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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Care homes

31 replies

SuddenlyBecoming · 31/07/2026 02:15

My parent has suddenly announced they want to go into a care home following a fall. I'm not sure if I am outdated but are care homes nice places to be? Or is there a better way to give an older person some support?

Ignore the poll.

OP posts:
Rocknrollstar · 02/08/2026 09:06

SuddenlyBecoming · 31/07/2026 06:48

Thank you all so much. We would be funding the care, and that is one of my worries is what happens if they outlive the funds available, I really can't face them being downgraded or moved because money is no longer available.

The other side of it is I don't want to really facilitate them giving up and putting up with a lifestyle. At the moment we have arranged the alarm, carers who come 4 times a day and a meals on wheels sort of service for food. But they are coming back out of hospital and are scared that even with all of this something might happen.

We are in the process of buying them a retirement flat close to us which will mean we can literally be there in 2 minutes. But they don't want to wait however many months that will take to go through.

So I'm feeling really torn what to do, I have zero experience of all of this and just want to do what's best for them as we all do.

Their fall has left them with a lack of mobility on one side and that is what's fueling this panic. The hospital think they will recover to 80% but they think they won't and will need help forever more going to the toilet and getting out of bed etc.

Argh just don't know what to do for the best, with my other parent it was simpler they would rather cut their own head off than go into a home.

If you are in the process of buying a retirement flat then maybe the way forward is to find a home that will take her for respite care until the flat is free. Alternatively, retirement accommodation usually has visitor accommodation - could that be rented so she gets to know the other people while waiting for her flat to be ready?

hatgirl · 02/08/2026 09:56

SuddenlyBecoming · 31/07/2026 23:11

It is a warden assisted flat so will be tricky to sell but to be honest with you anything will sell if you make it cheap enough which I think we would do if needed to. We liked it as it as it is so close to us it makes it plausible to see them every day. 1 year of care home fees would be equal to its valuation so it's not a massive loss if we even gave it away!

Have you checked if there are service charges that still need to be paid regardless of having to move into a care home or death? These places are often a NIGHTMARE for relatives left to sort them out.

Warden assisted often also means someone there 9-5 5 days a week who doesn't provide much beyond the same level of support a friendly neighbour might.

Justbecauseyoucandoesntmeanyoushould · 02/08/2026 10:25

My DH lives in a care home, where my mum lived for several years before her death. Both have/had dementia, though mum started on residential. It's a lovely place. Beautifully clean, comfortable (less so in the recent heat!), freshly cooked food at every meal and wonderful staff who fill the place with warmth and laughter. I know there are lots of people who don't have good experiences but mine has been wholly positive.

MayaPyjama · 02/08/2026 10:29

I would move into my grandads care home tomorrow. He has his own self contained flat, meals either delivered or served in the dining room, they’ll pretty much make whatever you want if they have it and you can order in advance (or cook for yourself in your flat), there are activity stations filled with crosswords, jigsaw puzzle, board games and painting, then daily activities to drop into as you wish. They do scheduled runs to the local supermarket too.

But it’s £7k a month, so I couldn’t afford it anyway - but I’d pay more then that to be all inclusive in an equivalent resort so seems like a reasonable cost.

SuddenlyBecoming · 03/08/2026 21:14

Rocknrollstar · 02/08/2026 09:06

If you are in the process of buying a retirement flat then maybe the way forward is to find a home that will take her for respite care until the flat is free. Alternatively, retirement accommodation usually has visitor accommodation - could that be rented so she gets to know the other people while waiting for her flat to be ready?

That might be a good idea, something to bridge the gap until they are with us. Hadn't thought of that.

Honestly thank you all, I am feeling permanently stressed trying to work out what is best.

OP posts:
SuddenlyBecoming · 03/08/2026 21:15

hatgirl · 02/08/2026 09:56

Have you checked if there are service charges that still need to be paid regardless of having to move into a care home or death? These places are often a NIGHTMARE for relatives left to sort them out.

Warden assisted often also means someone there 9-5 5 days a week who doesn't provide much beyond the same level of support a friendly neighbour might.

At the moment they are about £3k so pretty good I thought. Then we will be paying for carers onto of that. The main reason for wanting this place is proximity to us so they feel secure knowing we are very near and can call on us.

OP posts:
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