If you’ve booked a tour of an aged care home, chances are you’re juggling a lot already. Maybe there’s been a fall. Maybe hospital has said, “It’s not safe to go home.” Maybe you’re just tired, and you’ve reached that point where love also looks like getting more support.

A tour can be strangely emotional. You’re trying to stay logical, but you’re also imagining someone you care about living there. And while staff might be lovely and the rooms might look great, you still have that quiet question running in the background: What is it really like here on an ordinary Tuesday?

These 15 questions will help you cut through the sales talk, compare homes properly, and walk out feeling like you actually learned something.

1) “What does a normal day look like here?”

This one is gold. You’re listening for detail. Not “We have lots of activities”, but what actually happens, hour by hour. People get hungry, tired, bored, anxious. A good home can explain how the day flows.

2) “How do you get to know a new resident properly?”

Not just allergies and medications. Ask how they learn the person’s routines, likes and dislikes, culture, what makes them laugh, what makes them anxious, how they like their tea. Those little things end up being the big things.

3) “How are families involved once someone moves in?”

Some homes keep families in the loop. Others… not so much. Ask how updates work, who your main contact is, and what happens if you have a concern.

4) “Who is on shift, especially at night?”

Daytime can look calm and well-staffed because that’s when tours happen. Ask what staffing looks like on evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. It matters.

5) “Is there always a registered nurse on site?”

Even if everything is fine now, health can change quickly. You want to understand the clinical coverage and what happens when something goes wrong after hours.

6) “What happens if someone has a fall?”

Ask about the process: immediate response, assessment, monitoring, family notification, GP contact, hospital transfer if needed. Clear answers usually mean clear systems.

7) “How do you manage medications safely?”

Medication is a daily reality in aged care. Ask who administers it, how they reduce errors, and how they communicate changes to residents and families.

8) “If someone lives with dementia, how do you support them day-to-day?”

Even if your loved one doesn’t have dementia now, many families want to know the home can support changing needs. Ask about routines, calm spaces, and how they respond to distress.

9) “Can residents choose when they wake up and shower?”

This question tells you a lot about dignity and independence. Some homes run to a strict schedule because it suits the roster. Better homes flex around the person, as much as possible.

10) “Can we see a menu, and how do you handle preferences?”

Food can make or break someone’s wellbeing. Ask how meals are made, whether there are choices, and what they do for special diets, cultural preferences, poor appetite, or swallowing issues.

11) “What do you do if someone starts losing weight?”

You’re looking for a calm, confident answer. Good homes monitor nutrition and hydration and know when to bring in extra support.

12) “What activities are on each week and how do you include quieter people?”

Not everyone loves group activities. Ask what they do for residents who are shy, anxious, grieving, or just prefer one-on-one time.

13) “Can we talk about personal belongings and making the room feel like home?”

This can be surprisingly important. Familiar photos, a favourite chair, the usual quilt. Ask what residents can bring and how the home supports that sense of “my space”.

14) “What costs extra, and what is included?”

Ask for it in writing. Hairdressing, podiatry, transport, toiletries, outings, newspapers. Extras add up, and it’s better to know upfront.

15) “If we choose this home, what happens next?”

Ask about waitlists, timelines, respite options, and the move-in process. A good home will guide you, not pressure you.

What to watch for while you’re there

Sometimes your eyes give you the real answer.

  • Do staff greet residents by name?

  • Are residents engaged, or do they look parked and bored?

  • Are call bells answered quickly?

  • Does it smell clean and pleasant?

  • Do people look comfortable in their own skin?

A simple trick after each tour

Before you get back in the car, write down three things:

  • One thing you loved

  • One thing you’re unsure about

  • One question you forgot to ask

Tours blur together fast. This keeps it real.

If you’re touring aged care homes in Adelaide, add CCH to your shortlist. CCH is known for warm, person-centred support, strong clinical care and a genuine community feel, so older persons can settle in with dignity, comfort and connection. To learn more about what sets CCH apart and explore our residences, visit our Residential Aged Care page here