An insider's 10 steps to finding care
What should you do when you have been advised that your relative needs 24 hour care? Care Home Manager Debbie McHugh writes exclusively for yourcarehome.co.uk on where to go from here.
1. Make a list of your most important features for a care home, think about what your relative likes and doesn't like - remember they are the person who will be living there.
2. Check that you know what level of care your relative needs . If their condition is likely to deteriorate quickly, consider looking at dual registered homes.
3. Check how it will be funded. If you are unsure, ask for advice from your allocated social worker or ring social services for advice. Other organizations like Age Concern are really helpful for giving advice. You will need to know this as social services will only fund to a certain level depending on the assessment they have carried out - for example it would be a waste of your time to view a home that costs £1000 per week if the funding available is only £500, unless you are in a position to pay the difference. If you are paying privately, remember to check what would happen if your relative becomes unable to pay for themselves. Ask “Do they have to move?”
4. Think about where the location of the home should be - can family and friends visit easily?
You can find care homes by type of care (Residential Care Homes, Nursing Care Homes or dual registered Residential and Nursing Care Homes) on yourcarehome.co.uk or get a list from your social services department.
5. Ring the homes you would like to view and get as much information as you can and ask for a brochure to be sent. Check the home can cater for any special needs your relative has, so you don't waste your time visiting homes that can not provide the level of care you need.
6. Make a a short list of homes to view. 3 - 4 is a good starting point.
7. Visit the home without making an appointment as this will give you a good idea about what the home is really like. Make notes on each home and take photos if possible, to help you make your decision later.
8. If your relative is able, arrange for them to visit the home All homes should offer a trail visit when the person is fit enough or when it is practical to do this.
9. Once you have decided on a home, ring and find out out about availability then contact your social worker if you have one and make them aware of your choice.
10. Next you need to ask the home to assess your relative. All homes are required to do a pre-admission assessment to ensure they can meet the persons needs. (This may not happen until the home has a vacancy.) Once the home has made the assessment and if applicable the trial visit has taken place, arrange a moving in date.
by Debbie McHugh, Manager, Southdown Care Nursing & Residential Home, Wanborough in Wiltshire.
Debbie McHugh
Related Advice Articles - General
Yourcarehome.co.uk will supply reviews to NHS Choices following initiative announced today by Norman Lamb, Minister for Care and Support
Yourcarehome.co.uk believes strongly that by bringing quality peer reviews to social care, we can significantly improve the quality and public perception of care in the UK. More
25/4/13
Settling in to a Care Home
Moving into a care home is a life-changing experience. Christine Michael, whose mother is currently a care home resident, offers these tips on settling in. For someone ... More
23/4/13
Moving into a Care Home from Hospital
Many older people being discharged from hospital will have a local council care assessment. This is to decide if you can get help to return to ... More
12/4/13
Selling your home and moving into a Care Home
Sometimes, moving into care can involve having to sell your home. Robert Dolbear from Bridgefast Property Services writes for yourcarehome.co.uk about the practicalities involved... More
12/4/13
Tips & Advice For Caring for a Parent
The relationship between a parent and child is quite particular. As a general rule your parents are the first people with whom you build a relationship ... More
12/4/13