What do you / your loved ones look for in a care home? Share your thoughts with CQC - £300 Love2Shop voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

Cleanliness, the amount of care homes that I have been in with work (I work for the emergency services) that smell of urine is unbelievable. I think that the smell shows that the residents aren't being taken care of.

Activities
Minibus to take residents out for an hour or two Eg garden centre
Volunteers welcome
Personal choices available eg bedtime etc

Somewhere that looks clean and well cared for and the same goes for the residents. Somewhere with nothing to hide and lets you visit anytime etc.

Compassion and making time for individuals and understanding their needs. Cleanliness - I visited several that were smelly and the properties unloved or not maintained properly. Health and Safety fully in place. I think I could write a book on care homes. Needless to say you need to research very thoroughly and if possible talk to other relatives of residents and try and establish unbiased views before making any decisions about where loved ones are to stay.

Cleanliness, caring staff, activities, near family for visits

I lok for professionality, cleanliness, a freindly relaxed environment and lots of nature, suhc as flowers in the garden, trees and lots of green space and places to sit outside.

I look for good reviews/word of mouth reputation. Open visiting. How the residents look. Comfort level across the entire home. Activities, outings and visits on offer. Type of food. Can you try before you buy? Kitchenettes/tea making facilities if residents are competent to do so. Working conditions, training of staff. Clean, fresh smell. Ability to decorate their own room and furnish it themselves if they wish. The amount of autonomy eg. have a sandwich instead of the meal, tea when want and how they want, own bedtimes etc.

When looking for a care home for my mother with alzeheimers we looked for a home where the staff understood her needs. Also where the staff seemed happy and friendly and had time to spend with the residents. A home where you could visit at anytime and could contact them at anytime. A home that had a good atmosphere and where residents looked well cared for.

Cleanliness
Staff who do actually care
Activities for the residents
Days out

Focus on individualisation, a high level of permanent staff and a good manager.

I look for somewhere who have the time and patience to welcome us and show us around as often as is needed and I want to feel comfortable

A good pointer is how the residents look and behave - are they happy? Are they wearing clothes that are clean and tidy? Remember to talk to residents as well as staff when you visit, and if it's allowed see how staff and residents interact at mealtimes.

1. The atmosphere, 2. ask residents if they like it and if they're happy, 3. ask the staff about routines and avalibilty of nursing, 4. surroundings and facilties

I look passed the care commision reports and go with my gut instinct, the way the staff treat the residents, size and decor of room and whether they feel like home. What activities and facilities are on offer and most importantly if the residents already there look happy, clean and feel at home.

To be honest for us it is all about as much independence as possible whilst needs are being met! That sums it up really. Obviously, clean and orderly with nice cheerful staff x

Clean, welcoming, activities, no tv blaring, quiet private places, trust your judgement/gut feeling.

Cleanliness
Staff friendliness
On-site activities/facilities
Talk to residents re. staff care - are they happy?
Varied daily food menu/standard of food?
Visiting hours suitable?
Close proximity
Look at private and communal facilities, i.e. is there a TV in rooms without having to visit a communal lounge?

I would look to see if the residents are happy and try to talk to them or their relatives to gain insight into how the care home operates

For our family the most important thing is respect for the residents! After that I agree with so many others, staff pretty constant, good cooking, clean and with lots of activities. No-one's mentioned (I don't think!) staff training, and when my father was in a home three years ago I had some great conversations about what staff were learnings about in their NVQs and Foundation Degrees, it was really impressive because they knew they needed to know about dementia and some psychology and first aid etc (sorry that sounds incredibly patronising but there were a lot of bright people working there and it was just very interesting. Dad was 98 and they had long discussions with me about how difficult it is to make new friends at that age, which I hadn't really come across before. The activities dominos, cards discussions were all things Dad enjoyed, and the odd bit of singing and dancing! All appreciated greatly!!!

A home away from home, somewhere that doesn't feel like a hospital, carers that are like friends and somewhere that all the residents seem happy and stimulated.

I recently looked at a couple of homes for my 100 year old Aunt. The first was beautifully furnished with squishy carpets and nice furniture in the rooms, but most had no views. The staff and owners were all non local and although the care would probably be good, I felt that they wouldn't have the same rapport with my aunt as would someone from her own area. The second home was slightly rough around the edges, but I had a really good feel about the place and the owner gave me a half hour guided tour. The inmates seemed much more alert than those in the first and had more opportunity for activities and different seating areas. The food was locally sourced and cooked from scratch and there were views over a garden to the rear and the sea to the front.
So after a brief foray into care homes, I would consider:
friendliness and interest of staff
No smells- cooking or otherwise
Choice of activities
Availability for friends and relatives to visit
Comfortable feel to the place
Outlook from the room

Needless to say, my Aunt changed her mind, however today she has changed it again and, alleluia, there is a room available!

Somewhere that is clean and friendly, not too far away from relatives.

That the staff are smiling and look like they enjoy woprking there. If staff are demoralized or underpaid they will not be happy and this will effect the residents

Cleanliness and whether residents are happy and have things to do. The way staff are with the residents is very important.

It is essential the staff are professional and compassionate and that the home isn't too far from me. Also of importance are good and clean facilities.