Care homes

The type of care home you may move into depends on your needs. We will establish your needs through a care assessment.

However, if you want to see what is available in Swindon, you can browse our directory of care homes.

After you know what type of care home you need, you can focus on choosing where you might like to live.

It is a good idea to visit potential homes yourself, or for someone you know and trust to visit on your behalf. You might want to ask some of the questions listed below, depending on what’s most important to you.

Questions you may wish to ask

Location

• Can relatives and friends visit easily? Can they get here for early visiting?
• Is it close to the sort of local facilities I want to use?

Accommodation

• Does it feel homely and welcoming?
• Do I like the look of the home?
• Is it easily accessible and suitable for my mobility?
• Will I have a single room or can I share if I wish?
• Can I bring possessions and furniture to make my room feel like my own?
• Is it too luxurious or too basic?
• Is it too small or too big?
• Is it clean?
• Can I see the care home’s most recent inspection report?
• Are there en-suite facilities?

Personal requirements

• Can I use my room at any time of day?
• Can I have a television and/or radio in my room?
• Will I have to pay for a TV licence?
• Can I have my own telephone and/or is the communal phone situated somewhere quiet and private?
• How can I keep valuables and money safe?
• Do I need my own contents insurance policy?
• What happens about getting to shops or help with buying things (for example, new clothes or new shoes)?

Relationships

• Who manages and owns the care home?
• Does the person in charge make me feel welcome and at home?
• Are the staff friendly and do they talk to me?
• Do the staff talk to the residents and do they use an appropriate manner?
• How would I be addressed and how would I address staff?
• Are there opportunities for socialising within and outside the care home?
• Are there regular resident meetings or forums?
• What facilities are there for receiving visitors?
• Are there restrictions on when people can visit?
• Can visitors stay overnight?

Personal care

• What level of personal care is provided?
• Are residents encouraged to live as independently as possible?
• What equipment is available to help with daily living?
• How often can I have a bath or shower?
• What would happen if I needed more assistance in the future?
• Will my own doctor continue to visit me in the care home if I choose?
• What happens about taking my medication?
• What happens about hospital outpatient visits, dental, chiropody and optical appointments?

Life at the home

• What is the general daily routine in the care home?
• Do the residents appear to be happy?
• What is the food menus like?
• Can they cater to my dietary needs?
• Do we eat in a communal dining area or in our rooms?
• What activities are available?
• Is there access to a hairdresser or other services and are these at an additional cost?

Possible restrictions

• What restrictions apply to smoking?
• Would I handle my own money?
• Can I bring my dog/cat or other pet with me? If not, could they be brought in to visit?
• Are there any other restrictions?

Recreation

• Will I be encouraged to continue with my hobbies and interests?
• Are outings and holidays arranged - and are these at an additional cost?
• Does the care home have a visiting library facility?
• Is there a garden and how accessible is it?
• Are escorts available to enable trips out?
• Will I be able to access appropriate religious services, activities or support groups?