How to choose the right care home

When choosing a care home you need to have a good think about what really matters to you.

There are a few personal questions that you should ask yourself or a loved one when considering the move to a care home.

It is important you think about your personal priorities. Do you or your loved ones wish to maintain independence and participate in regular activities and day trips? Do you want reassurance that your changing care needs will be met without you having to move again? How important is location; do you want to be close to friends and family or particular local amenities?

Thinking and talking about these details will help you form a clear opinion of what you really value and help you when you start looking at particular homes.

Research different types of care home

A care home provides accommodation and 24-hour support for individuals who need assistance with daily living activities. These activities may include bathing, dressing, medication management, and meal preparation. 

In addition to personal care, many care homes provide social activities, healthcare services, and emotional support to enhance residents' quality of life.

Some care homes may offer advanced support for people with severe or chronic age related health conditions, such as advanced dementia or mobility issues, who need continuous support and assistance. Many care properties may also be able to provide convalescent or respite care for older people who require rehabilitation and ongoing care while recovering from surgery, illness, or injury. 

Arrange a visit to find care homes that meet your needs

Choosing a care home is just like choosing any other place to live – within a few seconds most people instinctively know whether a place ‘feels right’. It is important to visit a number of homes and choose the one that best suits your needs. 

When you go to visit a care home either for yourself or for a relative, take someone with you for another opinion and for moral support.

Trust your gut feeling – you’ll know what you like when you see it and if the home is for a relative, try to put yourself in their shoes and think what they might prefer.

Speak to care home residents and staff

Speaking to people who are already residents in the care home is an excellent way to start. There’s no comparison for a personal recommendation and trusted insight into what life is really like in the home.

As well as speaking to residents in person, you can also get a lot of insight from websites that share care home reviews. 

CareHome.co.uk is a care home review website that invites care home residents and their family members to share their experiences of a home and the professionals who work there.

It is important to consider how care needs might change to ensure that you or your loved one will have access to the right care at every stage. It’s a good idea to speak to the care home manager about the options available and speak to members of staff and ask about hiring procedures, to make sure that staff have professional backgrounds and are correctly qualified.

Choosing a care home checklist

It may be the little things that appeal to you about the home; being able to have visitors whenever you want or a telephone line in your room.

You will have lots of questions when you visit. To help out we have put together a checklist which can help you to remember the queries you may have. It compiles the questions most commonly asked about care homes, as well as issues our customers have told us were most important to them. It covers questions on areas such as:

Staff

• Do staff seem friendly and caring - how do they talk to the residents?
• Do staff receive regular training and what are the staff-to-resident ratios?

Accommodation and location

• Is the home well decorated, is it safe and secure and would you have private bathroom facilities?
• Can you bring your own furniture or your pet?
• Are there separate dining and social areas?
• Is the home a good distance from family and friends to make regular visiting easier? 

Facilities and food

• Is it well adapted to any specific needs e.g. sight, hearing or mobility? 
• Is there access to medical services, hairdressing and opticians? 
• Does the home have a good choice of meals, and can residents choose where to eat?

Activities in care homes

• Can you continue to pursue the hobbies you enjoy, and does the home have indoor and outdoor spaces to spend time? 
• Does the home have a library for residents?
• Does the home organise regular outings? 
• Is there an accessible garden for residents to enjoy?

Cost, care home fees and contracts

• How much are the fees? Does that include everything and how often are the fees reviewed? 
• Is separate funding available to support towards the cost of any fees? 
• How often do you need to pay for something?
• What are the terms and conditions and complaints policies?

We’d recommend you download and take a copy of this checklist with you when you visit each care home.

Special requirements

Certain care homes such as specialist dementia care homes offer tailored support for individuals living with dementia, focusing on their physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. This type of care includes personalised activities, assistance with daily tasks, and strategies to help manage symptoms like memory loss, confusion, and behavioural changes. They aim to improve the quality of life for those with dementia by creating a safe, supportive environment that promotes dignity and well-being.

Arrange a trial stay at your ideal care home

To ensure you are completely happy with your decision to move, you could also request a trial stay in the care home of your choice. This will give you a chance to meet other people living in the home properly, take part in a wider range of activities and get a real feel for what your new home is like. Trial stays vary based on the availability of a vacant room and the length of time you would like to stay.

Anchor care homes near you

We have Anchor care homes all over England. If you would like to see if we could be the perfect match for you, then don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team and arrange a visit.