Selecting a care home

There is little doubt that moving to a care home is a life-changing decision and, therefore, one that needs careful consideration. We recognise this and understand how difficult it is to understand the process and make the right decision. If you have questions at any stage in the process, do not hesitate to contact the General Manager of the nursing home.

Which type of home do I need?

One of the first things that you need to establish is the type of care placement you need. It could be:

• residential care (where only personal care is required)
• nursing care (where the input of a qualified nurse is necessary)
• dementia care (if you have a dementing type illness or severe cognitive impairment)

BCOP nursing homes provide nursing care and dementia care, rather than residential care.

How can I find out about the care homes in my area?

Your local Social Services department provides listings of the registered homes in your area providing different types of care. You may also find it useful to search online – carehome.co.uk, Lottie.org and Autumna.co.uk are popular websites which show more details of each home.

How can I compare the standard of care offered in each home?

Each care home in the UK has to meet the required standards of care as laid down in the Health & Social Care Act 2014, monitored by the government agency known as the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Each home is inspected at regular intervals to ensure they meet these requirements and given a rating. You can access CQC reports within the homes, via your local CQC office, or via the CQC website (www.cqc.org.uk).

How do I decide on the right home for myself?

Choosing a care home for a loved one can feel overwhelming. Learn what families look for most and how BCOP supports relatives with informal visits, daycare, respite care and expert advice here.

As well as looking at information online such as reviews and reading the CQC reports, we recommend that you visit the homes before you make any decision. You can use the checklist provided to gather as much information as possible to inform your decision. You can make a ‘drop-in visit’ in the first instance – that way you see the home as it really is. Staff will be happy to talk to you and show you around.

If you like what you see, you can follow this up with an appointment visit to speak to the manager or care manager who can answer any questions you may have. We aim to make our homes as homely and welcoming as possible, as well as ensuring that all of our services are delivered to a high standard.