Choosing a care home for yourself or a relative can be a difficult decision, and whilst obvious factors like the homes location, the facilities and types of care available are important in making that decision

at Caring UK we believe it’s the smaller details that will help you find a home that you or your relative will feel truly safe and happy in.

We encourage prospective residents and their families to pay a personal visit to our care homes and to ask as many questions as possible of our staff. In doing so you should be able to get a feel for a home’s ‘personality’ and to judge how compatible it is with your own or that of your relative.

Our friends at Age UK have an excellent ‘Care Home Checklist’ that we encourage prospective residents to use when going through this process. It’s available to read below or to download from the ‘Care Home Checklist’ link.

Finding the right Care Home

Care Home Checklist

Your Care Home Checklist

  • Where is the care home?
  • Will visitors be able to get there easily?
  • Are there transport links near by?
  • Are facilities such as shops, pubs, parks and places of worship within easy reach?
  • How accessible is the care home?
  • Is there wheelchair access?
  • Is there a lift?
  • Does the home feel clean and inviting?
  • Are there any unpleasant smells?
  • Do the rooms feel hot and stuffy or cold and draughty?
  • Is there a relaxed and friendly atmosphere?
  • Will you feel comfortable chatting and socialising in the home’s public areas?
  • Are chairs arranged in groups or round the edges of the rooms?
  • Is there a quite living room for reading, as well as one with a television?
  • Are the rooms a good size?
  • Is there any choice of rooms to accommodate preferences such as sun, shade or quiet?
  • Do the rooms have en-suite facilities or basins?
  • Will you be able to bring your own possessions such as pictures, plants and furniture?
  • Will you be able to settle into the care home?

  • Can you access the internet, either in your room or on a shared computer?
  • Are books and newspapers available?
  • Does a mobile library visit?
  • Does the care home arrange outings to the shops, entertainment venues or places of worship?
  • Are there any physical activities such as exercise groups or gardening?
  • How will you be told about upcoming events?
  • Are you encouraged to stay active and do as much as you can for yourself?
  • Are external doors kept locked?
  • Can you go outside for fresh air when you want to?
  • Are you allowed to make choices about your daily routine?
  • Will you be able to rise and go to bed when you choose?
  • Can you choose which clothes to wear each day?
  • Are there any restrictions on visiting times or numbers of visitors?
  • Where can you spend time with your visitors?
  • Are young children welcome?
  • Is the care home right for your cultural and religious needs?
  • Are there members of staff who speak your language?
  • Can the care home meet your dietary needs?
  • Are there other residents from a similar background to you?
  • Is there a choice of food and when and where can it be eaten?
  • How are special diets catered for?
  • Can you prepare food and drink yourself?
  • Do existing residents enjoy the food and can you try it?
  • Are details of the complaints procedure readily available?
  • Are you encouraged to give feedback?
  • Do you have access to advocacy services?

  • Is the care home registered to provide the level of care you need?
  • Do the other residents seem to have a similar level of need to you?
  • What will happen if your needs change or increase?
  • Does the care home have bathing facilities that meet your needs?
  • If you need help with bathing, who will provide this?
  • Can you choose how often you have a bath or shower?
  • Are toilets available in all parts of the care home?
  • Are they equipped with handrails and other mobility aids?
  • Are you helped to the toilet when you need to to, if necessary?
  • Do you have your own GP and access to other health services such as opticians and dentists?
  • Who decides when a check-up is needed?
  • How will the care home let friends and family know if you are taken ill?
  • How are they trained?

  • Can you see a copy of the care home’s brochure?
  • Can you see copies of recent inspection reports?
  • Can you see a copy of the care home’s contract/written conditions?
  • What are the care home’s fees?
  • Is it clear how the fees are structured and calculated?
  • How are NHS nursing care payments accounted for?
  • How are fees collected?
  • Is a top-up payment required for local-authority assisted residents?
  • Are extra items not covered by the basic fees clearly identified and accounted for?
  • What arrangements are there for handling your personal money?
  • How are your valuables kept secure?
  • What are the notice conditions in the contract?
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