Care home trial stays
Experience care with flexibility and reassurance
Take the time you need to experience care home living with a trial stay, and help you and your loved ones make a decision with confidence.
What is a care home trial stay?
Choosing a care home is an important and very personal decision. Even when you feel that long-term care is probably the right next step, a permanent move can feel daunting.
Families often look for flexible ways to experience care home living before committing fully, and this is where trial stays in a care home can help. The term “trial stay” can describe different ways of experiencing care before making a longer-term decision.
For someone who only needs support for a defined period, a respite or short stay may be appropriate. This has an agreed end date from the outset. At Greensleeves Care homes, respite stays start from one week in duration.
For someone who believes permanent care is likely to be the right choice but feels cautious about committing, taking advantage of trials could be the answer. As part of a permanent placement, Greensleeves Care offers a flexible trial of up to six weeks, longer than the industry's standard of four. With this assurance, residents can move into the home, settle into everyday life and begin receiving ongoing care, while retaining the option to change your mind.
Both options give you the opportunity to experience daily life in one of our care homes, receive personalised support and get to know the team and other residents. The right option depends on your circumstances and whether the need for care is expected to be temporary or longer term.
Which type of stay is right for you?
Both options give you the same high standard of personalised care, but they are designed for different circumstances.
Temporary care
Short or respite care
A defined, temporary arrangement with agreed arrival and departure dates.
It may be suitable when:
- a family carer needs a break or is going on holiday
- a regular carer is temporarily unavailable
- you need extra support after an illness, accident, operation or hospital stay
- you need a period of convalescence before returning home
- the need for care is expected to be short term
Long-term care, with reassurance
A flexible trial within a permanent placement
Move in on a permanent basis, with up to six weeks to decide whether the home feels right.
It may be suitable when:
- long-term residential, dementia or nursing care is probably needed
- living safely and comfortably at home is becoming more difficult
- you want time to settle in and experience the normal rhythm of the home
- you want the option to change your mind if the placement does not feel right
Ready to explore your options?
Find a Greensleeves Care home near you.
What is included during a trial period or respite stay?
Whether you join us for respite care or move in on the initial trial period, you can expect the same personalised approach to care. Depending on your assessed needs and the services available at the chosen home, this will usually include:
- a thorough pre-admission assessment
- an individual care plan based on your needs, choices and preferences
- 24-hour care and support from trained colleagues
- your own furnished bedroom
- freshly prepared meals, drinks and snacks, with dietary needs considered
- support with medication, where required
- activities, hobbies, trips and social opportunities, if you wish to take part
- access to lounges, dining areas, gardens and shared spaces
- housekeeping and laundry services
- visits from family and friends in line with the home’s usual arrangements
Why choose a six-weeks flexible trial?
A visit can tell you a great deal about a care home, but living there provides a much fuller picture. It takes time to become familiar with new surroundings, build relationships and experience normal day-to-day life.
Our flexible trial gives you the opportunity to settle in without feeling rushed, get to know the team and other residents, and see how well the home supports your routines, interests and preferences.
01 Short notice
While we encourage families to make use of the full trial period, a stay can be ended at any point by giving seven days' notice.
02 Unused fees returned
If a stay ends during a trial, any paid fees that have not been used are returned - no ifs, no buts
03 A seamless continuation
Your permanent-placement paperwork is completed from the outset, so there is no repeat admission process after a successful trial.
Making sure a care home can meet your needs safely
Before either a respite stay or permanent placement begins, the home will complete an assessment with you and, where appropriate, your family or representatives. This helps us understand what matters to you, how you would like to be supported, and whether the home can meet your needs safely and comfortably.
The assessment considers your medical care, health and wellbeing needs, as well as the suitability of the physical environment.
- building layout and accessibility
- specialist equipment
- mobility and wheelchair access
- dietary requirements and allergies
- sensory and environmental needs
What happens during the flexible trial period?
From the day you move in, you will be welcomed as part of the home. The team will take time to learn about your routines, interests, life story and the things that help you feel comfortable and at ease.
You can choose how you spend your time. You might join activities and meals with other residents, explore the home and garden, or enjoy quieter time in your own room. Family and friends are always welcome to visit and remain closely involved.
Your care plan will be reviewed as the team gets to know you, helping ensure your support continues to reflect your needs and preferences. We will also listen to your feedback and give you and your family opportunities to discuss how the placement is going.
Why choose a stay with Greensleeves Care?
Greensleeves Care is a highly rated, not-for-profit care home provider supporting older people across England. Our teams take time to understand each person’s choices, routines and interests.
Care before profit
As a charity, every penny is reinvested in care and progressing our charitable mission.
Home for Life assurance
For long-term residents, our Home for Life assurance provides added reassurance about the future, subject to terms and conditions.
Favoured by families
Rated 9.6/10 by residents and their loved ones, our homes are shaped around individual choices, independence and connections with the people and things that matter.
How do I arrange a respite stay or permanent placement with a trial period?
Both options are subject to room availability and an assessment confirming that the home can safely meet your needs.
To get started:
1 Find your nearest Greensleeves Care home.
2 Contact the home team for a friendly, no-obligation conversation.
3 Explain whether your care needs are likely to be temporary or long term. If you are unsure, the team can talk through the options with you.
4 Arrange a visit to see the home, meet the team and ask questions.
5 Complete an assessment covering your care needs and the suitability of the home's environment, accessibility, layout and equipment.
6 If the home is suitable and a room is available, the team will explain the fees, contract and arrangements so you are able to make a decision.
Talk to a local home about your options
Frequently asked questions
If you are unsure which route is right for you, the team at your local home will be happy to talk it through.
Is the flexible trial period a temporary stay?
No. It forms part of a permanent placement and does not have a planned move-out date. It gives you the reassurance that you can change your mind during the first six weeks if the home does not feel right.
Do I need to leave after six weeks?
No. There is no planned move-out date. If you are happy and the home continues to meet your needs, your permanent placement simply continues without interruption.
Will I need to stay for the full trial?
No. The flexible trial lasts for up to six weeks, and there is no obligation to complete the full period. If you decide the home is not right for you, you can give seven days’ notice and any fees covering the unused part of your stay will be returned.
What happens after a successful trial?
If you are happy and we can continue to meet your needs safely, your permanent placement simply continues. Your permanent-placement paperwork is completed from the outset, so there is no repeat admission process or fuller financial assessment. Moving from respite care into a permanent placement may require a fuller financial assessment, additional paperwork and, depending on availability, a change of room.
What if I only need care temporarily?
A short or respite stay may be more suitable. Respite care has an agreed move-in and move-out date and can support recovery, provide a break for a family carer or meet another temporary need. Respite stays can be extended subject to availability and our ability to continue supporting your needs safely.
Can I change my mind during the trial period?
Yes. The purpose of the trial period is to provide that reassurance. You can change your mind by giving seven days’ notice, and any fees covering the unused part of your stay will be returned. The home team will explain the contractual terms before you move in.
Can my family and friends visit?
Yes. Staying connected with the people who matter to you is an important part of life in our homes. The team will explain the home’s visiting arrangements.
Can every Greensleeves Care home support every care need?
No care home is suitable for every person. Services, facilities, layouts and equipment vary, so we complete an individual assessment before admission. This confirms whether the chosen home can meet your care needs safely and whether its environment is suitable for you.
What happens if a particular home cannot safely meet my needs?
If a particular home cannot safely meet your needs, we will explain why and, where possible, help you consider another suitable Greensleeves Care home or care option.
What types of care are available?
This varies between homes. Greensleeves Care homes may offer residential, dementia,
ursing, respite and end-of-life care. Your local home will explain the services it provides.