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HELPLINE: 0845 017 7720
If you have decided that residential care is the answer, the next step is to find the place that bests suits your needs and preferences. If you are getting funding from the Local Authority, you should still be offered a choice of homes. Although they are unlikely to be able to recommend specific homes, they will have lists of homes in the area and any specialist services they can offer. It is advisable to get to know as much about the potential options as possible before making this important decision. In this section, we provide links to information to help you short-list possible homes, learn about them and make the best use of a visit to see what they are like.
Locating Suitable Homes
The most comprehensive guide to care homes in Essex, Southend and Thurrock is here:
http://www.carechoices.co.uk/e_books/essex.html
Information about nursing homes (as well as care homes) can also be found here:
http://www.ucarewecare.com/essex/
There is also a useful search function here to help you locate homes of the specific type you require:
http://www.csci.org.uk/registeredservicesdirectory/RSSearchCategories.asp?Action=SearchCats&Type=CRH
Getting Information
Much can be learned from the brochures published by different care homes and it is important to note both the information given and what is left out, so that you can fill the gaps if you decide to visit the home. For unbiased information, the best source of information is from the Inspectorate (CSCI)
CSCI publishes its reports on all homes and these are available here:
http://www.csci.org.uk/find_a_report.aspx
CSCI also uses a rating system for care homes and these can be checked here:
http://www.csci.org.uk/care_provider/view_ratings/quality_ratings.aspx
Making a Visit
When you come to possible homes, it can sometimes be difficult to remember all the questions that should be asked and all the things to look out for. The following articles and checklists may help:
From Counsel and Care
http://www.counselandcare.org.uk/assets/library/documents/19_Care_Homes_What_to_Look_For.pdf
From Age Concern
http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/info-care-home-checklist.asp
From Help the Aged
http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/52346FA6-C5A6-4477-BBFB-B3DEFB25D306/0/care_homes_adv.pdf
HELPLINE: 0845 017 7720
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