What to Ask When Visiting a Care Home

Choosing care for yourself or a loved one is a significant decision and any experience should be guided by clear expectations, key information and having access to resources to support every aspect of life in a shared home community. We’ve written this guide to help support you through the process and focus on finding a home for you or your loved one where you’ll feel safe, respected and living a meaningful life as an integral part the community a care home provides.

We’re here to help you understand daily life, discover what quality care looks like, explore the team and values of the care home and offer open-ended questions to help explore your curiosity around care.

By asking clear, purposeful questions, you can move through the process with confidence and gain practical, transparent insights that will help you to make informed choices.

Key Questions for your Visit

    • What does a typical day look like for your residents here?

    • How much flexibility do residents have in choosing their own routines, such as mealtimes or when to wake up and go to bed?

    • What kinds of activities or social opportunities are available, and how are they tailored to individual interests and needs?

    • How many team members are on duty during the day and at night, and how are they supported by management?

    • What kind of training and development do team members receive to ensure quality care?

    • Will my loved one have consistent team members each day who get to know them well, or is support provided by a rotating team?

    • How do you support new residents to settle in, feel at home and support new friendships?

    • What opportunities are there for residents to continue their hobbies or explore new interests?

    • Are family and friends welcome to visit at any time, and how do you help them stay connected?

    • Can you tell me about the food choices, and could we see a sample menu?

    • How do you cater for individual dietary needs, allergies and personal preferences?

    • Can residents choose when and where they’d like to eat, and are there dining options each day?

    • How do you involve residents and loved ones in care planning and regular reviews?

    • If a resident’s needs change over time, how is this managed and communicated with loved ones?

    • How are medications, health appointments and ongoing medical needs organised and overseen?

    • What’s included in the weekly fee, and what can we expect to be included?

    • Are there any additional costs for extras like hairdressing, outings or specialist services?

    • How does the admissions process work, and what support is available along the way?

“As a Home Manager, I know how important it is that families feel comfortable and supported when they visit for the first time. Show rounds are more than just walking through the building - they’re an opportunity to connect, to listen, and to understand what matters most to each person. We always take the time to answer questions honestly, introduce key team members, and share what daily life really looks like here.”

Anita, Manager at Highfield Hall

Support Services

Would you like to speak to someone?

We’re here to help. Reach out to our welcoming team to talk through your options and receive tailored advice to suit your individual needs. Whether you’d like to book a visit or simply open a conversation, trust us to listen, support and guide you every step of the way.