4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Care Home

Here at Glenholme, we believe in making life as simple as possible when it comes to making decisions. That’s why we’re sharing with you the top four things to consider when you’re choosing a care home for yourself or your loved ones. It can be difficult to figure out what to prioritise in your search but this guide will hopefully give you the information you need to make the best decision. This isn’t an exhaustive list and the personal care needs of the potential resident may vary. Please note, our list does not have a specific order of importance, again that is up to your own personal discretion.

Let’s Get Physical

One of our most frequently asked questions during tours and enquiry calls is, ‘What are the activities that are available for my relative?’ This question is not only valid but necessary. The intention behind the question is the fear that their loved one will be stuck in a home that they are bored and lonely in. You can often times see the range of activities on a care home’s social media pages and how frequently they post said activities will give you some insight into how often they run sessions and the variety on offer. In our case, Glenholme Healthcare employs designated Activities Coordinators. Their role is to run fun inclusive games, crafts, exercise sessions and socials that will engage the residents and keep their minds and bodies active.

Money Makes the World Go Round

Research has shown that nearly half a million people in the UK live in a care home and around half of these funds themselves (self-funders) and the other half receive local authority funding (with a quarter of these paying top-ups). Now it’s no secret that there are very few things that are free in life, and the cost of care homes can be a worry for most, especially during these trying times. Cost can impact the decision of where you or a loved one receives full-time residential care. A key part of finding out the cost of the homes you’re looking into is transparency, no one likes an unexpectedly high bill at the end of the month.

We’ve created a Paying for Care Guide to give you an understanding of what it means to be self-funded, and how the local authority can help to provide the funding and many other aspects including, financial assessments, property and much more. We operate with the utmost transparency and when you start the journey to become a resident at our home, we provide a pack full of information and access to a member of our team who will gladly walk you through the guide if needs be.

The Judge’s Results Are In

Reviews are an integral part of a care home search; it is always best to take time to Google search prospective care homes. Taking time to read what comes up, their reviews, in particular, are a good indicator of others’ first-hand experience with home and its caregivers.

This however may not always be the most reliable source for a full perspective of the home. Looking at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of the home allows you to see a professional board’s independent and unbiased critique of the home which may help inform you on the various areas where the care home in question excels and needs improving. This will be the most reliable source for reviews and ratings. Keep in mind the standard of care, the health and safety scoring, food and nutrition and cleanliness of the home when reading the reviews.

Another great way to get a sense of the care home you’re looking into is by seeing their social media presence and how they choose to present themselves. How long ago they posted their residents and the activities they get up to is a key indicator too. That being said the next thing on our list feeds into this point.

Taking a Bite Out of Life

Though this point may be overlooked it’s actually a very vital part of the health and wellness of any resident. A good diet can have such positive impact on the overall experience of the home. At Glenholme, we prioritise creating a dining experience, catered by our chefs and kitchen staff. We provide ample seating for you and guests to join in. It’s always a good idea to ask for an example of a daily menu, the frequency it’s altered or adjusted seasonally and how well they cater for allergies and intolerances. Having a flexible menu means there is never a day that you or a loved one enjoy a satisfying meal.

Location, Location, Location

It’s important to know where it’d be ideal to live. This can be informed by a number of things such as; how close you’d like to be to your loved ones. Taking into consideration where the care home will be based could depend on the length of time it takes to commute for a single visit. Another factor could be the surroundings, some may prefer a home further away from big cities to embrace the countryside more. It ultimately is a decision that must be made by you and be discussed with loved ones. We have elderly care homes and cottages across the country, check out our resources below to see the full list and their locations.

These are the four points are guides to help you select a home that works for you and the lifestyle you’re after. It can be challenging, especially when there is so much choice. However, being aware of the provision a care home has the capacity for can make or break your experience and the level of care you receive. Doing your due diligence will be a massive reward. We’d love to hear from you about which of the tips you liked the most and if there are any other points to consider when choosing a care home that wasn’t mentioned on the list.