How to move a parent into a care home: a step-by-step guide

Moving a parent into a care home is one of the most emotional and logistically complex things a family can do. This guide walks you through every stage — from the first assessment to helping them settle in.

Step 1: Get a care needs assessment

Contact your parent's local council and request a Care Needs Assessment. This is free and assesses what level of support is required. A social worker will visit, assess their needs, and determine whether a care home is the appropriate setting. This assessment also triggers a financial assessment to determine what the council will contribute.

Step 2: Research and shortlist homes

• Search by location, care type and CQC rating on CareDirectory
• Focus on homes within easy visiting distance for family
• Check the CQC inspection date — if it's more than 2 years old, ask the home if they've had any updates
• Shortlist 3–5 homes and book a visit to each

Step 3: Visit and assess

Visit at different times of day — unannounced if possible, or at least outside of show times. Look at how staff interact with current residents, the quality and variety of food, the activities programme, and whether residents seem content. Bring our 20 questions checklist to each visit.

Step 4: Choose a home and agree terms

• Review the contract carefully — particularly notice periods, fee increase clauses and what's included
• If the council is funding, confirm the home accepts council rates
• Ensure the home can meet your parent's specific care needs before signing
• Get any verbal promises (e.g. single room, ground floor) in writing

Step 5: Prepare for move-in day

What to bring:

• Familiar personal items — photos, a favourite blanket, meaningful objects
• Comfortable clothing (all labelled with their name)
• Toiletries and medications
• Hearing aids, glasses, dentures and spare batteries
• A small amount of cash for personal spending
• Any important documents the home needs (LPA, NHS number, GP details)

Step 6: The first few weeks

Settling in takes time — for both your parent and for you as a family. Some things that help:

• Visit frequently in the first two weeks to provide reassurance
• Speak to the key worker assigned to your parent — build a relationship
• Encourage participation in activities, but don't force it
• Some emotional adjustment (tearfulness, frustration) is normal and usually passes in 4–8 weeks
• If concerns arise, raise them early — speak to the home manager, not just the floor staff

What to do if it isn't working

If the placement genuinely isn't right — the care is poor, the environment isn't suited, or your parent is deeply unhappy after several months — you have the right to move them. Review the notice period in the contract. The CQC complaints process and the Local Government Ombudsman are available if you feel the home has failed in its duty of care.