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Elderly parents
Original poster

Moving into care home.

14 replies

crazydoglady6867 · 14/08/2018 06:11

Yesterday my FIL said he would move into a care home from the hospital instead of having QDS care in his own flat. We are so pleased but now I need to find one, just want to know what I am looking for. I rang one yesterday and they said just pop in any time to have a look round, I thought this was very positive that they didn’t insist I make an appointment, what else should I be looking out for?

OP posts:
imsorryiasked · 14/08/2018 06:25

Clean, friendly, happy staff and residents. Decent bedrooms. Varied menu. Good activities rota.
Look online for reviews.

slapmyassandcallmejudy · 14/08/2018 06:29

Ive worked in homes, good and bad and I regularly visit homes as part of my job and again I see good and bad. Daft as it sounds look at how well it's kept, is it maintained well, if they're not putting money into the home it means they're probably not putting money into their staffing which in turn creates a resentful workforce who cut corners and feel under appreciated. Ask about their latest CQC report, observe how attentive staff are to residents, ask about activities and how they cater to each individuals likes and dislikes. Ask about the 'routine' many homes are institutionalised in that at 6am for example all residents are woke and got ready to get up before day staff come on, dinners are set meals week in week out, board games happen at 3pm on a Tuesday etc etc that kind of rigid routine is a red flag in my opinion. I'm a big believer in person centred care and offering choices at all times, it's very easy to put that to one side to get the job done quicker, a good home will support carers to care in that approach, the bad ones will will pull carers in for a 'chat' about not meeting targets or getting the work done quick enough. Ask how staff are supervised at night, is there a senior? Is there always a manager present during the day? While the cats away the mice will play...

Not trying to worry you but be thorough and get the very best you can.

Original poster
crazydoglady6867 · 14/08/2018 06:30

The one I rang has a 5star review and is rated good on all counts by the CQC so I am hopeful. My FIL said he isn’t bothered about seeing it if I think it’s ok and it is near my house he will be more than happy. I am sure lots of people on here would like such parents!!

OP posts:
Original poster
crazydoglady6867 · 14/08/2018 06:32

Thanks slap that is so very helpful.

OP posts:
slapmyassandcallmejudy · 14/08/2018 06:38

A couple more:

When he's eventually moved into a home don't be afraid of kicking up a fuss, it's the residents who's families are on the ball that staff take more care with. Check his bedding, a good home will insist on beds being made properly and changed every day if necessary. The first home I worked in I once got an absolute bollocking for not noticing a tiny mark on the white sheets! That was a good home!

Don't be swayed by reviews, trust your judgement. I worked in one that won awards etc it was all so fake, which I why I left in the end

Original poster
crazydoglady6867 · 14/08/2018 15:14

Well I have been to see a few today and the 5 Star one was horrible, very hard faced staff I didn't get a good feel at all. We ended up choosing one that required improvement last year in their CQC report. It was so friendly the staff were lovely so I hope we haven't made an error of judgement. It is a real eye opener going round these places I just find it hard to believe that my FIL is like those people in there as I remember him as he was but I need to remember he is not the man he was, even just 3 weeks ago which is sad, but I do hope he can settle there. The biggest reason I chose it was because the staff were just so friendly so I hope friendliness = caring. This has been harder than choosing a nursery for my children when they were small, he is so vulnerable I hope it is ok.

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imsorryiasked · 14/08/2018 15:36

I'm sure you've made the right decision OP. Lovely staff are a lot more important to me than ticking the right box on an assessment form. I hope he's very happy there.

thesandwich · 14/08/2018 17:32

Friendliness is a really good sign. Do you think he might be able to go home in the future? Could this be a respite plan? It can be amazing what a bit of care can do.

Original poster
crazydoglady6867 · 14/08/2018 17:55

No he won’t go home, he will have to forgo his flat soot is a long term care plan. He won’t get better I’m afraid 😦

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NecklessMumster · 14/08/2018 18:08

as a social worker I have placed a lot of people in care homes, and I agree that friendliness is important as it shows the culture of the home. If the 'needs improvement' says its due to something minorish in paperwork for example then I don't worry too much

SnuggyBuggy · 14/08/2018 18:17

I hope it goes ok. My grandfather spent his last month's in a residential home and it was the right place, once he no longer had a house he felt responsible for he was far more relaxed.

Original poster
crazydoglady6867 · 16/08/2018 16:31

Just left my FIL in his new care home. It smelt a bit more “pissy” today than when we looked round but he didn’t notice and to be fair his old flat smelt worse!! He was shattered after a long car journey and meeting all these new people so he has gone to bed. Oh I do hope he will be ok here, again the staff, every single one of them were lovely and all came out to say hello to the new resident.

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SnuggyBuggy · 16/08/2018 16:54

Fingers crossed for the both of you

thesandwich · 16/08/2018 17:02

That sounds good about the staff. Treat yourself to a large glass now, you deserve it.

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