What Do You Look For In A Care Home?

When choosing a care home, whether for you in the future or a family member now, you want to make sure that you choose the right one. After all, the place where you are going to potentially live out your last years should be somewhere that makes you or them happy and feels safe, as well as providing you or them with everything needed to be healthy and well.

The problem there are so many care homes out there to choose from, all offering different things. We have all read the horror stories about care homes not looking after their residents with the care and attention that they deserve, and that really is everyone’s worst nightmare. If you or your loved one were to be unfortunate to find yourself landed in this situation, make sure that you have a talented team of nursing home abuse attorneys on call to help you get justice and make things right once more.

Horror stories aside, what should you be looking for in a care or a nursing home? Let’s take a look.

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Think about the first impressions

First impressions are not always accurate but they can be a pretty good indicator as to the ethos and values of the home. Does it feel calm and relaxed, with residents milling around happily, or does it feel subdued and sombre? If your gut tells you something is not quite right, move onto the next care home.

Can they meet care needs?

If a care home is prepared to accept a new resident without asking questions about their requirements and needs, it should be a red flag. Not every nursing home is set up or able to care for every person.  Some do not have the facilities or experience to manage the complexities of illnesses such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. Others deal better with physical limitations and some are just for older people who want professional carers around to keep an eye on them while they live relatively independently.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Suppose you are considering a care home for a family member. In that case, you must have open communication with them beforehand and listen. Ask their opinion on what they would like to have during their golden years. You might even be pleasantly surprised that they do not actually want to move from their current house. Don’t get frustrated and shrug off their wishes. A care home is not for everyone. In cases like this, go and ask the Home Care Assistance for possible alternative solutions. Come to a compromise with your family member. You can even tell them that the alternative solution will be on a trial basis. Use the time to get your family member comfortable with the care home and what they offer. It can just be fear of the unknown that deter them from moving. Once they see and feel more comfortable, you can revisit the option of moving them into a care home. Even if you are considering a care home for yourself and you are feeling angst. Take the same principles and consider a trial period to get you comfortable with the idea of moving. If you are still not comfortable, you can make the alternative solution a permanent solution. Essentially, everyone is different, and care homes are also not a one-size-fits-all scenario. 

How does the care home work?

Just like every other sort of institution, every care home will work differently. From whether they are all male, all female or mixed units to whether they have their own bedrooms and bathrooms, these are all sorts of things that you will want to talk to them about. 

What personal and social activities do they offer?

Obviously, this depends on the needs of the resident, but does the care home offer a comprehensive program of personal and social activities? You may want to ask about weather residents are encouraged to be independent and active, whether there is a specific activities coordinator and whether they have access to things such as music, books, crafting materials and so on. Enquire about outings and excursions that the residents can take part in.

Choosing the right nursing home for you or your loved one can be a big deal. It is potentially the last place that they will live in, and for that reason,y ou want to make sure it is the right place. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; the right ones will be happy to answer.