How to Search for a Dementia Care Home in England

When someone you love is living with dementia, there may come a point where the family begins to consider whether a care home could offer the support they need. This is rarely an easy decision. This guide walks through how to search for a dementia care home in England, what to consider, and how to approach the process step by step.

When might residential care be considered?

Every family's situation is different. Some of the circumstances that lead families to explore care homes include increasing care needs that are difficult to manage at home, safety concerns such as wandering or falls, and the physical or emotional exhaustion of family carers. Professional care teams are trained to support people with complex needs around the clock, and there are things a care home can provide — consistent overnight staffing, for example — that are difficult to replicate at home.

You may wish to discuss the situation with your GP, a social worker, or an Admiral Nurse from Dementia UK before making any decisions.

How do you start your search?

Most families find it helpful to use several sources when searching for care homes:

• Care for Dementia directory: search over 20,000 CQC-registered dementia care providers across England by location, postcode, or provider name. You can filter by service type, region, and CQC rating to narrow down care homes in the area you are interested in.
• Care Quality Commission (CQC): the official regulator of care homes in England. You can search by location and see inspection ratings and full reports.
• Your local council: the adult social care team can provide a list of care homes in the area and may suggest homes with availability. Find your council on the GOV.UK website.
• Word of mouth: other families and local dementia support groups, such as those run by the Alzheimer's Society, are often a good source of honest feedback.

What should you look for?

When reviewing potential care homes, families commonly consider these factors:

• CQC rating: a "Good" or "Outstanding" rating is a useful starting point, but it is worth reading the full inspection report for detail, particularly the "Caring" and "Safe" domains. Ratings can be several years old, so check the inspection date.
• Dementia specialism: look for homes that specifically mention dementia support, have dedicated dementia units, or highlight staff training in dementia care.
• Location: being close to family makes it easier to visit regularly, which matters for the resident's routine and for spotting any changes in their care or condition.
• Service type: some homes offer residential care only, while others also provide nursing care. If your family member has health needs requiring regular input from a registered nurse, a nursing or dual-registered home may be more appropriate.
• Fees and funding: understand the fee structure, what is included, and whether the home accepts council-funded residents if relevant.
• Availability: popular homes often have waiting lists, so it may be worth registering your interest early.

How do you create a shortlist?

After your initial research, you may wish to create a shortlist of three to five homes. For each home, note down the CQC rating and inspection date, whether it offers dementia-specific care, the service type (residential, nursing, or both), the weekly fee, and current availability. The Care for Dementia directory can help you gather much of this information quickly, as each listing includes CQC rating, service type, location, and a link to the full CQC report.

Why should you visit in person?

Visiting a care home is one of the most important steps. You may need to visit several homes before finding one that feels right. Look at specific things: are residents dressed and up, or still in nightwear mid-morning? Are staff talking to residents, or mainly to each other? Is there activity happening, or are people sitting in front of a television? You may wish to visit at different times of day if possible, and bring a list of questions. Our companion guide on questions to ask when visiting a care home offers a detailed checklist.

How can you involve the person with dementia?

Wherever possible, the person with dementia should be involved in the decision. This might mean taking them to visit a shortlisted home, explaining the options in simple terms, or asking about their preferences. If the person lacks the mental capacity to make the decision, the family and professionals involved will need to act in their best interests under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

How do you make the final decision?

Most families weigh up trade-offs rather than finding an obvious best choice — one home may have better facilities but be further away, another may have the right specialism but a lower CQC rating. Talking through your impressions with your GP or a dementia adviser can help clarify what matters most. Many care homes offer a trial period, typically two to four weeks, so the person can settle in before a longer-term commitment is made.

Searching for a care home takes time. Waiting lists can be long in some areas, so it is worth starting the process before the need becomes urgent. Ask questions, visit more than once if you can, and talk to other families who have been through the same process.