Care Choices - checklist for choosing a care home
This is the Care Choices list of things you may want to check for when choosing a care home.Transport, Fees and Conditions:
- Is the home easy to get to for relatives and friends?
- Does the home provide its own transport?
- Is the home close to community facilities?
- How much are the fees?
- Do the fees include services such as toiletries?
- Under what circumstances will fees alter e.g. annual, care needs?
- Can you have a short-stay or trial period?
- Can you retain your room if away?
- Will you be given a statement of terms prior to admission?
Accommodation and Catering:
- Are the furniture and décor appropriate and attractive?
- Are there communal sitting rooms both with and without TV?
- Is there a separate dining room? Bar?
- Are handrails provided in hallways and corridors?
- Is there adequate wheelchair access indoors and outdoors?
- Is a shaft or stair lift provided to upper floors?
- Are arrangements made to safeguard residents' money and valuables?
- Are bathrooms adapted to help people in and out of the bath?
- Are there conveniently located separate men's / women's toilets?
- Are there both showers and baths?
- Do rooms have a wash basin for your own use?
- Will you have to share a bedroom?
- Do all residents have an accessible bedside light?
- Is the call-bell system flexible and accessible?
- Is the room large enough to use as a bed-sitting room?
- Can you adjust the heating / open the windows in the room?
- Can you bring your own furniture or TV?
- Can you see a pleasant view from the window when sitting in a chair?
- Are there the right telephone / electric sockets for appliances?
- Is there a choice of menu at each meal?
Visitors:
- Are visitors welcome at all times?
- Is there somewhere to see them in private?
- May your visitors join you at meals?
Daily Living and Staff:
- Are there adequate facilities for people with visual / hearing difficulties?
- Can you choose when to get up or retire each day?
- Is a range of activities / outings offered weekly?
- Are residents accompanied on visits to the hospital or GP?
- Are the laundry and room cleaning arrangements satisfactory?
- Do residents appear active, sociable and happy?
- Are there smoking and non-smoking areas?
- Is an adequate number of staff on duty day and night?
- Are cooking and domestic staff employed as well?
- Do staff appear clean, tidy, cheerful and respectful?
- Are any staff formally qualified and do they receive training?
- Does a chiropodist / hairdresser visit?
- Is there a resident's committee / noticeboard?
- Do you want to live there?
You can get more information from:
www.ageuk.org.uk/ - Age Concern and Help the Aged merged in April 2010 and became Age UK. Information and advice section contains a range of factsheets and information sheets on finding and paying for care home accommodationwww.care-nursing-homes.co.uk - free information website when looking for advice on care/nursing homes and live-in care solutions.
www.housingcare.org - Elderly Accommodation Council
www.counselandcare.org.uk