Quantum Care - Choosing A Home

Choosing A Care Home

A helpful guidance list

Home Name: _____________________________________________

When you arrived, were you greeted appropriately?

Whilst looking around the home, were you able to talk to residents and staff?

Was a copy of the most recent Inspection Report made available for you to look at?

Are you comfortable that you were provided all the information and answers to any questions that arose?

Is the home clean with attractive décor?

Does the home smell fresh and airy?

Is the home well decorated, bright and cheery?

Does it feel safe and secure?

Is there wheelchair access indoors and outdoors?

Are there handrails in hallways and corridors?

If the building has more than 1 floor, is there a lift? Is there specialised equipment

Such as assisted bathrooms and hoists?

Is the call bell system flexible and accessible?

Are bathrooms conveniently located to rooms?

Do residents have their own room and washing facilities?

Can you adjust the heating or open windows in the room?

Are there telephones and television points?

Can you have your own telephone with your own number?

Are there communal Lounge areas with and without televisions?

Is there a separate dining room?

Is there a pleasant outlook from the bedroom window?

Can you bring your personal possessions/furniture?

Can you have your own door key?

Is the home easy to get to for friends and relatives? i.e. is there public transport and parking availability?

Is the home close to local amenities such as shops, churches, pubs?

Is the surrounding environment familiar to you, e.g. a busy city location or a quiet rural location?

Is the home in an area or community you are familiar with?

Are the views pleasant?

Can you continue to pursue your present interests and hobbies?

Is there a library or visiting library service?

Are a variety of activities and outings available?

Are there facilities for people with hearing/visual disabilities?

Can valuables be secured and are personal possessions insured?

Is sufficient medical help available?

Can residents retain their own GP?

Do other medical or professional services specialists visit regularly? i.e. Dentist, Chiropodist, Physiotherapist, Optician, Hairdresser

Are domestic arrangements satisfactory? i.e. laundry and room cleaning?

Are meal times flexible?

Can you choose to take meals in your room if you wish?

Is the choice of food interesting, varied and of good quality?

Are special diets catered for?

Is there a choice of menu?

May visitors join you for refreshments or meals?

Is alcohol available if you would like it?

Can you join residents for a meal as part of your visit?

Are the staff friendly and caring?

What training do staff receive?

Are there adequate staff on duty day and night?

Are visitors welcome at all times?

Is there somewhere to see visitors in private?

Is there somewhere you can experience privacy, peace and quiet, other than your bedroom?

Do you know any of the existing residents?

Do residents look happy and well cared for?

Does each resident have their own personal care plan? Can you see an example?

Can you choose the time for getting up, going to bed or having a bath?

Can you smoke if you wish, if so where? Are there non-smoking areas?

Is there a garden and can residents use it?

Can you help in the garden? Help prepare meals? Do your own laundry or help to clean your room if you want to?

Can you follow your religious practice eg attend church services or observe Kosher principles for example?

Does the home offer the level of care you need?

Should you need a higher level of care in the future, can the home provide it?

If you have a particular condition, does the home have the right experience and staff to accommodate you?

Have you been made aware of the relevant fee rate?

Has it been explained to you, exactly what these fees are for?

Have you been told of the circumstances under which these fees may change?

Are the fees affordable on a long term basis?

Are fees payable in advance?

Are you expected to make up the difference in fees after state assistance?

Will the home accept you as a resident who relies on state assistance?

Will the home provide you with a copy of a contract for the care provided?

When you arrived, were you greeted appropriately?
Whilst looking around the home, were you able to talk to residents and staff?
Was a copy of the most recent Inspection Report made available for you to look at?
Are you comfortable that you were provided all the information and answers to any questions that arose?
Is the home clean with attractive décor?
Does the home smell fresh and airy?
Is the home well decorated, bright and cheery?
Does it feel safe and secure?
Is there wheelchair access indoors and outdoors?
Are there handrails in hallways and corridors?
If the building has more than 1 floor, is there a lift? Is there specialised equipment
Such as assisted bathrooms and hoists?
Is the call bell system flexible and accessible?
Are bathrooms conveniently located to rooms?
Do residents have their own room and washing facilities?
Can you adjust the heating or open windows in the room?
Are there telephones and television points?
Can you have your own telephone with your own number?
Are there communal Lounge areas with and without televisions?
Is there a separate dining room?
Is there a pleasant outlook from the bedroom window?
Can you bring your personal possessions/furniture?
Can you have your own door key?
Is the home easy to get to for friends and relatives? i.e. is there public transport and parking availability?
Is the home close to local amenities such as shops, churches, pubs?
Is the surrounding environment familiar to you, e.g. a busy city location or a quiet rural location?
Is the home in an area or community you are familiar with?
Are the views pleasant?
Can you continue to pursue your present interests and hobbies?
Is there a library or visiting library service?
Are a variety of activities and outings available?
Are there facilities for people with hearing/visual disabilities?
Can valuables be secured and are personal possessions insured?
Is sufficient medical help available?
Can residents retain their own GP?
Do other medical or professional services specialists visit regularly? i.e. Dentist, Chiropodist, Physiotherapist, Optician, Hairdresser
Are domestic arrangements satisfactory? i.e. laundry and room cleaning?
Are meal times flexible?
Can you choose to take meals in your room if you wish?
Is the choice of food interesting, varied and of good quality?
Are special diets catered for?
Is there a choice of menu?
May visitors join you for refreshments or meals?
Is alcohol available if you would like it?
Can you join residents for a meal as part of your visit?
Are the staff friendly and caring?
What training do staff receive?
Are there adequate staff on duty day and night?
Are visitors welcome at all times?
Is there somewhere to see visitors in private?
Is there somewhere you can experience privacy, peace and quiet, other than your bedroom?
Do you know any of the existing residents?
Do residents look happy and well cared for?
Does each resident have their own personal care plan? Can you see an example?
Can you choose the time for getting up, going to bed or having a bath?
Can you smoke if you wish, if so where? Are there non-smoking areas?
Is there a garden and can residents use it?
Can you help in the garden? Help prepare meals? Do your own laundry or help to clean your room if you want to?
Can you follow your religious practice eg attend church services or observe Kosher principles for example?
Does the home offer the level of care you need?
Should you need a higher level of care in the future, can the home provide it?
If you have a particular condition, does the home have the right experience and staff to accommodate you?
Have you been made aware of the relevant fee rate?
Has it been explained to you, exactly what these fees are for?
Have you been told of the circumstances under which these fees may change?
Are the fees affordable on a long term basis?
Are fees payable in advance?
Are you expected to make up the difference in fees after state assistance?
Will the home accept you as a resident who relies on state assistance?
Will the home provide you with a copy of a contract for the care provided?