Oakridge Care Group Ltd gives its advice on the key points families and residents should consider
After 25 years in the business, the Oakridge Care Group Ltd http://oakridgecaregroup.com prides itself on giving families and individuals the very best advice in selecting residential care homes. The Oakridge Care Group is unique in that is the the only home to have an information booklet endorsed by the local authority that gives potential residents and loved ones the very latest advice about funding care and how to get funding, should that be necessary.
However, it’s not all about money; there are many things to consider when choosing residential care for a loved one, so Oakridge Care Group has produced a “Top 10 Tips” list to bear in mind and ensure that one of the biggest decisions in someone’s life is perfectly planned. Oakridge Care Group pride themselves on providing a ‘home from home’ and that’s exactly what any care or nursing residence should feel like – home.
1. Drop in and see for yourself
Just like anyone who is considering a move, it’s important to see where one will live and visit a few homes to help to make a decision. Most homes shouldn’t have a problem if people simply drop in, as this is a good way to get a real view of how the home operates and so, what it might be like to live there. Prospective residents mustn’t be shy and should do their research thoroughly.
2. Location, Location, Location
This is as true of finding a residential home as it is of any other type of dwelling. Families and residents needs to know exactly where they want to live. For example, do they want to be nearer to their family? Do they want to live in a rural location or perhaps nearer the shops and bus routes? Residents and families need to carefully consider what they want and what they need and how they want their life to be after they live in the residential home. If being a member of the local WI, church or samba dance class group is important to them, they will need to make sure these places can all be easily reached from their new home.
3. Needs Must
Choosing a home is as much about the level and type of care required as it is about the first two points above. Choosing a lovely nursing home in a great location won’t work if funding is required, as the local authority will only pay for nursing care for those that have a medical need for it. If there is no medical need you will need to find a residential home without nursing specialities and then the local authority will fund you if you fit the means testing criteria. Likewise is true of the opposite scenario and some homes do not accept people with dementia, or like Oakridge Care Group, will have specialised homes for those with memory problems.
4. Get Help and Advice
A doctor is a good place to start for needs assessment advice, as is the local social services, and families, friends and individuals shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, this does not mean that they are giving up the right to choose in anyway whatsoever - the resident and family members/friends will always have the final say! There are organisations such as the Quality Care Commission, Age Concern and Help The Aged that can help with advising people on how to find retirement accommodation, your doctor, social services and even local assisted residential living centres and day centres will all help people to find out as much information as they need before making that all important decision. Be warned, the star rating they previously awarded is no longer operational and so it can be tricky to use this as a guide in the present day if ownership or management has changed since then. Oakridge was previously awarded the very high accolade of three stars and as the management and ownership is still the same, individuals and families can expect the same level of care even if the rating no longer applies.
5. Talk Between Yourselves
Unfortunately, not everyone has a family that can help them, but that’s when friends can step in and lend a hand! It’s important to have another set of eyes and ears to help people when they visit homes, or speak to people who offer advice on finding homes. Friends will often think of things that family members and residents might not, and see things that could be easily missed. Working together as a team will make the whole process easier and less stressful. After all, what are friends and family for if not to help with life’s big decisions?
6. Try before you buy
Most good homes have a respite or guest service where potential residents can try out a home for a weekend or even longer. Visitors can treat it as a little break, but really use it as a chance to test every facility, from the comfort of the beds, to how the staff treat the residents most in need. It is a chance to try all meals and drinks and have a good chat with as many people as possible about how happy they are, as they will give a good insight into what to expect as a long term resident. Many of the residents found Oakridge that way and the staff are only too happy to accommodate prospects in any way they can before they decide to move in permanently.
7. Bust those myths!
There are many myths around residential care, such as the need to sell one’s own home, that couples can’t live together or that a resident’s independence will take a back seat. Oakridge Care homes have spaces for couples, and its exclusive financial advice booklet will explain how to fund care and all the residents can get out an about make full use of their bus passes so are free to come and go as they like. It is worth checking out all these things with the homes before making a decision either way about one particular place.
8. Don’t be bored
Many of Oakridge’s residents find a new lease of life after being widowed and/or isolated and lonely in their own homes. Activities range from quizzes to clay pigeon shooting, baking cakes to choir groups, gardening to regular pub lunches – any good residential facility should offer such diverse things for their residents to join in with, so it is worth asking about these kinds of activities or to see a calendar of events. Also, many good homes now have dedicated activity staff team - ask to be introduced to them!
9. Technology helps
It is definitely worthwhile using technology to get another insight into residential homes. If internet access or use of a smart phone is not readily available, it’s worth asking friends or other family members if their computers or other types of technology can be used. The internet is a fast way to see what the home looks like, what goes on there, and to get an idea of what it might be like to live there. It is in no way a substitute for a real hands-on visit but will help families and residents to decide which ones they want to know more about. It is also a great way of checking out the history of a home via old press stories and forums.
10. Don’t be put off
Some older people can feel that they are a nuisance if they ask too many questions, but it is crucial they do just that. If they feel uncomfortable doing that, take someone along who isn’t uncomfortable. If they don’t have anyone who can do that for them, they could drop into some of the charities mentioned above and see if someone from the voluntary sector can help. The local church or community group are also worth approaching. Stick to it and ask, ask and ask again! -this is one of the most important decisions a family or resident will ever have to make, so they need to get it right from the outset. If anyone in the home is irritated by questions from prospective residents or doesn’t want to answer them, well, maybe it’s not the right home and it’s best to look elsewhere.
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