Care Home Comparison Checklist
Print this page and take it with you when visiting care homes. Score each home on the criteria below, then compare your notes at home.
How to use this checklist
- Print one copy per care home you plan to visit (or use the worksheet at the bottom)
- Score each item from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) during or after your visit
- Add up the totals and compare homes side by side
- Use the "Notes" spaces for anything that stands out — good or bad
Care Home Name:
Date of Visit:
1. First Impressions
Is the home clean and well-maintained?
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Does it smell fresh and pleasant?
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Do the communal areas feel warm and welcoming?
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Are residents engaged in activities or socialising?
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Do the staff seem happy and unhurried?
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Notes:
2. Care & Staff
Do staff address residents by name?
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Is there a named key worker for each resident?
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What is the staff-to-resident ratio? (Ask directly)
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How does the home handle medical emergencies?
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Can you see the latest CQC inspection report?
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Notes:
3. Rooms & Facilities
Can residents personalise their rooms?
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Do rooms have en-suite bathrooms?
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Is there secure outdoor space / garden?
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Are corridors and bathrooms wheelchair-accessible?
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Is there a quiet room for private family visits?
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Notes:
4. Daily Life & Activities
Is there a varied weekly activities programme?
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Can residents choose when to eat, wake, and sleep?
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Does the food look appetising? (Ask to see a menu)
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Are dietary needs and preferences accommodated?
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Are visiting hours flexible for family?
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Notes:
5. Costs & Practicalities
Is the fee structure clear and in writing?
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Are there any hidden extras (laundry, outings, hairdresser)?
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What is the notice period if care needs change?
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Is there a trial period or short-stay option?
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Does the home accept council-funded residents?
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Notes:
Scoring Summary
1. First Impressions ___/ 25
2. Care & Staff ___/ 25
3. Rooms & Facilities ___/ 25
4. Daily Life ___/ 25
5. Costs ___/ 25
TOTAL ___/ 125
100+: Excellent candidate · 75–99: Good, worth considering · 50–74: Some concerns · Below 50: Significant issues
Side-by-Side Comparison
After visiting multiple homes, fill in this table to compare them at a glance.
| Home 1 | Home 2 | Home 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | |||
| CQC Rating | |||
| Weekly fee | |||
| Beds | |||
| Type (nursing/residential) | |||
| Dementia care? | |||
| Total score (/125) | |||
| Gut feeling (1-10) | |||
| Would you want to live here? |
The Gut Check
Numbers matter, but so does instinct. After each visit, ask yourself:
- - Would I feel comfortable leaving my loved one here overnight?
- - Did the staff seem genuinely caring, not just going through the motions?
- - Did the residents look content?
- - Was I welcomed openly, or did it feel like I was being sold to?
- - Could I imagine this place feeling like home?
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