With so many care options on offer for older people, finding the right home for your parent or loved one can be challenging. If you’re exploring nursing homes, but you’re not sure where to start, here are five tips to help you choose a home that has everything you need:
- Talk about it
Talking to doctors, friends and family is an opportunity to gain some insight into their experiences with nursing homes in your area and for them to share recommendations with you.
And remember, if you’re looking at nursing homes for a loved one, then having an open conversation with them is essential. Do they want somewhere that has an inviting social events calendar? Does it need to be a particular location? Take note of any concerns they have and do more research to give them answers.
- Think about what your loved one needs
As you start looking into nursing homes, you'll see that there are many different care packages. It’s important to identify any specialist care or support your loved one will need in their new home. When you’re researching nursing homes, make sure you check what they offer and feel confident they can meet all your requirements.
- Think about how you’re going to fund your loved one’s care
We all want the best care for our loved ones and may say that money is no object, but realistically we all have a budget for what we can afford. It’s vital to know how you’re going to fund the care you’re looking for - and what support might be out there to help you with the costs.
Check with local authorities to see if there is any funding available to you to support you with the costs. Their needs and how much they can afford to pay will determine what they are entitled to. Once you know what you can afford and what support you can get, you’ll be able to find the best homes that are within your budget.
- Look into their reviews and ratings
Take a look at what the experts and customers are saying. Read through reviews from other customers to see what they’ve experienced at the home. What do they have to say about the professionalism of the staff and how the care is provided?
It’s key to know what their CQC (Care Quality Commission) rating is and find a home that meets or exceeds all fundamentals of care. You can find how CQC has rated their care on their website or visit the CQC website to find and compare home ratings. You can view Oxford House Nursing home’s latest CQC rating here.
- Book a visit
Here at Oxford Care Nursing Home, we know the importance of making sure the home is a right fit for your loved one and you, which is why we’d recommend when you’re looking at a home that you think suits your needs, to book a visit to see it in person. This will give you the chance to see what it’s like inside, what the facilities are and meet the staff.
Whilst you’re there, take note of what the staff and management are like, and check the resident’s room facilities and what the communal areas are like. It’s also an opportunity to ask questions, for example:
- Does the care home have any visiting policies?
- How will the home communicate with you when your loved one or family member moves in?
- Is there an opportunity for a trial period?
Are you looking for care?
Whether it’s for you, a family member or a loved one, if you’re starting to explore elderly care options, get in touch with our friendly team at Oxford House Nursing Home. We are a nursing home in Berkshire which also offers a range of care options to the community in Slough, Maidenhead, Windsor and South Bucks. To learn more about how Oxford House might be right for you, get in touch with us today.