Choosing a care home | Questions to ask

How do you choose a care home? What are the questions to ask a care home? Choosing a care home can at times seem a confusing and daunting task. There are over 16,000 care homes in the UK ranging from small, homely care homes to larger more hotel-style settings. Check out our care home checklist.

When looking for a care home it is important to consider what type of care the care home can provide, the facilities available, fees and whether this can meet you/or your loved one’s needs.

It is a good idea to have a Care Needs Assessment carried out by your local council as then you will find out what kind of care home will be right for you and your needs.

Make sure you ask questions relating to your needs to ensure that they can be accommodated, such as specific types of care, dietary/cultural needs, visiting policy and what’s included in the care fees etc.

Questions to ask a care home: Care home checklist

carehome.co.uk has a checklist of questions to ask a care home that you are visiting, areas to consider and what you may like to ask before making a choice.

First impressions 

• Does the home feel inviting, uplifting and homely?
• Is the care home and its grounds clean and well maintained?
• Are the rooms attractive, clean and well decorated?
• Does the care home smell fresh?
• Does the care home have a garden and is it accessible?
• Are staff welcoming and approachable?
• Are staff well presented?    

Location and accessibility

• Is the care home in a convenient location?
• Is the care home easily reached by public transport?
• Does the care home have places to park vehicles?
• What is the noise level like in the care home’s surroundings?
• What are the views surrounding the home?
• Are there any shops, parks, places of worship, areas of natural beauty or other amenities close by?
• Is CCTV fitted in the care home?  
• Is the care home designed to support all individuals, including those with an illness or disability?
• Is there wheelchair access throughout the care home, including sufficient space and wide doorways for wheelchair access?
• Is there a lift?
• Are accessible toilets available in all parts of the home and easy to get to?
• Do toilets have handrails, raised seats and other mobility aids?

Care

• What type of care does the home provide?
• Are members of staff trained in specific areas of care?
• Does the care home have suitable equipment and facilities for people with an illness or physical, learning or mental disability?
• Does the care home have access to other services, such as community mental health teams, chiropodists, opticians and dentists, and how often do they visit?
• Does the home link with a specific GP practice for residents to use?
• What happens if a resident becomes unwell or requires medication?
• Can a relative stay overnight if a resident is unwell?
• Are changes in medication discussed with the family?
• Are staff tactful, respectful and supportive in helping a resident with their personal needs?
• Will you be able to support my loved one if their needs change? 
• What support is given to family members?

Staff

• Are staff available at all times throughout the care home?
• Is there a manager in post and a senior member of staff on duty at all times?
• What is your resident to staff ratio?   
• Do staff interact well with residents?
• Do staff respect the privacy and dignity of the residents in their care?
• How will staff get to know residents personally?
• Can staff speak additional languages?
• Do staff take into account cultural and religious beliefs?
• How often do staff receive training?
• What training do staff receive?   

Daily Life

• Can residents choose their daily routine, such as when they get up, go to bed, get dressed, have meals or go out?
• Can residents decide whether they have a bath or shower and how often?
• Can residents choose which clothes they wear?
• Can residents go outside for fresh air when needed?
• Are residents’ pets allowed in the care home? 
• Do staff seem engaged and attentive?
• Do residents appear happy and occupied?
• Do residents have access to internet and telephone points around the care home?
• Do all rooms have a television, telephone points and Wi-Fi?
• Can areas and furniture be arranged to allow small groups to socialise?
• Does the care home arrange activities and visits into the local community?
• Can residents go to the local pub, shopping in town, a place of worship (if religious) if they wish.   

Accommodation

• What is the overall impression of bedrooms?
• Do bedrooms have en-suite facilities. If not, are washing facilities close by?
• Are the facilities in the bedroom/bathroom accessible for residents, including those with a disability?
• Can residents bring their own furniture and personalise their bedroom?
• Do staff respect residents’ right to privacy?
• Are there single-sex facilities?
• Can pets stay in the bedroom?
• Is there a double bed in the bedroom for couples?   
• Does the bedroom have a telephone point or Wi-Fi connection?
• Is there an emergency pull-cord available?
• How do staff know if a resident has fallen in the bedroom – e.g. is falls detection technology in the bedrooms?
• Is there adequate storage space?

Communal Areas

• Are there a variety of communal areas to choose from?
• Is there easy access to all communal areas?
• Is there an accessible and safe garden?
• Do the lounges or other sitting rooms have pleasant views?
• What activities are held in the communal lounges?
• Do the communal areas have televisions, Wi-Fi connections and telephone points?
• Do the communal areas have quiet areas?
• Are the communal areas arranged to encourage socialisation?
• Are toilet facilities within easy reach of the communal areas?

Food

• Is the food prepared on the premises?
• Is there an on-site chef?
• Can residents choose where they eat, whether it be in a dining room or in their own room?
• Do residents have a choice of menu?
• Does the chef/cook talk with the residents to discuss meal choices?
• How often is the menu changed?
• Can dietary and cultural requirements be catered for e.g. gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal etc?
• Can residents receive assistance with eating if required?
• Do residents have access to snacks at any time?
• Can visitors visit during meal times and can they have meals?
• Can residents make food and drinks for themselves?
• Are there opportunities to eat out?

Activities

• Is there a range of activities designed to support individual needs?
• Are residents encouraged to continue with their hobbies and interests?
• Do staff consult with residents on the types of activities planned?
• Does the care home have activity coordinators?
• Do staff give residents the opportunity to help with activities in the care home, e.g. gardening or cooking?
• Do staff arrange entertainers and groups of interest to visit?
• Can residents attend events/activities in the local community?
• Are there accessible vehicles to transport residents?
• Are special events, such as birthdays and religious holidays celebrated?
• Do staff give residents regular exercise opportunities?

Visits

• Does the care home welcome visitors at any time?
•  Are there any restrictions on visiting times or number of visitors?
•  Are there facilities for visitors to stay overnight?
• Where can residents spend time with their visitors?
• Are relatives encouraged to become involved in the daily activities at the home?
• Can visitors accompany residents on outings and trips?
• Can visitors dine with residents?
• Are children welcome to visit?
• Does the care home allow family pets to visit?

Fees and contracts

• Can residents see a copy of the home’s terms and conditions?
• What are the annual/monthly fees?
• Is there a membership fee payable for staying at the care home?
• What is included in the fee and what may be charged as ‘extras’?
• Are fees paid in advance or arrears?
• How much notice will be given for fee increases?
• What arrangements are there for handling personal money?
• What happens if the money runs out?   
• What happens if a resident is unhappy with the home once she/he has moved in?
• Can residents stay for a trial period?

Safety and security

• What safety and security measures are in place to keep residents safe?
• What measures are taken to reduce the risk of falls?
• What call systems are in place if a resident needs help?
• Is the care home safe inside and in the surrounding areas, including the garden?
• What safeguards are in place for day trips?
• Is information readily shared with families?

Care home checklist of questions PDF

You can download and print the PDF version of this checklist of questions to ask when visiting a care home. This means you can easily bring it with you to any care home you visit and tick the boxes as you go along. If you are looking at more than one care home, the checklist can help you compare them against each other.