Choosing the right care home for you
At Drymmau Hall we understand that choosing a care home for you or your loved one can be a very stressful time. There are so many unknown factors to consider such as saying goodbye to your own familiar home in search of a new one, considering the logistics and travelling time to maintain contact with a loved one, ensuring the best fit and range of care on offer to the physical and wellbeing needs of your family member, not to mention the administration of it all and the not-often talked about family guilt. We get it!
At Drymmau Hall we believe that visiting a care home and asking as many questions as you like and talking to members of management, staff and residents can give you real and transparent insights into the feel of the place and how it operates. This, in conjunction with online research into care homes in your chosen area, and how they measure up in Inspection Reports can be vital and reassuring ways of making that all-important choice.
We’ve put together a list of questions (not definitive!) that we think might be useful for anyone currently looking for the right care home. Remember, it’s your right to ask so please don’t be shy about asking! After all, not every care home will be able to offer the specific service that you might need and it’s better to find out after visiting and talking.
A core summary to initiate your discussions might be to ask about: care quality, staffing, daily life, medical support, fees, safety, how the home involves families. These areas will determine whether the home will truly meet your loved one’s needs. The following detail might give you a framework of approach:
Care & Medical Support
Care assessment process – Does the care home assess new residents’ needs before accepting them, and how is this done?
Changing needs – If a person’s care needs increase. Can the home still meet them?
Healthcare access – Is the care home linked to a GP practice? Do other care providers such as opticians, chiropodists, physiotherapists visit regularly?
Medication management – How are medications managed and who decides when check-ups are needed?
Hospital visits – Are travel arrangements provided and do staff accompany residents to their appointments, and is there a charge?
Staffing & Culture
Staff ratios – What is the staff-to-resident ratio during the day and at night? Is the changeover between night and day staff smooth and not disrupt the residents?
Staff makeup and turnover – Does the care home use agency staff? What is staff turnover like?
Training & specialisms – Are staff trained in dementia care or other relevant needs?
Respectful relationships – is there a personal and happy relationship between staff and residents? Are there smiles?
Daily Life & Environment
Routine choice – Do residents have the choice when to get up, go to bed, and plan their day as they wish?
Activities – Does the home offer regular and stimulating activities, outings and social events? Are residents stimulated and engaged?
Identity and personalisation – Can residents bring their own furniture and belongings to make their room their own?
Food & dining – Is the menu varied and the food of good quality? Are individual dietary requirements accommodated?
Visitors – Are visitors welcome anytime? Is there an appointment system? Are private spaces available for family visits?
Safety, Accessibility & Comfort
Security measures – What systems are in place to ensure residents’ safety?
Accessibility – Are there lifts, wide doorways, accessible toilets with handrails and mobility aids?
Cleanliness & maintenance – Are rooms and communal areas clean, fresh, and well maintained?
Inspection reports – Has the care home been rated highly in its most recent CIW inspection?
Fees, Contract & Transparency
What’s included – What does the basic fee cover?
Extra charges – Are there any top-up fees? Are there additional charges for activities, escorts to appointments, hairdressing etc.?
Fee increases – How often to fees increase and how much notice is given?
We hope you’ll find these questions a useful aid in helping you choose your care home. If you are considering Drymmau Hall, please don’t hesitate to ring us or email to find out more. Even better, we welcome you to come and visit and have a look around and ask us any questions. We’d like you to discover first-hand why so many of our residents are happy to call Drymmau Hall home.