The Care Home Viewing Checklist: Questions to Ask (2026)

Choosing a care home usually comes down to a handful of visits. Brochures and websites will tell you what a home wants you to know — a visit tells you what's actually true. Go with a clear list of questions and a sense of what good care looks like, and you'll know within an hour or two whether a home is right.

What should you check before you book a visit?

Do a little homework first, so the visit confirms or challenges what you already know rather than starting from scratch.

• Read the home's current CQC rating and inspection report in full, not just the headline rating — the detail explains why it got that score.
• Check how long the rating has stood and whether there's a more recent inspection due.
• Note the home's registered categories of care (residential, nursing, dementia) and check they match the needs you have now and are likely to have in future.
• Ask what the guide price is and whether it covers nursing care, or whether that's charged separately.

What questions should you ask about care and staffing?

• What's the staff-to-resident ratio during the day, and overnight?
• How many staff are agency or bank staff, versus permanent?
• What's staff turnover like, and how long have senior staff been there?
• How and how often are care plans reviewed, and are residents and families involved?
• What happens if someone's needs increase — can they stay, or would they need to move?
• How is medication managed, and who administers it?
• What training do staff have in dementia care, falls prevention or specific conditions relevant to you?
• How are complaints handled, and can you see the complaints policy?
• What's the approach to end-of-life care, and does the home work with district nurses or hospice teams?

If dementia care is relevant, ask specifically how the home supports people with dementia day to day — the environment, activities and staff approach differ a lot between homes. Alzheimer's Society and Dementia UK both have guidance on what good dementia care looks like in a care setting.

What questions should you ask about daily life?

• What does a typical day and week look like, including weekends?
• Can you see a recent activities schedule, and how is it tailored to individual interests and ability?
• How much choice is there over meals, mealtimes and eating in a room versus a dining area?
• Can you see a sample menu, and how are special diets or reduced appetite managed?
• What are visiting hours, and are there any restrictions?
• How do residents keep in touch with family — phone, video calls, letters?
• Can residents bring their own furniture, photos or belongings?
• Is there outside space, and how often do residents get outdoors?

What questions should you ask about fees and contracts?

Fees are one of the most common sources of dispute later, so get clarity in writing before you commit.

• What exactly does the weekly fee include, and what costs extra (hairdressing, chiropody, outings, toiletries)?
• How often do fees increase, and by how much have they risen in recent years?
• Is a deposit or advance payment required, and is it refundable?
• What's the notice period if the person wants to leave, or if the home asks someone to move?
• If the placement is council-funded but the home costs more, would a third-party top-up be needed — and who would pay it?
• What happens to fees during a hospital stay or temporary absence?

If you're not sure how care home costs work or how the means test applies, the NHS social care and support guide and MoneyHelper both explain the process in plain terms. It's also worth checking whether the person may be eligible for Attendance Allowance or Pension Credit, and whether an attorney under a lasting power of attorney needs to be involved in signing the contract.

How do you get a true picture on the day?

What are the green flags and red flags?

Green flags

• Residents look relaxed, engaged and appropriately dressed and groomed
• Staff linger, chat and make eye contact rather than rushing past
• The home is clean, homely and smells fresh throughout, including bathrooms
• Staff give clear, confident answers about care, staffing and fees, without needing to check with someone else
• The manager knows residents by name and can talk about their individual routines

Red flags

• Call bells ringing for a long time without being answered
• Strong odours, or décor that's tired and poorly maintained
• High staff turnover, or staff who seem unfamiliar with residents
• Evasiveness or vague answers about fees, contracts or the CQC rating
• Residents left without stimulation for long periods, or a very quiet, subdued atmosphere

Should the person moving in come to the viewing?

If they're able to, yes. Their sense of the place — whether they feel comfortable, whether they like the staff, whether it feels like somewhere they could live — matters more than anything else. It also helps them feel part of the decision, which makes the move itself easier. If a first visit isn't practical because of health or distress, consider a short, low-key visit for a cup of tea rather than a full formal tour.

What should you do after each visit?

• Write up notes while it's fresh — what you saw, what was said, and how it felt.
• Take photos of communal areas and bedrooms if the home allows it.
• Score each home against the same checklist so comparisons are fair.
• If you're still unsure, ask for a trial stay before committing long term, if the home offers one.

If you haven't already, it's worth arranging a care needs assessment through the council, and checking guidance from Age UK or Carers UK if you're supporting someone as an unpaid carer through this process.