The right path
Over the last three years or so, I have explored many different types of retirement accommodation, both as a journalist and as an interested party on behalf of my elderly parents. There have been problems in the occasional home: a dining room like an office canteen, with no atmosphere and little attempt to make it homely or appealing. In another home, residents were encouraged to spend their days in the television lounge so that their beds could remain unmade until lunchtime (or possibly beyond – that was when I visited). But even in these homes, I was impressed by what I have seen, and the level of care and commitment among the staff there.
Choosing a residential home for an elderly parent is like choosing a school for your children. You wouldn’t send your child off to boarding school after no more than a brief phone conversation with the school head. Why then would you consider doing that with a vulnerable elderly person, who is possibly unable to describe any shortcomings?
The difference is that residential homes, unlike schools, are often chosen in haste and during a crisis. I found homes for my parents when snow was lying so deep on the Gloucestershire hills that even the local ambulance service refused to venture forth. We struck lucky, and my mother moved to a home where she has been treated with kindness and dignity by staff who are both caring and imaginative.
The library (left) and dining room at Audley Inglewood
My excuse for my crisis-driven decision was that my parents, understandably, didn’t really want to discuss what would happen when they were no longer able to cope in their own home. But, with the benefit of hindsight, I realise that I should have been investigating care options and homes in their area, possibly even without their knowledge. Then I, at least, would have been informed and able to give them the available options, so they could choose for themselves. Planning ahead is the advice of every professional in the field. When elderly people are reluctant to do so, it is the responsibility of their younger friends or children to take the initiative and by that means, ultimately to hand back the decision- making. Here are some tips on finding the best possible care:
Audley Inglewood village has a pool
AgeUK: 0800-169 6565, www.ageuk.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society: 0300- 222 1122, www.alzheimers.org.uk
Anchor: 0808-115 1904, www.anchor.org.uk
Audley: 0800-093 8181, www.audleyretirement.co.uk Audley Inglewood, Kintbury,
Berkshire: 01488- 682100
Bluebird Care: 01730-260026, www.bluebirdcare.co.uk
CQC: 03000-616161, www.cqc.org.uk
Churchill Retirement Living: 0800-458 1856, www.churchillretirement.co.uk
Compaid: 01892-834539, www.compaid.org.uk
Country Cousins: 0800-542 0676, www.country-cousins.co.uk
Dementia UK: 020-7874 7200, www.dementiauk.org
Sanctuary Care: 0845-337 0445, www.sanctuary-care.co.uk
Signature: www.signaturecare-homes.co.uk
Moorlands Lodge, Hindhead, Surrey: 01428-601200
Sunrise Senior Living: 0808- 159 9333, www.sunrise-care.co.uk
The Good Care Group: 0808-163 8265, www.thegoodcaregroup.com
The Orders Of St John Care Trust: 0800-988 8133, www.osjct.co.uk Monkscroft, Cheltenham, Gloucester: 01242-505010
Urban Renaissance Villages: 020-8781 6111, www.urv.uk.com
Millbrook Village, Exeter, Devon: 01392-275335, www.millbrookvillage.co.uk
Choosing a residential home for an elderly parent is like choosing a school for your children. You wouldn’t send your child off to boarding school after no more than a brief phone conversation with the school head. Why then would you consider doing that with a vulnerable elderly person, who is possibly unable to describe any shortcomings?
The difference is that residential homes, unlike schools, are often chosen in haste and during a crisis. I found homes for my parents when snow was lying so deep on the Gloucestershire hills that even the local ambulance service refused to venture forth. We struck lucky, and my mother moved to a home where she has been treated with kindness and dignity by staff who are both caring and imaginative.
The library (left) and dining room at Audley InglewoodMy excuse for my crisis-driven decision was that my parents, understandably, didn’t really want to discuss what would happen when they were no longer able to cope in their own home. But, with the benefit of hindsight, I realise that I should have been investigating care options and homes in their area, possibly even without their knowledge. Then I, at least, would have been informed and able to give them the available options, so they could choose for themselves. Planning ahead is the advice of every professional in the field. When elderly people are reluctant to do so, it is the responsibility of their younger friends or children to take the initiative and by that means, ultimately to hand back the decision- making. Here are some tips on finding the best possible care:
- Contact your local AgeUK and other volunteer organisations for advice on residential care and care at home.
- Visit as many establishments as possible to make comparisons.
- If you are seriously considering a home, visit on several occasions and at different times of the day to get a sense of the care offered.
- Talk to staff and residents, and, if possible, to the families of residents, both past and present. Find out about patient/carer ratios, staff turnover and training.
- Check that the homes have been inspected recently and are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
- The devil is in the detail: although the CQC reports are no longer starrated, they are comprehensive and provide particularised inspections, which outline recommendations for improvements.
- There is a lot of information in the system. Use a wide range of sources (including specialist charities) to come to an informed decision.
- Statistics taken from: www.ageuk.org.uk; www.cqc.org.uk; www.guardian.co.uk; www.parliament.uk
Audley Inglewood village has a poolADDRESS BOOK
Admiral Nursing Direct: 0845-257 9406, www.dementiauk.orgAgeUK: 0800-169 6565, www.ageuk.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society: 0300- 222 1122, www.alzheimers.org.uk
Anchor: 0808-115 1904, www.anchor.org.uk
Audley: 0800-093 8181, www.audleyretirement.co.uk Audley Inglewood, Kintbury,
Berkshire: 01488- 682100
Bluebird Care: 01730-260026, www.bluebirdcare.co.uk
CQC: 03000-616161, www.cqc.org.uk
Churchill Retirement Living: 0800-458 1856, www.churchillretirement.co.uk
Compaid: 01892-834539, www.compaid.org.uk
Country Cousins: 0800-542 0676, www.country-cousins.co.uk
Dementia UK: 020-7874 7200, www.dementiauk.org
Sanctuary Care: 0845-337 0445, www.sanctuary-care.co.uk
Signature: www.signaturecare-homes.co.uk
Moorlands Lodge, Hindhead, Surrey: 01428-601200
Sunrise Senior Living: 0808- 159 9333, www.sunrise-care.co.uk
The Good Care Group: 0808-163 8265, www.thegoodcaregroup.com
The Orders Of St John Care Trust: 0800-988 8133, www.osjct.co.uk Monkscroft, Cheltenham, Gloucester: 01242-505010
Urban Renaissance Villages: 020-8781 6111, www.urv.uk.com
Millbrook Village, Exeter, Devon: 01392-275335, www.millbrookvillage.co.uk