Choosing a residential care home can be an exciting but also a worrying prospect for both prospective residents and their families. Selecting the 'right' residential care home is an important decision and therefore it is essential that the following simple guidelines be followed. When the decision has been made to move to a residential care home, you and a friend or relative should visit more than one home so that a comparison can be made. Also, ask for a brochure so you can take it away and browse at your leisure. Visit the home more than once, so that you get a feel for the general atmosphere and ambience as it will effectively become your new home. If day care facilities are available, try them for a couple of days before you commit yourself.
Some useful guidelines:
Location and travelling:
How far is the home from your friends and family?
Will your dear ones be able to visit you easily and often?
Are there car parking facilities for visitors?
Type and quality of care provided:
Is there plenty of staff about?
Are the staff friendly and do they smile?
Is there an activity programme available?
Would I have the choice of when I get up?
Can I bath when I please?
Is there a choice of bath and shower?
Can I wear my own clothes?
Is there a laundry service for personal clothing?
Can I receive visitors?
Will I have easy access to a doctor or am I able to keep my own?
Can the home care for me until I die?
Does a hairdresser attend the home regularly and what are the charges?
Could I come for a trial period?
Can I have a pet?
Nature of accommodation provided:
Will you have your own room or will you be sharing?
If you are sharing, is this something you are happy to do?
Are their any en-suite facilities?
If not, where is the closest toilet?
Are there communal sitting areas and are they welcoming?
Is the home warm and well aired?
Are there any unpleasant smells?
Can you bring personal mementos for your room?
Is there more than one floor?
Are the rooms well decorated?
Can I have my own television and telephone in my room?
Meals and preparation:
Is there a menu and what are the options?
Can I have breakfast, lunch or supper in bed or do I need to come to the dining room?
Can I get drinks and snacks any time of the day?
Would my family and friends be able to join me for a meal?
Are special diets catered for?
Costs of the care provided:
What are the home’s fees?
Can I afford the fees?
How often do the fees increase?
What is included within the weekly charges?
Are the fees payable in advance?
Do I pay the fees via cheque or direct debit?
Do I have to give notice if I decide to move from the home?
Are there any additional costs involved?
Above is a guideline as to what to consider when looking for a care home. Do not forget that you are the consumer and you have your rights. You can go to a home of your choice in any part of the country near to your family or friends. Try not to give up your hobbies just because you are moving to a new home. You may find another resident who has the same interest as you. Remember the people caring for you have training and expertise and can offer to help and guide you to make the right decision for you. You will be secure at any home and will be looked after and have companionship and make new friends. Although you may feel apprehensive, your move to a residential home need not be difficult.
Some useful guidelines:
Location and travelling:
How far is the home from your friends and family?
Will your dear ones be able to visit you easily and often?
Are there car parking facilities for visitors?
Type and quality of care provided:
Is there plenty of staff about?
Are the staff friendly and do they smile?
Is there an activity programme available?
Would I have the choice of when I get up?
Can I bath when I please?
Is there a choice of bath and shower?
Can I wear my own clothes?
Is there a laundry service for personal clothing?
Can I receive visitors?
Will I have easy access to a doctor or am I able to keep my own?
Can the home care for me until I die?
Does a hairdresser attend the home regularly and what are the charges?
Could I come for a trial period?
Can I have a pet?
Nature of accommodation provided:
Will you have your own room or will you be sharing?
If you are sharing, is this something you are happy to do?
Are their any en-suite facilities?
If not, where is the closest toilet?
Are there communal sitting areas and are they welcoming?
Is the home warm and well aired?
Are there any unpleasant smells?
Can you bring personal mementos for your room?
Is there more than one floor?
Are the rooms well decorated?
Can I have my own television and telephone in my room?
Meals and preparation:
Is there a menu and what are the options?
Can I have breakfast, lunch or supper in bed or do I need to come to the dining room?
Can I get drinks and snacks any time of the day?
Would my family and friends be able to join me for a meal?
Are special diets catered for?
Costs of the care provided:
What are the home’s fees?
Can I afford the fees?
How often do the fees increase?
What is included within the weekly charges?
Are the fees payable in advance?
Do I pay the fees via cheque or direct debit?
Do I have to give notice if I decide to move from the home?
Are there any additional costs involved?
Above is a guideline as to what to consider when looking for a care home. Do not forget that you are the consumer and you have your rights. You can go to a home of your choice in any part of the country near to your family or friends. Try not to give up your hobbies just because you are moving to a new home. You may find another resident who has the same interest as you. Remember the people caring for you have training and expertise and can offer to help and guide you to make the right decision for you. You will be secure at any home and will be looked after and have companionship and make new friends. Although you may feel apprehensive, your move to a residential home need not be difficult.