How To Find a Care Home

Searching for a care home for yourself or a loved one can be a difficult and stressful time for all involved. Finding the right care home doesn’t happen overnight and there are certain factors which you should consider before making that life-changing decision. Here we provide some guidance on how to find a care home that is right for you or your loved one.

Identify your needs

There are many different types of care homes available, from those which simply offer a safe and comfortable new home for people who are independent but may need a little assistance, to homes which provide specialist or round-the-clock care.

The type of care home you choose will obviously depend on the level of care you or your loved one requires. At Oakland Care, we offer a range of care plans designed to suit your needs. We offer bespoke and personalised residential, nursing, dementia, and respite care. We’ll undertake a full care assessment working with family, friends, GP’s and where necessary, social workers or care managers, to make sure we offer the right level of care and support for those individuals staying with us.

Find the right location

When it comes to choosing the right care home, location can be very important for some. Many people have strong family connections and social circles in their local area and will opt for a care home close by in order to maintain these treasured relationships. For others, the decision to move into a care home can provide an opportunity to move out of their local area, perhaps closer to other family and friends or to an area where they will receive additional support.

Once you have decided on the level of care required and the type of home you are looking for, you can then search for a care home which is in the best location to meet your needs and desires. This will help you develop a shortlist of potential care homes.

Do your research

Before visiting care homes which you have shortlisted, it’s a good idea to research each home thoroughly and take some time to check out third-party reviews. You can request brochures to find out more about your shortlisted homes and also read reviews on carehome.co.uk.

The established independent regulator for care homes in England is called the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They undertake regular inspections of all care homes to ensure they meet government standards and can help identify any areas for concern.

At Oakland Care, we’re extremely proud of our CQC ratings. To be absolutely transparent with our current and potential residents, we display our ratings on our website for all to see. You can take a look at our latest CQC ratings here.

Visit shortlisted care homes

Once you have compiled a list of potential care homes which meet your needs and wants and are happy with their reviews and ratings, it is worth taking the time to visit them yourself. Visiting care homes which you have an interest in is a great way to get a feel for the environment, atmosphere and quality of life within that home. You will have the opportunity to have a look around the home and discover facilities, meet the manager and staff members, meet nurses and carers and speak to current residents who have been in your position.

Each care home will have a different atmosphere and it is important to find an environment in which you or your loved one will feel content, comfortable and at ease. This is down to personal choice and will be best detected by visiting the home and experiencing it for yourself.

Here at Oakland Care, we encourage people to come and visit and really get a feel for our homes. If you or your loved one are hoping to find a care home, then come and say hello and see how we can help.

Consider the cost of care

The cost of care can vary depending on the level of care and support you or your loved one require. When visiting a potential care home, be sure to discuss the costs with the care home manager and make sure that you have a full understanding of the costs and what those costs include before you make your decision. At this stage, it is important to know what you are entitled to, however, there may well be some options available to help fund the support you need.

These are just a few things to consider when trying to find a care home that has everything you need. Whilst we understand that this is a potentially life-changing decision for all involved, at Oakland Care we believe that it shouldn’t have to be a stressful one. Finding your new home should be a positive and uplifting experience, a chance to lead an independent and fulfilling life in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment.

We hope you found our guide on how to find a care home insightful. Discover more information about our care homes.