The government created the National Care Standards Commission in 2000 to outline the minimum standard of care which any resident who lives in a care home should get. Their report, entitled 'The National Minimum Standards of Care Homes for Elderly People' was published in 2003 and goes into great detail regarding the care people should expect.
It can be very difficult choosing a care home. But most of us will have to do this at some point in our lives, whether for a family member of a friend. If you are currently going through the choosing process, it is worth noting that you are legally entitled to information about care homes which can help you make your choice.
The 'resident's guide' is the first place a visitor to the care home should look in the choosing process. The resident's guide, which all care homes should have, contains information about the type of rooms the care home has and the type and range of different services available.
When the potential resident decides they'd like to try out the home, the care home must provide a needs assessment on the individual. This personalised needs assessment will provide the home and the resident with important information about the resident's needs so the home can provide them with an adequate level of care.
All potential residents in the home should also be offered a trial period to decide if the home is suitable for them. This trial period is important, as a change of heart can often occur when making such a difficult decision. A terms and conditions document must also be provided by the care home before the resident moves into the home. This will detail the rules that the resident must adhere to when living in the home.
All residents in care homes have legal rights, which the care home must adhere to. For example, all letters the resident receives must never be opened in advance by the care home.
There are of course a host of other requisites that care homes should provide residents and these are clearly detailed in the 2003 report.
It can be very difficult choosing a care home. But most of us will have to do this at some point in our lives, whether for a family member of a friend. If you are currently going through the choosing process, it is worth noting that you are legally entitled to information about care homes which can help you make your choice.
The 'resident's guide' is the first place a visitor to the care home should look in the choosing process. The resident's guide, which all care homes should have, contains information about the type of rooms the care home has and the type and range of different services available.
When the potential resident decides they'd like to try out the home, the care home must provide a needs assessment on the individual. This personalised needs assessment will provide the home and the resident with important information about the resident's needs so the home can provide them with an adequate level of care.
All potential residents in the home should also be offered a trial period to decide if the home is suitable for them. This trial period is important, as a change of heart can often occur when making such a difficult decision. A terms and conditions document must also be provided by the care home before the resident moves into the home. This will detail the rules that the resident must adhere to when living in the home.
All residents in care homes have legal rights, which the care home must adhere to. For example, all letters the resident receives must never be opened in advance by the care home.
There are of course a host of other requisites that care homes should provide residents and these are clearly detailed in the 2003 report.
About the Author:
Anthony Gill is writing on behalf of Compare Care Homes as the site offers a wide range of care advice.