Private v council care/nursing home

countrybum

Hi there, not sure if this is on the right board - please feel free to move it somewhere more appropriate.

As the title suggests, I was wondering if anyone had views over privately run versus council run care homes?

Sadly, we've had to put my Grandad in a care home - it was all done in a bit of a rush due to numerous circumstances. The home isn't right for him so my Mum and Dad are looking for an alternative. I thoought I'd pick your brains for any ideas/thoughts on council v private and anything else to look out for.

Many thanks

heretolearn_2

You've really got to judge each place on its own merits. Some council places can be a bit big and institutionalised. On the other hand, owners of a care home are only there to make a profit. Either type can be fantastic or abysmal.

I used to work at a Housing Association and I would be happy to have any of my relatives in their homes. Very dedicated long-term staff, all the clients treated as individuals, really went out of their way to make it a 'home' and keep everyone happy and fulfilled and well-cared for. I also did a job for a private care home, visited it once, it was a real dump and the owner seemed to have forgotten he was dealing with people and not 'units', for example he had a plan to redecorate and was going to paint everyone's bedroom the same colour and was going to stop people bringing their own furniture as he thought a 'consistent look' was more stylish, (thinking more like a hotel than somewhere people were living for years) whereas I know at the housing association people were encouraged to personalise as much as possible! but as I say, it's down to the individual owner/staff/management what a place is like, some council/housing assocs. are not great, and some private are wonderful.

Shop around. Visit several times at different times of day. See if you can talk to other residents AND their families.

PinkLipgloss

Sound advice heretolearn! 100% agree with everything.

Torry_Quine

All homes are different and it's not as easy as private versus council. Make an unanounced visit as you can learn a lot.

hitchins

Torry_Quine wrote: »

All homes are different and it's not as easy as private versus council. Make an unanounced visit as you can learn a lot.

Hmmm yes as my poor mum did yesterday, only to find one member of staff on duty (crying!) having to deal with umpteen patients who need the toilet, cleaning, feeding etc. :mad::mad:

My mum has been in tears since. She has a meeting with nan's social workers and in the meantime is going to move her asap, before complaining like crazy!

I've had a quick Google and am surprised there isn't any kind of Care/Nursing Home review site, would be quite handy.

So once again she is on the hunt for another home.

BTW that's a private home.

wobbly

www.cqc.org.uk

you can find reports on each home here, but i personally think unanounced visits are goog and go as many times as you want. If they having nothing to hide then they will not mind!!

minnie123

When we were looking for my Grandad we went and looked round all the local ones - when we found the right one we knew straight away the atmopshere their was happy - some of them were so depressing.

Morgan_Ree

I wouldn't care whether they are private or council run. It's the staff that make a good care home.
Good carers are an absolute must.

The only way you're going to get a feel for the them is to visit and just watch them. How they interact with the residents. How do the residents appear.
Don't visit in the morning because that's always the busiest time. Go just after lunch or early evening.

Honestly I've been in some appalling places which may have the fanciest buildings and the prettiest rooms but the carers and nurses have been crap. And vice versa of course. Horrible old depressing looking bulidings but the staff have been amazing.

lostinrates

My regret was we didn't find somewhere that my grandmother could be in as her dementia progressed, opting rather for the more attractive intermediate option. Having some familiarity would have been better I think, the last move seemed to exacerbate her problems, she seemed more confused ....so, think ahead if that may be relevant.

Also, don't discount convenience for the family to get to for frequent visits. It becomes increasingly meaning ful. This also combined with places you can go...for affordable lunch etc, these things meant a lot to my grandmother.

mrsr

Morgan_Ree wrote: »

I wouldn't care whether they are private or council run. It's the staff that make a good care home.
Good carers are an absolute must.

The only way you're going to get a feel for the them is to visit and just watch them. How they interact with the residents. How do the residents appear.
Don't visit in the morning because that's always the busiest time. Go just after lunch or early evening.

Honestly I've been in some appalling places which may have the fanciest buildings and the prettiest rooms but the carers and nurses have been crap. And vice versa of course. Horrible old depressing looking bulidings but the staff have been amazing.

How true this is the sort of staff make all the differance.My Mother died yesterday in a private nursing home were she has been for the last two years.When she was taken to hospital and we were told it was the end we had her moved back to the home where they knew her .They were so compasonite when we went in there would always one of them sat by her bed.
Her biggest fear was going into a home and we visited a lot before chosing,being close by is important as already suggested and having places near by so they can be taken out .We were also told by other people to take notice if the place smells,i dont know if this is really important mums place did at times ,not all the time,her care was excellant.

The only thing i wish we had done was check out what the manager had told us ,there was nothing wrong with the care but we would have liked more activities and less time in her room .The manager told us there was these wonderful trips out, she went out once and other things that didnt happen .Thankfully she was happy and this seemed more of a issue for us than her.