How to choose a good care home (ERPI)?

We've decided my mother-in-law is going into a care home, but there are so many options and such different prices that I'm completely lost. I don't want to choose badly and see her unhappy or mistreated. What should I look for in a good care home?

Feeling lost when faced with this choice is natural, precisely because you care about her well-being. With some clear criteria and careful visits, it's possible to find a place where your mother-in-law is treated with respect and kindness.

Why it happens

Residential Structures for Elderly People (ERPI) vary greatly in quality, occupancy, staff training, and environment. Price doesn't always reflect the actual care, so it's worth observing rather than just deciding by the brochure.

Practical strategies

• Confirm on the Social Charter if the institution is licensed.
• Visit without an appointment and observe the smell, the atmosphere, and how they speak to residents.
• Ask about the staff-to-resident ratio, dementia training, and staff turnover.
• Check activities, adapted meals, healthcare, and visiting policy.
• Talk to relatives of other residents and read the contract carefully.

What NOT to do

• Do not decide solely on price or the entrance decor.
• Do not ignore your instinct if something seems cold or closed to visitors.

When to seek professional help

Social Security (300 502 502) and the Social Charter help identify licensed services and financial support. Alzheimer Portugal can guide you on care homes with experience in dementia.

"I visited five care homes. In one of them, an auxiliary knelt to speak to a lady at eye level. That's when I knew that's where I wanted my mum to be." — Anonymous carer