WILLOW GRANGE

Choosing The Right Nursing Home

At Willow Grange, we understand that choosing the right nursing home for your loved one can seem daunting. You want to ensure you get it right and your loved one will be happy and cared for wherever they go. We understand how difficult the decision can be.

We have put together a ‘choosing a care home checklist’ to offer guidance, suggest some questions to ask, and highlight what else to consider when choosing the right nursing home for your loved one.

CONSIDERATIONS

The first steps to take when choosing the right nursing home

✓ Consider that there may be a waiting list and enquire about this as soon as possible.

✓ Ensure the home provides the correct level of care for your loved one.
Do your research. Read brochures, reviews and speak to a manager to get the best understanding of the home possible.

✓ View the nursing home’s most recent CQC inspection report, found either on their website or by asking the home directly.

VISITING

What are some things to think about while visiting the home?

There’s a lot to take in when you view a potential nursing home for your loved one. Here are some things we recommend taking note of when taking a look around the grounds for the first time.

1. Cleanliness

Pay attention to the home’s cleanliness and whether there are any unsanitary smells. The state of the rooms will tell you a lot about how the nursing home is looked after as a whole. Are the rooms presentable, clean and nicely decorated so that the residents feel at home?

2. Staff

Spend time chatting with the members of staff. Do they seem happy in their role? Ask how many hours a day the staff spend with the residents and whether the staff are accessible to them at all times. Is there always a manager on shift duty? Do the staff get to know the residents on a personal level? Consider their relationship and whether they value the nursing home they are working in.

3. Facilities

Make sure to enquire about the available facilities. Is there good wheelchair access for the residents who need it? Will it be easy to visit your loved one? Is there space for you to spend quality time with your loved one?

4. Social Aspects

Ask questions about how the residents can socialise with others. Is there a good range of activities to enjoy? Is there an emphasis on socialising?

5. Meal Times

When it comes to meal time, make sure to ask questions about whether the residents can enjoy food together or alone, based on what your loved one would prefer. Are the meals cooked fresh daily? Would your loved one be encouraged to make their own food?

6. Safety

Some good safety-related questions include: can your loved one choose to have a male or female staff member attend to them? Is there a resident call bell system? Ask whoever is showing you around questions about the safety of the home. The staff should be more than happy to ease your mind about any safety queries or concerns you have.

Reasons to Choose Willow Grange

At Willow Grange, we’re incredibly proud of our compassionate care services. You can be assured that we will do everything possible to ensure your loved one feels welcome. Our nursing home is inviting and warm, putting your mind at ease the minute you walk through our doors. We see Willow Grange as a continuation of life at home and will do everything we can to encourage our residents to be independent while still being on hand to assist them when needed.

If you are in the process of choosing a nursing home for your loved one in the Surbiton area, we’d love to hear from you. Our friendly team is always happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us at 020 8399 8948.

To find out more about why our welcoming nursing home is a good choice for your loved one, please get in touch below.