Selecting the right care home for a loved one is an important and often challenging decision. It involves balancing their needs, preferences and well-being with practical considerations like location, services and cost.
This article will explore how to choose a care home to help you make an informed and thoughtful choice to ensure comfort, safety and quality of life for your loved one.
When Should You Consider a Care Home?
Decline in Physical and Mental Health
You should consider a care home when a loved one shows signs of physical or mental decline, such as mobility issues, frequent falls, difficulty with hygiene, dressing or meal preparation or if they’re showing cognitive declines like confusion, disorientation or forgetting medication and familiar faces.
Safety Concerns
A care home is in the best interest of a loved one who can no longer be left alone to take care of themselves due to the risk of falling, struggling to dress, skipping meals, forgetting to take medication or turning off appliances.
Social Isolation
If your loved one has been living alone and facing prolonged social isolation, which is significantly impacting their psychological and physical well-being, it may be worth considering a facility that offers daycare services, such as a family-run residential care home, to help your loved one build relationships in a supportive environment.
Caregiving Stress
If you, the caregiver, are experiencing burnout and struggling to balance the responsibilities of your loved one’s needs and your own life, it may be time to consider a care home for short or long-term use. Doing so can help protect your well-being and ensure your loved one continues to receive quality care.
Different Types of Care Homes
Residential Care Homes
Residential care homes provide a supportive environment for relatively independent individuals who may need help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, medication management, meals and housekeeping services but do not require medical care.
Nursing Care Homes
A nursing care home can provide personal and medical care in one location. With a registered nurse available around the clock, this level of care is particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from surgery, living with disabilities, or coping with serious illnesses.
Dementia Care Homes
Dementia care homes specialise in supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These homes are equipped with staff trained in managing the unique challenges associated with memory loss, confusion and behavioural changes.
The environment is designed to provide safety and offers a structured routine that helps reduce anxiety and confusion, tailored through care plans and therapeutic activities.
Respite and Day Care Homes
Respite care and daycare services provide crucial support for caregivers, offering them time to rest or handle other obligations while ensuring their loved ones continue to receive proper care in a safe and nurturing environment.
What to Look For When Choosing a Care Home?
Quality of Care
Assess the specific medical, emotional and physical needs your loved one will require to ensure the facility can provide appropriate care.
Facilities and Amenities
Inspect the cleanliness, safety and overall condition of the facilities. Look for well-maintained communal areas, accessible rooms and outdoor spaces.
Daily Structure and Routine
Ensure the care home offers regular nutritious meals, social opportunities, activities and personal care tasks like hygiene, medication management and health monitoring to meet your loved one’s needs.
Health and Safety Standards
Ensure the care home follows local health regulations and has a good record for safety and cleanliness.
Location
Ensure the care home is close enough to maintain regular visits to maintain your loved one’s emotional well-being.
Reputation and Reviews
Inspect the care home’s reputation through online reviews, testimonials and inspection reports. Visit the facility to observe the quality of care firsthand.
Hello, my name is Bethany, and I am the owner, manager and third generation in the family business. I have grown up with the Chestnuts, and it is a second home to me and my children. My home/work life is very mixed, and that’s ok because being at work feels like being at home.