Visiting Homes: What to Look For
Visiting a care home in person is the most important step in the decision-making process. No amount of online research replaces seeing a home for yourself and observing how staff interact with residents.
When you visit, pay attention to the following:
- Staff interaction — Do staff speak to residents warmly and respectfully? Are they patient and attentive, or do they rush through tasks?
- Resident engagement — Are residents actively engaged in activities or sitting passively? Look for evidence of meaningful occupation throughout the day.
- Environment — Is the home clean, well-lit and free from strong odours? Are there clear signs directing residents to toilets, dining areas and communal spaces?
- Personalisation — Can residents display personal belongings in their rooms? Do staff know residents by name?
- Meal times — Observe a meal if possible. Are meals nutritious and varied? Is assistance provided sensitively to those who need it?
CQC Ratings: What Each Rating Means
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects every registered care home in England and assigns an overall rating. Understanding these ratings helps you compare homes objectively.
- Outstanding — The home consistently exceeds standards in all areas. Exceptional care that goes beyond what is expected.
- Good — The home meets expected standards and provides safe, effective, caring and well-led services.
- Requires Improvement — The home has areas that need to be addressed. The CQC will have set conditions or improvement targets.
- Inadequate — The home is failing to meet basic standards. The CQC may take enforcement action.
Always read the full inspection report, not just the overall rating. A home may score well on safety but require improvement on responsiveness, or vice versa.
Specialisms and Dementia-Specific Care
Not all care homes provide specialist dementia care. When evaluating a home, ask about:
- Dementia training — Has all staff completed dementia-specific training? Do they understand the different stages of dementia?
- Activities programme — Are activities designed for people with dementia? Look for sensory activities, music therapy, reminiscence sessions and gentle exercise.
- Environment design — Is the home designed to support people with dementia? Look for colour contrast, clear signage, secure outdoor spaces and calming colour schemes.
- Staffing levels — What is the ratio of staff to residents, especially during nights and weekends? Dementia care often requires higher staffing levels.
- Person-centred care — Does the home create individual care plans that account for each resident's life history, preferences and routines?
Location: Proximity to Family
Regular family visits are one of the most important factors in a resident's wellbeing. While the quality of care should be the primary consideration, location matters:
- A home within easy travelling distance encourages frequent visits.
- Consider parking availability and public transport links.
- Ask about visiting hours — some homes offer more flexible arrangements than others.
- Find out if the home has a quiet space where families can spend time together.
Cost: What's Included and Extra Charges
Care home fees vary significantly across regions and between homes. When comparing costs, make sure you understand exactly what is included in the quoted weekly fee:
- What's usually included — Accommodation, meals, personal care, laundry and basic activities.
- Common extra charges — Hairdressing, physiotherapy, chiropody, specialist dietary requirements, outings and premium room supplements.
- Fee increases — Ask how often fees are reviewed and what triggers an increase.
- Funding options — If you are self-funding, ask about local authority negotiated rates. If the local authority funds part of the care, the home cannot charge the individual the full cost of a room.
For more information on funding options, see our funding care guide.