Viewing a care home

Within the first few seconds of visiting a care home you’ll probably know whether it feels right.

However, even though first impressions count for a lot, you are choosing somewhere to live – so it’s a good idea to compare several homes. You can use the guidance given in this section and our downloadable checklist to help assess them.

Arranging a visit and who to meet

Most care homes have an open door policy and will be happy for you to visit any time. It’s important, however, to make sure you meet the home manager, so contact the home in advance and make an appointment.

Our online tool has contact details for all our care homes. You can search for a care home by postcode, town, type of care or for a particular care home by name.

Search for a Bupa care home

Assessing a care home

Be sure to spend plenty of time looking round. Take as long as you want and don’t feel you have to cover everything in one visit – you’re making an important decision. Talk to the care home manager, other staff and residents. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

We’ve put together a checklist to help you compare, assess and score the homes you visit - and to help you think about the particular things that are most important to you.

The checklist covers: location, first impressions, facilities, meals, activities, staff and visitors. It also covers some key things you might otherwise forget to ask about, such as waiting lists, extra fees and insurance policies.

Download our care home checklist

Assessing a dementia care home

We have an outstanding reputation for dementia care. With dementia currently affecting one in 20 people aged over 65, we care for more than 6,000 people living with the condition.

Our guide ‘Dementia care’ has details of the care and facilities we offer in our specialist dementia care homes.

More about Bupa dementia care

Free guide: Caring for someone with dementia

We’ve put together a checklist to help you assess our dementia care homes. It will help you to think about the particular things that are most important to you, and about the sorts of questions to ask when visiting a home.

Download our care home checklist

Assessing a care home for a friend or a relative

Sometimes a loved one cannot make decisions for themselves. They may be temporarily confused or depressed, especially if they are living with dementia, or they may be in hospital. It can become your responsibility to choose a care home for them.

This may be a difficult decision, but it is a necessary one - the right care home, with specialist nursing and facilities, will give your relative the best quality of life.

The Relatives' and Residents' Association and The Carers Association both offer independent advice and support, and may be able to help you assess care homes for your relative.

Relatives and Residents’ Association

Carers Association

Download one of our free guides

Help and guidance

We’re experts and we’re here to help you.

For help and guidance on aged care advice, call our contact centre at any time (we’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) on 0800 011 44 04 or fill in our contact form.

Contact us – contact form