Nobody plans this visit far in advance. It usually happens after a fall, a hospital discharge or a slow realisation that things at home are no longer safe. You walk into a building you have never seen, meet people you have never met, and are expected to judge whether a person you love will be happy there.
The tour will show you the lounge and a bedroom. That is fine, but it is not what tells you whether a home is any good. These questions are.
About the staffing
- How many carers are on shift during the day, and how many overnight?
- Is a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day, or on call?
- How much of the rota is covered by agency staff in a normal week?
- How long has the manager been in post?
About daily life
- What happens between breakfast and lunch on an ordinary Tuesday?
- Who decides what is on the menu, and what happens if someone does not fancy it?
- Can residents get up and go to bed when they choose?
- What do you do for someone who prefers their own company?
About the practical side
- What exactly does the fee cover, and what is charged on top?
- How often are fees reviewed, and how much notice do we get?
- What happens if care needs increase?
- What happens if savings run out?
One last thing
Ask to visit again, unannounced, at a different time of day. A home that welcomes that has nothing to hide. If you would like to look round The Elms, call us on 01752 846 335 and we will make sure someone is free to walk you through it properly.