Choosing a care home for someone you love is one of the biggest decisions a family will ever make.

Often it also comes at an emotional time, and it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start.

Websites and brochures can tell you a lot, but nothing replaces seeing a home for yourself. A visit helps you understand how a place really feels, how people interact, and whether it feels right for your loved one.

Whether you are planning ahead or making a decision quickly after a change in health, choosing a care home can feel overwhelming. Many families come to this decision unexpectedly, while others take months to explore options. Wherever you are in that journey, visiting and asking the right questions can help you feel more confident about the next step.

If you are beginning your search, here are five important things every family should do before choosing a care home.

1. Check quality ratings and reputation

Start by understanding how a home performs day to day.

In England, care homes are inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which looks at safety, care quality, leadership and responsiveness. Reading the full inspection report, not just the rating, gives helpful insight into how the home operates.

It can also be useful to read reviews from families on trusted sites such as carehome.co.uk and Google reviews. Look for consistent themes rather than one-off comments. Do people mention kindness? Communication? Feeling welcomed? Do residents enjoy a full and fulfilling life there?

Good care is usually reflected in small, repeated experiences, but if you are making a quick decision, inspection ratings help you shortlist safely. If you are planning ahead, they provide reassurance about long-term quality.

2. Understand costs and funding early

Care fees can vary depending on the level of support needed, so it is important to understand costs from the beginning.

Speak to your GP or contact the adult social care team at your local council to arrange a ‘care needs assessment’, which can help determine whether funding support is available. Even if care is privately funded, understanding options early helps families plan with confidence.

Ask homes to explain clearly:

• What is included in weekly fees?
• Whether additional costs may apply?
• How fees are reviewed over time?

Transparency at this stage helps avoid stress later.

3. Look beyond facilities and ask about daily life

A beautiful building and luxury facilities matter, but daily life matters more.

It’s important to remember when researching homes, to look for signs of a place where people are living well, not simply being looked after. Ask questions such as:

• What does a typical day look like?
• Are activities adapted for different abilities?
• Can residents choose how they spend their time?
• How are quieter residents supported?

Life does not stop when someone moves into a care home. The right environment should support independence, reablement or recovery, purpose and connection.

4. Always visit in person (and more than once if possible)

This is the most important step: always visit!

During your visit, notice how the home feels:

• Are residents relaxed and comfortable?
• Do staff know people by name?
• Does the atmosphere feel calm and welcoming?

Try visiting at different times of day if possible. Mealtimes and activity sessions often give a clearer picture of everyday life than a planned tour alone.

Trust your instincts. Families often say they simply “felt right” when they found the right home.

5. Talk to people who live and work there

Some of the most valuable insights come from conversations.

If appropriate, speak with residents or visiting relatives. Ask staff how they get to know each person and how they support changing needs over time.

You might ask:

• How do you support someone who is anxious or unsure at first?
• How do families stay involved?
• What happens if care needs change?

A good home will welcome these questions and answer openly.

Choosing with confidence

Care homes today are changing. Families increasingly look for places that offer community, meaningful activity and continuity of care alongside professional support.

Taking time to research, ask questions and visit in person helps ensure you choose somewhere that feels safe, supportive and genuinely homely.

Many families who plan ahead tell us the greatest comfort comes from knowing their loved one has already found somewhere that feels right, long before care becomes urgent.

If you are beginning your search and would like to see how life feels in one of our homes, we would be delighted to welcome you for a visit and an informal conversation with our team.

Whether you are exploring residential care or simply looking for additional daytime support, our team is always happy to talk through the options and help you decide what feels right for your family.

Call 01242 303220 or email annette.wyndham-wade@lilianfaithfull.co.uk to find out more.