This week (16th–22nd June 2025) is Care Home Open Week, and I am working with the Anavo Care Home group to raise awareness of care homes and help break some of the myths surrounding them. I used to work in a care home, and I know there are many myths and stigmas attached to moving into a care home. Let's explore more, explore these myths and discover the positive side of care home care.
Who Are Anavo?
Anavo are a small to medium-sized care home group with 14 care homes all across the UK. They are dedicated to changing the perceptions around care homes and later life care. Their ethos is person-centred care, and they offer a holistic approach to their clients' needs.
All their care homes are different; their newest care home, Sandstone Brook in Whitchurch, Shropshire, has canalside views, whereas Surbitonian Gardens in Surbiton, Greater London, is set back in a residential area near local amenities. This means that each care home is unique and different. What unites all their care homes is the quality of well-trained staff, the positive, inclusive environment and the well-planned individualised care.
What Are the Myths Around Care Homes?
As I said, there are many myths surrounding care homes. You may think that if your relative has to receive care in a care home, then you are letting them down because you can't look after them yourself. If you are going into a care home, you may feel you are losing your independence and may become institutionalised. Let's look at these ideas and other myths surrounding care homes and the care they provide.
1. I will lose my independence
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Many care homes put the emphasis on enhancing independence, not taking it away. After all, maintaining your independence is better for your quality of life, is it not?
In Anavo care homes, for example, you are encouraged to do things for yourself and have lots of choice over your day-to-day life. Anavo care homes let you have a say in the activities they organise for the community, too. They run various activities such as arts and crafts, gardening, movie nights, light exercise classes and more, and these are influenced by the clients. Interested in going out for afternoon tea, visiting a National Trust garden or the seaside? Tell Anavo, and they can make it happen.
Good care homes like Anavo provide accessible facilities too, which is perfect for those with mobility problems or sensory difficulties, such as impaired sight or hearing.
The best care homes actively encourage group activities such as those mentioned above, outings to the local area and opportunities to socialise.
I know that this is so important, as quality of life is enhanced with personal connections like these. Relatives and friends are also encouraged to visit to maintain those relationships. In a good care home, social connections are encouraged as they should be.
3. Care is poor in care homes
3. Care is poor in care homes
The majority of care homes provide very good and excellent care. You only hear of a tiny minority that have problems with the standard of care. I do feel, though, that you must visit a potential care home beforehand to get a feel for the place. What is right for one person isn't for another, so visiting a few will help you find a care home suitable for your needs.
All the care homes from Anavo are highly regulated and employ well-qualified and empathetic staff. They have a rigorous hiring policy and provide on-the-job training. Care homes in the UK are inspected by the Care Quality Commission to ensure they are up to standard. If you are considering a care home, review their most recent inspection report to help inform your decision, and talk to residents about their time there.
4. It's best to stay at home, whatever happens
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For some people, staying at home is best; however, for others, it certainly isn't.
For those that have complex health needs, especially, a care home can provide specialist around-the-clock care and 24-hour health monitoring. Even for those that don't need specialist care, they can remind you to take your medication, and provide a safe environment, reassuring in advancing age.
Of course, as already mentioned, there are also opportunities for socialising that you may not get if you are living at home on your own.
5. Care homes are unaffordable
Care home costs vary depending on the services, the type of care and the location of the care home
Care homes are not just for the wealthy, as many people can get help towards their care home costs from the local authority. There are also schemes like equity release that can help you afford care home care fees, but be sure to contact a financial advisor before you consider this, as it may not be right for you. If you are unsure if you can afford care home fees, contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or Age Concern for more information, and they should be able to give you impartial advice.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many myths surrounding what it is like living in a care home. If you have to move into a care home, or are helping a relative to move, I would recommend doing some research, meeting the staff and residents, and getting a feel for the place first. If the care home isn't right, there are other care homes out there as well, so don't give up hope.
If you are interested in finding out more about Anavo, check out this article about the activities they are organising for their open days this week. This will allow you to meet the staff, meet the residents and have a look around a care home near you.
*Collaborative post
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