Choosing a residential care home – the questions you should ask
Anyone who’s ever had to choose a residential care home knows how challenging the decision can be. You need to feel confident you’ve made the right decision. There’s so many things to take into account.
Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) has developed a guide to the important questions you need to ask.
“Sometimes the resident wants to make their own decision to move into a residential care home. But for many, this decision is left to a loved one,” Christine Dingley, manager at BCHG’s Gower Gardens care home.
“Most have never made this kind of decision before. They don’t know the questions to ask, let alone the financial implications of the move.
“Often, the decision needs to be taken quickly, which leads to confusion and feeling guilty.
“The Q&A guide covers a broad spread of considerations when making a decision: timing, making it feel like home, cleanliness, menus, entertainment, visitors and your GP. The guide also dismisses some common myths concerning residential care.
“Ideally, a move into a care home is full of joy because residents discover new confidence, knowing that they’re safe, which often rejuvenates them to revisit lost skills, make new friends and generally feel happier and healthier.
“If you’re the person who has helped with the decision, you want complete peace of mind that you’ve done your best by your relative or friend.
“Once residents are settled in, they appreciate the level of care that they get here is beyond what they would be able to afford at their old home.
“You’ll know when you find the right care home for your loved one and we hope these questions help everyone arrive at their best decision.”
Find out the questions you need to ask by visiting: www.bchg.co.uk/residential-care/gower-gardens/which-care-home/
Gower Gardens is a luxury, not-for-profit residential care home providing care for people who are seeking safety and improved wellbeing and who may be living with dementia, physical frailty or complex health needs.
