Choosing A Home

Many people go through this life changing decision at a time when things may be a bit hectic or confusing. You may feel forced into making a decision because a relative or friend has been in hospital and can no longer care for themselves at home, or things have just simply got to much for them and they can no longer cope alone. It is uncommon for us to "plan" to live in a residential care home, and we rarely make arrangements for this time in our lives until it is necessary.

To help make the whole decision process that little bit simpler, we have put together a Printable Checklist you may like to use when visiting a potential home, things that may not initially seem obvious, but we feel are important. You may also wish to seek advice from professional bodies, such as the local Adult Care Services department (what used to be Social Services). Your local GP or Health Centre may be able to offer advice and assistance. You may find it useful to talk to friends and other local people that may already have knowledge of the surrounding area and homes.

Also on this site, under the Useful Contacts section, is a list of contact details of relevant organisations that may be able to help.

When considering residential care for a friend or relative, it is important to ensure that you understand how paying for care will effect the decision. If you are looking for a home where the local authority will be assisting with the fees, you must ensure that the home you choose is accepted for funding by the local authority. It doesn't necessarily have to be a local authority run home, but they do not automatically provide funding for every place that is available. If you are looking for a care home and fees will be paid privately, you can choose whichever home suits your needs.

If you are seeking assistance with funding, you should first approach the GP that the person requiring care is registered with - a recommendation will need to be made to the Adult Care Services, who will assess them and determine their level of need. This may also be crucial in determining a home, as the care required may be specialised, such as dementia care or nursing care.