Senior needs for accommodation, care, and assistance change dramatically with age. Since all of these needs can no longer be taken care of at home, many turn to residential care homes. With over 16,000 care homes across the UK, choosing one can feel like an overwhelming decision. The right place should be able to offer the ideal type of care, comfort, and freedom to seniors, helping improve their quality of life.

1. Type of home

One of the first things seniors need to consider is the type and level of care they need.

• Residential care
  Some home care facilities offer residential care for seniors.

Apart from these, some facilities also specially cater to individuals with dementia, bariatric conditions, and terminal illnesses.

2. Location
Next, individuals need to determine which location is most suitable for them. Most seniors prefer living in the same city or area or moving closer to another family member.

• Care Quality Commission (CQC) website
  The CQC website maintains a list of all the care homes nearby, making it a helpful resource.
• Elderly Accommodation Council (EAC)
  The EAC’s online directory can also help individuals locate care homes in their area.
• Personal recommendations and referrals
  Friends, family, the GP, neighbors, and other members of an individual’s social circle who have had experience with care homes can also be great sources of information.
• Browser search
  Alternatively, a simple browser search with the terms “care homes near me” or “private care homes near me” can bring up a list of results. Individuals can visit their websites, make a call, or schedule a visit to the home to learn more about their facilities.

3. Funding options
The budget is an important deciding factor when it comes to choosing a care home. Individuals must account for the home fees, which tend to increase each year and keep some scope for changing health needs when planning finances.

Those who own over a certain amount will have to finance their stay themselves, while others may be eligible for assistance from government programs. A financial means test from the local authorities is often used to assess how much money one has and their aid eligibility.

4. NHS-funded nursing care
Those who require nursing care may be able to have a part of their fees taken care of by this program.

• NHS continuing healthcare funding
  Those living in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and dealing with an ongoing health condition may be able to receive continuing healthcare funding. This is offered for those with primary health needs like mobility issues, disabilities, complex medical conditions, terminal illnesses, and cognitive and behavioral disorders. To arrange for more funds for care homes, homeowners can also set up Deferred Payment Agreements or release equity on their house.
• Resident reviews
  It is only natural to want the best care for a loved one. To ensure this, individuals must make several visits to the care home to view the facility and understand how it works.
  After shortlisting care homes, call them and schedule an appointment for a visit. This is a good time to talk to the operator about the type of care an individual needs and confirm their ability to provide. If possible, individuals can make several visits to the care home during different times of the day to understand the type of activities, amenities, and care they offer. They can also take the opportunity to meet with other residents in the home and talk to them about their experiences. Seniors should pay special attention to the interactions between the caregivers and residents. All this information will help individuals make better decisions.
  Individuals can book a respite or temporary stay there to get a better idea of what life will look like in the care home. If possible, they can opt for this service in several care homes to find which environment is more comfortable. To find reviews online, individuals should head to the carehome.co.uk website. This site also condenses reviews into scores for care homes. A higher score directly correlates to better feedback from residents and their loved ones.

5. Authority reports
Reviews and reports can be another way of learning more about the care home. This is taken care of by different bodies in each country.

• England – Care Quality Commission
• Scotland – Care Inspectorate
• Wales – Care Inspectorate Wales
• Northern Ireland – Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority

These bodies are responsible for carrying out regular inspections at care homes and creating detailed reports about the quality of care and services they provide. These can be found online on their websites. Individuals should read through these reports and identify any problem areas or red flags. Bring it up in discussion with the care home manager to learn what they are doing to fix the issue.