Checklist for Choosing a Care Home

The following is a checklist of questions which you may like to print out to use when choosing a home

About the Building, Fixtures and Fittings

Points to Consider

• Are building and grounds well maintained and accessible?
• For people with a disability?
• Does the home look and smell clean inside?
• Is the location of the home suitable for family and friends to visit?
• Is the home close to local amenities, such as shops, pubs, libraries and places or worship?
• Is there a separate sitting room and dining room?
• Is there more than one sitting room so that there is a quiet room for reading, writing or chatting as well as one with a television?

Questions to Ask

• Can people bring personal possessions when they move in such as pictures, ornaments, plants and furniture?
• Do rooms have sockets for telephones, television, radio etc?
• Do rooms have their own lavatory or bathroom? If not, where is the nearest? Are there enough fully equipped lavatories and bathrooms on all floors?

About Daily Life

Points to Consider

• What is the food like? Ask for copies of menus, perhaps visit at meal times.

Questions to Ask

• Can people get up and go to bed when they want?
• Is there a choice of times to eat? Can people eat in their own rooms if they wish?
• Is there a choice of menu each day and are special diets catered for?
• Can people have visitors at any time?
• Does the home have smoking/non-smoking policy?
• Does the home arrange for any leisure activities or hobbies eg. outings, games, library, painting, gardening, knitting?
• Can people use a phone to make a call in private?
• Does the manager of the home ask people how they would like to safeguard money and valuables?

About the Quality of Care

Points to Consider

• Do staff seem to be friendly, welcoming and interested?
• Do residents seem to be happy, relaxed, confident and busy?
• Were you introduced to other residents and staff?

Questions to Ask

• Are staff on duty during each part of the day and night? Ask about what specialist training staff have had.
• Does the home offer services such as hairdressing, chiropody physiotherapy etc?
• Can people keep their own doctor? If not what is the choice?
• If asked, do staff go with people on a visit to a hospital, clinic consultant or doctor?
• Is an extra charge made for transport?

If you are paying for your own care

Questions to Ask

• How much will I have to pay? What is included in the price?
• What happens when my capital falls below £23,000?
• How will increases in fees be decided?

About any extra Charges

Questions to Ask

• Are there any extra charges for services such as entertainment hairdressing, chiropody?
• What are the arrangements if a resident goes into hospital or on holiday? Will their room be kept for them? If so, how long will it be kept and what will it cost?
• Does the home ask for an advance payment or a deposit before someone moves in? If so how much is it?

And Finally...

• Ask to see the homes brochure.
• Does the information provided in the brochure match with the facilities provided in the home?
• Does the home have a complaint procedure? Which explains how you can complain if you are unhappy with things? Is this on display?
• Did they offer to show you the latest Inspection report?
• Would you like to live there?