Five Top Tips for Choosing a Care Home

Choosing a care home or care centre is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, so it’s vital to get it right. To help you make the best choice, we’ve put together some of our top tips to help you find the best place for yourself or your loved one.

Identify the level of care needed

Identify the level of care needed

Different care homes offer different levels of care, so it’s essential to identify exactly what care your loved one requires to find the place best suited to their needs. Different types of care include:

  • Residential Care - Residential care is suited for those who would benefit from living in a supported, protected environment where individuals have the independence to do what they can. Help is always on hand, and this type of care is suited to frail adults, early dementia and other conditions specific to the care of an elderly person.

  • Nursing Care - Nursing care is for individuals who need 24-hour support with their medical needs, whether on a permanent or rehabilitative basis. This includes those with physical disabilities, reduced mobility and long-term health conditions.

  • Dementia Care - Dementia care specialises in support for those living with dementia. An experienced team will care for your loved one with compassion, providing the best quality of life possible.
Arrange a viewing

Arrange a viewing

Whether in-person or virtual, taking a tour of the premises can give you a feel for the place and what life is like for residents. Aspects to consider include how welcoming the interiors there, what facilities are available and how well maintained the outdoor spaces are.

Look at the food menus and the home’s adaptability to dietary requirements, and also consider the location – is it close to local amenities and convenient for friends and family to visit?

Find out what activities are available

Find out what activities are available

Looking at the day-to-day activities for residents can be a good indicator of whether your loved one would enjoy living there. For example, there might be arts and crafts workshops, a garden for residents to flex their green fingers and regular trips out, such as to the theatre, cinema and local shopping villages.

The best care homes and centres will offer a diverse range of activities to ensure that residents live life to the full.

Read reviews and the most recent inspection report

Read reviews and the most recent inspection report

Take a look at reviews written by residents and their family and friends on carehome.co.uk to get a real insight into what life is like there.

You can also read the latest inspection report by the independent Care Quality Commission, who independently assess care homes and centres based on five criteria – safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership. You can ask the home for it, or search for it on the CQC website.

Find out if there are vacancies or how long the waiting list is

Find out if there are vacancies or how long the waiting list is

When you’ve found a home that is right for you, an important question to ask is if there are currently any vacancies. If there are no vacancies, you may wish to join the waiting list, and the length of the waiting list may be factor in your final decision.

Contact us today to find out more about the different care homes and centres in the Wessex Care family and to discuss which ones would be best suited to your loved one’s needs.

Welcome to the Wessex Care Blog. With the latest news, blogs and updates from The Wessex Care team – Quality care home providers in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Kimberly West Care Centre

27 Tollgate Road
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 2JA

01722 322494

Kimberly East Care Centre

27 Tollgate Road
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 2JA

01722 328315

Little Manor Care Centre

Manor Farm Road
Salisbury
Wilts
SP1 2RS

01722 341764

Milford Manor Residential Home

Milford Manor Gardens
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 2RN

01722 338652

Holmwood Residential Home

30 Fowlers Road
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 2QU

01722 331130

Community Services & Head Office

Wessex Care
11 Tollgate Road
Salisbury
SP1 2JA

01722 336933