Searching for the right care for your loved one is not a task that you undertake every day. It can in fact be a stressful time for everyone involved in the decision and the pressure to make the right choice can be huge. There are a few simple steps you can take to help you in finding the right care.
What do you need?
When it comes to care there are a number of different options available so it is vital that you understand the differences and also know exactly which type you should be looking at.
If the person in need of care doesn’t have any medical issues then a care home may be your best option. Nursing homes have staff on hand to deal with residents who have medical issues, this can be anything from dementia to general health issues. Another option to look at is the idea of homecare services – someone who will be able to look after and help your relative in their own home. This can be an ideal option for anyone who has no medical concerns but is perhaps getting a little frail and struggling on a day to day basis.
Location, Location
If your relative already lives nearby then you are likely to be looking for care nearby. If they live further away, then the need for care can provide you with an opportunity to move them closer. This will allow you to visit them more often and even provide additional support if needed.
Identifying the type of care that you need to be looking at and the approximate location will give you a good starting point to create a shortlist of possible locations. If you don’t know anything about local care home and live in care options then there are online directories you can look in, or even a simple google search will give you something to work with.
Go for a Visit
Once you have a short list it is important to visit the places on it. Make sure you have a proper look around and ask plenty of questions, speak to other residents if you can, this will help to give you a real feel for the place. Ask about waiting lists as well, do they have any spaces or will you need to join a waiting list and if so how many people are on it, these are all factors that you will need to take into consideration.
Standard of Care
Standards of care, the standard that residents should expect, are laid out by the Care Quality Commission. These reports are easily accessible so ask to have a look at them as they might highlight any issues you will need to take into consideration when making your decision.
In addition to this you should also check that all the appropriate staff are DBS checked.
The important thing is that you do not feel rushed into making a decision, finding the right place can take time so don’t rush into something unless you are completely sure it is the right place.
Things may be different in the UK, but here in the United States, the trend is towards in-home care. Instead of large nursing homes where medical services are provided, those who are just in need of assistance can move into small homes in the neighborhood where they can get 24/7 assistance if needed, but not in an institutional way.
Or, they could do what I've done for 25 years, hire a caregiver. I have three caregivers and have hired 10 or so over the years to help me in my home. Initially, I put an ad in the local want ads and didn't particularly hire people with medical backgrounds. And then, I used Craigslist. Most recently, I have been using care.com. Using this source gives me assurance that the people I hire have been checked for criminal and financial background as well as narrowing down skills needed for my particular care needs. Hiring people in your own home costs much less than group homes and can be quite rewarding for the independence it provides.
Ron