Introduction
The thought of looking for a care home for yourself or a family member can be a distressing task and a big change for all of those involved. There is a lot to think about and you naturally will want to make sure that you are making the right decision and choosing the most suitable home where you/your loved one will feel at home, happy and safe. In Leicester there are a number of excellent care homes, all regulated by the Care Quality Commission, and providing a number of different care services as well as a loving environment. In this blog post we are going to look at what a care home is, why you might feel it is time to consider a care home and how they are different from other types of care, as well as taking a look at some of the best care homes in Leicester. Read on to find out more.
What is a Care Home?
A care home, also known as a residential home, is a place where people can live in their later years of life to receive support and assistance with different aspects of living. This can include washing, dressing, eating and getting out and about. Some care homes have specialist staff, such as dementia teams, to support those with different illnesses and struggles. Care homes are different to nursing homes in that they don’t have any qualified nurses on site to administer medical care.
How do you know that you may need to consider a care home for someone you love?
It may be time to consider a care home when you or your loved one is no longer able to live independently- meaning they need care and support with daily tasks. If family members or friends are currently taking on these duties, but are finding it tough to provide the best possible care, or the individual needs specific medication, it is a good idea to consider a care home where you know your loved one will be safe and cared for around the clock.
What is the difference between a care home and using a home care agency?
If you opt for home care for an individual, this means that they can stay in their own house and environment and carers/nurses will come to them to support them with day to day tasks, such as getting up, getting dressed, washed and eating. A care home, on the other hand, is where the person moves out of their personal home into a residential home with other people and receives around the clock care there instead. So whilst the care/services provided to the person may be the same, it is the environment that they are in that differs with home care help and care home help.
How are Care Homes Regulated?
In England, care homes are regulated by a body called the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It doesn’t matter what kind of care home they are- if they are run by the NHS, local organisations or privately run, they will be regulated by the CQC. This body ensures that all standards are met, including monitoring key criteria like whether the establishment is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. In other areas of the UK, like Wales and Scotland, there are different regulatory boards that oversee the same things as the CQC do in England.
Care Homes in Leicester: Quick Facts
If you are looking for the best care homes in the Leicester area, here are a few quick facts about them so that you can make an informed decision for yourself or a loved one:
- There are around 126 care homes in Leicester.
- Around 94 of these specialise in dementia care, and 21 offer nursing care.
- Leicester care homes are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
The Best Care Homes in Leicester
With all of the above being said, let’s now take a look at some of the best rated care homes in Leicester and what you can expect from each of them, so you can make the best informed decision you can when choosing a care home in the local area.
The Lawns Residential Care Home
Located near Oadby, The Lawns Care Home is a peaceful residential area with a spacious house tailored to older people. They offer something called brighterkind care, which is a person-centered approach to care delivered through top quality care, recreation, fun and activities, along with excellent home-cooked food. Its 41 bedrooms are spacious with en-suites and the home also offers specialised care for adults over 65 years of age, those with physical disabilities or those who need convalescent care. It is rated a ‘good’ care home by the Care Quality Commission, who found it to be good in all of their criteria.
Harley House Care Home Ltd
Harley House Care Home in Leicester provides a variety of different care services to its residents, including residential care, palliative and end of life care and nursing care. It was opened in 1985 and has a mixture of single and double bedrooms, 28 rooms in total, and was rated ‘good’ in all areas by the CQC when they were last inspected. The care home also offers specialised care for adults over the age of 65 and those with physical disabilities.
Devonshire Court
Located in Oadby, Devonshire Court is set in four and a half acres of gardens in a peaceful residential area. They provide residential and dementia care, and can accomodate for up to 69 residents, as well as specialised care for adults over and under 65 years of age, those with physical disabilities, those with visual impairment, Alzheimers, Huntington’s disease and more illnesses. The CQC has rated Devonshire Court as outstanding in past inspections, and it has a mix of experienced carers on site so you will be reassured that you or your loved one is receiving the best care possible.
Cedar Mews
Cedar Mews is based in West Leicestershire and is a 73 bedroomed purpose-built care home. They have a passion for providing a caring, sociable, active and high standard care home, and includes a mixture of care provisions. These include residential care, palliative and end of life care and also dementia care. In terms of care specialisms, the home caters to those with Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, those who have physical disabilities and hearing or visual impairments and, like all care homes in England, is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, receiving a ‘good’ rating at it’s last inspection in 2023.
Bradley Hall
Bradley Hall is a care home with 60 bedrooms, all of which are en-suite, offering both residential care and dementia care to its residents. It was awarded an overall ‘good’ rating in its last CQC inspection in 2023, and found to be so in all areas of inspection. They provide person-centered care and aim to keep the independence of its residents where possible, as well as having inclusive fees. This means that all residents can enjoy what the care home has to offer without the added worry of extra costs.
Clarendon Mews Care Home
Opened in 2002, Clarendon Mews Care Home provides care for elderly people, and specialises in caring for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s and mental health conditions. It also offers other types of care, like palliative care, end of life care, respite and also physical disabilities care. According to its website, the care home “prides itself on being one one of the most homely care providers in Leicester”, and can care for up to 47 residents at a time. Located in the heart of the city, it is conveniently close to amenities and the main hospital too, and has become a leading provider of 24 hour, round the clock care in the area. It was last inspected by the CQC in 2021, earning an overall ‘good’ rating, and you can read the full report on the CQC website.
Conclusion
There are lots of overwhelming decisions to make when choosing a care home, and lots of things to think about. Leicester has a good number of highly rated care homes, all CQC regulated and offering different services and amenities to suit the needs of each individual. In this blog post we have discussed exactly what a care home is, how it differs from other types of care that you could consider, and had a look at some of the highest rated care homes in the city of Leicester and what each of them provides. When you look into a care home, you should make sure first and foremost that you are comfortable in the environment, with the size of it and with where you will be living, as this is the biggest change to adapt to, before looking at what it offers and if it will meet your individual needs. Many of the best care homes in Leicester have something for everyone, and strive to offer the highest standard of care.
