Choosing a care home

Different types of care home

There are two main types of care home, offering different types of services. Some homes offer full-time nursing care. Others support people with specific disabilities or medical needs.

Your Health and Social Care Trust can help you find somewhere that meets your needs.

The two main types of care home are:

• residential care homes
• nursing homes

Some care homes offer both residential and nursing care places.

Homes are run by:

• Health and Social Care Trusts
• private businesses
• voluntary organisations

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) has a list of all registered homes in Northern Ireland or your Trust can help you find a home to meet your needs.

• Health and Social Care Trusts

Residential homes

You may need to go into residential care if you can no longer manage in your own home or need care through a short illness. 

These provide personal care, such as help with:

• washing
• dressing
• taking medicines
• going to the toilet

Staff are available 24 hours a day.

Nursing homes

If you are disabled or have an illness that means you need nursing care on a frequent basis, a nursing home may be better for you.

A qualified nurse will be on duty 24 hours a day.

Specialist homes

There are also specialist homes.

You may need to move into a home that provides specialist care for your disability or needs.

This might include specially trained staff or adapted facilities.

Your HSC Trust or the RQIA will have lists of specialist homes or ones that might offer services suitable to your needs.

Your right to choose your care home

You have the right to choose your care home, but it must meet your needs.

Your local HSC Trust can help you choose a home that meets your needs and, after a financial assessment, may contribute towards the cost.

If your local HSC Trust is helping with your fees, you can still choose as long as:

• your choice is suitable for your care needs
• there is a place available
• a contract can be agreed with the home to make sure you receive the support you need
• the cost is not more than the local trust normally pays for someone with your assessed needs
• Health and Social Care Trusts

Visiting care homes

If possible, visit residential care or nursing homes that you are considering to make sure they meet your current and possible future needs.

Bring a checklist with you of things that are important to you in case you forget to ask something.

Your Trust can work with you to consider things like:

• accessibility
• suitable equipment, such as handrails, hoists, adjustable baths and armchairs
• staying with the same GP
• your food and dietary needs
• your religious or cultural needs

Talking to staff, residents and managers can help you get an idea of what living there might be like.

You should feel able to visit more than once if you would like.

Finding the right home

Finding the right residential care or nursing home can take some time, especially if you have specific or complex care needs.

Charities and organisations related to your specific disability might be able to offer advice about choosing a home.

There are a few homes able to meet the needs of younger disabled people. Your HSC Trust should be able to tell you about those in your area.

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) inspects all registered homes and writes a report on what they find.

Reading the reports on the homes you are considering might help you make a choice. 

You can get these from RQIA or the homes.

Minimum standards issued by the Department of Health state that care homes should offer trial stays.

This may include the chance to meet staff, have a meal and an overnight stay.

• Residential care and nursing home standards and how to complain

It’s a good idea to make your own checklist before visiting care homes. Things you may wish to consider include:

• location
• facilities
• staff and residents

Location

You may want to consider if:

• the care home is near family and friends
• there are good transport links
• there are shops, leisure facilities and cafés nearby

Facilities

Ask if you can see the bedrooms, as well as any shared spaces. You may want to find out if:

• residents have their own room, with space for their own furniture and belongings
• there are enough toilets within easy reach of bedrooms and living space
• there is a garden where residents can walk safely
• chairs are arranged in groups in living areas to encourage socialising, rather than round the edge of the room
• the home will meet your specific religious, ethnic or cultural needs
• residents' food likes and dislikes are catered for

Staff and residents

You may also want to check:

• if staff are trained to meet any specific needs you have
• if there are regular activity sessions or access to community health services
• if there are regular relatives’ meetings
• when is visiting allowed

When the home you want doesn't have a place

When the residential care or nursing home you choose doesn't have a place, while you wait for a place you can either:

• go into a different home
• arrange for services at your own home

If your HSC Trust is helping with costs, then they can help you with either of these options.

Moving to a different area

You may wish to move to a residential care or nursing home in a different HSC Trust area to the one where you live. This may be because you want to be near relatives or the place you grew up.

If you have been assessed as needing care and your Trust has agreed to pay for you, then it is responsible for your fees, even if you choose a home somewhere else.

Under certain circumstances your Trust may be able to pay the home fees if they are more expensive.

Choosing a care home for someone else

If the person you care for is not able to express their choice, the Trust should take your preferences into account.

• Health and Social Care Trusts