Alzheimer's Society launches independent guide to choosing care homes

The Alzheimer’s Society has launched its new tool, the 'Handy Guide to Selecting a Care Home’, an independent aid for people when choosing care homes.

The Alzheimer’s Society has also launched an updated version of its ‘This is Me’ tool for care home staff, designed to help them provide better quality care by recognising the person behind their dementia. The leaflet will inform care home staff of clients individual likes and dislikes because it is personally filled out by the resident or their family.

The charity has recently revealed research showing that more than 9.3m (19 per cent) of UK adults know a person with dementia in a care home, and 58 per cent of people choosing care homes rely solely on the information provided by the home itself.

Dr Ann Johnson, who has Alzheimer’s disease and lives in a care home, said: “Finding a care home was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever had to make, and getting information that you can trust is really difficult. It was really important to me to look at the options of care I had and what I wanted the care home to provide. This guide could make all the difference and I’m happy to support it.”

The ‘Handy Guide to Selecting a Care Home’ will give prospective residents and their family an objective guide to what makes good quality care by suggesting key areas to focus on such as the activities available and the way staff address residents.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society noted the importance of the guide and explained:“People choosing a care home often have to make big decisions at an incredibly emotional time, so spotting little things such as how staff speak to residents or activities available can be difficult.”

Mr Hughes continued: “Our new tools will provide an invaluable source of support to people affected by dementia and ensure that those who are looking at care are equipped to make the right choice for the people they love.”