Professor Martin Green OBE
Chief Executive, Care England
Your life doesn’t stop when you move into a care home: far from it, in fact. Care homes are often places of community, engagement and fulfilment.
Rachel Harvey, Director of Care, Quality and Regulatory and Governance at Care UK, a nationwide care provider, says: “We believe you take your life with you when move into a care home. Residents can continue to enjoy the things they have always done, try new activities or achieve a lifelong dream. They can socialise within the home and take part in the activities offered.”
What the right care home can offer
Despite the work of care providers to dispel negative connotations of care, the decision to move into a care home is not always an easy one. Josh Hawker, from Able Care Homes, says: “There’s sometimes a perception that care homes can feel like hospitals or institutions, but we find that a lot of our customers are really surprised by what the inside of our homes look and feel like.”
If you are struggling to decide what option is right for yourself or a loved one, taking the time to consider your choices is key. Try to think beyond the fundamentals of care and cost — what will make it truly feel like a home? If you or your loved one enjoy the outdoors, is there a nice garden with lots of seating? A good menu selection might be a priority for a foodie. Will the varied activity schedule cater to an extrovert?
Try to think beyond the fundamentals
of care and cost — what will make
it truly feel like a home?
Autonomy and a community that fits
Ruth French, from East Anglia-based Stow Healthcare, suggests looking for a place where your independence is promoted and where you can integrate with the community: “We are just starting a book club in one home, supported by local villagers, for example. Think about what is key in your life now, and look at how you can replicate that as far as possible.”
Get to know the care team
Deborah Hulse-Raper, Head of Customer Care at HC-One, a care provider with services across England, Scotland and Wales, suggests taking a tour of a home’s facilities and getting to know the care team that worka there. “Many of our care homes also host events and open days for the community to join in with, which give people a sense of what daily life looks like in a care home and allow them to hear about the experiences of residents living there.”
