Choosing a Home·7 min read·Updated March 2025
20 questions to ask when visiting a care home
A care home visit is your best chance to look beyond the brochure. Go prepared with these questions to get an honest picture of the care, the culture, and the costs.
Don't be afraid to ask anything on this list — a good care home will welcome the questions. If staff seem evasive or defensive, that tells you something too.
Staffing
- 1How many staff are on duty during the day and at night?
- 2What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
- 3What training do staff receive — and how often?
- 4Is there a consistent team of carers or does it change frequently?
- 5How do you recruit and retain staff?
Care quality
- 1When was the last CQC inspection, and what was the outcome?
- 2Have there been any enforcement actions or warning notices from the CQC?
- 3How do you create and review individual care plans?
- 4How do you handle residents with dementia or complex needs?
- 5What is your falls prevention policy?
Daily life
- 1What activities are available each day, including weekends?
- 2Can residents personalise their rooms?
- 3What does a typical day look like for a resident?
- 4How do you accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions?
- 5Can residents choose when to get up, go to bed and have meals?
Costs & contracts
- 1What is included in the weekly fee, and what costs extra?
- 2What are your terms for fee increases — how much notice do you give?
- 3What happens if a resident's needs change — will fees change?
- 4What is the notice period if we want to leave?
- 5Do you accept council-funded residents, and is there a top-up fee?
Things to look for beyond questions
- Does the home smell clean but not overpowering? Strong chemical smells can mask hygiene problems.
- Are residents dressed and out of their rooms during the day, or confined to bed?
- Do staff greet residents by name and seem genuinely warm?
- Is there evidence of activities on the walls, or does it look like a show home?
- Ask to visit at a different time of day than the arranged tour — mealtimes are particularly revealing.
After the visit
Take notes immediately after each visit — first impressions fade quickly when you're comparing multiple homes. Trust your instincts: if something felt off but you can't put your finger on what, it's worth visiting again or asking for references from residents' families.