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 accommodation

www.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