Location
You may wish to remain close to your present home, relatives and friends or General Practitioner. If you are considering a change in location consider:

Would you prefer to live in the locality or community you have been used to?
Is the home situated where relatives and friends can visit you easily?
Will you have to change your GP?
Is there easy access to public transport, local amenities, parks,
church, post office or shops
Are the surroundings too noisy or too quiet and what would you feel comfortable in?

The Home
Does it have a caring proprietor
Terms and conditions of residence and brochures should be taken and read.

The Room
This will become your own private place and must be comfortable:
Is it shared or single and what is the outlook?
Will it accommodate personal possessions or some of your own
special small pieces of furniture, or a pet?
Are there telephone or television aerial sockets?
Can you have your own telephone with a separate number?

Facilities
Consider what facilities the home needs to offer and the type of care you need, for example:
If the accommodation is not on the ground floor, is there a lift?
Do any of the following visit regularly: minister, hairdresser, chiropodist, library etc.?
Can you manage any steps in or around the home?
Are there smoking and non-smoking areas?
What are the arrangements for laundry and dry-cleaning?
Is there more than one lounge, or quiet area?
Are there regulations about staying in your own room?
What lifts or bath-aids etc. are there?
Is there a garden and can residents use it?
Is there a facility to secure valuables and are personal possessions covered by insurance?
Are disabled or special medical needs adequately catered for?
Does the home provide facilities to pursue interests or hobbies?
Is there private access to a telephone and are amplifiers available if you are hard of hearing?
Are there enough staff on duty?
Do they respect residents’ privacy and help with personal care?

Menus
Look at some sample menus. It is important that you have a good balanced diet chosen from food you enjoy:
Is the food interesting, varied and of good quality?
Is there a choice of menus?
Are special diets catered for?
Can you take meals in the room if desired?
Can you offer visiting friends or relatives refreshments?

Atmosphere
Try to assess how the home feels:
Are the staff welcoming and caring and how do the other residents seem when talking to them?

Restrictions
Does the Home have rules for residents, and if so are they acceptable?
These may include:
Set times for going to bed, getting up, or having a bath
Visitors may be allowed only at certain times or not in your own room
Can you consume alcohol, and if so where?

The Cost
Can you afford the fees?
Be clear of what is included, such as:
The cost of personal hygiene or medical needs and personal
laundry. Remember fees are being paid from capital, it may not last forever -seek advice

Will the home accommodate you on state support if required?

Complaints Procedure
Any difficulties or problems you encounter should first be taken up with the home proprietor. If you are unable to satisfactorily resolve the problem, it should be referred in writing to the social services department, or health authority homes inspector.