Factors to Consider When Choosing a Care Home in Plymouth
Choosing a residential care home in Plymouth for someone you love can be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make – it can feel overwhelming, and there’s a lot to consider.
The good news is that you don’t need to decide immediately – you can take a look at their website to get a feel for their ethos, and then, when you’re ready, you can book a tour for a face-to-face visit to meet their team and see their premises firsthand.
As we’ve mentioned, this is a big decision, so it might take some time to process. You may feel unsure to start with, but to help you make the most of your visit, here are a few things you might want to consider:
First Impressions Matter
When you walk through the door of a residential care home in Plymouth, you’ll be able to instantly get a feel for the warm and welcoming atmosphere. You’ll see if the staff are friendly and approachable, and if the residents look comfortable and at ease.
Make a mental note of how homely the communal area looks and feels – whether there is enough natural light, comfy chairs to relax, radiators to keep warm in the winter months, fans for the summer months, and a television or books to keep residents entertained. Artwork on the walls and well-looked-after plants can also help uplift the mood – you don’t want somewhere that looks clinical or depressing.
If you’re allowed to see one of the residents’ bedrooms, you might find they have added their own personal touches to make them feel at home – photos, their own furniture, or prized possessions that they care about.
The Staff Behind the Scenes
Whilst a residential care home’s facilities are an important aspect of your decision-making process, the quality of care comes down to the people. You’ll want to know how the staff interact with residents, taking the time to chat instead of simply attending to physical tasks.
Additionally, seeing the same familiar faces day after day provides a lot more reassurance than somewhere with a revolving door of agencies that come and go. It’s also worth asking about their staffing arrangements and whether there is a qualified nurse around the clock.
At The Lawns, our trained nurses are available 24 hours a day, and our Registered Manager, Sam Burdekin, is a Registered General Nurse (RGN) who leads with a nurse-first approach.
Resident Wellbeing
Every residential care home in Plymouth has a TV, which can keep residents’ minds occupied on a day-to-day basis – but do they go the extra mile to arrange weekly or monthly activities? Just because someone has moved to a care home – doesn’t mean they stop living life.
Find out if they have a varied activities programme, such as music, exercise classes like G-Fitness, pet therapy like Animals2U, games and pamper days. Residents should have the freedom to go about their lives as they please – it’s their choice when they want to socialise, spend quiet time on their own, and eat whenever they like.
Additionally, a good care home should warmly welcome families and visitors at any time without restrictions. Maintaining close family relationships is fundamental to each resident’s well-being.
Person-Centred Care
When moving into a residential care home, you’ll want the peace of mind that your loved one will be treated as an individual, not just a number. When we say we provide person-centred care, we really do mean it. A personalised care plan will be created for each and every resident in collaboration with you, your family and significant others.
This means covering essential care and health needs like dressing changes or administering insulin, as well as smaller but still important details, including how they like their tea or coffee, food preferences or dietary needs, and even down to music tastes and preferred activities.
Even if you simply need short-term Respite Care, there’s no minimum stay required. Your specific situation will be accommodated, and you will be treated with the same attention to detail and level of respect as our long-term residents.
Specialist Care
Not all residential care homes in Plymouth can provide specialist Nursing Care – look for a home that works closely with the District & Community Nursing team, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physiotherapy, and Speech and Language Therapy (SALT).
If your loved one has complex needs, you’ll want the assurance that the team is experienced and knowledgeable in handling their condition, such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Diabetes, COPD, Stroke, Motor Neurone Disease, or Dementia Care.
St Luke’s Six Steps + End of Life Champions will know exactly how to provide high-quality Palliative Care by understanding each individual’s wishes, creating a calm and comfortable environment, and supporting them during their last days of life.
Thinking About The Lawns Nursing & Residential Care Home in Brixton, Plymouth?
The Lawns is a small, independent Nursing & Residential Care Home set in the peaceful village of Brixton, just outside Plymouth. We offer Nursing & Residential Care, Respite Care, Dementia Care, and Palliative Care – all of which benefit from person-centred care plans, 24-hour nursing cover, and a genuine home-from-home atmosphere.
We’d love to show you around. Call us on 01752 880465 or send us a message via our contact form to arrange a visit with our Registered Manager, Sam Burdekin (RGN), who will take the time to walk you through our home and help you decide whether The Lawns is the right fit for your family.
You’re also welcome to read our reviews or view our CQC report before you visit.