Choosing a residential home for yourself or your loved one is a big decision and should not be rushed. This article is designed to give you some pointers which will help you choose the right home for your particular requirements.

Our residential homes/care homes provide the help that residents need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - the kind of help that you might otherwise get at home from a relative, including help with eating, dressing, bathing, and getting around, for example. Residents and their relatives have the peace of mind of knowing that their physical needs are taken care of, and that they are in a stimulating environment, where they have companionship, and a range of activities to take part in and facilities to use.

Before choosing a residential home, it is of course necessary to visit the home and have a good look around. You are welcome to look round on a number of occasions to make absolutely sure that you are happy with your decision.

All residential homes are inspected annually and inspection reports are available for you to read when you visit. While visiting one of our care homes you may find it useful to:

• Speak to current residents
• Have a chat with a number of different members of staff
• Find out whether there is a choice of rooms available, and the different types of room on offer
• Have a look at the menu to see the types of food served
• Find out about some of the activities and facilities on offer
• Ask about visiting arrangements for friends and relatives

For more information on choosing a residential home, there are lots of good articles and checklists available on the web; for example:

Help The Aged "Housing Choices" (Opens a new window)

Nursing Home Directory "Choosing a Nursing Home" (Opens a new window)