At Harrier Grange we understand that it is a difficult decision to move into a residential care home or retirement living. Trying to find the right home and the best information, in addition to uncertainty over the move itself can feel a bit baffling but not any more... read on to see how we can help.
Starting the Search…
At a certain stage of life, many people find that their loved ones could benefit from additional help, care and companionship to improve their quality of life. A care home brings all of these things in spades, and provides a safe, secure environment with nursing care on hand 24/7 (for when it’s needed).
Starting the search for a care home can be a confusing and stressful time, especially as there are so many to choose from – it’s no wonder that carers and family can feel overwhelmed!
You might be wondering:
What kind of home will be best suited?
What kind of care will they need? What if this changes?
How will I choose the right home?
How do I start my search?
We’ve pulled together some information which will help to answer some of the above.
What is the difference between Residential and Nursing Care Homes?
Residential care homes offer the opportunity to live in a safe, comfortable communal environment, with your own private space. Meals are provided, and many homes offer services such as hairdressing, activities and day trips. Personal care services, such as washing and dressing, can be provided by care teams. A residential home gives you the peace of mind that your family memebr has a little extra support when they need it but can still live an active life!
Nursing homes, or homes which provide nursing care, are best suited for those who don’t need to be in a hospital but need a little more specialised assistance. Most nursing homes have skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day, and focus on individual care plans for all residents. Some nursing homes have special care units or floors for people with Alzheimers or Dementia.
As your care requirements change, your team will be able to adapt your care plan and continue providing the best healthcare.
How do you know which type of home to choose?
The good news is you don’t have to make this decision yourself. Each person is unique so before you start looking at homes, you will receive an assessment by a nurse who will let you know what the most suitable form of care is and be able to offer advice on which homes to approach.
Location, activities, room size etc will vary from home to home so take your time and visit a few before you choose. You should feel at home wherever you choose to stay.
Arranging a Visit
Once you’ve established the type of care home you’re looking for, we’d recommend having a look at a list of potential homes in your area from the Care Quality Commission, or you can also look on Carehome.co.uk which is a guide to over 21000 care homes, nursing homes and residential homes providing care in the UK.
Care Homes will usually have a dedicated Activity Coordinator that will have many activities going on daily for residents to enjoy – you may be able to see this in action.
Questions to ask…
To make the most of your visit, we’d recommend asking a few questions to make sure you are totally comfortable… a few samples are below!
How do residents get to know each other?
How do you help new residents settle in?
What would they do if a resident keeps asking to go home?
Can residents bring their own furniture and a pet if they have one?
What if their care needs change? How will your team handle this?
Hopefully now that you have some food for thought, you will feel more comfotable in your search for the right care home. If you'd like to arrange a visit to Harrier Grange please get in touch, we'd be delighted to show you round.
