Choosing a care home is one of the most important decisions a family will make. At Runwood Homes, we believe great care is about more than a warm welcome – it is about safe, consistent, person-centred support that adapts as needs change. Use this Runwood Homes checklist to compare care home options confidently and understand how our approach aligns with best practice.
1) Clarify Care Needs (for now and the future)
- Level of support: Decide whether residential care is sufficient or if nursing care is required. Ask Runwood Homes about pathways if needs become more complex.
- Specialist support: Many Runwood Homes care homes provide dementia care and rehabilitation services after hospital stays.
- Clinical input: At Runwood Homes, GPs, district nurses and therapists are part of a joined-up approach with clear response protocols when health changes.
2) Location and Accessibility
- Proximity to family and friends: Staying local supports regular visits. Runwood Homes operates more than 59 care homes across the UK, helping loved ones choose a convenient location.
- Transport & parking: Ask your nearest Runwood Homes home about public transport links, accessible entrances and visitor parking.
- Community links: Runwood Homes encourages community involvement such as school visits, music sessions and intergenerational activities.
3) Regulation, Safety and Quality
- CQC ratings: Review the latest inspection for each care home you visit. Runwood Homes can explain actions taken since any inspection to drive continuous improvement.
- Trusted reviews: Read reviews for each of our care homes from our residents’ loved ones on carehome.co.uk.
- Staffing & training: Ask about ratios and training. Runwood Homes invests in dementia training, medication competency and ongoing supervision.
- Continuity of care: Named key workers at Runwood Homes support consistent relationships and communication with families.
4) Environment and Comfort
- First impressions: You should feel relaxed as you enter our care homes. Runwood Homes designs calm, welcoming spaces that feel like home.
- Bedrooms & bathrooms: Runwood Homes offer private en-suite bedrooms that can be personalised with treasured belongings.
- Shared spaces: Expect comfortable lounges, secure gardens and attractive dining rooms. Runwood Homes care homes typically offer quiet spaces as well as sociable areas.
- Accessibility: Look for lifts, handrails, contrast signage and safe outdoor areas; our care homes are designed with accessibility in mind.
5) Daily Life, Wellbeing and Activities
- Individuality: Runwood Homes has a strong focus on celebrating the individuality of every resident, allowing everyone the freedom to indulge in the things that truly bring them joy.
- Activity programme: We provide a full and varied activities programme each day. Activities range from knitting, arts and crafts, bingo and other games to visiting entertainers, pet farms and organised day trips.
- Companionship: We focus on building a welcoming community for all through regular activities and events that ensure no one is left out or isolated. For those who are less able to participate we provide 1:1 activities such as hand massages, hairdressing or reading.
6) Dining and Nutrition
- Menus & choice: Meals at Runwood Homes are freshly prepared on site. Special diets, cultural preferences and modified textures can be catered for, and we work closely with each resident (and also consult family and friends) to find out their likes and dislikes.
- Mealtime experience: When touring a Runwood Homes care home, observe a relaxed dining atmosphere with gentle support and adaptive tableware where needed.
7) Medication and Clinical Oversight
- Safe systems: Runwood Homes follows audited medication processes with teams highly trained to support residents tailored to their individual needs, with medication only being administered by senior care workers.
- Your GP: If your existing GP is relatively local to the home, you can arrange for them to continue to look after you if possible and visit the care home on request. We also have an exclusive arrangement with a GP practice local to each of our homes, ensuring consistency and quality of care.
8) Fees and What is Included
- Transparent pricing: Ask Runwood Homes for a written breakdown of weekly fees and any optional extras (e.g., hairdressing or chiropody).
- Funding routes: Runwood Homes can outline local authority means testing, NHS Continuing Healthcare and point you to independent guidance. Our experienced team is here to guide families through the process and offer support every step of the way.
9) Visiting, communication and family involvement
- Open visiting: We never restrict visiting to specific hours and visitors are welcome at any time; families are welcome to join meals and activities.
- Staying informed: Expect regular updates from Runwood Homes via calls, email and scheduled reviews.
- Your voice: Family feedback feeds directly into service improvements.
10) Transitions, trial stays and moving in
- Trial stays: Runwood Homes offers respite breaks – an ideal way to test comfort and fit before a permanent move.
- Settling-in plan: Ask about the Runwood Homes welcome plan, named key worker introductions and check-ins.
- Continuity after hospital: Runwood Homes coordinates with clinical teams to support safe discharges and smooth transitions.
11) Questions to ask on your Runwood Homes tour
- How will Runwood Homes tailor a day for my loved one?
- What does a ‘great day’ look like here, and how do you measure it?
- Can you share recent family feedback?
- How does Runwood Homes support residents living with dementia?
- If needs increase, can my loved one remain here within the Runwood Homes pathway?
Quick checklist (print or save)
- Care type now & future
- Location
- CQC rating, family reviews, staff training
- Environment, comfort & facilities
- Daily life & activities
- Menus
- Medical oversight
- Fees & communication
- Trial stay & moving-in plan
Why Choose Runwood Homes?
Since 1987, Runwood Homes has supported older people and their families with welcoming residential, dementia, nursing and respite care across the UK. We invite you to visit your nearest Runwood Homes location, meet the team, view sample menus and activity calendars, and discuss a trial stay.
Ready to begin? Contact Runwood Homes today to arrange a tour and use this checklist on your visit. We are here to help you choose the right home – for now and the future, with the reassurance and continuity families expect from Runwood Homes.
