A
list of questions to ask and things you should look out for
during an
inspection visit to a Care Home.
To print out this list, click in the list below and then select print frame in your browser.
Finally,
time spent gaining a feel for the long term
business viability of the home(s) you are
considering will be time very well spent. Don't be
afraid to ask the relevant Local Authority for its
considered opinions. With homes now closing at the
rate of two to three per week and 70.000 beds lost
since 1997, the trauma ofan enforced move from your
chosen home through future closure is becoming more
and more commonplace.
Is there a clean, fresh smell?
How do staff address residents? Are they
polite and friendly, or overfamiliar and
condescending?
What training do staff have?
How many (full time equivalent) staff are
there?
What are the arrangements for medical cover?
Are there arrangements for other treatments such as
physiotherapy or dentistry?
Are residents predominantly in their own
rooms, or are they in the lounges or sitting
areas?
Ask about what activities take place, and
how often.
Ask who chooses activities, whether there is
a residents’ committee, or other ways for
residents to influence and control life in the
home.
Is there a choice of places to sit, so that
people do not have to watch television all the time
and can be quiet if they wish.
Are people sitting round the outer edges of
the sitting room in a ring, or are they in small
groups and at least a few involved in
conversations.
Can residents continue to participate in
organisations which they have enjoyed before
admission, such as a Church or club? Is there any
transport to enable them to do this?
How often are residents taken
out?
Are residents’ religious needs catered
for?
Try to visit at a meal time. Does the food
look appetising? Is there any choice of food? Is
the food served with care?
Ask if residents are allowed to eat in their
own rooms if they wish.
Ask what time breakfast is served, and
whether people can have breakfast later if they
wish.
Ask if residents can make hot drinks and
snacks for themselves if they wish.
Ask if residents are able to help in the
kitchen.
Try to ask residents how long they have been
in the home and what they most like, or dislike,
about it.
Ask residents whether they have as much
privacy as they want or whether they are
lonely.
Ask whether residents (if they are
physically able) can go out on their own
Is there a lift between floors?
Ask to see a bedroom and find out whether or
not they are all single and whether there are
en-suite facilities (for all) or not.
Establish whether there are telephones in
rooms, or whether there is an easily accessible
telephone for residents to use.
Find out whether residents can bring their
own furniture and possessions for their
room.
Are residents allowed alcohol? Are smokers
and non-smokers catered for?
What are the arrangements for personal
laundry?
Are pets allowed?
Establish whether there is a garden and
whether residents have access to the whole of
it.
Ask for a list of the rules.
Ask about the complaints policy and
procedure.
Make sure that you have been given
comprehensive information about fees and about any
extras. Make sure you know what is included
(chiropody? hairdressing? incontinence pads?
etc.)
You may want to know whether the home is
owned by a sole proprietor or whether it is part of
a larger company owning other homes and possibly
providing other services.
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