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Choosing where you live is a serious business. It’s not like choosing clothes that, once you tried them on at home, you can take them back to the shop! And when the home you are choosing is for someone who needs care as well as accommodation, the importance of getting it right is greatly increased. If you are considering a move for you or a loved one, it is important to consider exactly what you want you want to get from moving and how you can make the most from making a change.
Moving to a care home is a big decision, and there are a huge variety of options open. From the smallest care need to nursing care, with several different choices and variations in between, it can be confusing to someone with no previous experience of the care sector.
Consider the factors which are influencing your move before making a decision about where to move.
The accommodation itself is important, of course but so is the quality of the care and support that comes with it when selecting a care or nursing home for one’s self or a relative. Often, the chosen home will be the last that an elderly, possibly vulnerable person will have. A poor choice is likely to lead to the final years of a life being at best unsatisfactory, at worst, downright miserable.
Each care homes in England is registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC monitors the regulations and national minimum standards set by Government and carry out inspections to make sure that each home is attaining the standards. The CQC can provide you with a copy of its latest inspection report on any specific care home.
At first glance, there seems to be a wide range of care or nursing homes on offer. But there is a very wide range of quality and competence in this market as there is in any other. So it pays to do the research, ask the right questions, and seek the testimonials and recommendations to back up the claims made by the care provider.
The best recommendation is to talk to the people in the home you are considering, and that is not just the staff. Ask to speak with the residents and, if possible, with relatives. The best way to do this is to seek a weekend appointment to have a look around. That’s when you can see how good the ratio of staff to residents is outside the working week, and it’s also the best time to chat with relatives visiting their loved ones.
Trust your instincts, too. If the home doesn’t “feel” right, dig deeper. Our instincts are the result of millions of years of evolution. They should not be dismissed!
Try to view the homes you visit as family homes. After all, once a resident moves in, that will be their extended family 24/7. Ask yourself: is this a place I would want to end my days in? Is it bright, life-enhancing? Cheerful? Or is it dull, institutionalised and too sedate? Ask about the food and the choices offered to residents. If a set menu only is available, think how you or your relative will feel on days when they don’t want what’s on offer. Good care homes offer choice across all activities from catering to group entertainment. Limited choice means limited care, compassion, commitment and companionship.
If you want to discuss your needs and what options are available to you, please contact Abbeyfield Kent on 01634 723007 or
enquiry@abbeyfieldkent.org