Choosing the right care home

We know that considering to move an elderly loved one into nursing or residential care homes is a big decision at what is often a difficult time. There can be so many elements that need to be considered to ensure that you make the right choice of a home that is perfect for you or your loved one.

Where here to help you to find the right care home for your loved one. We have put together the following information that has been guided by questions we receive regularly from others searching for a care home. We also have a Care Home Checklist available to download to guide you in your search for a home and help you find one that ticks all the right boxes.

Tips For Finding a Care Home

When searching for a care home, these are some of the key elements to consider:

• Location: What areas are you open to, and which care homes are available there?
• Funding: How will the care home costs be covered?
• Facilities: What are the bedrooms, communal areas, and gardens like?
• Care Needs: What level of care is required? Does the care home provide this, and is it of a high standard?
• Activities: Does the care home offer a variety of activities that suit residents’ interests and abilities? Are there social events, outings, and opportunities for engagement?
• Availability: Is there space currently available?

Understanding the Types of Care in a Care Home

A key element in the search for a care home is understanding whether a home can meet the care needs of you or your loved one. There are several care home options available, which can either be owned by private providers, local authorities, or voluntary organisations.

Understanding your care requirements will quickly help you eliminate any care homes that may not be able to meet your needs. The types of care that will be available within care homes are:

Residential Care

Residential care services are designed to provide a comfortable and relaxed home environment. This type of home would be suitable for someone who is perhaps looking to maintain an independent lifestyle within a community, and receive day to day support with things such as laundry, cooking or housekeeping.

Assisted Care

Assisted Care provides additional daily support that maintains the physical care and comfort of residents. This can include personal care day to day tasks, such as washing and dressing, as well as giving medication that is given by specially trained staff member, and not a registered nurse.

Nursing Care

Care homes that are capable of providing nursing care will be able to support residents who have more complex medical needs and longer term conditions that require day to day management, for example Parkinsons, Diabetes or Stroke. They will also provide further support in areas such as administering medication, keeping track of nutrition and fluids, managing wound care and much more.

Dementia Care

For those living with dementia, there will be care homes that provided dedicated services that can cater for their needs. These homes will have staff trained in dementia care and have facilities designed specifically designed to create a safe, calm and engaging environment.

Short Stay and Respite Care

Short Stay and Respite Care offers temporary accommodation for those who need a break from their usual routine or for caregivers seeking relief. It is also available to those requiring an extended period of recovery after an operation or hospital admission.

Where to Find Out More

If you’re unsure where to start, speaking with professionals like your GP or social services can help you understand the types of care required. They can also assist in identifying the most suitable care homes for your specific needs, particularly for nursing and dementia care homes. Also, teams within the care homes can often assess whether they can provide the level of care required.

Care Home Living Spaces & Facilities to Consider

Although a care home can’t replace a family home, they can offer a warm and welcoming environment where residents will feel safe and comfortable. Having an idea of what is most important to you and your loved one will help to find a care home that will provide a setting that will feel like home.

Personal Living Spaces

Rooms vary widely from home to home in size and facilities, such as en-suite bathrooms and lounges. Many care homes allow residents to bring their own furniture and personal possessions helping to create a home-from-home feel.

Communal Living Spaces

Communal living areas are often the heart of a home. Residents can catch up with friends over coffee or take part in a range of activities. Make sure communal areas are warm and inviting spaces where residents enjoy spending their time. It is also worth noting whether these areas are being used when being shown round the home.

Other Facilities in a Care Home

Care homes can also have additional facilities that will be available for residents to use such as hairdressing salons, cinema rooms, therapy rooms and libraries, and are important to consider when searching for a home.

Aside from the additional facilities, take a look around the home, and consider how well maintained even the basic facilities are. Is the garden well maintained, walls, carpets and furniture as stain-free as you would expect? And does the building itself look well maintained?

Finding a Care Home that Supports an Active and Engaging Lifestyle

Maintaining an active and fulfilling lifestyle is key to promoting physical and mental wellbeing in a care home. Residents should be encouraged to stay engaged with their personal hobbies, as well as being introduced to new activities that stimulate cognitive and physical health.

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), care homes should offer a range of meaningful activities that cater to individual preferences and abilities, promoting independence wherever possible. Their quality standard for ‘Mental wellbeing of older people in care homes’ states that care homes should offer residents the opportunity to participate in meaningful activity that promotes their health and mental wellbeing.

A balance of structured and spontaneous activities helps create a vibrant atmosphere. Care homes often provide opportunities for residents to take part in gardening, arts and crafts, exercise classes, and social gatherings. Many also offer day trips and outings to local attractions. Daily living tasks, like light housekeeping or preparing simple meals, can also help residents feel a sense of purpose.

When considering a care home, ask about the variety of activities on offer and how frequently they occur. Additionally, check whether family or friends can join in on certain events.

Understanding Food and Nutrition in Care Homes

Good nutrition is vital to overall health and wellbeing, particularly in a care home setting where nutritional needs can vary widely for older people. Care homes should cater to a range of dietary requirements, including allergies, preferences, and any cultural or religious food restrictions. High-quality care homes will have well-structured meal plans that ensure all residents receive nutritious meals tailored to their health conditions.

In addition to ensuring the food meets dietary needs, the overall dining experience is also important. Many care homes offer meals in communal dining rooms, providing a social aspect to mealtimes, while others give residents the choice to dine in their private rooms for more personal comfort. Guests can often join residents for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, creating a home-like atmosphere.

Consider asking how the care home screens for malnutrition and manages nutrition for residents who may require additional support, such as those with dementia or chronic illnesses.

Find Out About The Approach to Care

A personalised approach to care is crucial for ensuring each resident feels valued and receives the attention they need. A good care home will involve both the resident and their family in creating a detailed and individualised care plan. This care plan should consider the resident’s health requirements, personal interests, life history, and cultural or religious beliefs, allowing staff to provide care that feels both appropriate and familiar to the individual.

It’s essential to confirm that the care home has systems in place to regularly review and update these care plans, adjusting as needed for changes in health or preferences. The staff should be proactive in recognising any physical or medical concerns and have close relationships with healthcare professionals to ensure ongoing support.

During your visit, ask how care plans are developed, who is involved in the process, and how frequently they are reviewed. Understanding the home’s approach to recognising and addressing the evolving needs of residents will give you confidence in the quality of care provided.

Look at the Care Homes CQC Rating

Care homes in the UK are regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC’s ratings provide an invaluable resource when comparing care homes and deciding which one best meets the needs of your relative or loved one. The CQC awards ratings based on its inspections, which evaluate the overall quality of care provided.

There are four possible ratings that care homes can receive:

• Outstanding: The care home is performing exceptionally well.
• Good: The care home meets the required standards and provides a high quality of care.
• Requires Improvement: The care home meets some of the required standards but needs to improve in certain areas.
• Inadequate: The care home is failing to meet the minimum standards of care and needs urgent improvement.

During inspections, the CQC assesses care homes based on five key questions to determine their rating:

1. Are they safe? – How well does the care home protect residents from harm or abuse?
2. Are they effective? – Does the care home ensure that residents’ needs are met and their health and wellbeing are supported?
3. Are they caring? – Are residents treated with kindness, dignity, and respect?
4. Are they responsive to people’s needs? – How well does the care home adapt to residents’ changing needs and preferences?
5. Are they well-led? – Is the care home managed effectively, ensuring high standards of care and continuous improvement?

These ratings are a helpful indicator of how well a care home performs in critical areas, and you can usually find the latest CQC report on the care home’s website or the CQC’s own website. When choosing a care home, it’s important to review these ratings and understand the reasons behind them to make an informed decision.

Check the Care Home Reviews

Reading reviews from relatives, friends, and residents who have first-hand experience with a care home can offer valuable insights into what life is really like there. These reviews can range from positive to negative, long to short, and detailed to brief. Some will provide a wealth of useful information, while others may be less specific, but they all contribute to a fuller picture of the care home’s overall reputation.

Care home reviews are typically available in various places:

• Care home marketing materials: Many care homes include testimonials or case studies from families in their brochures or on their website.
• Online review platforms: Websites like carehome.co.uk, Trustpilot, and Google feature detailed reviews from people with direct experience of the home. These platforms allow you to search for specific care homes and see how they’ve been rated by others.

When researching a care home, it’s a good idea to look through multiple sources of reviews to get a balanced view. Pay attention to any recurring themes, both positive and negative, as these often provide the most reliable insight into the home’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Work Out Your Budget and How It Will Be Funded

Understanding the financial aspects of care home services is essential when making your decision. The costs of care can vary widely depending on the type of care needed, the location of the home, and the facilities available. Here are some key points to consider:

• Funding Options: Many families explore various funding options, including personal savings, pensions, and property assets. Some may also be eligible for financial support from local authorities or government schemes.
• Self-Funding vs. Local Authority Funding: If your savings exceed a certain threshold, you may need to self-fund your care. However, if your savings are below this threshold, you may qualify for local authority funding, which can help cover care costs.
• Assessment Process: Local authorities typically conduct assessments to determine an individual’s care needs and eligibility for financial support. It’s advisable to contact your local council to find out more about the assessment process and potential funding available.
• Costs to Expect: On average, residential care can range from £800 to £3,000 per month, depending on the level of care required and the home’s amenities. Make sure to ask potential care homes about their pricing structure and any additional fees.
• Transparency: Always request a detailed breakdown of costs from care homes to ensure there are no hidden fees. Understanding the full financial commitment will help you make an informed choice.

Learn more about the different funding options available for care home services. Visit our page on paying for care to explore your choices.