We consider a good care home to be one that helps people make the most of their lives.
We provide an environment that we hope is as close to feeling home-from-home as possible, with a warm ‘homely’ feel to it. We try to create a community where residents, employees, family and friends all feel happy and relaxed together.
When choosing a care home, you may want to focus your research on the following type of considerations:
- Do staff focus on the people they care for as individuals, offering person-centred care?
- Does the home allow residents to engage in activities, enabling people to continue to pursue existing interests and hobbies? e.g. gardening?
- Can you see that the staff know how to effectively connect with and understand people? Can they respond to feelings and not just words?
- Do you see staff freely giving hugs, holding people’s hands, and showing they care?
- Do the staff show a passion for caring for people?
- Can you have visitors when you want to and entertain them in your room?
- Does the home have a relaxed atmosphere where people’s needs come first?
- Can residents safely venture outside should they desire, with all the necessary help and support?
- Do the residents have a say in how the home is run?
- How does the home deal with complaints?
- Are the rooms and facilities everything that you are looking for? Do you feel ‘at home’?
- What are the fees, and what is included in the fees?
- Are there any extra charges?
- Does the home accept people paid for by the County Council?
- Will you have your own room with your own bath, shower or toilet?
- Can you bring your pet with you?
- Can you choose when you have your meals?
- Is there a choice at each meal?
- Can you get up and go to bed when you like?
- Is there a phone you can use to make and receive calls in private?
- Does the home seem well looked after, smelling clean and fresh?
- Is the home convenient for shops, public transport, your doctor?
- Can you stay in your room when you want to?
- Do you need the home to specialise in certain forms of special needs care, such as dementia care?
- Are there smoking and non-smoking areas?
