There are many questions you need to consider when making an important decision involving the future care and well being of an elderly relative. These can be broken down into 5 main areas:
1. Location
- Ease of access and convenience for family and friends to visit
- Is it convenient for shops, public transport and amenities?
- Does the surrounding area appeal to you?
- Are there outside rest areas?
2. Initial Impression
- Were you made to feel welcome by the staff?
- Were you offered refreshments?
- Do the present residents seem happy and is the atmosphere ‘homely’?
- Is the home well maintained, in a good state of repair and clean?
- Does the Home have a pleasant smell?
3. Bedrooms
- Were you shown the actual room that you/your relative would occupy?
- Can residents bring their own furniture and other possessions?
- Is the room pleasantly decorated?
- Does the room have en-suite facilities?
- Is there a television and telephone point?
- Can residents lock their room (if it is advisable for them to do so)?
- Is it possible to move to another room if the one offered doesn’t suit?
4. Care
- Does the Home provide the level of care required for your/your relatives needs?
- Is a regular review of those needs undertaken?
- Does the Home provide the next level of care should it be required in the future?
- Can residents eat when they want to?
- Can meals be taken in a residents bedroom if desired?
- Is there a choice of menu?
- Are special diets catered for e.g. vegetarian, diabetic?
- Are snacks readily available at all times?
- Are the menus changed on a regular basis?
- Do the cooking staff consult the residents on their preferences?
- Can residents choose who they sit with to eat their meal?
- Can relatives and friends have a meal?
- Does the Home offer a full range of services?
- Are residents able to choose which Doctor they can see?
- Are there visiting Dentists, Chiropodists, Opticians, etc?
- Does the Hairdresser visit the Home regularly?
- Are other services available such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy if required?
- Are there ample assisted bathing facilities in the Home?
- Do residents have the freedom to rise and go to bed when they want to?
- Will relatives be advised if a resident is taken ill and generally kept informed of their well being?
5. Other Issues / Activities
- Is there a quiet lounge without a television where residents can go if they wish?
- Are there safe and secure garden facilities?
- Is there a bar?
- Are arrangements in place to accommodate the needs of people who smoke if they wish to?
- Is there easy access for people with walking difficulties, wheelchairs, etc?
- Are there toilet facilities within easy reach of all parts of the Home?
- Do the corridors and toilets have secure handrails?
- During your visit did staff appear to be friendly and caring towards existing residents?
- Does each resident have a staff member allocated to be responsible for their care?
- What staff training is given?
- Is there a weekly plan of activities – were examples shown to you during your visit?
- Are residents asked what hobbies and interests they have?
- Are birthdays and other special events celebrated in the Home?
- Is exercise encouraged? If so, what form does this take?
- Does the Home take residents out on day trips?
- Does the Home have its own transport, e.g. minibus?
- Are daily newspapers available for residents?
- Is there a well stocked library in the Home or a visiting library service?
- Can residents attend services at places of worship? If so, is transport provided? Or are there visiting clergy?
- Are residents encouraged to take part in the daily activities if they are able, e.g. cleaning, gardening, cooking etc?
- Were there any photographs of any recent activities on display in the Home?
- Did you feel overall that the specific needs of you/your relative could be met by the Home you have visited?
