smell?
  • Is the outside well maintained and tidy?
  • Do the residents seem active and content?
  • If there are visitors there, do they seem comfortable and happy?
  • Are the residents dressed nicely with clean shoes and neat hair?communialfacilities

Communal Facilities

  • Are there sitting rooms with and without TV?
  • Is there a separate dining room?
  • Are there toilets near the lounge?
  • Are there separate menโ€™s and womenโ€™s toilets?
  • Are there books, magazines and newspapers available?
  • Are the gardens attractive and well maintained?
  • Are the gardens accessible with plenty of places to sit?
  • lifeinhomeCan the residents get involved with the gardening if they wish?

Life in the Home

  • Can they make or take phone calls at any time in private?
  • Are there any rules about going out and returning?
  • Are there smoking and non-smoking areas?
  • Is there a residentsโ€™ committee?
  • How involved can residents be in the running of the home?
  • Is alcohol served or permitted?
  • Are there facilities to make a cup of tea or a snack?
  • What arrangements are there for religious observance?accessibility
  • Can they bring pets to stay or visit?
  • What are the arrangements for handling their own money?

Accessibility

  • Are wheelchairs available to borrow?
  • Are all areas accessible for wheelchairs?
  • Is there adequate provision for people with sight or hearing loss?

Health

meals

  • Can they keep their own GP?
  • Can they continue to administer their own medication if they want to?

Meals

  • Are special dietary needs catered for?
  • Can they have meals or snacks in their room?
  • Can they choose when and where they eat and who they sit with?
  • Are there any self-service snacks available during the day?

Visitors

  • Are visitors welcome at all times?visitors
  • Can visitors stay for meals?
  • Can visitors stay overnight?
  • Is there somewhere private where they can talk with their visitors?

Staff

  • Are the staff friendly and welcoming?
  • Do the staff chat to the residents? Are they respectful?

Activities

ACTIVITIES

  • Does the home have its own transport?
  • Can they get out to the shops or other amenities?
  • Are escorts available if necessary?
  • Is there a good range of activities/entertainment organised?
  • Is there a library service available?
  • Can they pursue your own hobbies?
  • Do they have to take part in the activities?

Bedrooms

  • Is there a choice of single or shared rooms?
  • Are the rooms light and attractive, with nice views from the window?bedrooms
  • Can they adjust the heating or open a window?
  • Can they bring their own furniture or personal effects?
  • Can they re-decorate or re-carpet the room?
  • Can they have a TV and telephone in their room?
  • Is there a call button for help or emergencies?
  • Can they lock your room, or keep valuables locked away?

Bathrooms

  • Are the bathrooms en-suite or shared?
  • Are the baths/showers adapted and bathrooms properly equipped?
  • Are the bathrooms clean and hygienic?bathrooms.jpg

Personal Care

  • Can the home meet their personal and cultural needs?
  • Will they have a nominated carer?
  • Can they choose when to get up and when to go to bed?
  • Can they have a bath/shower when they wish?
  • How can you get involved in your relativeโ€™s care?

choosingacarehomeinformation

Information/Your Welcome

  • Have you/they been offered helpful written information?
  • Did you/they get a good โ€˜feelโ€™ about the home?

Have you got experience of checking out care homes? ย Please go to our forum and tell us how you got on and what your top tips are.