Care Home Checklist - Things to look out for and questions to ask

Oct 23, 2026

Uploaded by fresh2021

AgeUKIL5 care home checklist provides structured guidance for choosing a suitable care home and preparing for a move. It explains what to review during initial visits, including first impressions, cleanliness, accessibility, staff approach, training, and care staffing ratios. It also covers meeting care needs, healthcare support, security and daily routines, accessibility to facilities, food options, social life, and visitor arrangements, with checklist prompts throughout.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Things to look out for and questions to ask

Visiting care homes

First impressions

Accessibility

Staff

Meeting care needs

Day-to-day considerations

Food

Social life and activities

Having visitors

Making the most of your checklist

Information guide AgeUKIL5 Care home checklist Things to look out for and questions to ask Making the most of your checklist We’ve put this checklist together to help you find the best care home for you. The first section (page 3) covers some of the things it’s worth thinking about when you’re considering a move. It suggests questions you might like to ask when you’re visiting care homes. The second section (page 13) is there for when you’ve picked a care home that’s suitable for you. It covers some of the things you might need to do before making the move. We’ve also included space for you tojot down a plan for moving day (page 15). Visiting care homes Visiting care homes First impressions Are the buildings and grounds well maintained? n Is there an accessible garden or courtyard? n Do the home and garden feel inviting? n Are there pleasant views surrounding the home? n Do the staff seem welcoming? n Is the home clean and does it smell fresh? n Are the rooms a comfortable temperature? n Accessibility Are friends and family able to get there easily? n Are there enough parking spaces? n Are facilities such as shops, parks and places of worship within easy reach and accessible? n Is there good wheelchair access into and within the building, including wide doorways? n 3 Visiting care homes Staff. Are the staff welcoming and interested? n Do the staff get to know about residents’ lives and experiences? n Is there a manager in post and a senior member of staff on duty at all times? n Is there a suitable ratio of staff to residents during the day, at night, and at weekends? n Can residents choose if they have a male or female carer? n How are staff trained, how often and by whom? Are all staff trained in caring for residents with dementia, if necessary? n Do the staff have care qualifications? n Is there a high staff turnover? (If so, this could be a sign of low staff morale.) n Visiting care homes Meeting care needs Does the home assess new residents’ situations and needs before accepting them? n Do staff have experience of caring for any particular health conditions? n Do residents have a named member of staff whois particularly responsible for their care? n Are residents and their families involved in decisions about their care? n Do residents seem to have a similar level of need to you? n If your needs change or increase, can they still be met in the same home? n Do the bathroom facilities meet your needs? n Are accessible toilets available and easy to get to? n Are residents helped to the toilet, if needed? n Visiting care homes Do toilets have handrails, raised toilet seats and mobility aids? n Is there a policy on when incontinence pads and catheters are used? n Is the home linked with a specific GP practice for residents? n Do health staff such as opticians and chiropodists visit regularly? n Who decides when a health check-up is needed? Are there travel arrangements for regular hospital and clinic visits, do staff accompany residents, and is there a charge for this? n Does the home support those with sensory impairments or dementia? n Does the home let family or friends know if a resident is taken ill? n Can the home offer support for end-of-life care? n Visiting care homes Day-to-day considerations What security arrangements are in place to make sure residents are safe? Is there a residents’ call-bell system? n Does the home use signs or pictures to show where things are? n Can residents choose their routine, such as when they get up and go to bed? n Can residents choose what they wear? n Can staff ensure that clothes don’t get mixed up between residents? Should clothes be labelled? n Can residents bring their own furniture and belongings? n Is there secure storage in the bedrooms? n Are there arrangements for handling personal money? n Would you have to share a bathroom or

FAQs

What should you check during first impressions when visiting a care home?

Look at how well the buildings and grounds are maintained, whether gardens and outdoor areas are accessible and inviting, and if the home is clean with pleasant surroundings. Also assess whether staff seem welcoming.

How does the checklist suggest evaluating staff and training?

Check whether staff are welcoming and learn residents’ lives and experiences, confirm that a manager and senior staff are on duty as required, and ask about staff-to-resident ratios by day, night, and weekends. Review how often training occurs and whether staff are trained to care for residents with dementia if needed.

What day-to-day and care-meeting items should be considered before and during the move?

Assess whether the home can meet changing needs in the same setting, check bathroom and toilet accessibility and support, understand incontinence policies, and confirm links with a GP practice and regular visiting health staff. Also review security arrangements, call-bell systems, routine choices, storage for personal money and belongings, and options for meals and food needs.

Oct 23, 2026

Uploaded by fresh2021