DO ⬇️ CHECK: Have you been referred by your GP / Health Provider for a Care Needs Assessment ? Have they referred you for a Local Authority Assessment or a Continuing Healthcare Assessment? Online if you can apply for an assessment (NHS) - LINK + (GOV) - LINK DO ⬇️ ASSESS YOUR OWN NEEDS: With a friend / family member to be more prepared. Thinking how you want your life to be and what's important to you, such as ? hobbies / activities independence / shopping / driving safety / equipment DO ⬇️ THINK IF YOU NEED SUPPORTED or ASSISTED LIVING with nurse and/or carer support. There are different providers as below: Residential Care Homes. Provide personal care (e.g., washing, dressing, medication management) but no nursing care. Nursing Homes. Offer 24-hour nursing care for people with more complex health needs, provided by qualified nurses. Dementia Care Homes. Specialise in care for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Respite Care Homes. Offer short-term stays to give regular carers a break. Specialist Care Homes. Provide tailored support for conditions such as Parkinson’s, stroke recovery, or severe physical disabilities. THINK IF YOU NEED a with nurse and/or carer support to help with: continence nutrition communication and speech psychological / emotional / cognition / behaviours mobility USEFUL LINKS CARE UK - LINK CARE TO BE DIFFERENT - LINK HOME CARE ASSOCIATION - LINK AGE UK - LINK

DO YOUR HOMEWORK ! You are a CUSTOMER after all. DO ⬇️ Google Search reviews / ratings / reports from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) - LINK + (Carehome) - LINK Review Social Media posts. Go, Look, See - speak to residents and families. Take someone with you. Spend a day there. What's you GUT FEELING / FIRST IMPRESSION ?

DO: ⬇️ Go into each room and VISUALISE. Think HEAD TO TOE what will you NEED Get A FRIEND / FAMILY MEMBER to do it with you. Examples: Accessibility / Safety - entrance to and space in rooms, stair lit, rails, safe in room, alarms Mobility - wheelchair, bars, hoists (ceiling or movable), walkers Kitchen – look at the height level of drawers / cupboards Bathroom / Wet Room - bath, shower chair, toilet Living & Dining Room - recliner chair Bedroom - profile bed and mattress, slide sheets Electricals - TV, kitchen appliances, alarms, telephone Comfort - cushions Outside - ramp / access Speech and Communication - equipment, sensory Personal Needs - prayer room / chiropodist / hairdressers / dentist

Who Works in a Care Home - LINK KEY STAFF (and examples of support): CARE HOME MANAGER overall management of your care issues that are escalated from staff and clients liaise with external functions for your care (local authority, care commissions) NURSE medication /pain management continence - stoma / catheter / supra pubic catheter nutrition observations – BP, Pulse, temperature decisions if become unwell, liaise with GP and health advisors CARER continence repositioning personal care (showering) pressure sores log feed, urine input and output, daily routine psychological / emotional / cognition / behaviours accompany to appointments ENTERTAINMENT STAFF outings / hobbies / activities OTHER STAFF - Maintenance Cleaner, Caterer SUPPORT SERVICES SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST (SALT) - communication and speech PHYSIOTHERAPIST / OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST - mobility - rehabilitation DIETICIAN - PEG feed / Nutricia - weight management

DO: ⬇️ ASK EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO, REMEMBER YOU ARE THE CUSTOMER AND HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW EVERYTHING FINANCE Can you provide a cost breakdown of everything that is included in the fees? Who pays for what - bills / food / equipment etc.? Will you include contents insurance? How do I secure a room, what evidence do you need? Do the fees increase every year? How long does the process take? How are finances passed over if from the Local Authority or Continuing Healthcare Commission? How long give notice if I want to change home? STAFF What staff are there (nurses / carer/ doctors...)? Do doctors and outside medical people visit the home? Can I have external care workers in the home? Can I check the staff training / qualifications? Can I choose my care team with you and get to know them first / trial period? Can I see and review my agreed care plan and see who manages what (continence, personal care, mobility, meds, manual Handling etc.)? What is the staff to client ratio? EQUIPMENT Safety (electricals, alarms, WIFI, tv, telephone) Stairs (stairlift, lifts) Bedroom (profile bed, mattress, storage) Bathroom - (shower, bath, storage) Mobility - (ramp, walkers. wheelchair, bars, hoist) What don’t you provide? Will my medication be delivered here? SERVICES / ACCESS Is there an outdoor / garden area? Is there private parking? Can I do a trial visit? Do you offer respite? Am I allowed to leave the building? Do you offer the below? dentist hairdresser chiropodist therapies transport Can I see the weekly entertainment schedule? VISITING What are the visiting hours? Are pets allowed in?