Finding the right care home for a loved one is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for them and getting it right can make all the difference to how settled and happy they feel in their new home.
Here’s what to consider when choosing the right care home for your loved one.
Types of Home
First and foremost, you need to consider what level of care is needed now and how that might change over time. This will impact whether you’re looking for a residential home or one that offers a higher level of nursing care.
Some care homes also have carers who specialise in particular conditions, such as dementia, so it’s worth checking this early on if it’s relevant to your loved one.
Visit in Person
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of homes that will suit your loved one’s needs, we recommend visiting in person, preferably on a couple of occasions and at different times of day. This is the best way to get a feel for the home and whether it will be the right fit.
Facilities
Use the visits to tour the rooms, facilities and grounds. Things worth considering include:
- Room sizes and personalisation options – some homes will let you redecorate so you can create a home from home for your loved one
- Communal spaces and gardens, if applicable
- Accessibility and safety features such as grab rails and call systems
Daily Life
Visits are also the perfect opportunity to speak to staff and other residents to get a true picture of what it’s like to live there.
You can also ask to see sample care plans and ask for an indication of what a typical day looks like in terms of routine, activities and menu, so you know exactly what to expect if and when a move happens.
If your loved one has particular hobbies or dietary requirements, ask whether these can be accommodated.
CQC Rating
It’s really important to check the care home’s CQC rating to see how it has been assessed by industry professionals. You can read the most recent CQC report online and see whether they have noted any strengths or recommendations for improvement.
Reviews & Reputation
Websites such as carehomes.co.uk and Google Reviews are a great place to look for independent testimonials from residents and their loved ones, giving you a clearer picture from people with direct experience.
Word of mouth matters too – it’s worth asking friends, colleagues and wider family whether anyone in their network has experience of the care home you’re considering.
Care Planning
Of course, the care element should be approached with the utmost consideration. Spend some time with the management and care team to establish how care plans are developed and how often they’re reviewed. Ask whether you and your loved one can have input and try to establish how the home handles changing needs over time.
Staffing
Staff are the backbone of any care home, so be sure to ask about the staff-to-resident ratio and try to establish what staff turnover is like. Consistency can be really important, especially if your loved one has dementia and finds change unsettling.
You should also ask about training, qualifications and any specialist care experience the team has.
Costs
The cost of care should be transparent and management should be willing and able to give you an overview of the fee structure and what’s included. Ask to see the contract and take time to review important details such as notice periods.
Choosing the right care home for your loved one isn’t an exact science and there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Our best advice is to trust your gut and the feelings you get when you’re spending time in a home. The practical checks matter, but so does how it feels to walk through the door.
FAQs
What should I look for when choosing a care home?
Key things to check include the level of care offered, the CQC rating, staffing levels and consistency, the daily routine and activities on offer and whether contracts and costs are clearly explained.
How many times should I visit a care home before deciding?
It’s worth visiting more than once, ideally at different times of day, so you can see the home during quieter and busier periods and speak to a range of staff and residents.
Why does CQC rating matter when choosing a care home?
The CQC is the independent regulator for care homes in England and its reports give an objective assessment of safety, care quality and management, based on inspections rather than the home’s own marketing.
How important is staff turnover in a care home?
Consistency in staffing helps residents feel settled, build trust and be understood, particularly for those with dementia, who can find unfamiliar faces and routines unsettling.
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