How many care homes should I visit before deciding?

There is no set number. Many families find that visiting three to five shortlisted homes gives a useful comparison without becoming overwhelming. What matters most is that you visit enough places to feel confident in the decision.

Should I visit a care home unannounced?

A booked visit gives you time with a manager and a proper look around, while a shorter unannounced visit at a different time of day can help you see day-to-day life. Many families find a mix of both useful.

Can I take someone with me when I visit?

Yes. Taking a family member, friend or advocate can help you remember what you saw, ask questions and compare impressions afterwards.

Can residents keep pets in a care home?

Some homes welcome small pets and others have visiting pets or resident animals, but policies vary. Ask each home directly if this matters to you.

Can couples stay together in a care home?

Some homes offer shared or adjoining rooms for couples, including where partners have different care needs. Availability is limited, so raise this early when enquiring.

How quickly can someone move into a care home?

This depends on room availability, any assessments still needed and the person's circumstances. Some placements happen within days, while others take longer to arrange.

What happens if care needs change after moving in?

Care plans should be reviewed regularly. If needs increase, the home should reassess and discuss whether it can continue to meet them, or help arrange a move if not.

What is the difference between residential and nursing care?

Residential care supports people with personal care and daily living. Nursing care includes support from registered nurses for ongoing medical needs. Our dedicated guide explains the differences in more detail.

How do I check a care home's inspection history?

Care Inspectorate Wales publishes inspection reports for every registered care home in Wales on its website. Read the most recent report and, where possible, previous reports to see how the home has developed over time.

Do I need to involve the local authority?

If any public funding may be needed, a local-authority care and support needs assessment is normally the starting point. Even self-funders can request an assessment and information about local options.

Resources

Choosing a Care Home in Wales

Choosing a care home can feel overwhelming. Whether you are looking for support for yourself or someone close to you, this guide explains what to consider, what questions to ask and how to compare care homes across Wales.

Before you begin

Every person has different care needs. This guide provides general information to help you compare care homes and prepare for visits. It should not replace professional advice from healthcare professionals or your local authority.

Choosing a care home at a glance

Understand the different types of care available
Decide what matters most to you or your loved one
Visit several homes before making a decision
Read Care Inspectorate Wales inspection reports
Ask plenty of practical questions
Compare fees carefully and check what is included
Involve your loved one in the decision wherever possible

When is it time to consider a care home?

There is rarely a single moment when the answer becomes obvious. For many families the question builds up gradually and is prompted by one or more of the following:

Care needs that are increasing beyond what family or home-care visits can manage
Safety concerns, such as frequent falls, leaving the cooker on or wandering
Loneliness or isolation, particularly for someone living alone
Being medically ready for discharge from hospital but unable to return home safely
The progression of dementia or another long-term condition
Exhaustion or ill health among family carers

A care home is one option among several. Home care, sheltered housing, extra-care housing and short-term respite may all be worth exploring first or alongside. A local authority care and support needs assessment can help identify what may suit best.

Understanding different types of care

Care in Wales is offered in several forms. Understanding the differences is a useful starting point.

Residential care

Who it suits: People who need help with daily living but do not require regular nursing.
Typical support: Personal care, meals, laundry, medication support and social activities.
When it may be appropriate: Where support at home is no longer enough but medical care from a nurse is not required.

Nursing care

Who it suits: People with ongoing medical needs that require a registered nurse.
Typical support: Everything residential care offers plus 24-hour nursing input.
When it may be appropriate: For complex or changing health needs, or where nursing tasks are needed on a regular basis.

Dementia care

Who it suits: People living with dementia at any stage.
Typical support: Specially trained staff, dementia-friendly environments and structured routines.
When it may be appropriate: Where memory, orientation or behavioural changes make other settings unsuitable.

Respite care

Who it suits: People whose regular carers need a short break, or someone recovering after illness.
Typical support: Short stays with the same care as a permanent resident.
When it may be appropriate: Planned breaks, emergencies or a trial stay before considering a longer arrangement.

End-of-life care

Who it suits: People approaching the end of life who need comfort-focused care.
Typical support: Symptom management, emotional support and coordination with palliative or hospice teams.
When it may be appropriate: Where the priority is comfort, dignity and support for the person and family.

Supported living

Who it suits: Adults, often younger, who want to live as independently as possible.
Typical support: Tailored support in the person's own tenancy rather than a care-home setting.
When it may be appropriate: Where independence is a priority and care can be arranged around daily life.

For a deeper comparison of the two most common options, see our Residential vs Nursing Homes guide.

Choosing the right location

Location shapes daily life for a resident and how easily family can visit and be involved.

How close is the home to family and close friends?
How easy is it to reach by car, bus or train?
Is there parking for visitors?
Is the home close to a hospital, GP surgery or community services if that matters?
Does the surrounding area feel familiar or welcoming?
Are local shops, parks or places of worship easy to reach for outings?
Can the resident return home for visits if they wish to?

Visiting a care home

A visit tells you more than any brochure. Try to visit at different times of day and trust your general impression as well as the specific details.

What to observe

How staff speak to and about residents
Whether residents look comfortable, clean and well cared for
Cleanliness of communal areas, bathrooms and bedrooms
Any unpleasant or persistent smells
The general atmosphere: calm, busy, welcoming or otherwise
Whether activities are happening and who takes part

Practical things to check

What meals look like and whether choice is offered
Accessibility of corridors, lifts and bathrooms
Fire safety information and clearly marked exits
Access to outdoor space or a garden
Privacy in bedrooms and personal space
Whether residents can personalise their rooms

No care home is perfect. Look for openness about how the home works and how issues are handled, rather than a rehearsed performance.

Questions to ask

Use this checklist during visits or telephone enquiries. The way questions are answered is often as revealing as the answers themselves.

1How are individual care plans created and reviewed?
2What training do care staff receive?
3What are the staffing levels during the day and at night?
4How is medication managed and recorded?
5What activities are offered during a typical week?
6Are visiting hours flexible?
7How is laundry handled and are personal clothes labelled?
8How are meals planned and are special diets catered for?
9How are religious, cultural or language needs supported?
10Are pets allowed to visit or live at the home?
11Is a hairdresser, chiropodist or other visiting service available?
12What are the GP and district nurse arrangements?
13How are hospital admissions and discharges managed?
14How and when are fees reviewed?
15What notice is given of any fee increase?
16What is the notice period if a resident or family wishes to leave?
17Are there any additional charges beyond the weekly fee?
18How are complaints and concerns handled?
19How is family kept informed of day-to-day updates?
20How does the home support end-of-life care if it becomes needed?

Understanding CIW inspection reports

Care Inspectorate Wales, known as CIW, is the independent regulator of care in Wales. It registers and inspects care homes and publishes reports on what it finds.

Reports describe wellbeing, care and support, the environment and leadership
They highlight what the home does well and where improvement is needed
They can help you compare homes and prepare questions to ask
One report is a snapshot in time and should not be viewed in isolation
Reading more than one report can show how a home has responded to previous findings
A report cannot replace visiting the home in person

You can look up any registered service on the Care Inspectorate Wales website. Our directory also links directly to the relevant CIW page from each care home profile.

Comparing care-home fees

Fees vary considerably between homes and depend on care type, location, room size and the individual's needs. When comparing, look beyond the headline weekly figure.

Ask for a written fee schedule and any sample contract
Check exactly what the weekly fee includes
Ask about any additional charges, such as trips, hairdressing or personal items
Check whether deposits or advance payments are required
Understand how and when fees are reviewed and what notice is given
Check what happens during hospital stays or short absences

Funding and paying for care

For a full explanation of the £50,000 capital limit, financial assessments and NHS funding routes in Wales, read our Paying for Care Homes in Wales guide.

Warning signs to look out for

Possible warning signs

High or unexplained staff turnover
Slow, vague or defensive answers to reasonable questions
Residents left alone for long periods with little engagement
Little sign of activities or meaningful daytime routines
Reluctance to show all parts of the home
Unclear or evasive information about fees and charges
Poor cleanliness or lingering unpleasant smells
Concerns or complaints in recent inspection reports that have not been addressed

No single observation proves that a home provides poor care. Look for a pattern and ask questions before drawing conclusions.

Positive signs

A friendly, calm atmosphere on arrival
Residents who look engaged and comfortable
Warm and respectful interactions between staff and residents
Clear, unhurried communication with visitors
Care plans built around the individual
Transparent, written information about fees
Family involvement is welcomed and encouraged
A range of meaningful activities suited to different abilities
Rooms that residents have made their own
Openness about what the home does well and what it is working to improve

Preparing for moving day

Once a home has been chosen, a little preparation can make the move calmer for everyone.

Discuss current medication with the home and ensure a clear handover
Pack enough clothing for a typical week, plus something warm and something smart
Take important documents such as identification and next-of-kin details
Bring familiar belongings, such as photos, small ornaments or a favourite chair if allowed
Label clothing and personal items to help laundry and reduce loss
Agree who from the family will be present on the day, and who to contact if needed
Plan a follow-up visit within the first week to settle in and raise any early questions

Printable checklist

Take this with you when visiting or telephoning care homes. Tick each item as you go.

Before you visit

Read the most recent CIW inspection report
Confirm the home offers the care type you need
Note down the person's key needs and preferences
Prepare a list of questions to ask

During the visit

First impression and atmosphere
Cleanliness of communal areas and bedrooms
Interactions between staff and residents
Activities taking place
Access to outdoor space
Sample meal and mealtime experience
Accessibility of bathrooms and corridors

Ask about

Weekly fee and what it includes
Any additional charges
Fee review process and notice
Staffing at night and at weekends
How care plans are created and reviewed
Visiting arrangements
Complaints procedure

After the visit

Write down your overall impression
Note anything you want to follow up on
Compare with other homes visited
Discuss with family and, wherever possible, your loved one

Frequently asked questions

How many care homes should I visit before deciding?: There is no set number. Many families find that visiting three to five shortlisted homes gives a useful comparison without becoming overwhelming. What matters most is that you visit enough places to feel confident in the decision.
Should I visit a care home unannounced?: A booked visit gives you time with a manager and a proper look around, while a shorter unannounced visit at a different time of day can help you see day-to-day life. Many families find a mix of both useful.
Can I take someone with me when I visit?: Yes. Taking a family member, friend or advocate can help you remember what you saw, ask questions and compare impressions afterwards.
Can residents keep pets in a care home?: Some homes welcome small pets and others have visiting pets or resident animals, but policies vary. Ask each home directly if this matters to you.
Can couples stay together in a care home?: Some homes offer shared or adjoining rooms for couples, including where partners have different care needs. Availability is limited, so raise this early when enquiring.
How quickly can someone move into a care home?: This depends on room availability, any assessments still needed and the person's circumstances. Some placements happen within days, while others take longer to arrange.
What happens if care needs change after moving in?: Care plans should be reviewed regularly. If needs increase, the home should reassess and discuss whether it can continue to meet them, or help arrange a move if not.
What is the difference between residential and nursing care?: Residential care supports people with personal care and daily living. Nursing care includes support from registered nurses for ongoing medical needs. Our dedicated guide explains the differences in more detail.
How do I check a care home's inspection history?: Care Inspectorate Wales publishes inspection reports for every registered care home in Wales on its website. Read the most recent report and, where possible, previous reports to see how the home has developed over time.
Do I need to involve the local authority?: If any public funding may be needed, a local-authority care and support needs assessment is normally the starting point. Even self-funders can request an assessment and information about local options.

Find care homes across Wales

Explore residential, nursing and dementia care homes across Wales. Every listing links to the provider's own contact details and Care Inspectorate Wales inspection report.

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