Choosing the best care home for your needs can be one of the most important tasks you may need to do during your senior years. Moving into the right caring home is the key factor in determining the quality of your life. Get it right and you can enjoy many active years with support and companionship. What's more, your loved ones can rest easy knowing you're in good hands and a happy environment. So how do you go about finding the right caring home for your needs?

When looking for a caring home, there are some vital questions you will need answered to determine whether the home is suitable for your needs. Here are some of those key questions you need to ask.

Is the Care Home Registered?

Reputable care homes that take care of seniors in the UK are registered with government and independent organizations. This will guarantee certain minimum standards in the quality of the premises and of the staff and programs there.

One key organization for the regulation of care homes is Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This is the major body responsible for inspecting and regulating the standard of care provided by homes. All Care Homes and Nursing Homes must be registered with the CSCI and be able let you see their current inspection report. The report will outline the findings of the most recent inspection and cover such matters as to whether the home employs competent and suitably qualified staff.

In addition, all homes must register and be inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England. The CQC will thoroughly inspect the home and carry out interviews with residents and their families. They then issue a rating ranging from 0 stars (poor) up to 3 stars (excellent).

Another organization you can contact for information about caring homes is the Registered Nursing Home Association. Its web site features a variety of links to helpful resources and registered nursing homes.

Does It Meet Your Care Needs?

Not all care homes offer the same level of care. Care homes come in a variety of types depending on the facilities they offer. Residential homes, for example, offer a safe and comfortable living environment with help in carrying out everyday tasks. Nursing homes offer a similar environment but also provide 24-hour nursing care. Some nursing homes specialize in certain types of patient such as those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

If you suffer from a particular condition that requires regular treatment or is likely to in the future, this is obviously a crucial factor in your choice of nursing home .

In addition, if you are bedridden or frail you might want to choose a nursing home even if you have no serious medical condition. This will allows you to avail yourself of the more intensive care that the nursing home can provide should the need arise.

Does The Home Meet Your Emotional Needs?

Obviously receiving quality care is of prime importance but you also need to take into account your emotional needs. You should try to find a home that operates on a person-centered care basis. This means caring for the resident as an individual by interacting on a daily basis and through the use of therapeutic activities.

One factor that can boost a care home resident's state of mind is being near to family and friends. Having to move away from ones home and live in communal settings is stressful and depressing But it can be made far more pleasant by having friends and family visit on a regular basis.

You should consider too what facilities there are in the area. If you're mobile and enjoy theatre or sports, then you should try to make sure you can find what they need in the area. Anything that allows the care home resident a measure of independence is good for the emotional needs.

Choosing a care home to be your permanent residence is never an easy choice owing to the large numbers of variables involved. But by answering the above questions you can get a clearer picture of any home you are considering and so find it easier to determine if it's suitable for your needs.