Care Homes Carole Cochrane CB DL

Care Homes – who needs them? Elderly Disabled Vulnerable

Care Homes – When do we look for them? Times of stress Times of Trauma Not planned When we are feeling Guilty Rushed

Care Homes – Who Looks For Them? Those needing care Primary Carer Families Friends Others

Care Homes – What to look for? Do they understand the needs of the person Location Décor Activities How they involve Family & Friends

 Location Where is the home Will visitors be able to get there Transport Links Nearby Shops etc. Access Is there mobile phone reception Can you access a private telephone/internet Are books & newspapers available Can you take pets with you Does the home have its own pets Décor Is it clean Do bedrooms feel spacious Is there quiet living space for reading as well as one for television Does the place smell nice

Phone the care home  Do they have time to answer the phone?  Is the phone answered by someone who knows what they are talking about?  What question do they ask you?  Do they offer to send you a brochure?  How professional do they sound? Corporate Branding Big is not always better, and well known-brands don’t always guarantee quality, CQC reports difficult to understand – IMPORTANT TO VISIT THE HOME. Do your digging Find out about the company that owns the home. Are they financially stable? Are they intending to invest in upgrading the home as and when it needs it?

Talk  Talk to the Manager and other staff  Explain you have lots of questions  Ask how they will involve you and the family in the care they provide Visit  Not just once  Several times on various days and times of day  What are staffing levels like at evenings / weekends?  What percentage of the staff are agency workers?  What is staff turnover like?  What activities are the residents doing?  How easy was it to get in and out?

Ask Are there any facilities for visitors to stay overnight? Are young children welcome to visit? Does the home cater for cultural and religious needs? Can they meet any dietary requirements? Do they have access to advocacy services? Do they have a residents and/or families committee? Do they offer trial periods? Do they have a statement of intent for how they will involve others as care partners?

Remember as much as we may know or think we know about Care Homes - it may well not be us finding our own. We need to educate everyone on gaining the right type of care at the right time. Thank you Any Questions