The decision to move a loved one into a care facility can be overwhelming. It involves emotional, financial, and practical challenges. Understanding the process makes it easier to approach with confidence and care. This guide will explain how to get an elderly person into a care home without hassle.
Preparing for the Transition
Moving a loved one into a care home can feel overwhelming, but with careful planning, it can be a smooth and supportive process. These steps can help make the transition easier and more comforting for everyone involved.
Choosing the Right Care Home
Selecting the right care home is a vital step. It’s about finding a place that feels like home while meeting the specific needs of your loved one. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Visit Homes in Person: Walk through the facility to observe cleanliness, ambience, and overall environment.
- Review Staff Behavior: Watch how staff interact with residents—are they patient, kind, and attentive?
- Check Resident Activities: Ask about daily schedules, social activities, and opportunities for engagement.
- Read Reviews: Look at online reviews or speak to other families about their experiences.
- Ask Key Questions: Inquire about medical care, visiting policies, and staff-to-resident ratios.
Moving Day Preparation
Getting ready for moving day involves both practical and emotional preparation. Here’s a simple checklist:
- Essential Documents: Medical records, insurance information, ID, and care plans.
- Personal Items: Comfortable clothing, toiletries, favourite books, or family photos.
- Comfort Items: Items that provide a sense of familiarity, like a favourite blanket or memorabilia.
- Room Setup: Arrange the room to feel cosy and personal, replicating aspects of their previous home.
- Emotional Support: Be present and reassuring, helping them settle in and meet staff and residents.
Refer to this detailed checklist to simplify the transition for everyone involved.
How to Get an Elderly Person into a Care Home If They’re Reluctant?
Many elderly individuals may feel hesitant or resistant to the idea of moving into a care home. Approaching their concerns with understanding and compassion can make the transition smoother:
- Involve Them in Decisions: Encourage them to tour homes and share their preferences.
- Focus on Benefits: Highlight how a care home can offer new social opportunities, safety, and customised support.
- Start with a Trial Stay: Some care homes offer short stays, allowing your loved one to experience the environment before making a permanent move.
- Reassure Them: Acknowledge their feelings and offer consistent emotional support during the process.
Being prepared and staying adaptable can make the move easier, creating a sense of comfort and reassurance for your loved one and your family.
Supporting the Adjustment
Moving to a care home is a big change, and your support can make it much easier. Offering both emotional and practical help during this time can help your loved one feel comfortable and appreciated in their new surroundings.
Helping Them Settle
Supporting the transition to a care home involves staying engaged and offering reassurance. Here are simple ways to help:
- Visit Regularly: Frequent visits show them they are not alone and help them feel connected to family.
- Encourage Participation: Motivate them to join activities, meet other residents, and explore hobbies.
- Communicate Openly: Talk about their feelings and address any concerns they may have.
- Build Familiarity: Spend time together exploring the home, like dining areas or gardens, to make the space feel more like their own.
What to Bring?
Personal touches can make their room feel like home. Here’s what to bring:
| Essential Items | Optional Items |
| Comfortable clothing | Favourite chair or small furniture |
| Toiletries and medication | Plants or decorations |
| Family photos | Books, puzzles, or games |
| Important documents (ID, care plans) | Wall art or a small rug |
| Memory items (e.g., keepsakes) | Extra bedding or throw blankets |
Making their new room feel familiar and welcoming can make the adjustment easier, providing a sense of comfort and safety. With patience and care, this transition can become a chance to strengthen bonds and help your loved one feel supported and at ease in their new home.
Financial Considerations
Planning to move to a care home also requires an understanding of the costs and payment options. Care home fees differ depending on the type of care and location, but looking into funding options can make the costs more affordable.
Care Home Costs
Care home fees in the UK depend on the level of care provided and the region. Nursing homes, which offer medical care, typically cost more than residential homes that are focused on personal care.
| Care Type | Average Weekly Cost | What’s Included |
| Residential Care | £600–£800 | Accommodation, meals, and personal care |
| Nursing Care | £800–£1,200 | Includes 24/7 medical supervision by nurses |
Paying Options for a Care Home
Paying for care homes involves several options, depending on the individual’s financial situation. Here’s a breakdown:
- Self-Funding: Individuals with capital over £23,250 (including property value) are expected to cover their fees. They may use savings, pensions, or proceeds from selling their home.
- Council Assistance: Those with assets below £23,250 can apply for financial help from their local council. This begins with a needs assessment, which determines eligibility for council funding.
Important: Avoid selling a property or cancelling a tenancy before the council confirms funding decisions.
- Family Contributions (Top-Up Fees): Families may supplement council funding to access higher-cost care homes. This is known as a top-up fee. However, if family contributions stop, the individual may need to move to a more affordable home.
- NHS Continuing Healthcare: Available for individuals with severe medical needs, covering care costs in full after an assessment by the NHS.
Take control of care planning with these options, helping you make informed choices about care expenses. Reach out to a financial advisor or contact your local council to request a needs assessment and access the support available for your loved one.
Assessing the Need for a Care Home
Deciding when it’s time for an elderly loved one to move into a care home is a sensitive and often challenging decision. It’s important to recognise the signs that indicate their current living situation may no longer be safe or suitable. It is also important to look into alternatives available to decide which is the most appropriate.
When Should Someone Move into a Care Home?
Care homes are designed for individuals who can no longer manage their daily lives alone. Look out for these common indicators that may suggest it’s time to consider a move:
- Mobility Issues: If they struggle to move around the house safely or need assistance for basic activities like getting up from a chair or climbing stairs.
- Personal Care Challenges: Difficulty maintaining hygiene, dressing, or taking prescribed medication correctly and on time.
- Safety Concerns: Experiencing frequent falls, burns, or other injuries while at home.
- Dietary Neglect: Skipping meals or an inability to prepare nutritious food, leading to weight loss or health decline.
- Household Management Issues: Struggling to keep the house clean and tidy or maintain necessary home repairs.
- Subtle Signs of Struggle: Hiding accidents, bruises, or messes due to embarrassment or fear of being a burden.
Alternative to Care Homes for the Elderly
It’s a good idea to look into other options that might work better for your needs before choosing a care home. Here’s a simple comparison of care home options for the elderly:
| Option | Services Provided | Cost Range | Level of Care |
| Home Modifications | Stairlifts, grab rails, household gadgets | £500–£2,500 (one-time) | Low to moderate support |
| Hiring a Carer | Personal care, meal preparation, companionship | £15–£25/hour | Moderate support |
| Supported Living | Accommodation with visiting staff support | £1,000–£1,500/month | Moderate to high support |
| Adult Day Care Facilities | Supervised activities, meals, and socialization | £40–£70/day | Moderate support |
These options might work well for some, allowing them to stay in their home or a familiar place. But if their needs go beyond what these solutions can offer, a care home could be the best choice.
Noticing the signs and considering alternative care options allows families to make well-informed choices for their elderly loved ones. For those with specific needs, meaningful activities can greatly improve daily life. Take a look at activities for learning disabilities for helpful ideas.
Understanding the Different Types of Care Homes
Care homes are broadly divided into two main categories:
- Residential Care Homes
- Nursing Care Homes
Some care homes combine residential and nursing care services under one roof. Depending on the provider, these facilities can be managed by private companies, charities, voluntary organisations, or local councils.
Residential Homes
Residential homes offer accommodation and personal care for individuals who need assistance with everyday tasks, such as:
- Bathing and grooming
- Dressing
- Taking medication
- Using the toilet
In addition to personal care, many residential homes provide opportunities for social activities, such as group outings or community events, to improve residents’ quality of life.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide all the services of a residential home but also include medical care, with at least one qualified nurse on-site at all times. This type of care home is sometimes referred to as a “care home with nursing”.
Nursing homes are ideal for individuals who require a higher level of medical attention, such as:
- Those with severe physical or learning disabilities
- Individuals managing complex medical conditions, like needing a colostomy or tube feeding
Understanding how to get an elderly person into a nursing home is crucial for families facing these challenges. It’s equally important to know the difference between a care home and a nursing home in the UK to make the best decision for your loved one’s specific needs.
Find out more about the types of care homes available in the UK.
Conclusion
Moving an elderly loved one into a care home can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, it can be a positive and reassuring experience.
By understanding the options, preparing financially, and supporting them emotionally, the transition can be smooth and beneficial. Remember, it’s about making sure they receive the care and attention they need.
At Metro Care, we’re here to help make this process easier for you and your family. From choosing the right care home to settling in, our team is ready to assist. Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who decides when someone goes into a care home?
The decision is usually made collaboratively between the individual, their family, and healthcare professionals. If the person cannot make decisions independently, a formal care needs assessment by the local council will determine the best course of action.
Can an elderly person be forced into care?
No one can be forced into a care home unless they lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves. In such cases, decisions are made by a court-appointed deputy or someone with lasting power of attorney, always prioritizing the individual’s best interests.
What happens if someone has no family to arrange care?
If an elderly person has no family, local councils are responsible for their safety and well-being. Social services will conduct a needs assessment, arrange suitable care, and facilitate the transition into a care home if required.
When Should an Elderly Person Go into a Care Home?
An elderly person may need a care home if they struggle with daily tasks, have frequent accidents, require constant medical care, or feel isolated. A council care needs assessment can help determine the right time.