The Burlington

Step 1 – Research Local Homes.

Embarking on your care journey begins with local research. There are lots of tools out there to assist you in this, from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website cqc.org.uk to an independent review website carehome.co.uk and care home guides from your local authorities. Facebook is also a great tool to see what daily life is like at the care homes.

While researching, consider what type of care your loved one might need, since care homes offer many different services. ‘Residential care’ is for those who need support with personal care, ensuring independence is maintained where possible. ‘Dementia Care’ for those individuals living with cognitive impairment. ‘Nursing care’ is for more complex needs, with ‘Short Stays’ or ‘Respite Care’ for holidays, recovery, and recuperation from surgery or illnesses. It is also important to consider other factors such as location, price, and the lifestyle and activities programmes that are offered.

Once you have done your research, make a shortlist of your top three homes and proceed to step 2.

Stage 2 – Make enquiries to your shortlist.

Now that you’ve narrowed down your options to a handful of potential care homes, it’s time to make enquiries. Boutique Care Homes offers a personalised approach to this process with dedicated Admissions Managers who are committed to guiding you through this delicate journey and will take the time to understand your unique circumstances, concerns, and preferences. Our Admissions Managers are experts in their field, with in-depth knowledge of our homes and the services we offer. They will be your main point of contact throughout the enquiry process, ensuring that your questions are answered promptly and thoroughly.

At Boutique Care Homes, we believe that visiting a care home is essential to truly understanding its environment and culture. That’s why we always encourage prospective residents and their loved ones to schedule a tour of our home. During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our team, explore our amenities, and get a feel for the unique atmosphere of our homes.

We recognise that choosing a care home is a significant decision, and we’re here to provide you with all the information and support you need to make an informed choice.

Step 3 – Visit your care home of choice.

Visiting a care home for the first time can be an emotional experience, but it’s an essential step in finding the right fit for your loved one. Preparing for your visit can help alleviate some of the stress and ensure that you make the most of your time at the care home.

Start by making a list of questions and concerns that you’d like to address during your visit. This will help ensure that you cover all the important topics and get the information you need to make an informed decision. It’s also a good idea to discuss your loved one’s preferences and priorities with them beforehand, if they are not attending the first visit with you.

On arrival at our home, you will be greeted by our Admissions Manager who will be your dedicated advisor throughout your visit. The visit will usually last about an hour but can take longer if needed, as we understand what a big decision it is and want to ensure we answer all your queries thoroughly. The first part of the visit will involve sitting down with our Admissions Manager to explore your loved ones needs, their history, interests, and hopes for the future. This is important as it allows us to build an understanding of what makes them unique and allows us topersonalise the tour accordingly. You can also run through any questions you might have, which we will be happy to answer.

Following this, we will then begin the tour, which will take you around the home and be tailored to your specific needs. We will visit the community in the home that we have identified as being the best fit, and you will also have the chance to explore the rooms available. You will also see our key community areas, such as our Bistro and gardens. During the tour, you will get the chance to meet residents and speak with our team, including our Home Manager, Carers, Chefs and Activities and Housekeeping Team as desired.

After the tour, we will return to the private area where you can ask any further questions, and our Admissions Manager will then discuss in more detail the next steps of the journey. This will include information on what documentation is required to move into our care home, exploring your move-in preferences. Care fees will also be discussed, as will what you need to consider to fund care in the long term, and we will also give any further guidance you might need.

Step 4 – Arrange a Care Needs Assessment.

After your visit, our admissions team will work with you to arrange a care needs assessment for your loved one. This assessment is an important step in the admissions process, as it helps us understand your loved one’s unique needs and develop a personalised care plan for them.

During the assessment, our experienced care professionals, often the Home Manager, will meet with your loved one to discuss their medical history, current health needs, and any specific care needs or preferences they may have. This will include evaluating your loved one’s mobility, cognitive function, dietary requirements, and overall health. The team will also ask for information on your loved ones past, their hobbies, and interests so that we can build a holistic picture of how best to support and engage them.

Based on the information gathered during the assessment, our team will develop a personalised care plan tailored to your loved one’s needs and preferences. This plan will outline the level of care and support your loved one will receive during their stay with us, ensuring that they receive the care and assistance they need to live comfortably and as independently as possible.

Step 5 – Confirm a Move-In day and Pre-Move Preparations

Following the assessment, our Admissions Manager will contact you with the outcome of the assessment. It is at this point that we can provide a formal offer of residency, and we will confirm the move-in date with you, the room, and the care fee. If multiple rooms are available, you may wish to visit the home to select this in person with your loved one, if suitable.

Sadly, we are not always able to support those with highly complex or nursing needs. If that is the case, we will endeavour to make referrals to other homes that we could support.

Once the move-in date and room are confirmed, you will have access to our easy-to-use Admissions Portal, which will contain your personalised documentation to complete. Rest assured, our Admissions Manager will be on hand to support you with this and guide you through what is required.

Alongside completing the documentation, our Admissions Managers will be able to provide advice on what to pack, how to prepare, and, if needed, can even make recommendations to local resources to help with property sales or downsizing specialists.

Step 6 – Move In Day

Move-in day is an exciting and emotional time for both you and your loved one, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.

When you arrive at our care home, you’ll be greeted by our friendly team, who will help you get settled in and answer any questions you may have. We’ll take the time to give you a tour of our facilities and introduce you to some of our other residents, giving you the opportunity to start building connections and friendships right away.

We’ll also provide assistance with unpacking and setting up your loved one’s room, ensuring that they feel comfortable and at home from the moment they arrive.

Throughout move-in day, our team will be on hand to provide any assistance or support you may need, whether it’s helping you navigate our facilities or addressing any concerns you may have. We understand that this is a big transition for both you and your loved one, and we’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Move-in day is just the beginning of your loved one’s journey with us, and we’re committed to providing them with the highest level of care and support every step of the way. From personalised care plans to engaging activities and events, we’ll work with you and your loved one to ensure that they feel happy, comfortable, and supported in their new home, where you will also always be welcome.