Guidance for families navigating senior care decisions

Start with the basics: how many residents does the home care for, and what does that mean for the attention your loved one will get day to day? A smaller home, like Ridgewel with a maximum of 13 residents, tends to mean staff know each resident personally rather than managing a large roster.

Ask what a typical day looks like — meals, activities, medication routines and how vital signs are monitored. Ask how staff are trained, whether nursing support is available on site or on call, and how the home handles a medical emergency.

Visit in person if you can. Notice how staff speak to current residents, whether the space feels calm or rushed, and whether the rooms are private or shared. Bring a list of questions specific to your loved one’s needs, and don’t be afraid to ask about anything that matters to your family.

Dementia affects each person differently, so care that works for one resident may not suit another. Most homes, including Ridgewel, assess a prospective resident individually — looking at memory, mobility, and any wandering or behavioural symptoms — before agreeing to a placement.

Structure and familiarity matter. Ask how a home keeps daily routines consistent, how staff are trained to support residents with dementia specifically, and how the physical space is set up for safety without feeling clinical.

This page is general information, not medical advice. For a diagnosis or treatment plan, please speak to your loved one’s doctor or a geriatric specialist.

Involve your loved one in the decision as much as possible, even in small ways — choosing which personal items to bring, or joining the first visit. Feeling consulted, rather than managed, makes a real difference to how someone settles in.

Bring familiar items: photographs, a favourite blanket or chair, and anything that makes a new room feel like theirs. Share their routines and preferences with staff in advance — what time they usually wake, what they like to eat, what helps them feel calm.

Expect an adjustment period for everyone. Regular visits, open communication with staff, and patience in the first few weeks generally help the transition go more smoothly.