The prospect of someone close to you moving into residential or nursing care can be a traumatic and difficult time for all the people involved. We acknowledge this and provide some support services to help you through this period:

• Emotional support
• List of homes in the local area
• Information about accessing residential/nursing care
• Help with a Life Story Book
• Advocacy
• Tips on questions to ask when viewing residential/nursing homes

HOW MIGHT THESE SERVICES HELP?

• By talking things through with someone outside of the situation might help you to think straight
• Discussing your concerns with others who have already, or are about to make, the same decision, may make you feel less isolated
• Information about homes available may give you a wider choice
• You might learn about a wider range of services and possible alternatives
• By compiling a Life Story Book, a personal record of an individual's life, which can assist those who will be involved in providing future care, as well as being an aid to someone's memory (please ask to see the Life Story Book Leaflet)
• Sometimes you may need some independent support at meetings where decisions are made.

HELPFUL QUESTIONS WHEN VIEWING A RESIDENTIAL OR NURSING HOME.

Location

Will it be easy to keep in touch with family and friends? Is there transport to help residents to get out?

The Building

Is the entrance easily accessible?
Can someone using a wheelchair move around the home easily?
If there is more than one floor, are there lifts?
Are there call bells in the bedrooms and communal areas?
Are rooms and corridors suitably lit?
Is the home well decorated and maintained?
Are you happy with the standard of cleanliness?
Does it seem a comfortable temperature for the residents?
Is there a garden that can be used by the residents?
What are the security arrangements?

Resident Rooms

Can residents have a single room?
Are there rooms with their own bathroom and toilet en suite?
Will the resident's room be cleaned every day?
Is there provision for married couples?
Can residents lock the door of their room?

Staffing

Are care staff expected to do domestic tasks also, or are there separate workers employed?
Do staff seem caring and attentive towards residents?
Are residents allocated a member of staff who will take a special interest in their welfare?
How many residents are there?
How many staff on duty, in the morning, afternoon, evening and at night?
Are night staff awake or on call?
What qualifications do staff hold?
What training are staff given?

Catering

Is there a menu, with a choice of dishes?
Can special diets be catered for?
Can residents make a snack or drink whenever they want?
Can residents have meals in their rooms?
Can residents choose who to sit with?

Daily living

Can family and friends visit without restriction?
Are there places where residents can spend time in private with their guests?
Can visitors stay for a meal?
Can residents make or offer their guests a drink or a snack?
Are families notified of or involved in review procedures?
Are families notified of and/or involved with Inspection visits?

Leisure

Are there any other residents of similar age, background, interest living in the home?
Are there the facilities and staff support to enable residents to continue current activities/hobbies?
Is there a staff member dedicated to organising leisure activities?
Are weekly groups/classes held eg, exercise, handcrafts, etc?
Are regular social events and outings arranged?
Is there a mobile library service?
Are pets allowed to live in the home?
Are pets allowed to visit?

Religion

Will staff give support and encouragement for residents to continue to practice their religion?

Telephone

Is there a telephone residents can use without people overhearing what they are saying?
Is there a telephone that meets any special requirements residents have (for example, amplification)?

Involvement

How do residents participate in making decisions about life in the home?
Is there a Residents Committee, or group?
Can a resident help around the home if they wished?
Can residents have their own TV in their room?
Can residents have a telephone installed?
If residents have to share a room, can they meet the other person beforehand to see whether they will get on?
Can residents have a different room if they do not get on with the person they are sharing with?
Are there screen in shared rooms to give privacy?

Bathroom / Toilets

Have toilets, baths and showers been adapted to make them easy for residents to use?
Is there a toilet within easy reach of the bedroom?
Are toilets clearly labelled?

Communal Rooms

Is the furniture in the communal rooms arranged in a homely way?
Is there a choice of lounges?
Is there a quiet room with no TV?
Are there non-smoking rooms?
Are there rooms where residents can smoke?

Personal Possessions

Is there a safe place where valuables can be kept?
Does the home rake responsibility for insuring residents' possessions?

Care Practices

What are the written aims, objectives and philosophy of the home?
Are residents treated with dignity as well as in a friendly manner?
Are personal matters handled in a private, confidential way?
Can residents get up and go to bed when they want?
Do staff members always knock and wait for answer before entering a resident's bedroom?

Personal Care

Can residents have a say in the way they are looked after/helped?
Do staff take time to encourage residents to do things for themselves where possible, rather that doing it for them?
Can relatives or friends help with personal care if residents wish them to?
Does a hairdresser/barber visit the home?
Are arrangements made for dental care?
Does a chiropodist visit the home?
Does each resident have a written care plan which is adhered to by all staff?

Health Care

Can the resident keep the same doctor that they have now?
Is there a local doctor who accepts patients from the home?
Does a doctor visit the home regularly?
If the resident's health gets worse, can they continue to live at the home?
Can residents keep their own medication or is it given by staff?
What arrangements are in place for visits to hospital/dentist etc?
Do staff encourage residents to maintain their mobility?

Terms and Conditions/Cost

Is there a written contract/agreement?
How long a trial period can you have?
What notice must be given if a resident wants to leave the home?
What is the weekly charge?
Does the weekly charge cover outing, telephone, incontinence pads, medical supplies, personal items, transport, laundry, chiropody, physiotherapy, hairdressing, meals for visitors, dry cleaning, clothing, newspapers, dental treatment?
Is there anything else charged for additionally?

Problems

What happens if a resident is unhappy in the home after they have moved in?
How are conflicts between residents resolved?
How does a resident or relative make a complaint?

Inspection reports on residential homes are available at libraries.

Counsel and Care produce a very helpful fact sheet about "Paying the fees of a registered private or voluntary home": Tel: 0845 300 7585, 2.00pm-4.00pm Monday to Friday

THIS CHECKLIST HAS BEEN COMPILED BY THE MAIDSTONE AND MEDWAY RELATIVE ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP.

Other useful organisations are:

The Relatives & Residents Association
24 The Ivories,                                                              6-18 Northampton Street
London, N1 2HY
Tel: 020 7359 8136

Inspection & Monitoring Unit
The Whitworth Centre
Noak Hill Road
Harold Hill
Romford, Essex RM3 7YA
Tel: 01708 433 027