How to choose the right care home - everything you need to know

Choosing a care home for yourself or a loved one is a significant decision. But with more than 16,700 care homes in the UK, how do you choose the right one?  

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process, offering practical advice on finding the right fit.

What’s on this page? 

• How long does it take to find a care home?
• What types of care home are there?
• Alternatives to a care home
• Key considerations when choosing a care home
• How CQC ratings work
• What to consider when visiting a care home
• What happens if you receive local authority funding?
• More information on choosing the best care home
• Choosing a care home: Summary

How long does it take to find a care home?

Finding the right care home can take time, so if possible, don’t leave it until it’s an urgent issue. Research by care support website Lottie shows it takes an average of five weeks to find a care home – plus a further two weeks to move in. The most popular care homes may have waiting lists, so some forward planning is very wise.

Although it might feel like a difficult step, it’s worth remembering it can often be positive. “Moving into a home can transform lives,” says Helen Press, senior nurse adviser at not-for-profit care provider MHA. “If someone isn’t coping at home, it can give them the support and community they need to enjoy life again.”

What types of care home are there?

There are different types of care homes, and which is most suitable for you will depend on your needs. Some will focus on one type of care, while others will offer a combination. This can be useful if your needs change.

1. Residential homes

Residential homes are for people who would like some help with personal care such as washing, dressing and meals. Hannah Karim, lead care expert at Lottie, says they can also be a great way to beat loneliness.

“Each home will have a dedicated team of wellbeing and activity coordinators, allowing residents to continue enjoying their hobbies and trying new ones,” she explains.

2. Nursing homes

These provide specialist medical support for individuals with complex care needs or in need of nursing care. A registered nurse is available 24/7 to support residents and ensure they receive appropriate care and treatment.

3. Specialist dementia care homes

These homes have features such as simple layouts to make it easy for residents to find their way, sensory gardens to help stimulate senses, and qualified dementia nurses.

Alternatives to a care home

There are other options if moving into a care home seems a step too far. If you need a little more support around your home, or think you might in the future, extra care housing (also known as assisted living), sheltered housing or retirement housing could be worth considering.

This can be provided by housing associations or local councils, not-for-profit organisations like Anchor and MHA, or private companies like McCarthy Stone.

“It’s a sort of halfway house, giving you your independence but also the peace of mind that support is available if needed,” says David Broome, technical advice support officer at the charity Age UK.

We explain more here about the cost of care and how to plan ahead.

Key considerations when choosing a care home

1. Health and care needs

Your health and care needs are the main factor, so use this to narrow down the type of home to consider.

To help with this, Mel Kenny, a chartered financial planner and a Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) accredited adviser at Radcliffe & Newlands Wealth, recommends you start by contacting your local authority. “Your local authority will carry out a care needs assessment,” he explains.

“This determines the type of care required and ensures the needs of the individual are aligned with the support the care provider can put in place.”

The needs assessment is free, even if you plan to pay for your care privately, and anyone can ask for one.

2. Location

Location is another key issue. You might want to find a home near where you (or the person in question) currently lives, so it’s easier to maintain friendships and community connections. Or it might be preferable to relocate near to family so it’s easy for visits.

3. Cost 

Costs can vary significantly. The average residential care home in England costs £949 a week – equivalent to £49,348 a year, according to February 2024 figures from health market analysts LaingBuisson. An average nursing home costs £1,267 a week, or £65,884 a year. Bear in mind that there have been some inflationary increases since those figures were compiled, and in some parts of the UK the average will be much higher.

 “It varies across the country and is influenced by regional factors such as local living expenses and demand for care services,” says Karim.

How CQC ratings work

The CQC ratings can also help you narrow your search. These are determined by the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of health and social care in England. It inspects care homes in England, sometimes turning up unannounced, giving them a rating (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate) based on factors such as safety, effectiveness, and leadership.

Similar services are available in Scotland through the Care Inspectorate; in Wales through the Care Inspectorate Wales; and through the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland.

These ratings can give a good indication of what you can expect, but Kenny warns against making decisions based solely on them.

“The ratings should give you reassurance of standards but, ultimately, they are a guide. A care home with a good or outstanding grade may not have been inspected for five years, while one with a lower grade may be in the process of making improvements. You do need to make your own call,” he says.

What to consider when visiting a care home

The best way to find the right care home is by visiting them. Press at MHA says it’s like buying a house: “First impressions count,” she says. “Everything from the welcome you receive and how the staff treat the residents to the way it smells should influence your decisions. You might even want to go at short notice or unannounced to get a proper feel for the place.”

It's also worth having some questions ready to check whether the home meets your needs. Age UK’s care homes checklist will ensure every aspect is covered but Age UK’s Broome says that ultimately you need to find out whether you, or your loved one, will fit in. “If you’re a sociable person, ask about the activities that are laid on,” he says. “If you like gardens, make sure you look at the grounds.”

You can also use this visit to find out more about how the home is run.

Questions you may want to ask include:

• How long have the staff been there?
• Does the home cater for different dietary needs?
• What are the visiting hours, and when can you visit?

You should also try to speak to some of the residents and staff to get their thoughts.

What happens if you receive local authority funding

Around 37% of care home residents are self-funders, meaning they pay for it out of their own money. But if you receive funding from your local authority – or think you might in the future – this could affect your choice of care home.

If you do qualify for local authority funding, the authority will take your needs into account, for instance the type of care or location, and should offer you at least one care home that’s within its budget.

If you prefer a more expensive home, Broome says you may have to look at a third-party top up. “This is where a relative or friend pays the difference so you can stay there,” he explains. “We also advise the public to challenge the local authority’s decision if they’re not happy.”

• Read our 4 tips for planning for your future care, including who picks up the bill.

More information on choosing the best care home

There are plenty of valuable information sources if you’re looking for a care home.

As well as getting information on what’s available from your local authority, the CQC has a search facility, allowing you to check out all the care homes, their ratings and inspection reports in your area.

Age UK is another valuable source if you’re looking at care homes. It can guide you through everything from getting a care needs assessment to finding the right home for you.

Similarly, SOLLA can put you in touch with an accredited adviser who has expertise in later life financial matters.

You can also use websites such as Lottie and carehome.co.uk to find out more. They include more information such as fees, reviews and photos.

Local community Facebook groups can sometimes be a useful source of local information. You could post to ask if anyone there as finding a care home and can help you identify which are the best ones in your area (although you should always verify any information you get from social media). It might be worth asking friends and acquaintances if they can make recommendations, too.

Choosing a care home: Summary

• There are three main types of care home – residential, nursing, and specialist dementia care homes.
• Whether or not you’re paying your care fees, get a care needs assessment from your local authority to understand the support you require.
• Health needs, cost and location are the key drivers behind your choice of care home but also factor in personal preferences such as activities, visiting hours and dietary needs.
• Always visit your chosen care homes to get a sense of what they’re really like: arriving unannounced can give you the most revealing insight.