How to Choose the Right Care Home, A Checklist for Families: The Majesticare Guide to Care
Choosing a care home for yourself or someone you love is a big decision.
Of course, there are practical things to consider: location, the type of care available, cost, and facilities, but finding the right care home is about much more than ticking boxes.
It is about finding somewhere a person can feel safe and supported, but also somewhere they can continue to have choices, enjoy the things they love, build relationships and, most importantly, feel at home.
If you're beginning your search, here's our guide to some of the things worth considering.
1. Start with the person, not the care home
Before comparing care homes, take some time to think about what actually matters to the person who will be living there.
What support do they need now?
What might they need in the future?
But also:
What makes them happy?
How do they like to spend their day?
Are they sociable, or do they enjoy their own company?
Do they love gardening, cooking, music, sport or getting out into the community?
Are there routines that are particularly important to them?
What would make somewhere feel like home?
A beautiful building and an impressive list of facilities are wonderful, but they only matter if the home can support the individual to live in a way that feels right for them.
2. Make sure the home can provide the right type of care
Different care homes provide different levels of support.
Some specialise in residential care, while others provide nursing care, dementia care, respite care or a combination of services.
Before arranging a visit, check that the home can support your loved one's current needs.
It's also worth asking:
What happens if those needs change?
Someone who needs a little help today may require more support in the future. Understanding what a home can and cannot provide can help you make a more informed long-term decision.
If you're unsure about the different types of care available, read our previous Majesticare Guide to Care: Residential Care vs Nursing Care, Which Is Right for Your Loved One?
3. Consider the location
Location can make a significant difference to someone's experience of living in a care home.
Think about whether family and friends can visit easily and whether the person can remain connected to the community they know.
You might want to consider:
Is the home easy for family and friends to reach?
Are there shops, cafés, parks or other local amenities nearby?
Can residents continue visiting familiar places?
Are there good outdoor spaces?
Can the home support trips and days out?
Moving into care doesn't have to mean becoming disconnected from the world outside.
4. Check the CQC rating, but don't stop there
In England, care homes are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Looking at a home's latest CQC rating and inspection information is an important part of your research.
But don't simply look at the overall rating.
Take some time to read the report and understand what inspectors found. It can give you useful information about how the service operates and highlight areas you may want to ask about during your visit.
And remember: a CQC report is one source of information.
Your conversations with the home, your visit and how you feel when you're there matter too.
Coming next in our Majesticare Guide to Care: Understanding CQC Ratings, What Do They Actually Mean?
5. Visit the home in person
Websites, photographs and brochures can help you create a shortlist, but there is no substitute for actually visiting.
When you arrive, pay attention to your first impressions.
Is the welcome warm?
Does the home feel comfortable?
Are the spaces clean and well cared for?
Can you see residents using the lounges, gardens and other areas?
But don't spend the whole visit looking at the décor.
Look at the people.
Do team members know residents by name?
Are conversations warm and natural?
Is there laughter?
Are residents making choices?
Do people seem relaxed around the team?
Sometimes the small interactions you notice during a visit tell you far more about a home than the tour itself.
6. Ask how they'll get to know your loved one
Great care starts with knowing the person.
Ask the home how they learn about someone's life before and after they move in.
That could include their:
Life story
Career
Family and relationships
Hobbies and interests
Favourite foods
Music
Routines
Beliefs and culture
Likes and dislikes
Achievements
Favourite places
Personal preferences
Care shouldn't simply be built around what somebody needs help with.
It should also recognise everything they can do and everything that makes them who they are.
7. Look at choice and independence
One of the biggest concerns families can have about care is whether their loved one will lose their independence.
So ask what choice looks like within everyday life.
Can residents decide when they get up?
Can they choose where and when they eat?
Can they spend time in their room when they want to?
Can they personalise their bedroom?
Can they continue their hobbies?
Can they go into the garden or community?
Can friends and relatives visit?
Are residents involved in decisions about their care?
Care should provide support where it's needed without unnecessarily taking away the choices someone can still make for themselves.
8. Find out what everyday life is actually like
Activity calendars can be useful, but don't judge a home's lifestyle solely by how many activities appear on a timetable.
Instead, ask:
"What would an ordinary Tuesday look like for my loved one here?"
That question can tell you a lot.
Look for opportunities that are meaningful rather than simply filling time.
One person might love a busy group activity.
Another might prefer tending to the garden.
Someone else might want to watch the football, visit a local pub, bake a cake, go shopping or simply sit with a cup of tea and the newspaper.
The important thing is having choice.
9. Don't forget the food
Food is a huge part of everyday life, so don't be afraid to ask about it.
Can you see a menu?
Is there a choice at mealtimes?
What happens if someone doesn't fancy what's on the menu?
Can dietary, cultural and medical requirements be accommodated?
Are snacks and drinks available throughout the day?
Can family members occasionally join residents for a meal?
And importantly, are residents involved in deciding what appears on the menu?
If possible, have a meal or a cup of tea during your visit. It can give you another glimpse into everyday life within the home.
10. Ask about the team
Buildings don't provide care. People do.
Take time to understand the team who will be supporting your loved one.
You could ask:
How are team members trained?
How do you support ongoing learning and development?
Who will be responsible for my loved one's care?
How do you ensure continuity?
Who is available overnight?
How do team members communicate with families?
What specialist training is provided for dementia or other needs?
How does the home work with GPs and other healthcare professionals?
Just as importantly, notice how the team interact with one another.
A happy, supported team can tell you a great deal about the culture of a home.
11. Understand how families remain involved
Moving into a care home shouldn't mean family relationships suddenly change.
Ask how relatives and friends are welcomed into the life of the home.
Can you visit regularly?
Are families invited to events?
How will the home communicate with you?
How are relatives involved in care planning, where appropriate?
Who would you contact if you had a question or concern?
The relationship between residents, relatives and the care team should feel like a partnership.
12. Talk openly about fees
Care home fees can vary considerably, so make sure you understand exactly what is included before making a decision.
Ask for a clear explanation of:
The weekly fee
What is included
What may cost extra
How and when fees are reviewed
Whether fees may change if care needs increase
Any notice periods or other contractual arrangements
Never feel uncomfortable asking about money. You should be able to understand the financial commitment clearly before agreeing to anything.
13. Think about the future, not just today
This is one of the questions families can easily overlook.
Ask:
"What would happen if my loved one's needs changed?"
Find out whether additional support could be introduced and whether the home could continue caring for the person if their mobility, cognition or health needs changed.
Nobody can predict exactly what the future will bring, but knowing the possibilities can provide valuable reassurance.
14. Visit more than once if you need to
You don't have to make a decision after one tour.
Go away and think.
Write down questions you've forgotten to ask.
Talk to other family members.
If you need another visit, ask for one.
You might even want your loved one to visit for lunch, an activity or simply a cup of tea where appropriate.
Choosing a care home is important. You are allowed to take the time you need to feel comfortable with your decision.
15. Ask yourself one final question
Once you've checked the care, location, facilities, CQC information, activities, food and fees, there is one final question worth asking:
Can I imagine my loved one living here?
Not simply being cared for here.
Living here.
Can you imagine them laughing with the team?
Enjoying lunch?
Making friends?
Sitting in the garden?
Continuing a hobby?
Celebrating birthdays with family?
Having good days, quiet days and completely ordinary days?
Because ultimately, you aren't simply choosing a care provider.
You're helping someone choose their home.
Your Care Home Checklist
When you're visiting a potential care home, consider:
✓ Does the home provide the right level of care?
✓ Can it support changing needs?
✓ Have you checked its CQC information?
✓ Does it feel warm, welcoming and comfortable?
✓ Do team members know residents as individuals?
✓ Do residents appear relaxed and engaged?
✓ Are residents supported to make their own choices?
✓ Can your loved one continue their hobbies and interests?
✓ Are family and friends welcomed?
✓ Is there a varied choice of food?
✓ Are there meaningful activities and opportunities to go out?
✓ Can bedrooms be personalised?
✓ Have the fees and additional costs been clearly explained?
✓ Do you understand how the home communicates with families?
✓ Most importantly, can you imagine your loved one being happy there?
Continue Being Me at Haddenham Park
At Majesticare, we believe choosing a care home shouldn't simply be about finding somewhere to receive care. It should be about finding somewhere you can continue to live your life.
Continue Being Me is at the heart of life at Haddenham Park. It starts with getting to know each individual, their story, routines, preferences, ambitions and understanding how we can support them to continue doing the things that make them who they are.
Moving into a care home may be the beginning of a new chapter, but it shouldn't mean becoming a different person.
We also understand that choosing the right care home is a big decision, and you shouldn't feel rushed. That's why we warmly invite you to experience Haddenham Park for yourself.
Whether you're beginning to consider care for the future or looking for support now, our team is here to listen, understand what's important to you and help you feel confident about your next step.
Come and experience Haddenham Park for yourself.
Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with our friendly team today to arrange a personal tour of Haddenham Park and discover how we can help you or someone you love Continue Being Me.
Next in The Majesticare Guide to Care: Understanding CQC Ratings – What Do They Actually Mean?
Haddenham Park Care Home & Apartments Tibbs Road, Haddenham, HP17 8FH
Telephone: 01844 390 300 Website: www.haddenhampark.co.uk
