How to find a good nursing home for parents

As we age, things become more difficult and health, unfortunately, begins to decline. For many people in late middle age or older, watching our parents age and their health fail can be distressing. It can also put significant pressure on us to provide care and support for them, but the time may come when we can no longer provide this due to geographical distance, our own commitments, or even our own health limitations.

In these circumstances, it may be time to think about whether a nursing home is the best option for your parent(s). But how do you begin the process, and how do you ensure that the home will be safe and meet their needs?

Residential care and nursing care are not the same

The first thing to note is that you may hear several terms to describe care facilities. Two of the most common are ‘care home’ and ‘nursing home’, and it is important to understand that these two are not the same.

Although both offer 24-hour care, the main difference is the type of care which each provides and the subsequent effect on the cost. In a care home, the care is provided by Care Assistants. Residents are usually in the home because they are elderly, with health conditions associated with ageing such as reduced mobility. In contrast a nursing home is staffed by Registered Nurses and Health Care Assistants, supported by Care Assistants. The residents require some element of nursing care, such as administration of intravenous medication. It is this type of home which we will focus on.

Where to begin your search?

If your parent(s) require a nursing home then it is likely that they are already under the care and supervision of health or social care professionals, such as a Doctor or Social Worker. They may already be receiving support to live at home through a domiciliary care company. These professionals are an ideal source of knowledge when you begin your search for long-term care, as they will be able to advise whether a care home or nursing home is required.

When you have identified the type of care facility needed it is important to ensure that the decision is discussed with your parent(s), if they have capacity, rather than presented as a fait accompli. Moving from their own home is a significant step, not without its complications, so your parent(s) must agree to the move.

Finding a nursing home for parents is not a quick process (unless you are extremely lucky and have the perfect place on your doorstep!). It involves research, seeking recommendations, and visiting potential facilities.

Three requirements to consider

Before beginning your search, ensure that you are clear about you and your parent(s)’ requirements. Consider factors such as:

1. The type of care required – have you/your parent(s) been advised that nursing care is required, and are there any additional needs (such as dementia care)?
   
2. Services – what is important to your parent(s) for their new home? Do they need outside space? Are activities important to them? If they are moving as a couple, is a double room available?
   
3. Location – particularly if you do not live near your parent(s), or if one of them is going into nursing care whilst the other remains living at home, this is one of the biggest questions. It may be that you would like your parent(s) to move closer to you, for ease of visiting. On the other hand , if one parent will remain living in the family home then the search may be close to their current location. Often, the prospective resident is reluctant to move from their home location, particularly if they have social ties, and of course a move may necessitate new medical professionals.

Start by searching online, asking people you trust (such as the aforementioned health and social care professionals), hospital staff or health care providers. Autumna has an extensive searchable list of care and nursing homes, and your search can be filtered by location and the type of care required. The search results include the care or nursing home’s name, location, details of the care provided, and often other details such as the cost, availability, and rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

If one of your parent(s) wishes to remain living at home, it is advisable to check whether the nursing home also offers residential care, and/or has close care properties. The latter are properties within the grounds of the home where retirees can live independently and arrange care and support if their needs change. This can be a good solution when only one of a couple needs to go into care, as it means the other can be close by and supported.

Visiting nursing homes

It is important to visit any prospective facilities, to get a ‘feel’ for them. Virtual tours are great for creating a shortlist but there is no substitute for an actual physical visit to ratify your choice, And, although the pandemic is over, some care and nursing facilities have maintained restricted visiting, so it is advisable to telephone in advance to make an appointment. This will also ensure that a Manager or senior member of the nursing team is available to show your around. If possible, visit homes on different days and at different times of day.

Before your visit, make sure you have full information on your parent(s)’ care needs, and think about any questions you may have, such as:

• Room availability
• Cost (although this information may be available on their website, it can vary from room to room)

When you visit, pay attention to the atmosphere (are the residents happy?), the cleanliness, the food, and the staff. Ask to see their activities programme and newsletters if possible. 

Deciding on a nursing home

You may need to visit the same home more than once, particularly if your parent(s) are not in hospital and can be brought to visit. Involving them in the decision is the most important thing, as it will be their home.

If your parent(s) is in hospital and this has caused the need for nursing care, the care home Manager or one of their senior team can arrange to visit to make an assessment and talk to them about moving into the home.

It is best to be prepared

Nursing and Residential home admissions are often a ‘distress purchase’, made following an accident, illness or bereavement when health and wellbeing suddenly decline. This often results in a rushed search, with the parent(s) being placed in a facility with availability rather than the one which would have best suited their needs. For this reason it is advisable to start these conversations now rather than when there is a desperate need, to ensure you find the best nursing home possible.

What is the best way to search for a nursing home for my parents?

The Autumna directory of elder care providers allows you to search for care homes across the UK that can provide nursing care. Just go to the Autumna homepage. Select an area you would like to search – for example Essex. Then click the 'Care Type' filter option and select 'Nursing' and then click ‘Search Again’.

You'll get a shortlist of care homes in Essex all of which have told Autumna that they provide nursing care.

To make it easier for you to find care homes in your area that provide the type of care you need, why not fill in this short questionnaire and Autumna's team of care experts will do the search for you.

Alternatively, for additional support email us here: info@autumna.co.uk or call our Advice Line on 01892 335 330. The line is open seven days a week (8:30am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am - 5pm Sat, 10am - 4pm Sun).