Which questions should you ask when looking for the perfect care home in Chesterfield?
« Brookholme Care Home in Chesterfield
Finding the right care option for a loved one can be an emotional and stressful experience. If you decide that a care home will be the best option, how do you know which care home in Chesterfield is the right one? There are so many considerations that it can seem a daunting task.
Once you have located the names of the care homes in your local area, there are a number of ways that you can make the choice easier.
Before you start, think carefully about the immediate level of care your family member needs, as well as the needs they might have in the future. After all, different homes offer different levels of care.
Take a look at care home websites for relevant information. This can help build a picture of each home and will also provide ideas for questions that you would like to ask the staff team.
Also, it is a good idea to check carehome.co.uk for more information about the homes you are considering. The independent reviews offer an insight into the care home and can also help you to prepare your list of questions in advance of your visit. It is important to ask the right questions.
All good care homes in Chesterfield will offer open days, whether in person, or virtually. This will help you get a good feel for the home and what it offers your loved one and will let you ask questions of the relevant staff members.
Which care options are available at my local care home?
A good care home in Chesterfield will employ staff that are fully trained in different types of care. But if your loved one has specific care needs you will need to ask whether the care home is equipped and tailored to meet their needs.
Ask how much experience the care team has in that particular field. For example, does the care home have special considerations and safety measures in place if your loved one suffers from dementia?
Will my loved one be treated with dignity and respect?
This is one of the most important considerations for anyone looking for a suitable care home for a family member. There are several ways you can ascertain whether residents in a home are treated with care and respect.
A care home’s social media pages will give an indication of whether dignity and respect is important in the home. Good care homes will be open with key information and will update websites and social media pages regularly. Reviews and comments on sites like carehome.co.uk will also offer evidence.
Another indicator would be whether a member of staff had been nominated for an industry award or received any special recognition.
For example, four staff members at Brookholme Care Home were finalists at the Great British Care Awards 2020, across three different categories, including Donna Redman, Care Home Manager, who was a finalist in the The Putting People First Award. A good indication that the care home treats its residents with respect.
How can I be sure that my loved one will be safe?
A good care home will handpick its staff members using safe recruitment practices. They will look for people with warm, friendly, and kind dispositions. You should always ask about the background checks that are conducted during the recruitment process.
Ask also about staff training, what safety checks are in place, how health and safety laws are implemented and upheld, and how the care home and its staff team will ensure your family member is safely cared for?
Will there be enough activities for my relative do?
A good care home in Chesterfield will have a full schedule of activities for its residents. Speak to the care home’s activities coordinator to find out more about what opportunities there will be for your loved one and how they tailor these events for individuals.
You will know the needs of your loved one, what they like to do and what they like to avoid, so ask questions to determine how the care home’s activities meet those needs. A good care home will respect its residents’ wishes when it comes to taking part in activities.
A quick look on the care home’s website and its social media pages, such as its Facebook page, will give you a good indication of the types of activities, events, and trips that are on offer.
Making the final choice
Visiting a care home, asking important questions, and researching care reports and social media, will give you a good indication of whether a home will be the right place for your loved one. But never underestimate your ‘gut feeling’.
If your research is backed by your instinct, you will be in a good position to make the perfect choice of care home in Chesterfield for your loved one.
Brookholme Care Home in Chesterfield is a vibrant, family-run home. If you would like to know more about Brookholme, please call our care home manager on us on 01246 569662 or email info@brookholme.co.uk
