The Ultimate Checklist for Selecting a Care Home for the Elderly
The number of care homes for the elderly is increasing by the day. With this fact, choosing the best care home for the elderly can be very overwhelming, especially if you have never done it before. Nonetheless, it is important for you to know exactly what it is you are looking for before the search even begins. However, regardless of your specific needs, there are some common things that you must include in your care home hunting checklist.
Keep reading because this post highlights the ultimate checklist for selecting a care home for an elderly relative, friend or colleague.
- Consider the location of the care home –A care home is a home away from home for the elderly or the physically challenged individuals in our society. So, you have to understand that you are not sending your loved one away but you are just finding the right care for them. That said, the location of the care home is an essential factor when choosing one. The question is; will you be able to visit regularly? If no, then you should consider another location that is closer to your residence or workplace.
- Check on the facilities or amenities that the care home has to offer –When choosing a care home, even the smallest of issues do matter. But because different care homes have different amenities to offer, it is up to you to look more closely at all the amenities and facilities. For example, does the care home have a lift for easy movement from one floor to another? Will your loved one get room service? What are the care home’s entertainment plans? And so on.
- Find out if the staff is welcoming –Choosing a care home is not all about finding a perfect location or finding a good care home with the best amenities. The people that work in the facility should be approachable and friendly so that they can create the right atmosphere for your loved one. To be sure of the kind of staff that facilities like Northcare Manor have, it is best that you physically visit the care home before bringing your loved one in.
Upon the visit to the care home (or care homes), be keen on how the staff relates to each other and with the residents. In addition to this, look at the care home’s reputation and reviews before making your choice.
- Find out about the catering services and daily menus –When you are old, nothing is better than eating a good meal and relaxing. So, before taking your elderly parents, relatives, friends or colleagues to a care home, make inquiries about the facilities catering services and daily menu. It might seem like such a petty issue but it is important for you to make sure that your loved one will be eating healthy.
Additionally, as we all know, eating the same meal daily can be monotonous. With that in mind, also make sure that there is a variety of meals served each day.
During your search for a care home, use the above tips, alongside your recommendations and of course your instincts. I am sure that with all that, you will find the right home for your aging parents.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
