Questions to ask when you visit a care home

Visiting a care home is the best way to get a feel for it. It helps to take a list of questions, so you do not forget anything on the day. Write the answers down, so you can compare homes afterwards.

About the care

• How do you find out what the person needs and likes before they move in?
• Who will be their key worker?
• How many staff are on duty during the day and at night?
• What training do care staff have, especially in dementia care?
• How do you work with GPs, district nurses and other health services?
• What happens if someone needs to go to hospital at night?

About the room

• Is the room single? Does it have its own en-suite?
• Can we bring furniture, pictures and a television?
• Can the person have their own phone in the room?
• Can they choose a room near the garden or the lounge?

About daily life

• What activities are there, and how often?
• Are there outings? Do they cost extra?
• Can residents choose what time they get up and go to bed?
• How are meals chosen? Can you cater for special diets?
• Is there a hairdresser, chiropodist or optician who visits?
• Is there a garden residents can use safely?

About visiting

• Are there set visiting hours?
• Can visitors join a resident for a meal?
• Can pets visit?

About fees

• What is the weekly fee and what does it include?
• What is charged as an extra?
• Do you take residents whose care is funded by the council?
• How much notice is there of fee increases?

About the home

• When was your last CQC inspection, and what did it find?
• How long has the manager been in post?
• How do you handle complaints?

Look and listen too

Notice how staff speak to residents, whether people seem settled and whether the home feels clean and fresh. Trust your instincts. If you can, visit more than once at different times of day.

To look round Cedar House, book a visit or call 01375 768505. See also our checklist for choosing a care home.