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

Firstly I would check which care homes are recommended in my locality. Then check their websites, facilities, charges, and see what is available.

When visiting it's important to trust your instincts about the feel of the home: does it feel homely, are residents involved in activities, chatting together, or just 'plonked' in chairs? Also, does it look a pleasant environment, would you yourself feel happy to live there? Also check the rooms for quality and space, asking whether residents would be able to keep the room they are given.

I would want to speak to staff and also ask relatives and neighbours about their impressions before deciding.

It's such a tough decision to make, and so important to make the right choice.

Facilities to be in a good condition
spacious room
trained caring staff

Happy residents, interacting with each other. Not lying in bed, unwashed, uncared for. Cleanliness. The smell.

Speaking from experience, I look at what the other people residing there are like, if they all have dementia then it may not suit someone who does not have it as they wont be able to talk and interact with them properly. Also what the staff turnover is like, how friendly they are to the residents and what activities are laid on. My aunt is in a home and they have an Elvis impersonator who comes in, they have old Tim singalongs, a petting dog, the local school sings carols to them at Christmas etc. Look for nice bright surroundings and a nice smell on arrival, if it's cooking that's okay but all very important when you are trying to place a loved one somewhere you are happy with

The most important thing would be how happy and comfortable the residents are. I would want to see how the staff interact with the residents and with each other.

Cleanliness is a major concern - both of the residents themselves and of their surroundings.

Also, I would look at how much choice the residents are given with regard to food, drinks, interests etc. I'd want a wide range of veggie food and lots of different activities to choose from.

Surely happiness in your own skin and your surroundings must be paramount. There has to be good entertainment provision with the stress on continuing to stimulate the brain with like-minded people who will also be your friends.

I definitely look for happy service users...people who already use the service .. I would ask them and their families if they would recommend the home and why. I would ask what the turnover of staff was and whether they may have had most of the same staff for many years. This would make the peop,e living there more at ease and also you would know that the staff have stayed there as they are great staff

Personally I would need some sort of 'night life' lol be it bingo or cards just some sort of somethings to do in the evenings as that is when my brain is most active

A genuine staff group who greet visitors and residents warmly and follow this through with the same level of care

I would look at the inspectors report but I would also look at the date and what the care home has done to bring it back up to required standards. Apart from that a friendly welcome, happy residents, a clean home and staff that are happy and work as a team. Go back a few times and don't always let first impressions count.

Happy caring staff, happy residents, clean and most important of all, they may be old but they are still human beings and should be treated with respect.
If we are lucky we all will get old one day.

I'm sure it's all been said, but my priorities would be cleanliness, privacy, good food and friendliness. I'd like a daily shower or bath, a pleasant room that I'd be happy to sit in all day if I wanted, and staff that cared and were well treated themselves. Social activities if I wanted them, including trips out, and particularly in the evening.

I would hope to find an open door policy with anyone welcome at any time. Residents should have the opportunity to have a measure of independence so provision of kitchenettes and a laundry. Rooms should not be shared and would have ensuite facilities...shower, toilet and basin and space for residents to use it as a bed sit if they wish. Separate bathrooms with hoists etc on each floor. Quality lounge, dining room and outside areas. I would want to see home cooked meals with menu variety.Above all staff should be happy and caring and the whole home should be clean, well decorated and fresh smelling

Fresh and airy with a friendly efficient atmosphere. Gardens and outside spaces to enjoy nature and local wildlife. Appetising smells of cooking at mealtimes.

First check that the residents are happy,that staff know the residents well,that staff are friendly, well trained and knowledgeable, that clients are assisted with personal care by regular staff and on a daily basis at the clients chosen time,check that the home is clean and homely,well managed and staff are happy to work there.I would also check the CQC rating for the home and make sure that there is plenty of stimulation and activities for clients. The clients privacy and dignity should be respected at all times and last but not least ensure food is good and plentiful,clients have choices and drinks are available at all times,

Kindness in staff and a good amount of entertainment and attention for residents

I look at how staff are interacting with the residents, the cleanliness of the place, the reputation. I ask about the activities offered and staff turnover.

sensitivity

friendly staff, the personal touch, clean environment, lots of activities and in a good location.

Good ( properly trained) staff patient ratio. Good links with local nhs general practice..activities. Home cooked nutritious attractively presented food.
Outside recommendations

The smell! If you smell stale urine, the second you step through the main door, then this is not the place for either you or a loved one.
Avoid homes with large day-rooms where bored, semi-comatose, residents are sitting on high-backed vinyl-covered chairs, whilst sporting knitted-squares 'blankets'.
Have a look at the What's On Today list. If Bingo tops the list - avoid. If Wii sports are on offer - oh yes!
Lastly, if the place feels right, then it probably will be.
Good luck in your quest.

Quality staff

I would be looking for a clean, happy environment. Happy residents , caring staff, plenty to do and privacy.

I would be looking for cleanliness above all so that the smell of urine is not present and neither should there be the ubiquitous air freshener smell with all it's toxicity.
Caring attentive staff with time to actually look after the residents and appropriate staff training in all the aspects of caring for older people.
A wide programme of events and social activities for those who really do want it and no hectoring of people to join in when they clearly don't want to be part of it.
To have a private en-suite room with my own décor containing personal items I want around me including my own chair and television. To be able to use my room if I prefer my own company on occasions.
Important to me to maintain my own friends and have some social life without having to fit round the home's own timetable all the time. Open visiting is important.
I would want a light and airy home with a garden to sit in, all well maintained, and which is not too far from my friends and the family, my doctor or the church, local theatre, cinema etc.

Is there such a place?

Great surroundings (grounds/gardens), comfortable accomodation, attentive staff, relaxed atmosphere.

The top 3 things I'd look for are: happy, well presented residents and staff, overall cleanliness, minimal rules on what and when residents can and can't do anything