Bupa care homes for dementia sufferers

soolin

I've noticed in some threads people have mentioned relatives being in Bupa Homes and i wondered if generally they are well respected in the industry.

My dad has severe vascular dementia he has no memory at all and no ability to perform even the most basic of tasks for himself. He has been very happily living in a residential home for almost 3 years but they can no longer look after him as he has a severe catheter issue that requires a nurse attending most days to replace and flush the system.

Dad is currently in hospital and after some issues with them not feeding him or providing any assistance with liquid intake he has actually become very frail. Obviously I have made a fuss about the hospital treatment and he is improving a little and they basically want him out ASAP.

I don't yet have any form of nursing needs assessment although I know one has been done, I am still trying to get a copy. However I have an appointment today with a nursing home that has a vacancy but i was also interested in looking at a BUPA home. The thing that concerns me is whether the BUPA homes are much more expensive than non BUPA homes as no one will actually give me a fee structure until I go and see them and they see dad. Whilst i want the best for Dad I am also conscious that I need to make his money last as long as possible.

Any thoughts on BUPA homes would be welcomed.

Trebor16

My father is in a BUPA home and has been for over three years. They are very expensive (over 1000 per week) and the service I have been getting from the matron, with regards to finding out information about my father, has been poor. The matron has ignored two written requests from my mother to allow my sister and I to act as next of kin, and she has pulled my 88 year old mother into inpromptu meetings, when she has been visiting my father, and effectively harassed and bullied her, with other staff present, into making her change her written instructions.

On the basis of what I have experienced I wouldn't recommend BUPA. Just because they are a big company is no guarentee that they will do it any better than smaller companies.

soolin

The reason I was hesitating is that looking at my local ones I was concerned that they mainly dealt with the elderly 'well' as they talk about sherry parties and film shows, but my father is happy just sitting listening to music for an entire day. I didn't want to pay a premium for a lifestyle that he cannot take part in.

The homes i am currently looking at are around £700- £800 a week so every few hundred pounds saved is a few more months that my father can stay in a home of his choice.

SusieWinwood

I strongly recommend that you do not use a Bupa 'care' home. My sister worked for the company for years and the last thing on their minds is caring. They are only interested in your £.

Errata

The Care Home inspection system has now changed, but the old inspection reports are still available. Find them here http://www.cqc.org.uk/registeredservicesdirectory/rsquicksearch.asp

Homes were graded poor, good and excellent and awarded 1,2 or 3 stars. It would probably be a good idea to read a couple of inspection reports on a few 3 star homes in the area you're looking at, which will show how they have improved year on year. Ignore the 1 star homes.
Most Care Homes are a business, some businesses will want to squeeze as much profit as possible, others will accept a reasonable return on their investment by balancing their reputation, the wellbeing of residents, future plans/improvements etc.
Good luck.

alanq

Sorry to read your sad news soolin.

For the benefit of others...

Which? has just completed a report on care homes (unnamed) and it is depressing reading. The advertised events organised by a care home may not occur in reality.

http://www.which.co.uk/campaigns/food-and-health/care-homes-investigation/

morganlefay

My Mum had to be admitted to a home for dementia sufferers a few years ago and my sister and I are still struggling to cope with the huge feelings of guilt and betrayal that we felt when we had to let her go to the home, though in our heads we know it was the only thing we could do as she needed 24 hour attention. My advice would be as others have said : don't let the ideas of sherry parties and film shows impress you (we saw a place that was like a hotel with a dining room for patients' visitors, with wine list, and waitresses in uniform, while the dementia patients were kept upstairs in a locked wing and hardly ever even went outside or anything else much). In the end we chose a home which seemed comfortable and clean, served good food, and (what we found to be the MOST important) had a Matron who told us the truth, understood our pain, as well as my mother's and seemed to be running a caring and compassionate home. I send you all good wishes at what can't help being a very stressful time for both you and your family and your Dad.

pmlindyloo

In my experience finding the 'right' home for your dad requires some 'leg work'.

When we were looking for a home for my mother, my sisters and I went and viewed a good number.

After viewing a few we became more confident in asking lots of questions (good idea to make a list), making sure that we spoke to some residents and generally having a good look around.

Some homes were dismissed immediately, especially if they did not pass the 'wee' test (smell of anywhere around the home)!

Reports/recommendations can be helpful but there is nothing like going to see for yourself.

Good luck!