We’d like to welcome a new partner of Calderdale Forum 50 Plus, Anchor, who run a number of care homes in Calderdale. In this, their first blog for us, they look at the process of choosing a care home, for yourself or a loved one.
Choosing a care home is an important decision, and it’s completely normal to have mixed emotions and questions. Whether you are starting the journey for yourself, or searching on behalf of a relative or partner, this guide will talk you through some key stages to help make the process less daunting, and so you can find the home that’s the right fit for your loved ones and you.
Understanding your care needs
Before you can find the right home, it helps to understand what support you or a loved one needs. Think about daily life. Are certain tasks becoming more difficult, like dressing and washing, and what elements of support would you or your loved one benefit most from.
You can arrange a free assessment with your local council, which is also an important step in accessing any potential council funding to help pay for care and support. If you are funding care privately, care homes will carry out an assessment prior to any agreements being in place.
Different types of care homes
Understanding different types of care homes available to you is important to filter your search. Some care homes do offer all 3 services under one roof, whilst others may offer one or two:
- Residential care home
- Nursing homes
- Dementia care home
You can find out more about the different types of care home services on Anchor’s website. Anchor is a leading care provider with over 60 years’ experience and over 120 care homes across England: Which type of care home would suit you? | Anchor care homes
How to search for care home
Once you know the type of care home and how it will be funded, you can start your search. Consider the below:
- Local authorities will provide a list of all homes within their area.
- Independent directory websites like carehome.co.uk
- Recommendations from family and friends or community groups on sites like Facebook
- Many care homes, including Anchor, run cafes and community events, providing a relaxed first look at daily life
- The Anchor website contains over 120 care homes across England. To find care homes in Calderdale, use this simple search tool here: Care Homes | Anchor
Visiting a care home for the first time
Arranging a visit is the best way to get a sense of the personality of a home and whether it will feel right for you. Most care homes will enable you to book a visit online or over the phone. Or don’t be afraid to drop in at a time to suit you, this is a great way to get a feel for day-to-day life.
Top tip: arrange for friends and family to come to the visit too, both for support and a second opinion.
To find out more helpful information on choosing a care home that’s right for you, head to Anchor’s article ‘Experts guide to choosing a care home’. Or to start your search on Anchor’s website, follow this link now: Care Homes | Anchor
