You might reach a point where you realise you or your loved one needs a little extra support with daily living. It’s not always an easy decision, but it’s often the most sensible one, especially if living alone is becoming unsafe. The question is, how do you choose a care home? Naturally, you want one that offers high-quality living in a welcoming environment with experienced staff. So, how do you find one like that? By looking out for some of the key signs. If you are on the lookout for a prospective care home, these are the five signs that they take resident wellbeing seriously.
1. A Welcoming and Attentive Team
The first sign of a high-quality care home is a welcoming and attentive team. When you visit the care home, you should be welcomed quickly, with management making themselves known to you. You’ll also be able to notice how attentive the team is to residents. The team shouldn’t be overwhelmed – they should be able to handle everything because they have the resources and training to do so.
2. Complete Transparency
The best care homes are open and honest about everything they do, giving visitors and loved ones peace of mind. One way a home may do this is by using the right technology – specifically, safety monitor cameras in communal areas. It’s all about reassurance. Luckily, this practice is becoming more and more common – Signature at Reigate Grange is one home that has implemented the use of safety monitoring cameras. It assures the loved ones of residents that they are being well looked after, and benefits the staff by improving their work performance. It’s a great practice all around.
3. A Well-maintained Home and Gardens
Something you can spot pretty easily with just a short visit is how well-maintained the gardens and the home itself are. A sign of a home that cares is one that focuses on everything, including keeping up with general maintenance. A beautiful garden growing a variety of plants and a clean, welcoming environment in the home are very good signs.
4. Open to Feedback
The best care homes are consistently striving for improvement, and one way they can do that is by being open to feedback and taking on its advice when appropriate. It should be easy to give feedback, whether through speaking to a manager at the home itself or by being able to leave a complaint through the website. This easy line of communication indicates that the home genuinely cares about the well-being of its residents and wants what’s absolutely best for everyone involved.
5. Flexibility with Activities and Meals
The most caring residential homes know that everyone is unique – one resident might enjoy watching sports on a Saturday, while another might enjoy spending time doing gardening outdoors. They also know that not everyone wants to eat the same food. To accommodate, they will offer flexibility with activities and meals, ensuring everyone’s personal tastes get met. It’s not just about medical care and support – it’s about providing a living environment that is genuinely enjoyable and homely.
