When it comes to finding the right care home, there are several elements you should consider before moving in. Moving your entire life can be rather overwhelming, so make sure you take plenty of time to research the right care home. Ensure it not only makes you feel comfortable, but will also meet all your needs as you grow older.
Location, location, location
Once you’ve made the decision to start finding the right care home for you, it would be helpful to consider the ideal location. Some people may already have a firm friend and community base in the area they already live in, while others might choose to move closer to family.
Think ahead and plan
There’s lot of different care homes available, so it’s a good idea to understand what your needs are, or may be in the future. There are residential homes which offer specialised care for certain types of disabilities or conditions, such as dementia. There may also be varying different levels of care available, which might be useful if you are concerned your health might start to deteriorate.
Are you active?
Don’t be afraid to visit several retirement homes which will allow you to get a feel for the place. See if you can spend some time there and have a chat with residents and members of staff. You should think about what sort of lifestyle you want to have when living in your new home. If you enjoy being active, then it would be a good idea to find a care home which encourages exercise such as golf or walking. If you like being around people then the right care home for you will probably have lots of communal areas for residents to socialise in.
Are they DBS checked?
You also need to make sure that the nurses and other key members of staff have the relevant qualifications and have been DBS checked. DBS is an acronym for the Disclosure and Barring Service check which anyone who works with children or vulnerable people must undertake to prove they don’t have a criminal record and are safe.
Look at our dedicated DBS Checks For Care Homes page for more information around this topic.
Standard of care
The Care Quality Commission, which has laid out standards of care which residents should expect from their home, inspect every establishment. All the reports are published and accessible, so it’s a good idea to ask to see the latest inspection document which may highlight any problems that need to be addressed.
Finding the right care home – a summary.
When finding the right care home, take as much time as you need and don’t rush your decision, as it’s likely you’ll be living in your new home for quite some time.
If you work in a care home and want more information about getting DBS checked or the regulations surrounding the screening process do get in touch.
Useful links:
Disclosure and Barring Service – https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview
Care Quality Commission – https://www.cqc.org.uk/
Standards – https://www.cqc.org.uk/content/regulations-service-providers-and-managers
