Moving into a care home can be the start of a positive new chapter in an older person’s life. But looking for the right one can feel complicated.
At Care UK, we’re here to make your care home journey as simple as possible. We know how important your search to find a care home is – whether you can take your time deciding or need an emergency care home admission.
Below, we’ve broken down the key steps to finding the right care home for yourself or a loved one, from tips on planned searches to advice on making confident decisions under pressure.
Why finding the right care home matters
Every care home is different. The team, décor, age of the building and even the location will all make an impact on its overall feel.
Finding the right care home is an important decision, and getting it right from the start will save you lots of stress down the line. You might feel most comfortable in a new build home with all the luxury trimmings, or maybe you feel your best in a homely setting with a close-knit feel. You might not know what you prefer until you visit – and that’s the first step to making those all-important first impressions of the care home’s environment and atmosphere.
Still unsure where to start? We have lots of advice and guidance on starting your care home journey to make the process more manageable.
What care do I need?
Although a care home will complete their own assessments to make sure that they are able to meet the needs of a potential new resident, it's helpful if possible to understand about the type of care that you or your loved one needs. For example, care homes can offer residential, nursing, or dementia care. Find out more about the different types of care available at Care UK.
Planned searches: having time to make the right choice
In an ideal world, you’ll have plenty of time to make a decision about your loved one’s care. Even so, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and decisions to make.
First, take some time learning about the offerings in your area. This can be as simple as spending an evening browsing through local care homes online. There are several third-party sites that can help you with your search, such as carehome.co.uk. We also offer a search tool and shortlisting feature to help you get started.
Make a note of any key requirements like cost, location, types of services offered, activities and facilities.
Once you’ve built your shortlist of homes, get in touch with each one to ask about availability and arrange a viewing.
On your visit, remember to take plenty of notes. We’ve made a checklist to make it easier to find a care home, with helpful suggestions on what to ask and look out for. You can download our choosing a care home checklist here.
Don’t be afraid to view homes multiple times and ask lots of questions. Time is a luxury, so if you have it, use it. Read more about choosing a care home here.
Steps in a planned search:
- Research care homes in the local area via websites, third-party sites, reviews and brochures.
- Contact each home to check availability and book viewings.
- View the homes on your shortlist.
- Compare your notes from each of the care homes you visited and narrow down your choices.
- If you’d like, visit these homes again. You could even arrange your visit alongside an activity or mealtime in the home.
- Still unsure? You might be able to arrange a short respite stay to try the home before you commit to moving in permanently.
- Make your decision and agree a moving in date with the home.
Emergency situations: what happens if you need a care home fast
If your loved one has become ill, had a fall, or suddenly can’t take care of themselves – or their usual caregiver is suddenly unavailable – you might need to arrange an emergency care home placement quickly. In these cases, it’s just as important to try to make the best decision for your loved one given your circumstances.
You can ask the local council, which should provide information on care homes in the area, or do your own research through providers’ websites and third-party review sites.
Get in touch with the homes on your shortlist and make them aware that you need an emergency care home admission. At Care UK, you can call our Care Support team for free advice and support, seven days a week.
If your loved one has a long-term illness or condition, there may also be specialist organisations you can contact for specific advice.
Emergency care home options
If you need help in a hurry, ask local care homes about short-term respite care options. Many Care UK care homes offer respite placements for older people who need safe, high-quality care at short notice.
Whether your loved one needs temporary care because their regular caregivers are suddenly unavailable due to illness or other emergencies; they need extra support following an illness or operation; or they need care quickly but aren’t ready to commit to a permanent placement, there are many reasons why respite care might be a good option.
Read more about respite care’s benefits and how to arrange it here.
Costs: planned vs emergency admission
Whether you need care quickly or have time to make a decision, understanding the cost of care will be an important factor in your care home choice.
Your needs, and any funding assistance you’re entitled to, will be decided by free care needs and financial assessments from your local authority. A financial adviser can also help you understand more about your individual situation.
For those seeking a short-term emergency care home admission, local authority funding is only offered if you are assessed as needing it, so you as a carer and your loved one may both need an assessment. The NHS has more information on getting assessed.
At Care UK, we’re open and honest about our care costs and our team will help you find a home to suit your budget. Contact our dedicated care support team who can help you find the right answers on which funding options are available to you.
Support through the process: who can help
There are many organisations that can provide expert guidance throughout your search to find a care home. View a list of groups and charities that can help here.
Care UK also has lots of guidance on finding the right care in our help and advice area, and you can call our care support team for free advice and support, seven days a week.
Making a confident decision under pressure
Finding the right care for your loved one can feel overwhelming, especially if they need an emergency care home placement.
To be sure that you’re confident in your decision, consider these key aspects:
- Check quality ratings: these can offer a good indication of the home’s quality of care.
- Read reviews: third-party sites like carehome.co.uk offer lots of testimonials from people who have experienced the home first hand.
- Visit the home in person: even if your loved one can’t make it, visit the care home at least once. It will put your mind at ease to speak directly to the team and get a feel for the home.
- Use a checklist: our choosing a care home checklist can help focus your mind on the key questions to ask when speaking to the home team and make sure you don’t miss anything important.
In the right care home, your loved one will receive the care and support they need, with opportunities to enjoy activities and socialising in a safe, comfortable environment.
FAQs
