How to Choose an Old Age Home
A practical guide and checklist for finding the right care facility. Whether you're comparing old age homes, retirement villages, or frail care - these are the things that matter.
Start with what you need
Before you start comparing facilities, be clear about the level of care needed. This narrows your search significantly:
- Independent but wants community? → Look at retirement villages
- Needs help with daily tasks? → Old age home or assisted living
- Needs 24-hour nursing? → Frail care facility
- Has dementia? → Specialised dementia care
Not sure? Read our guide to types of care for a detailed comparison.
Questions to ask the facility
When you call or visit a facility, ask these questions. The answers will tell you a lot about the quality and suitability of the home:
About care
- •What levels of care do you offer? (independent, assisted, frail, dementia)
- •What's the staff-to-resident ratio?
- •Is a registered nurse on duty 24/7?
- •How do you handle medical emergencies?
- •Can residents stay if their care needs increase, or will they need to move?
- •Do you have experience with [specific condition, e.g., Parkinson's, stroke recovery]?
About daily life
- •Can I see a sample weekly menu?
- •Are special diets accommodated (diabetic, halal, kosher, vegetarian)?
- •What activities and outings are offered?
- •Can residents personalise their rooms?
- •What are visiting hours? Can family visit freely?
- •Is there outdoor space for residents?
About costs & admin
- •What's the monthly fee? What does it include?
- •What's charged extra? (toiletries, outings, physiotherapy, incontinence products)
- •Is there an admission fee or deposit?
- •How much notice is required to leave?
- •Are fees reviewed annually? By how much do they typically increase?
- •Is the facility registered with the Department of Social Development?
What to look for on a visit
Always visit in person if you can. Drop in during meal time or an activity to see the home in action. Look for:
- Cleanliness - are common areas, kitchens, and bathrooms clean and well-maintained?
- Smell - persistent bad odours are a red flag
- Residents - do they look well-cared for? Are they engaged or sitting idle?
- Staff - are they friendly, patient, and respectful with residents?
- Safety - handrails in hallways, non-slip floors, call buttons in rooms
- Security - is the entrance controlled? Is the property fenced?
- Atmosphere - does it feel warm and homely, or cold and institutional?
Red flags
- The facility is reluctant to let you visit or won't let you see all areas
- Staff seem rushed, stressed, or dismissive of residents
- No registered nurse on duty (for old age homes / frail care)
- Not registered with the DSD - all care facilities should be registered
- Vague about fees or unwilling to provide a written breakdown
- Residents appear neglected, unclean, or unhappy
- No emergency procedures or evacuation plan
- Very high staff turnover - ask how long key staff have been there
Practical tips
- Visit at least 3 facilities before deciding - comparison makes differences obvious
- Talk to current residents and their families if you can
- Ask about the waiting list - popular homes often have one
- Consider location: close to family makes regular visits easier
- Ask about the transition process - a good home will ease the person in gradually
- Don't rush. Unless the situation is urgent, take time to find the right fit
Ready to start looking?
Browse our directory of care facilities by area and type. Each listing has contact details so you can call and arrange a visit.
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