Care Homes .. How did you choose?

[Sprog2]

Just thinking ahead, far far ahead... I hope.... and I hope it will not be necessary (but probably so does everyone).

Is there a forum/website etc etc where people who actually use the service rate the efficiency/suitability/care and kindness of care homes especially those connected with dementia care. I know an individuals view is subjective but a collective view, carries weight I would think. Yes, homes are officially assessed and I would take that into account but having worked in both care homes and schools I would not completely rely on official ratings as they do not always tell the day to day story. I would, of course, go and view for myself, but as much input as possible would help the process. How can we be sure we make the best choice for our Dad if we have to go down that route in the future? Would we even get much choice as we would not be self funding.

 

[nitram]

There is a transcript of a TP Chat Room session on choosing a care home, you may find it useful.


http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=41743&d=1406036473

 

[WILLIAMR]

I think the problem is you don't know what the future will bring so I would not waste too much time on it.

A care home has closed near where I live and they are now building a block of flats and another care home about 2 miles away is being extended.

My step mother was violent and several care homes would not take her.

She was CHC funded and her case was put in the hands of the Care Home Selection Service.

They found a home 9 and 30 miles away which would take her.

She went to the one 9 miles away.

Like most residents she did not have everything when she moved in.

A week later we had just got to the point of getting her everything and she passed away.

William

 

[Witzend]

We looked at masses, both for FIL and my mother, but perhaps 10 yrs in between. For FIL we were desperate to find somewhere that would not lock him in, since he was still very active and would have gone mad. We finally found a wonderful CH - just ordinary residential that said they could cope even though he had dementia, and they did, or at least until he needed actual nursing care and we had to move him for that reason. Not sure we'd be so lucky now.

My mother would never have wandered off or tried to 'escape', but a lot of the CHs we looked at just did not feel right. One at least was a converted hotel, with fairly small rooms down mazes of narrow corridors. She would have been permanently lost, and it was quite unsuitable, but they were very willing to take her. In the end we found a specialist dementia home, purpose built and IMO incredibly well designed - which happened to be just a few minutes' drive from my house. Our relief on finding it was profound, esp. since they had a room available when the need had become urgent.

But it was quite a slog each time - many days given over to driving hither and thither and hoping it would not be yet another day wasted.

 

[nitram]

Is >>>THIS<<< the link you posted?

 

[kingmidas1962]

In my dads case, complete luck - sorry, that's not much help. He went in for emergency respite in one of the only homes that had spaces - it was one that both mum and dad knew as they'd had neighbours that went there - it was nearby and mum could do the journey by bus.

Dad stayed there as mum had a breakdown and neither of them returned home - what we like about it is:-

• The staff CARE. REALLY care. They have become very fond of dad
• A lot of the staff have been there a very long time
• There are always plenty of staff around
• The managers office door is always open, and she is always available to talk
• Although we didnt realise it at the time, it is a nursing home and they provide palliative care for terminal patients - dad is now very poorly and he can be nursed there so he doesnt have to go into hospital
• Although they are not a specialist dementia home they have accommodated his needs as they've gone along - they have learnt from him. They haven't 'labelled' him as a dementia resident, they have always viewed him as an individual and as they can manage his needs he is welcome to stay

I don't know what I would have done if he had to move after his respite stay (initially 2 weeks, extended to 6) was up, as by that time mum was in psychiatric care and I was barely holding it together - so I've always been grateful for their flexibility and the way they treat him as an individual, not a condition.

 

[jeany123]

At some point in the last few months I came across a form with questions to ask a Care Home when viewing. It had several columns, so you could put in several Care Homes on the same sheet, so you could compare the answers. I even put a link in to the website for another member, but now I can't find it!!!! I suspect it was on an Age UK website, or on the Alzheimer's website, but I've looked at evey thing I can think of and still can't find it. Anyone help?

Was this it piph

http://bupaagedcare.com.au/staticfiles/BupaCare/Images/choosing a care home/choosing-a-care-home.pdf

 

[LYN T]

It's difficult but I used my instincts and asked a lot of questions. I ignored the slightly shabby interior-it just felt very homely. The staff were all long serving and they didn't go in for agency staff. There was also a high ratio of staff to residents.

I suppose in a way you would need to also factor in your Dad's capabilities; by the time Pete went into care he was not capable of joining in most of the activites that many CH's I visited offered. Some were lovely with outings to garden centres/offered wine with meals etc.Unfortunately, Pete didn't need things like that -he needed a safe environment where his aggressive behaviour could be 'managed'. Pete's CH also does palliative care-another question you might consider.

Also don't forget that even though a CH/NH may be just the ticket now things change. Managers come and go-so look again closer to the time if your Dad does need the CH option.

Wishing you luck

Lyn T

 

[Sprog2]

thank you everyone for your replies. I will keep referring back to these and take on board the pointers in what to look for. Although some have said it was luck and others searched high and low, there are quite a few recurring themes in what to look for and a check-sheet/comparison sheet would focus the mind. I agree that i may be being premature as so much can change. I think that Dad's downturn this week has panicked me slightly and I know if worst comes to worst it will down to myself and my sister to look at Care Homes. However, facing up to this topic, which I have never discussed before, has made me even more aware of how lucky we are at the moment in that we still have Dad (in greater and lesser degrees). I took him to my sister's for sunday lunch today, there was 10 of us there, all different ages. We had such a lovely, lovely afternoon.

 

[LYN T]

Aw Sprog

Take comfort in those lovely times-long may they last

Take care

Lyn T

 

[Sprog2]

Aw Sprog

Take comfort in those lovely times-long may they last

Take care

Lyn T

Thank you Lyn xx

 

[Mun]

piph,
carechoices.co.uk/advice/checklists

 

[nitram]

piph,
carechoices.co.uk/advice/checklists

Direct link
http://carechoices.co.uk/advice/checklists

 

[Canadian Joanne]

I agree that i may be being premature as so much can change. I think that Dad's downturn this week has panicked me slightly and I know if worst comes to worst it will down to myself and my sister to look at Care Homes.

I don't think you're being premature. I think it's best to starting looking well ahead of time, when one is relatively calm and not completely emotionally overwrought.

One factor I found important was how long staff members had been at the home. The longer, the better, I think because it means the staff is reasonably happy with their workplace, which means they will be happier with the residents.

 

[Mun]

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