When choosing the right care home, you have to consider several factors. As a Home Manager at one of the best-performing care homes in Wigan, with decades of experience in the care industry, I want to make that easier for you!

Below are my key items to consider:

Care Needs

What does your loved one need on a day-to-day basis? Understand the various care needs and how they are supported in the homes you are considering. Read about Millennium's different types of care. 

Understanding the care needs will help you find the perfect home for the resident. Search sites such as Lottie, Carehome.co.uk and Autumna provider filters that allow you to sift through the thousands of care homes across the country and filter through care types and other provisions within each home.

Most Important

What’s the most important thing for the resident and their loved one? Consider some of the following:

Quality of Care –

The care is often the most important thing; make sure the home meets the resident’s needs. For example, my home, Lakeside, supports those who require residential or nursing care. Make sure the home is rated Good or above by CQC and that the home’s reviews are positive! More on that later…

Locality & Surrounding Area –

Do they want to be in an area they’re familiar with, or would they prefer to be close to family and friends? What surrounds the home? For example, Lavender Hills Care Home in Ramsbottom, Bury is closely tied to the town but has breathtaking views of the Rossendale Valley, so perfect for someone who loves that countryside, village feel!

Activity Provisions –

An active mind and body is vital for us all, and it’s no different when living at a care home. Homes across the Millennium Care Group have specialised staff who deliver personalised, daily activities, both one-to-one and within larger Groups.

Type of Room –

Find a room that would be suitable for the resident. Larger, small, on-suite, scenic views, access outside, in a quieter area of the home or somewhere more accessible to communal activities.

Size of the home –

Do they like the hustle and bustle or prefer to be somewhere more reserved? Care homes come in all shapes and sizes, and there’ll be one that suits the resident’s personality to a tee.

A Big Sample Size

Take your time and do your research! There are so many care homes offering amazing services. You wouldn’t buy the first house you visit; you see a fair few and really understand what you like and what you don’t, what works well and what wouldn’t.

Ratings

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) online reports are a great way to learn about a home; ratings vary from Inadequate to Outstanding. The CQC is the independent regulator for health and adult social care in England and covers hospitals to home-care agencies. Strong CQC ratings are what every home strives for!

Have a look at CQC’s website!

Reviews & Word of Mouth

Make sure you have a good look at the home’s reviews on Google and carehome.co.uk; these give you a really good insight into the workings of the home, as reviews cannot be manipulated by the home in question.

Alongside that, check out the home’s social media accounts! Not only does it give you a front row seat into the home, but it’s also a great place to see feedback from friends and family.

Visit

Feel free to visit the homes you’re interested in as many times as you feel is needed. Sure, book an appointment to get a proper, in-depth guided tour and have important questions to hand, but it doesn’t hurt to come unannounced!

The element of surprise will show you what the home is like generally. How does the atmosphere feel? Do the residents seem happy, or how are the staff behaving?

At Lakeside, we like to invite potential residents and family members to have a meal in our home alongside other residents and the staff team. You’ll get a real feel for the place, and it’s a great opportunity to settle someone into Lakeside life and even make some new friends.

Funding

How is the resident’s care going to be paid for? There are various options for care home funding, including:

Local Authority Funding – Supported funding through your local authority. Depending on your capital thresholds, the local authority will either pay for a resident’s care or a portion of it.

CHC Funding – Full funding for people with complex and ongoing health needs of which are assessed by an NHS team.

Self-Funding – If assets exceed £23,250, residents pay their own fees.

There are other options available; check out Age UK’s content.

I, Lakeside Care Home and the whole of the Millennium Care family are available to answer any of your questions. We want to make a challenging process as straightforward as possible and provide you and your loved ones with the best advice so you can make an informed decision.

Gail Howard

Home Manager at Lakeside Care Home