Checklist for Selecting a Care Home

First Impressions

• Does the driveway and entrance present a tidy and well-maintained appearance?
• Are the buildings and surrounding grounds in good repair?
• Is there an accessible garden or courtyard for residents to enjoy?
• Are there pleasant views from the care home?
• Do the staff appear friendly and approachable?
• Is there a welcoming and helpful individual at the front desk?

Accessibility

• Is the home easily accessible for friends and family?
• Is there ample parking available?
• Does the building provide good wheelchair access, including wide doorways?
• Is the garden accessible for those who live there?

Staff Team

• Are the staff welcoming and actively engaged with residents?
• Do the staff take the time to learn about the lives of the residents?
• Is there a manager and senior staff member consistently available on duty?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
• Are residents given the option to choose the gender of their carer?
• Are all staff trained in dementia care?
• Meeting Care Needs

Care Requirements

• What specific care does your loved one require?
• Does the care home support individuals with sensory impairments or dementia?
• Do residents have a designated staff member responsible for their care?
• Are residents and their families actively involved in care decisions?
• Do health professionals like district nurses and chiropodists visit regularly?
• Does the care home provide end-of-life care services?

General Things to Consider

• What security measures are implemented to ensure residents’ safety?
• How do residents request assistance when needed?
• Are residents empowered to determine their daily routines, including waking and bedtime schedules?
• Are residents permitted to personalise their living spaces with their own furniture and belongings?
• Can residents choose between having a bath or shower, and determine the frequency?
• Do all rooms feature ensuite wetrooms?

Meals and Nutrition

• Do residents typically dine together, or do they have the option to eat in their rooms?
• Is there a variety of food options available, and can you review sample menus?
• How frequently are the menus updated or changed?
• Is the food prepared onsite?
• Can the care home accommodate specific dietary requirements?
• Are there well-appointed dining rooms with properly set tables?

Socialising & Activities

• Are residents actively encouraged to maintain physical and mental engagement?
• Is there a dedicated activities coordinator on the team?
• Do residents appear content and engaged in daily life?
• Would you feel at ease socialising in the home’s communal areas?
• Does the care home offer amenities such as a cinema, library, lounges, access to newspapers, a beauty salon, and a garden room?
• Are there regular activities like music sessions, singing groups, exercise classes, gardening opportunities, celebrations for special occasions, visits from entertainers, and outings to local shops, entertainment venues, or places of worship?

Visitors

• Are there any visiting restrictions in place?
• Are children welcomed at the care home?
• Are there designated areas for residents to spend time with visitors?
• Can visitors join residents during mealtimes and share meals together?

Contracts & Fees

• Can you review a copy of the care home’s contract and terms and conditions?
• Is there an option for a trial period stay?
• What is the budgetary framework, and what are the specific fees associated with residing at the care home?
• Are the fee structures, calculations, and collection processes transparently outlined?
• Are additional items or services not included in the basic fees clearly specified and accounted for?
• Are there any fees payable following the resident’s death?
• Is there a requirement for a deposit or advance payment?