Choosing a Care Home: What Should You Pay Attention To? 10 Important Criteria

The 10 most important criteria when choosing a nursing home are: the institution’s license and inspection status, the adequacy of its nursing-doctor staff, hygiene and physical conditions, a personalized care plan, social-psychological support options, transparent communication with the family, location and ease of access, collaboration with healthcare institutions, the option to visit in advance, and contract transparency. Each of these criteria directly affects both the physical safety and quality of life of your loved one; this is why it’s important not to rush the decision and to see as many institutions in person as possible.

Why Does Choosing the Right Nursing Home Matter So Much?

The decision to place a family elder in a nursing home or care home is a challenging process for most families, both emotionally and practically. Behind this decision usually lies insufficient care at home, a health condition requiring expert monitoring, or safety concerns. Choosing the wrong institution — due to inadequate hygiene, indifferent staff or an unsupervised environment — can both deepen health problems and create a feeling of distrust and regret within the family. This is why systematically evaluating the following 10 criteria during the selection process helps you make the right decision for both your loved one and your family.

10 Criteria to Pay Attention to When Choosing a Nursing Home

1. License and Inspection Status

A nursing home having a license in accordance with relevant legislation and undergoing regular inspections is the most basic point of assurance. In institutions operating without a license or inspection, neither hygiene nor care standards are guaranteed. Don’t hesitate to ask directly about license status in your first meeting with the institution; a transparent institution won’t avoid giving a clear answer on this.

2. Expert Nursing and Doctor Staff

Elderly care, especially for individuals with a chronic illness or who need daily medication monitoring, requires medical responsibility. Be sure to find out whether the institution’s staff includes 24/7 accessible nurse support and regular doctor check-ups, and how quickly they can respond in an emergency. At GAYA Huzurevi, this monitoring is carried out uninterrupted by our nursing and doctor staff.

3. Hygiene and Physical Conditions

The cleanliness of shared areas, rooms and especially areas like the toilet/bathroom directly affects infection risk. When visiting the institution, pay attention not only to visible cleanliness but also to ventilation, lighting and the general care routine. If possible, request an unannounced visit to see the institution’s daily routine as it really is.

4. A Personalized Care Plan

Every elderly individual’s needs are different; the care plan for someone with Alzheimer’s cannot be the same as for someone who needs physical rehabilitation. Ask whether the institution conducts an individual assessment before move-in, and whether it creates a personalized program based on this assessment. Standard, one-size-fits-all care approaches fall short in the long run.

5. Social and Psychological Support Options

As much as physical care, the elderly individual not becoming disconnected from social life and being psychologically supported is also critical for quality of life. Find out about the institution’s social activity programs, psychological support options, and how it plans time to be spent together with family members.

6. Transparent Communication with the Family

When entrusting your loved one to an institution, being able to maintain continuous and transparent communication with that institution is a great source of peace of mind for families. At GAYA Huzurevi, we can share camera footage with families who request it, maintaining this transparency with regular updates. Be sure to assess how open the institution you choose is on this matter.

7. Location and Ease of Access

A location you can visit frequently keeps the bond between you and your loved one strong. Assessing the public transport connections of the neighborhood where the institution is located, the driving time with your own car, and parking options directly affects how often you’ll visit in the long run.

8. Collaboration with Healthcare Institutions

When an emergency health issue arises, how well the institution collaborates with healthcare facilities in the region determines the speed of response. At GAYA Huzurevi, these collaborations ensure fast referral and escort when necessary.

9. Visit and Trial Options

Don’t decide based only on a website or phone call, without visiting the institution in person before making your decision. If possible, visit more than once, drop by at different times, and look for the opportunity to chat with current residents or families.

10. Pricing and Contract Transparency

What’s included in the monthly fee, what services require additional payment, and having contract terms clearly written down prevents disagreements later on. A transparent institution shares this information without hesitation when you request it.

How Does GAYA Huzurevi Meet These Criteria?

With over 25 years of experience across our branches in Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Izmit and Germany, we put all 10 of the criteria listed above at the center of our institutional operations. With our licensed and inspected structure, our expert nursing-doctor staff, our transparent communication approach with families, and our 13 different services ranging from Alzheimer’s care to palliative care, we’re here so families can make this difficult decision with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What document should I ask for first when choosing a nursing home?

Asking for the institution’s operating license and, if available, its most recent inspection reports is the most basic step of assurance. A licensed and inspected institution won’t hesitate to share this information.

What should I pay attention to when visiting a nursing home?

Alongside general hygiene and physical conditions, observe how staff communicate with residents, the routine of shared areas, and, if possible, the satisfaction of current residents/families. Request an unannounced visit if possible.

What should I pay attention to regarding communication with the family?

Ask whether the institution provides regular updates, how quickly it will inform you in an emergency, and whether it offers transparency options such as camera footage.

Is there a difference between a nursing home and a care home?

In everyday use, these two terms are mostly used interchangeably; we explained the distinction and how GAYA offers both services together in detail in our article on the difference between a nursing home and a care home.