Choosing a Residential Care Home: Practical Questions to Ask

When choosing a residential care home, prioritize privacy, dignity and resident choice. Check staffing levels and qualifications, understand the difference between nursing and residential care, and evaluate activities and the home's atmosphere. Review contracts and funding options, involve the person in decisions, and verify inspection reports and safety policies. Minimize future moves by considering likely care needs.

Start with what matters: dignity, privacy and choice

All people deserve privacy, dignity, choice and the ability to take part in daily life. When you look for a residential care home, keep those values front and center. Meet staff and residents, observe routines, and ask how the home protects privacy and supports independence.

Check staffing, qualifications and safety

Ask who provides day-to-day care and whether registered nurses are on site or on call. Staffing levels, staff turnover and formal training affect continuity of care. Request the latest inspection report from the home and ask about infection-control policies, emergency procedures, and safeguarding practices.

Nursing care vs residential (personal) care

Homes that offer nursing care employ licensed nurses and can manage medical needs such as wound care or complex medication regimes. Residential or personal care homes focus on help with daily living - bathing, dressing, meals. If your relative may need nursing care soon, consider a home that can provide it to avoid another move.

Activities, social life and meaningful routines

Good homes offer varied activities - arts, gentle exercise, games, outings, and opportunities to continue hobbies. Ask how activity programs are planned and whether residents can influence schedules. Social contact, purposeful tasks and opportunities for privacy all matter for quality of life.

Family-run vs larger organisations

Family-run homes can feel homely and personal; larger homes may offer more services and specialist care. Neither is inherently better. Visit more than one home to compare atmosphere, staff interactions and resident wellbeing.

Practical questions to bring on visits

• Can I read the most recent inspection/inspection report?

• What are staff qualifications and nurse cover hours?

• How are medicines managed and documented?

• What activities are offered and how are residents consulted?

• What are visiting hours and policies for overnight stays or pets?

• How does the home support people with dementia or behavioral needs?

Contracts, costs and planning ahead

Residential care can be costly. Review the contract carefully for fees, notice periods and what services are included. Ask about extra charges for specialist care. Explore local funding options, long-term care insurance and social services assessments to understand eligibility for financial support.

Keep the person involved

Encourage your relative to share preferences about routines, visitors, food and daily activities. A better match comes from clear communication, regular reviews and minimizing unnecessary moves.

Final steps

Visit at different times of day, speak with current residents and relatives, and request written policies on complaints, safeguarding and end-of-life care. If possible, arrange a short trial stay before committing.

: Confirm the main regulatory body and how inspection reports are accessed in your country. ¹: Confirm typical local cost ranges for residential and nursing care.

1. Confirm the name and website of the primary regulatory body that publishes care home inspections in the user's country (e.g., Care Quality Commission in England, state health department in the US).
2. Check current local average cost ranges for residential and nursing care in the user's region.
3. Verify whether inspection reports for care homes are publicly available online in the user's jurisdiction and how to access them.