Searching for the right type of care home can be a traumatic experience. Many people have to make the decision in a crisis, perhaps after a fall or illness, or a change in circumstances.

Looking back, they often wish they’d had longer for research. So if you think you or a relative might need a care home in the future, it’s a good idea to do some planning now.

‘Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail’.

Provision in Shropshire

In Shropshire there are 89 care homes and 45 nursing homes, and the type of accommodation and care can vary significantly between each one, making exploring the various options challenging. Generally speaking, the difference between the two types are:

Residential Homes provide assistance with personal care such as dressing and washing if required. Staff can care for residents during short periods of illness. Staff ratios to residents should be 1:10.

Nursing Homes are better suited where more constant medical attention is needed, and a more intensive staffing ratio of 1:5 is needed.

Where do I start?

What might be useful is to get a list of the homes available in your area. This can be obtained from your health centre, social services or online. A list of useful contacts is included below.

To decide which homes to visit, it may be helpful to speak to:

• friends and relatives, for their recommendations
• your GP or local social services department

Once you have a list and have spoken to the relevant people, it is advisable to telephone each of the homes to ensure that they meet your current and future needs. This is a basic information-gathering exercise and will give you a ‘first impression’ of the home before you commit time to visiting your short list.

Telephone checklist

When contacting care homes you may wish to consider the following questions:

• How regularly do doctors visit the Nursing Home
• Will I be able to keep my own doctor?
• Does the home cater for nursing as well as residential care? This would be preferable to moving at a later date if necessary.
• Does the home retain key staff? A long-term relationship between staff and residents is essential.
• Does the home have space available at the time of expected admission?
• Can any special food, dietary, religious or cultural needs be met?
• What are the accommodation arrangements – i.e. shared or single rooms?

Visiting the homes

Once you have established facts about your shortlist, arrange appointments to visit them. This way you can get a really good feel for the home and whether it will suit you. After all, you are choosing a place to live – it’s one of the most important decisions we’ll ever make.

Talking to staff, residents and managers can help you get an idea of what the home is like, and you should feel able to visit more than once. Sandy George, Nurse Manager at Morris Care’s Care Centre in Wellington says: “You can tell a lot from your initial greeting – how were you made to feel? How did the staff interact with the residents – were there smiles all round and were you offered refreshments?”

Much of the information will be derived from observations and general impressions, but it might be an idea to be clear about what it is you want to get out of the visit.

• Does the home have a care plan or adopt a particular philosophy?
• What emphasis does the home give to caring for the resident?
• What makes this particular home different from others you have enquired about?
• What sort of special activities and entertainments are provided?
• Are these ones which would be of interest? (typical activities include; visits from animals, interesting local people, hairdressers, quizzes, bingo, bridge etc.)
• Does the geographical location make visiting by family and friends possible at any time?
• Is there access to a private room or lounge for meeting friends and family? – you may not wish to entertain in your bedroom.
• Are there sufficient local transport options available?
• What is the food like? You may be able to experience a sample meal.
• Is there any access to gardens? – a pleasant area for shady, summer sitting is ideal.

These are just a few questions aimed at triggering your own. It is vital that you visit each short listed home and ask your questions personally. Treat your visit as if you were buying a house and trust your feelings.

We have provided a link to the BUPA website which has a comprehensive questionnaire which you can print out and use as a guide.

Once you have made your choice...

You have the right to choose your care home. There are lots to choose from, and it is a difficult decision.

Unfortunately your first choice may not have a space immediately, but you can arrange to go into a different care home while you wait for a place or arrange for services at home. If your local council is helping with costs then they can help you with either of these options.

National minimum standards issued by the Department of Health state that care homes should offer trial stays. This may include the chance to meet staff, have a meal and an overnight stay.

As Sandy George remarks; “Homes may well offer respite and holiday care – Morris Care offers a days’ free trial”.

Admission procedures vary, but most homes have a straightforward weekly or monthly billing process, and provided there’s a space available you can book in at your convenience.

Useful Contacts

Shropshire Partners in Care
www.spic.co.uk  (01743 860011)
has a directory of available beds on their website

You care, We care
has a directory of homes in Shropshire
www.ucarewecare.com  (07092 035131)

The Elderly Accommodation Council
www.housingcare.org  (0207 820 1343)

The Registered Nursing Home Association
www.rnha.co.uk  (0121 454 2511)

Government information, regulations etc.
www.direct.gov.uk

BUPA
www.bupacarehomes.co.uk

www.CSCI.gov.uk
offers a search facility for care homes and you can read their inspection reports.

If you feel you would like more advice:

The Relatives and Residents’ Association www. relres.org (tel: 020 7359 8136) can offer advice and support.