Thousands celebrate the good residential care they have experienced in the UK

Carehome.co.uk launched its care home recommendations service less than a year ago. Since then the site has been inundated with testimonials mainly from relatives of residents but also the residents themselves. The current total is over 4,000 reviews. The care home group with the most recommendations is Caring Homes Group, with its 61 care homes receiving over 400 recommendations between them.

Although these recommendations are testament to the good care that is available in the UK it is clear that apprehension towards residential care and the feeling that it is a ‘last resort measure’ is deep rooted in our culture.

Many reviews state relatives' feelings of immense guilt at moving a parent from their home:

“The other thing to mention is how guilty you may feel at having to make such a big decision, of having to look for and find that wonderful place the one that will give you peace of mind 24/7 that would mean you wouldn’t need to worry if your loved one was being looked after or neglected. I know about that because it broke my heart and that of my family as we were unable to give Mum 24/7 care ourselves we hoped and prayed we would get it right and we did in finding Avonleigh Gardens.” (Avonleigh Gardens, Greater Manchester)

This feeling may well be in part due to the negative press care homes receive by the regional and national newspapers but also, as director of Carehome.co.uk and member of the care professional benevolent fund Ms Ludlow states; ‘‘There is still a common misconception about care homes. Many feel that by placing their loved one in residential care they will be taking away their independence. In reality the opposite is the case. Elderly people can easily become prisoners in their own homes. By taking away the difficulties of modern life elderly people have an opportunity to gain their independence back. They once again have the option to make choices.’’

Ms Ludlow, herself faced the difficult decision to move her mother into residential care, "To move my mother into a care home was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but I knew she could no longer cope on her own and it was the right thing to do. She couldn’t even make a cup of tea and she needed care and support with all of her personal and daily living needs".

She states “Everyone has an initial settling in period, but once they are settled, the benefits of residential care can very quickly become evident.” Ms Ludlow’s experience is echoed in the words of the recommendations, many talk of happiness and relief felt once trust has been built between the relative and the home and when the knowledge has been gained that their relative or parent is looked after well at all times:

“It is never easy to put a relative into a home. I was anxious, ignorant and concerned that my mother, of 90, would not be happy and would be neglected and uncared for. I could not have been more wrong.” ( East Sussex)

Not only is peace of mind quoted for relatives but also for residents, “My sister went into this care home in July 2009. At that time she was very depressed and afraid of everything. The care Linda my sister has received since then has been exceptional. Linda is now confident and very happy. The management and staff in this care home give 100% to the residents.” ( )

In many cases there is evident surprise experienced by relatives at the progress of a resident once a move to residential care has been completed. Many mention a turnaround in well-being, mood and even health… Improvements are mentioned in dementia sufferers and cancer sufferers.

“My wife on arrival at Oak Lodge Friday 25th May was suffering with Cancer & Alzheimer's, could neither walk nor talk except to continually cry calling mummy or daddy. Could not do anything for herself including toilet. Had no idea who I was even though we have been married for 22 years. The Staff were amazing, the love and care to my wife was far beyond my expectations. Conditions were good, food was good, but talk about what love can do. In just over 4 weeks they have now got her free of crying mummy daddy into talking quite sensibly, now feeding herself, and starting to walk by herself. The joy of it all is she now knows who I am and talks to me. What better recommendation, I am speechless as to the amazing results.” (Oak Lodge Care Home – Chard)

As well as the obvious benefits from residential care such as constant supervision by staff. Other less obvious benefits are regularly mentioned, such as the advantage to residents of companionship from staff and from other residents, and no longer being isolated at home:

“My husband used to sit at home all day long staring into space no sound coming from his lips, no interest in anything, nor wanting to do anything. He was nothing like the man I once knew. Since being in Fig House he's more alert, his eyes are bright and he shows interest in things around him… It's very obvious to me and our sons that he's happy and comfortable. This is evident in the photographs showing him participating in the many activities they provide.”

Furthermore as stated in the above, a recurrent theme is the benefit of activities that are provided for residents which they can easily attend and which they are encouraged to participate in.

There is an abundance of recommendations which either refer to a residential home as ‘home’ or a ‘home from home’. Similarly just as many would prefer their family member to die at home and not in hospital many reviews reflect a wish on the behalf of relatives for the resident to remain at a care home or be returned to their care home to die:

“We were asked if my mum's health deteriorated would we like her to go to hospital? She was 93 years old & this was her home, so of course we wanted her to stay here, so glad we did, a lovely room & in the end my mum was very peaceful before she died.” (Heywood Court Care Home).

Jane Ashcroft, chair of the (ECCA) believes it is important for care homes to shout about the good work they do in order to redress the balance and counter the negative image of care homes that is all too prevalent in the media. She says it is important “to raise the profile of good quality, older people’s services so more people are aware of the great work that is going on”.

The fact is there are not enough outlets celebrating good care and, with an increasing ageing population, carehome.co.uk introduced the recommendations feature in an attempt to ease some of the concerns that that many people will experience when they come to terms with moving a family member into care.

To view all of the recommendations on carehome.co.uk click here: www.carehome.co.uk/care_search_results.cfm/searchcountry/uk/searchchtype/reviews