Choosing residential care for yourself or a loved one can be daunting. It’s a decision filled with emotion, questions, and considerations. At Featherton House Care Home in Deddington, we understand the importance of finding the right fit – a place that feels like home, fosters community and prioritises lifestyle alongside care.
Below, we’ll explore what residential care entails, decode common terminology used in the search process, and share insights from our residents and their loved ones about their experiences at Featherton House.
What is Residential Care?
Residential care refers to living arrangements where individuals receive assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals, with their own private room and a choice of communal spaces for socialising. It’s designed for individuals who may require some support and supervision but do not need the intensive medical care provided in a nursing home.
How Do I Choose the Right Care Home?
With so many options, it can be difficult to know where to start. The internet is a great first port of call in any care search. Here you can quickly narrow down your search to the care homes closest to your ideal location.
Visiting the care home websites listed in the search results will enable you to quietly research the homes before making contact.
Things to Consider When Visiting Care Home Websites
- Location, location, location! Is the care home where you or your loved one would like to be? Is the home easy to visit, with easily accessible public transport and parking? Would the person requiring care like a peaceful countryside location, or would they prefer a town-centre setting close to friends and family?
- Does the care home offer the level of support required? An individual with complex medical needs would benefit from a care home with nursing staff on hand 24/7, so a purely residential care service would not be suitable. Whereas an elderly person who only requires assistance with daily tasks and would like to remain socially active would benefit from a residential care home such as Featherton House. Care home websites should make it clear if they offer residential, nursing or dementia care, or a mix of all three.
- How does it look? It’s important to take a good look through the photos on a care home website and watch their videos if they have them. This will help you to decide if the environment and facilities are the perfect match. Look for images of bedrooms to give you an idea of the size, layout and condition of the private rooms on offer. You’ll also get an understanding of the facilities and services such as; dining rooms, lounges, gardens and hair salons.
- What is the care home’s CQC rating? The Care Quality Commission is the regulatory body for care homes in England. Every care home registered with the CQC must display its current inspection rating on its website. This will give you a good idea of the standards or care quality within the home.
- Is there a brochure you can download or request? Care home brochures often go into further detail and may answer some of the questions you have. This also gives you something to share with other decision-makers such as relatives or friends.
- Does the care home have a Facebook Page? A care home website will give you all the important information about the home, but a care home Facebook Page will provide an insight into what daily life is like for the people who live there. Care home Facebook Pages are often full of photos of residents enjoying activities, hobbies, entertainment and day trips. This will help you understand if the home fits the social needs and interests of the person requiring care.
Create a Short List
Once you have researched your local care homes online, create a short list of homes that you believe are the best fit for the person requiring care. Once you have done this, it’s a good idea to contact the home to ask any questions you have and to request a visit.
Questions You May Wish to Ask
- What are your weekly fees?
- What is included in your weekly fees?
- What is your visiting policy?
- What types of funding do you accept?
- Do you allow pets?
- Do you have regular activities and entertainment?
Book a Visit
The best way to understand if a care home is right for you or your loved one is to visit. Visiting enables you to check the practicalities of the location. How easy would it be to visit the home and does it have adequate parking? You’ll also be able to experience the environment for yourself and witness interactions between staff and residents. You may even see an activity or entertainment in progress, giving you an insight into the social aspects of the home. Care home visits provide an opportunity to meet some of the people who will be caring for you or your loved one. In good residential care homes, the care team become more like family or friends than staff. Meeting some of them during a visit will help you understand if the home has the perfect personality match.
Will the Care Home Improve Quality of Life?
The most important thing to consider when choosing a care home is whether it will make the person requiring care happy and improve their quality of life. This depends on the specific needs and preferences of the individual. If they have been struggling with daily tasks at home and feel lonely, isolated, or unsafe, a residential care home in the right location, with the perfect mix of personalities and opportunities for social interaction could make a positive difference to that individual and their loved ones.
“The staff are super! Without the carers, life would be rather dull!”
- Shirley, a resident of Featherton House Care Home
Choosing residential care is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. At Featherton House Care Home, we believe in providing person-centred care and a vibrant community where residents can thrive and enjoy life to the fullest.
We invite you to explore Featherton House and discover the difference our person-centred care and community-focused approach can make in your life.
Learn more about Featherton House and watch our video at www.wrenretirement.co.uk/featherton, or call our friendly team on 01869 943 504 to book a tour of our charming care home.
