Looking for a decent Care Home

[Reesh2052 10]

I'm looking for recommendations on decent care homes in the Sheffield area, read lots of bad reviews and think although as a family we need to make our own judgements it would be nice to get the opinions of Forum members who have had previous experience. Yo may have to PM as l know the mods may not let you post directly on here. Thanks.

 

[Annie Bynnol 611]

Do not rely on what other people say.

Things change rapidly from bad to good and good to bad in months.

Do your homework first with Carehomes UK website. This has all the links to other sources.

The Care Quality Commission  reports on standards within the homes

 

There were ( recently ) about 39 care homes in the Sheffield area.

All are private except three very specialist NHS ones.

Each "patient" is different. Each Care Home is different.

So you will need to make a list before you start visiting.

Start with the type of care required.

Then what level of care is required.

How much they cost? £650 + pw

Is the patient eligible to funding?

Will the "patient" meet the assessment criteria - eg dementia is not enough.

Will the home accept patients without funding?

Does the funding have to be in place beforehand?

What happens to the patient as their condition changes?

 

My tips are to get to know the jargon- and that there is no standard.

You will make many visits unannounced all over the city.

Purpose built modern homes are generally ahead of the old mansion types.

East is better than west,

Location sadly, becomes the least important factor.

Don't be put off by things like first impressions even smell.

 

Good luck- I visited nineteen homes

 

[misspedantic 11]

Having had experience of 3 elderly relatives living in various care homes over the past few years  I would agree with Annie Bynnol's comments.   Thankfully 2 of the homes where our relatives lived are now closed.  We were happy with the care given to my mum at Cotleigh Care Home.   I also wish you good luck in your search .  

[Blast 10]

Having had very recent experience with a family member, personally I would suggest avoiding Richmond Heights but would positively encourage you to go and look at Rose Cottage at Halfway. We had an excellent experience there and I would recommend this place.

[ANGELFIRE1 10]

Only having limited experience of these places, I would wish you well in your search, it will be difficult at best.

 

Angel1.

[Grappler 12]

Leahyrst Care Home was fine

[Reesh2052 10]

On ‎30‎/‎03‎/‎2019 at 19:48, Annie Bynnol said:

Do not rely on what other people say.

Things change rapidly from bad to good and good to bad in months.

Do your homework first with Carehomes UK website. This has all the links to other sources.

The Care Quality Commission  reports on standards within the homes

 

There were ( recently ) about 39 care homes in the Sheffield area.

All are private except three very specialist NHS ones.

Each "patient" is different. Each Care Home is different.

So you will need to make a list before you start visiting.

Start with the type of care required.

Then what level of care is required.

How much they cost? £650 + pw

Is the patient eligible to funding?

Will the "patient" meet the assessment criteria - eg dementia is not enough.

Will the home accept patients without funding?

Does the funding have to be in place beforehand?

What happens to the patient as their condition changes?

 

My tips are to get to know the jargon- and that there is no standard.

You will make many visits unannounced all over the city.

Purpose built modern homes are generally ahead of the old mansion types.

East is better than west,

Location sadly, becomes the least important factor.

Don't be put off by things like first impressions even smell.

 

Good luck- I visited nineteen homes

 

Thank you very much for this...it's very helpful.

On ‎30‎/‎03‎/‎2019 at 20:13, misspedantic said:

Having had experience of 3 elderly relatives living in various care homes over the past few years  I would agree with Annie Bynnol's comments.   Thankfully 2 of the homes where our relatives lived are now closed.  We were happy with the care given to my mum at Cotleigh Care Home.   I also wish you good luck in your search .  

Thank you.

On ‎30‎/‎03‎/‎2019 at 20:13, misspedantic said:

Having had experience of 3 elderly relatives living in various care homes over the past few years  I would agree with Annie Bynnol's comments.   Thankfully 2 of the homes where our relatives lived are now closed.  We were happy with the care given to my mum at Cotleigh Care Home.   I also wish you good luck in your search .  

 

On ‎30‎/‎03‎/‎2019 at 22:33, Blast said:

Having had very recent experience with a family member, personally I would suggest avoiding Richmond Heights but would positively encourage you to go and look at Rose Cottage at Halfway. We had an excellent experience there and I would recommend this place.

Thanks for your tip.

[Mossway 15]

In my opinion the level and standard of care is of much greater importance than proximity to friends and relatives who may visit. 

[tinfoilhat 11]

1 hour ago, Mossway said:

In my opinion the level and standard of care is of much greater importance than proximity to friends and relatives who may visit. 

Or, just as likely, may NOT visit.

 

Ask if there are beds available now. If there’s one or two that aren’t reserved for respite, be very very wary. If there is a waiting list, that’s normally a good sign. If there’s one that does take your fancy, on visit number two (or three) track down the manager and talk to them, how long they have been there etc etc. In my albeit limited experience the best homes had good, friendly, approachable managers who ran a tight ship. The ones that weren’t as good either had a revolving door for managers or weren’t available etc etc.

 

Makea list of questions before you go.

[clogginchris 10]

My Mum and Dad were both in Gateford Hill Care home, which is a 30 minute drive, or closer depending on what side of Sheffield you are on, and I can't fault it. The staff were lovely, the facilities excellent. I would recommend it.