Your Checklist Of Questions To Ask When Viewing a Care Home
Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
Choosing a care home for yourself or a loved one is an incredibly important and complex decision. It isn’t just about finding a suitable option in your local area, it’s about finding somewhere with friendly staff, that’s packed with first-class facilities, and where you’ll feel safe and happy.
There are several factors to consider - from quality of care and daily life to fees and activities - so it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Being armed with the right questions can make all the difference, so we’ve created a checklist of questions to ask when viewing and choosing a care home. Our checklist will gently guide you through the process so you can make a confident, well-informed choice. You can also download this checklist below and take it with you on viewings!
Are you viewing care homes?
Download our PDF for your own copy of questions to ask.
Questions To Ask On a Care Home Visit:
- Care needs
- Daily life
- Staff
- Food
- Social life and activities
- Visitors
- Contracts
- Fees
- Accessibility
- Feedback and complaints
Care needs
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| Does the home assess new residents’ needs before accepting them? How does this assessment work? | |
| Are residents and their families involved in care decisions? | |
| If your needs change or increase, can they still be met within this home? | |
| Are there accessible toilet facilities throughout the home, and do these toilets have handrails, raised toilet seats, and mobility aids? | |
| Is the home linked with a specific GP practice for residents? | |
| Do other healthcare professionals, such as opticians and chiropodists, regularly visit? | |
| Who decides when a health check-up is needed? | |
| Are there travel arrangements for hospital and clinic visits? | |
| Do staff accompany residents, and is there a charge for this service? | |
| Is the home well-maintained, and has it passed all necessary inspection reports? |
Daily life
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| What security arrangements are in place to keep residents safe? | |
| Can residents choose their daily routine? | |
| Can residents bring their own furniture and other belongings? | |
| Do the bedrooms have secure storage? | |
| Is there a call-bell system? | |
| What temperature are the rooms? Can residents control the temperature? | |
| Are residents allowed pets? |
Staff
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| Do the staff get to know residents personally, including learning about their lives and experiences? | |
| What's the ratio of staff to residents? | |
| Can residents choose their specific carer, or whether they have a male or female carer? | |
| What training and qualifications do staff have? |
Food
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| Is there a wide choice of food, and can you see a sample menu? | |
| How often does the menu change? | |
| Can the home meet any dietary or cultural/religious needs? | |
| Do residents tend to eat together? | |
| Can residents eat in their rooms? |
Social life and activities
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| Is there a dedicated activities coordinator? | |
| What activity facilities are there? | |
| Are there regular social activities for residents? How often are these organised, and what are the most popular activities? | |
| Are day trips ever offered? | |
| Does the home provide transportation for residents, such as through a minibus? |
Visitors
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| Are there any restrictions on when or how many people can visit the home? | |
| Can visitors stay overnight? | |
| Can visitors spend mealtimes with their loved ones? | |
| Can young children and pets visit? | |
| Is there a dedicated space for residents to spend time with visitors? | |
| Are there set visiting times? |
Contracts
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| Is a copy of the home's contract and terms and conditions available? | |
| Can you stay for a trial period? How long do these trials last? | |
| Can respite care be pre-booked? How long can respite care last? | |
| What happens if you're unhappy with the home after moving in? | |
| What are the notice conditions for terminating the contract? How much notice is required? |
Fees
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| What are the home’s fees, and are these reviewed each year? | |
| Is the weekly fee all-inclusive, or are there additional payments? | |
| Is a deposit or advanced payment required? | |
| How are NHS-funded nursing care payments accounted for in the fee structure (if you’re looking for a nursing home)? | |
| Are any fees payable after a resident passes away? |
Accessibility
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| Are there plenty of parking spaces at the home? | |
| Are family and friends able to easily get there? | |
| Is there good wheelchair access into and within the building, along with any surrounding grounds or gardens? | |
| Are local amenities like shops and parks accessible to residents? Is transport available to reach these? |
Feedback and complaints
| Question To Ask | Have You Asked This Question? |
|---|---|
| Are residents encouraged to give feedback, and is the complaints procedure readily available? | |
| What's the procedure for a serious incident or complaint? | |
| Is the care home manager accessible and approachable? |
What Else Should You Consider When Searching For a Care Home?
Along with asking the above questions, there are plenty of other things to consider when searching for and viewing a care home. These include:
Regulatory ratings - Every UK care home is overseen by a regulatory body. For example, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates and reviews care homes in England. You can use the CQC’s website to find a home’s rating, or you can use our free care home marketplace
Types of care offered - The main types of care are residential, nursing, and dementia care. Not all homes provide every kind of care. Some are dual-registered (meaning they offer multiple types of care) but may still prioritise one over the other
Dementia-specific support - If your loved one is living with dementia, then look for whether spaces are clearly signposted, and if there are dedicated quiet areas
Atmosphere and setting - Does the home feel welcoming and warm? Is it quiet or lively? What’s best here will depend on your or your loved one’s preferences
Happiness of residents - Consider whether residents seem happy and engaged. You should also look at the mix of residents to get a rough idea of age and gender
Use Lottie To Find a Care Home Near You
Lottie makes it easy to find a care home, whether you’re searching for residential, nursing, or dementia care. Specialist care services like convalescent care, palliative care, and physiotherapy are also available. These homes are packed with state-of-the-art facilities and offer a range of fun activities throughout the week.
We only list care homes that are fully regulated by your country’s regulator. Our Care Experts have also thoroughly vetted them based on the quality of care provided, the overall home culture, and more, so you can feel confident that you or your loved one will receive an amazing service.
You can also get in touch and speak directly with our Care Experts. We provide a free care concierge service and will guide you through each step of choosing the right care home.
Finally, you can request a free list of care homes. Fill out the simple form, and we’ll send you a list of care homes in your area that match your needs and requirements.
If you’re in the process of viewing care homes, then download our PDF for your own copy of questions to ask during viewings. This PDF contains all the questions featured in this article and is free to download!
