Hints and Tips for Visiting Care Homes

We understand that choosing the right care home is a big decision for you and your loved ones. Our homes are ready to welcome new residents who need care and support, and we are here to provide help and advice to ensure you find the right care for you.

Here is useful recommendations to help you get the most out of your visit and a handy downloadable checklist to print out and take with you when you visit a care home.

Mum has settled so well, this is due to the staff making her

feel so welcome

Things to Consider Before Your Visit

Before visiting, take some time to reflect on what will make the new living arrangement feel like home. Consider your loved one’s preferences, what makes them happy, and the community links they wish to maintain.

Activities and Hobbies: What activities does your loved one enjoy? Ask about the range of activities offered to ensure they align with their interests.
Community Ties: Explore the community links available, ensuring your loved one can maintain connections that bring them joy.
Accessibility: Consider how accessible the home is for visits—whether public transport is available or if there is parking for added convenience.

Preparing for Your Visit

Ensuring a smooth transition to one of our homes involves considering specific details about your loved one’s needs. Be prepared to chat about:

Enquiry pack / Symponia: Any queries you have about the care and services offered by your chosen home, plus information discussed with your financial advisor. We have partnered with Symponia to help with those ‘paying for care‘ questions. Get in touch with the home to request an enquiry pack before you visit. You can find a home here.
Medications: Bring a list of current medications, dosage, and specific administration requirements. This can help the home team understand a little more about the treatment plan already in place and whether they are able to provide suitable support.
Mobility: Share information about mobility levels and any assistance required.
Room Preferences: To create a familiar environment, discuss room preferences, including furniture and personal items. Visit the available room or rooms and think about what’s important – is it a nice view, being close to other people or perhaps having a quiet peaceful room.
Dietary Requirements: Talk about dietary preferences or restrictions for a personalised dining experience.
Key Challenges: Share insights into critical challenges you are facing now to assist the care team in tailoring support.
Pets: You can bring a pet to live with you with agreement from the Home Manager.

Questions To Ask

Embarking on the journey to find the perfect Four Seasons Health Care or brighterkind home is an exciting step towards a warm and supportive living experience. To make the most of your visit, here are some key questions to ask:

Personalised Care Plans: Ask how care plans are personalised to meet individual needs and preferences.
Staffing and Support: Ask about the dedicated team, their qualifications, and how they engage with residents to create a nurturing environment.
Safety Measures: Understand the safety measures within the home, ensuring peace of mind for residents and their families.
Communication Channels: Learn about the communication channels between the care home and families to stay well-informed about the resident’s wellbeing.

Informative and

friendly tour

Tips and Tricks for Finding the Right Home

Your visit is an opportunity to ensure that our homes align with your expectations and the specific needs of your loved one. Meet our dedicated staff, witness daily activities, and ask any questions you may have.

Before your visit we recommend familiarising yourself with our team roles and uniforms so you can quickly identify who they are and what they do within the home.

What to consider:

Atmosphere: Pay attention to the atmosphere during your visit. Does it feel warm, welcoming, and supportive? Trust your instincts.
Interaction: Observe how staff interact with residents. A caring and attentive team contributes to a positive living experience.
Residents’ Wellbeing: Notice the wellbeing of current residents. Happy and engaged residents are a positive indication of a thriving community.

Funding Your Care

Understanding how care will be funded is essential. Consider whether you or your loved one has assets or funds to cover the cost or if referral through social services is needed.

Each of our care homes can signpost you to a local Symponia member who can provide guidance and advice about paying for care. You may already have access to an independent financial advisor (IFA) who specialises in paying for care options. These IFAs are usually registered with the Society of Later Life Advisors (SOLLA) and all Symponia members are also members of SOLLA. You can find helpful information about funding your care here.

Rethinking Your Visit

If unforeseen circumstances arise, such as illness, reschedule your visit to ensure you can fully engage with the home and make an informed decision.

Start Your Journey

Schedule an in-person visit to experience our homes’ warmth and inviting atmosphere firsthand. This allows you to meet our dedicated staff, observe daily activities, and ask any questions you may have.

Find your local care home

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Welcoming New Residents

We’ve put together helpful information to make choosing a care home easier.

Search for Information

Looking for a care home and unsure where to start? Use our handy checklist to find the home that’s right for you.

Making the Final Decision

Ready to make a decision? We’ve provided answers to frequently asked questions to assist you in selecting the right care home.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about our care or services, please get in touch below.

Please note that we cannot respond to queries about application process, or current vacant positions. Please visit our careers website for information about working with us or current vacancies.