Questions to ask when visiting a care home in Derby

Visiting a care home is the best way to find out whether it is right for your mum or dad, but it is easy to leave with a brochure and very little real information. Families often visit several homes in a week, sometimes while a parent is still in hospital, and the conversations blur together.

As Registered Manager at The Firs in Breaston, I show families around most weeks. The questions below are the ones that tell you the most, grouped by theme. For each one I have explained why it matters and what a good answer sounds like, and where it helps I have said how we do things here. Take the printable checklist at the end with you to every home you visit in Derby, Long Eaton or further afield.

Dining room at The Firs with tables by the bay window and a carved fireplace

Care and staff

1. How do you decide whether you can meet my parent’s needs? Why it matters: a home should assess your parent before offering a place, not after they arrive. A good answer describes a pre-admission assessment that involves your parent, your family and any hospital or social work records. The Firs is a residential care home, not a nursing home, so we will tell you honestly if someone needs nursing care that we cannot provide.

2. How many staff are on duty during the day and at night? Why it matters: staffing levels shape everything from mealtimes to how quickly a call bell is answered. A good answer gives you numbers for day and night shifts, and explains how cover works when someone is off sick.

3. What training do your staff have? Why it matters: training tells you how the home handles moving and handling, medication and dementia. A good answer is specific. At The Firs our team includes Dementia Champions, and staff complete experiential dementia training that helps them understand how the world can feel to a person living with dementia.

4. How is the care plan written, and how often is it reviewed? Why it matters: the care plan is the record of how your parent likes to be supported. A good answer explains that the plan is written with your parent and family, and is reviewed regularly and whenever needs change.

5. How do you arrange GP visits, medication and other health appointments? Why it matters: many people move into care after a change in their health. At The Firs a GP holds a weekly ward round at the home, and district nurses, chiropodists, audiologists and speech and language therapists visit as needed.

Dementia

6. How do you support someone who becomes confused or distressed? Why it matters: this is where training shows. A good answer talks about getting to know the person, their history and routines, rather than relying on a set response.

7. Can you care for people at every stage of dementia? Why it matters: moving again later can be unsettling. The Firs is registered to care for people living with mild, moderate and advanced dementia, in residential care.

8. How is the building made safe and easy to find your way around? Why it matters: layout, signage and access to outside space help people stay independent. Our house was built in 1908 and has three floors with a stairlift, a garden, and was refurbished in 2025.

Daily life and food

9. What does a typical day look like, and can residents choose their own routine? Why it matters: a home that fits its routine around residents feels very different from one that runs to a timetable. A good answer includes getting up and going to bed when a person chooses.

10. What are the meals like, and can you cater for preferences? Why it matters: food matters to wellbeing and to appetite. At The Firs three home-cooked meals a day are included in the fee. Ask to see a menu and, if you can, visit at a mealtime.

11. What activities are there, and who organises them? Why it matters: a named person usually means activities happen. Our Activities Coordinator, Amelia, posts a weekly planner on Facebook. In September 2026 residents enjoyed a Wizard of Oz afternoon, an Oktoberfest hat-making session and a visit from singer Aimee Swann. Park walks, pet therapy and birthday celebrations are part of life here too.

12. Can my parent bring their own furniture and belongings? Why it matters: familiar things help a room feel like home. A good answer is a clear yes, with any safety limits explained. At The Firs, residents are welcome to bring their own furniture and belongings to make their room feel like home.

Visiting and families

13. When can we visit? Why it matters: open visiting lets families keep their own routines. Visiting at The Firs is from 9am to 10pm every day.

14. How will you keep us updated? Why it matters: you need to know who to call and how you will hear about changes. A good answer names a contact and explains when families are told about falls, illness or changes to care.

15. How do you handle concerns and complaints? Why it matters: every home should welcome feedback. A good answer describes a written complaints procedure and who deals with concerns, and shows you it is easy to raise things informally too.

Fees and funding

16. What is included in the fee, and what costs extra? Why it matters: homes include different things. At The Firs the fee includes accommodation and utilities, three home-cooked meals a day, activities, laundry, weekly hairdressing and 24-hour care. Private transport and specialist equipment are extras. Our fees start from £1,200 a week and are published in full on our care home fees page.

17. Which types of funding do you accept? Why it matters: you need to know the home will accept your parent’s funding now and later. The Firs accepts self-funding residents, local authority funding from Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council (with or without a top-up) and NHS Continuing Healthcare. Our fees page also explains deferred payment agreements.

18. How and when do fees change? Why it matters: you need to budget. A good answer explains when fees are reviewed and how much notice you will be given.

Contracts and notice

19. Can I take the contract away to read before we agree? Why it matters: a contract sets out notice periods, deposits and what happens to fees if a resident goes into hospital or dies. A good home will give you a copy to read in your own time.

20. Can my parent try a short stay first? Why it matters: a respite stay lets your parent get to know the home before a permanent decision. The Firs offers respite as well as permanent stays, and rooms are sometimes available at short notice. One recent Google reviewer described a respite stay with us that turned into a permanent move.

Your printable checklist

Print this section and take it with you. Alongside the answers, notice how the home feels.

Were you greeted warmly and shown around without being rushed?
Did staff talk to residents by name and at their level?
Were residents occupied, chatting or settled, rather than left alone?
Did the home smell fresh and look clean?
Could you picture your parent in the room and the lounges?
Did you get clear answers on staffing, dementia care and GP visits?
Were you told exactly what the fee includes and where fees are published?
Were you offered a copy of the contract to read?
Were you invited to come back, stay for a meal or arrange a respite stay?

Arrange a visit to The Firs

The Firs is a family-run residential home in Breaston, a village between Derby and Long Eaton, and has cared for local families for more than 30 years. Families rate us 9.7 out of 10 on carehome.co.uk. Bring this list, ask us anything, and stay for a cup of tea. Call 01332 872535 or email director@thefirsderby.co.uk to arrange a time, or read our guide to visiting a care home before you come.

You may also find these pages helpful:

Frequently asked questions

What should I ask about care home fees during a visit?

Start by asking exactly what the weekly fee includes and what is charged as an extra. Then check which types of funding the home accepts and whether a top-up is needed alongside council funding. It also helps to ask how often fees are reviewed and what happens to fees if your parent goes into hospital. At The Firs the fee includes accommodation, utilities, three home-cooked meals a day, activities, laundry, weekly hairdressing and 24-hour care, and our fees start from £1,200 a week and are published in full on our care home fees page.

What questions should I ask a care home manager?

The manager is the right person to ask how the home decides whether it can meet your parent’s needs, and how many staff are on duty during the day and at night. Ask them too about dementia training and how GP visits and medication are handled. A good manager will answer in detail and will be honest about anything the home cannot provide. At The Firs you will usually meet the Registered Manager, Josie Wilson, when you visit.

How many care homes should I visit before choosing?

There is no set number, but most families find it helps to see at least two or three so they can compare. Use the same questions and checklist at each home so you are comparing like with like. If you can, go back to your preferred home a second time at a different time of day, such as a mealtime or during an activity, to see everyday life.

Can I visit a care home without an appointment?

Many homes are happy for families to call in, but booking means the manager can set time aside to answer your questions properly. At The Firs we are happy to arrange a visit at a time that suits you. Call 01332 872535 or email director@thefirsderby.co.uk. Once your parent lives with us, visiting is from 9am to 10pm every day.

Does The Firs provide nursing care?

No. The Firs is a residential care home. We provide 24-hour personal care and support for older people, people living with dementia and people with mental health conditions. District nurses from the NHS visit residents who need nursing input, and a GP holds a weekly ward round at the home. If your parent needs a nursing home, we will tell you honestly when you visit.