Care Homes Checklist

The latest campaign from Age Concern

Choosing a care home is an important decision. Finding out as much as you can about a home will help you to make an informed choice.Here we suggest what to ask when you make a visit and, if you are not happy with something, ask the home for an explanation.

Questions about location and building

• Where is the 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 home?
• Will it be easy for you to enter and leave the building, and move between rooms and floors?
• How good is the 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 quiet living room for reading, as well as one with a television?
• Are the rooms a good size?
• Will you have a room to yourself?
• Is there any choice of rooms to accommodate preferences such as sun, shade or quiet?
• Do the rooms have ensuite facilities or basins?
• Will you be able to bring your own possessions such as pictures, plants and furniture?
• Does the home allow pets?
• Will you be able to settle into the home?
• Would you prefer a larger or smaller home?

Questions about day-to-day life

• Are there telephone facilities you can use in private?
• 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 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 there facilities for visitors to stay overnight?
• Are young children welcome?
• Is the home right for your cultural and religious needs?
• Are there members of staff who speak your language?
• Can the 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 it can be eaten?
• How are special diets catered for?
• Can you prepare food and drink for 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?
• Is there a residents’ committee?
• Do you have access to advocacy services?

Questions about your care needs

• Is the 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 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 home?
• Are they equipped with handrails and other mobility aids?
• Are you helped to the toilet when you need to go, if necessary?
• When are incontinence pads and catheters used?
• 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 home let friends and family know if you are taken ill?
• How many staff are employed per resident?
• How are they trained?
• Is there a manager on duty at all times?
• What is the turnover of staff?

Questions about contracts and fees

• Can you see a copy of the home’s brochure?
• Can you see copies of recent inspection reports?
• Can you see a copy of the home’s contract/written conditions?
• What are the 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?
• Do self-funding and local-authority assisted residents pay the same rates?
• 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?
• Are any fees payable after a resident’s death?
• How quickly does the person’s room have to be cleared out?
• Any other questions

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