Care Homes Wales logoCare Homes WalesTrusted Care Home Information Across Wales

Choosing a care home

How to Choose a Care Home in Wales

A practical, step-by-step guide for families and individuals — covering what to look for, key questions to ask, and how to compare care homes across Wales with confidence.

Search care homes Understand care home costs

Step-by-step guide

  1. 1

    Understand the level of care needed

    Speak to the person's GP and request a local authority needs assessment. This will help clarify whether residential, nursing or specialist dementia care is the right fit.

  2. 2

    Decide on location and priorities

    Think about where family and friends can easily visit, and what matters most — gardens, dementia expertise, cultural fit, language preferences, or specific facilities.

  3. 3

    Shortlist suitable homes

    Use our directory to find homes by town, postcode or local authority, then narrow down by the type of care offered.

  4. 4

    Read inspection reports

    Every care home in Wales is inspected by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). Read the latest report to understand strengths, areas for improvement and any enforcement action.

  5. 5

    Arrange visits

    Visit your shortlist in person, ideally more than once. Notice how staff interact with residents, the atmosphere of communal areas and the cleanliness of rooms and bathrooms.

  6. 6

    Compare fees and contracts

    Ask each home for a written breakdown of weekly fees, what's included, what costs extra and how often fees are reviewed. Read the contract carefully before signing.

  7. 7

    Plan the move

    Once you've chosen a home, agree a moving-in date, create a familiar room with personal belongings and plan regular visits to help with the transition.

Understanding care needs

The right care home depends on the type and level of support needed. A local authority needs assessment is free and helps identify whether someone needs help with daily living (residential care), ongoing nursing support (nursing care), or specialist dementia care. Needs can change over time, so look for homes that can adapt or have arrangements with nearby providers.

Residential vs nursing care

  • Residential care: accommodation, meals, help with washing, dressing and medication
  • Nursing care: everything in residential care plus 24-hour care from qualified nurses
  • Choose nursing care if there are complex medical needs such as wound care, tube feeding or end-of-life care
  • Some homes are dual-registered and can provide both as needs change

Residential care homes in Wales → · Nursing homes in Wales →

Dementia care considerations

For people living with dementia, look for homes registered to provide dementia care with staff trained in dementia awareness and positive behaviour support. Practical features to consider:

  • A calm, easy-to-navigate environment with clear signage
  • Secure outdoor space where residents can spend time safely
  • Meaningful activities tailored to cognition and life history
  • Consistent staffing so residents recognise familiar faces
  • Clear communication with family and involvement in care planning

Dementia care homes in Wales →

Visiting a care home

  • Visit more than once and at different times of day, including mealtimes
  • Notice the atmosphere — is it warm, calm and welcoming?
  • Watch how staff interact with residents and respond to call bells
  • Look at communal areas, bedrooms, bathrooms and outdoor spaces
  • Ask to see a sample weekly activity programme and menu
  • Talk to residents and visiting families if you can

Questions to ask staff

  • How are care plans created, reviewed and shared with families?
  • What are the staffing ratios on days, nights and weekends?
  • How long have the manager and senior staff been in post?
  • How do you manage medication and GP/hospital appointments?
  • What activities are offered and how are residents' interests considered?
  • How do you support residents' dignity, privacy and independence?
  • How are concerns and complaints handled?

Understanding inspection reports

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) regulates and inspects care homes in Wales and publishes inspection reports for each registered service. When reading a report, look beyond the headline rating:

  • What did inspectors say about wellbeing, care and support?
  • Are there any recommendations or areas requiring improvement?
  • Has the home responded to previous findings?
  • How recent is the report — and has anything changed since?

Funding considerations

Funding is often a major factor in the decision. Contact your local authority for a needs assessment and financial assessment to understand whether you qualify for support, and consider taking regulated independent financial advice for self-funded care.

Read our full guide to care home costs in Wales →

Frequently asked questions

How do I start looking for a care home in Wales?
Start by understanding the level of care needed — your GP or local authority can help with an assessment. Then shortlist homes by location, type of care and Care Inspectorate Wales reports before arranging visits.
What's the difference between residential and nursing care?
Residential care covers accommodation, meals and personal care. Nursing care additionally provides 24-hour care from qualified nurses for people with more complex medical needs.
How do I know if a care home is good?
Read the latest Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspection report, visit in person at different times of day, talk to staff and residents, and ask detailed questions about care planning, staffing and daily life.
Should I visit more than once?
Yes. Visiting at different times — for example mealtimes, mid-afternoon and early evening — gives a more honest picture of how the home is run and how residents are supported day-to-day.
What if my loved one has dementia?
Look for homes registered to provide dementia care, with trained staff, a secure environment where appropriate, calm communal spaces and activities designed to support cognition and wellbeing.
How much notice do care homes need?
It depends on availability. Some homes have waiting lists; others can accept new residents quickly. Always ask about availability, deposits and notice periods on both sides.

Recommended reading

Start your search for a care home in Wales

Compare residential, nursing and dementia care homes by town, postcode or local authority.

Search care homes