The Most Important Questions to Ask When Visiting a Care Home

Choosing a care home for yourself or a loved one is an extremely difficult decision to make. With so many options available, knowing what to look for can feel overwhelming.

A tour or visit is the perfect opportunity to see firsthand how the care home operates, meet staff and other residents, and ask questions that will help you determine whether it’s the right fit for you. While every person’s care needs are unique, there are certain important questions that everyone should ask before making a decision.

Below, we explore our top five most important questions to ask when visiting a care home, ensuring you have all the information you need before making this big decision.

1. What Types of Care Are Offered?

The first and most essential question to ask when visiting a care home is about the types of care provided. Different care providers offer varying levels of support, so it’s important to ensure that the home can meet the current and future care needs of the resident.

Understanding Different Types of Care

Some homes specialise in residential care, which supports older people who are still relatively independent but need help with personal care such as washing, dressing, and taking medication. Others provide nursing care, which includes medical support from qualified nurses. If your loved one is living with dementia, you’ll need to check whether the home provides dementia care, including therapies and activities designed to support those with memory loss.

It’s also important to consider future needs. While your loved one may currently need only personal care, their requirements may change. Asking whether the home offers end-of-life care or can support residents as their needs transition can ensure continuity and compassionate support during the later stages of life.

Key Questions to Ask:

• What main care types do you offer?
• What experience does your team have in caring for people with dementia or sensory impairments?
• Can residents transition between care types if their needs develop, or will they need to relocate?
• Do you provide end-of-life care, and what support is available for residents and their families?

2. What is Included in the Cost?

Understanding the fee structure of a care home is vital, as costs can vary significantly depending on the level of care provided, the type of room, and any additional services available. Without clear information, it can be difficult to budget effectively.

Breaking Down the Costs

Some homes charge a flat fee that includes everything, while others have additional costs for services such as daily activities, day trips, or even visits from healthcare professionals. It’s also crucial to ask about how fees are reviewed and whether costs may increase over time.

If financial support is required, it’s worth checking whether the local council can assist and if the care home accepts funding. Many families are unaware that funding may be available for certain types of care, particularly if a resident has complex health needs.

Key Questions to Ask:

• What is included in the fee structure, and what costs extra?
• How often are fees reviewed, and can they increase?
• Do you accept local authority funding?
• What happens if a resident’s financial situation changes?

By obtaining a clear financial breakdown, residents and their families can make an informed choice and avoid unexpected costs later on.

3. What Activities and Social Opportunities Are Available?

A fulfilling social life is essential for well-being, and a good care home should offer a variety of daily activities that not only help encourage residents to stay active and engaged but also allow them to continue doing the things they enjoy.

A Closer Look at Activities

Ask about the types of activities on offer and whether they are tailored to individual interests. Some homes provide structured schedules, while others take a more flexible approach. The best care homes provide a range of activities and act on feedback to accommodate the different preferences of residents.

It’s also important to consider the home’s connection to the local community. Are there partnerships with local schools, clubs, or charities? Can residents bring or continue their favourite hobbies, such as knitting, painting, or gardening?

Key Questions to Ask:

• What types of daily activities and day trips are available?
• How does the home encourage residents to stay socially and physically active?
• Can residents and their families celebrate special occasions together?
• Are there opportunities to remain connected with and go out into the local community?

A home with a compassionate, welcoming atmosphere is a good sign that residents are enjoying their daily lives.

4. What is the Food Like?

Mealtimes are an important part of life in a care home, and food should be both nutritious and enjoyable. The best homes offer a variety of options to suit different dietary needs, as well as flexibility around mealtimes and dining locations.

Dining Experience and Nutrition

Ask to see the menu and find out how often it changes. A good care home manager should be able to tell you how they cater for different tastes and requirements. Also, signs of a high-quality care home are having an in-house kitchen team who make meals fresh and allowing residents to be flexible with where they enjoy their meals.

Key Questions to Ask:

• How often does the menu change, and does it take residents into consideration?
• Are special dietary needs catered for?
• Is the food prepared freshly on-site?
• Can family members and friends visit for meals on special occasions?

Checking out the dining rooms and seeing a menu could give you a good idea of the quality of the meals provided.

5. What Are the Visiting Policies?

Maintaining close connections with family members, friends, and the local community is crucial for emotional well-being. When visiting a care home, it’s essential to ask about the policies on receiving visitors and how they support meaningful connections.

Making Family Visits Easy

Some homes have flexible visiting hours, while others may have more restrictions. For those who can't visit, care homes will often allow phone lines to be installed in their bedrooms or have in-house phones that can be used to keep family members in touch with residents. It’s also worth asking whether you can take residents on days out and whether special arrangements can be made for birthdays or holidays.

Key Questions to Ask:

• How often can family members and friends spend time with residents?
• Do you have private areas for dining on special occasions?
• Can loved ones take residents out for the day when visiting?
• Are there any other ways of allowing residents to keep in touch with loved ones?

A good care home should be welcoming to visitors while ensuring that residents’ safety is prioritised.

Choosing the Right Care Home in Croydon

Choosing the right care home is about more than just the facilities—it’s about finding a place where your loved one will feel comfortable, safe, and valued. By asking these important questions, you can ensure that the care provided aligns with your expectations and needs.

At Haling Park, we understand that selecting a nursing home or residential home is a significant decision and are on hand to support you every step of the way. Our team are always happy to answer questions, discuss care needs, and welcome prospective residents for a visit to experience our home firsthand.

At our luxury care home in South London, we offer exceptional residential care, nursing care, dementia care, respite care and palliative care. It is important to us that residents continue doing the things they love most, so we have a range of facilities and amenities for them to use during all hours of the day. Whether they want to spend some time in our cinema or sensory room or want to do some gardening followed by a pamper in our hair salon, we have something for everybody to enjoy. Our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to provide them with the best quality of life.

If you’d like to learn more, please contact us today— we would love to welcome you to our Haling Park family.