Care home visit checklist: what to look for and what to ask

Choosing a care home · 4 min read · Last updated 30 October 2026

Use this checklist on every visit so you can compare homes fairly. Print it, take notes, and score each home afterwards. Where you can, visit more than once and at different times of day, ideally including a mealtime.

Before you go

  • Confirm the home's licence or registration, and ask for its price list in advance.
  • Write down your relative's needs so you can ask specific questions rather than general ones.
  • Ask whether you can see a bedroom and the dining room, as long as current residents agree.
  • Bring a friend or relative so you can compare impressions afterwards.

First impressions

  • Does the home look, and smell, clean and fresh?
  • Were you greeted warmly, and is the entrance secure?
  • Is the atmosphere calm and friendly rather than rushed or institutional?
  • Do residents look engaged and well cared for, rather than all left in front of a television?
  • Are call bells or alert systems within reach, and answered quickly?

Staff and care

  • Do staff speak to residents with respect, and by name?
  • How many staff are on duty, including nights and weekends?
  • If nursing is needed: are qualified nurses on site, and at what hours?
  • Is the team stable, or is staff turnover high?
  • For dementia care: is all staff trained in it, and is there a dementia-friendly activity programme?
  • Which languages do staff and the manager speak?
  • Who is the named contact for family, and how are families updated?

Medical care and emergencies

  • How are medicines managed and reviewed?
  • Which doctor looks after residents, and how quickly can a doctor be reached?
  • What is the procedure after a fall, an illness or an emergency?
  • Which hospital is nearest, and how long does it take to get there?
  • Can the home support end-of-life care, or would a resident have to move?

Daily life

  • Is there a regular programme of activities that residents can choose from?
  • Can residents get outside, such as a garden, terrace or supervised walks?
  • Can residents bring personal belongings and small items of furniture?
  • Are visiting hours flexible, and can family join in activities or help with care?
  • Are religious, cultural and dietary needs respected?

Food and drink

  • Can you see a menu? Are choices offered, and are special diets catered for?
  • Is help available at mealtimes, and are drinks offered throughout the day?
  • Is food prepared on site, and can you try a meal?

Rooms and safety

  • Is the room private or shared, and does it have its own bathroom?
  • Are corridors, stairs and bathrooms safe and accessible, with handrails, lifts and level access?
  • Is the home secure for residents who may wander?
  • Is the building comfortable in summer heat, with air conditioning or other cooling?

Costs and contract

  • What exactly does the monthly fee include, and what costs extra?
  • How and when can prices increase?
  • Is a deposit required, and how and when is it returned?
  • What notice period applies, and what is charged during hospital stays or absences?
  • Can you read the contract in a language you understand before signing?

If you live abroad

  • Can the home arrange a live video tour and regular video calls with your relative?
  • How will you be updated (phone, email or an app), and how often?
  • Who has legal authority to make decisions and sign documents? Is a power of attorney needed?
  • How can fees be paid from abroad, and in which currency?
  • Who is the local contact in an emergency, and how quickly will the home reach you?

More on the legal and healthcare side in our guide to moving a parent abroad.

After the visit

Write down your impressions while they are fresh, and note or score each home under the same headings. Trust your instincts about the atmosphere, but check the facts against the contract and the licence. Then go back to our step-by-step guide to choosing a care home for the next steps.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a visit last?

Long enough to see the home at its normal pace: an hour or more, ideally including a mealtime, rather than a short guided tour of the best rooms.

Should I tell the home I am coming?

Booking a first visit is usual. If you can, return at a different time, such as an evening or weekend, to see everyday life as it really is.

Is it appropriate to talk to residents and other families?

Yes. NHS guidance suggests talking to the manager, staff and residents. Be respectful of residents' privacy and wishes, and only speak with those who are happy to talk.

Sources and further reading

This guide is general information only, compiled from the public sources listed above as of the date shown. It is not legal, medical, tax, financial or care advice, and we cannot guarantee that it is complete, accurate or up to date. Rules, thresholds and prices change and differ by country and region, and some sources describe other countries' rules as examples. Check details with the authorities and care homes named, and take professional advice for your own situation before you act. If you spot an error, please email [email protected] and we will correct it.