Ask the same core questions at every California care home so you can compare real differences instead of relying on first impressions. Focus on whether the home can safely meet the person’s daily needs, who will provide the care, what the complete price includes, and how the home communicates when needs change.
Download the printable California Care Home Tour and Comparison Worksheet →
Before the tour
- Write down current help needed with bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, eating, medication, mobility, nighttime supervision, and memory.
- Bring a current medication list and a short summary of diagnoses and routines.
- Confirm the home has an appropriate opening and can evaluate the person’s needs.
- Check the home in the official California facility search.
Care and staffing questions
- Who is in the home during the day, evening, and overnight?
- How does a resident call for help, and how quickly is help usually available?
- Which needs can you support today? Which needs would require a move?
- How do you handle falls, sudden illness, behavioral changes, or a trip to the hospital?
- How are care changes documented and shared with families?
- How do you cover staff absences?
Medication and health questions
- How is medication assistance organized and documented?
- Which pharmacy must or may the resident use?
- How are medication changes received and confirmed?
- Who contacts the physician or family when there is a concern?
- Can the home support diabetes, oxygen, injections, wound care, or other health needs, and who performs those services?
- If hospice may be needed, does the facility have the required approval and experience coordinating with a licensed hospice agency?
Dementia and nighttime questions
- What dementia training do staff receive?
- How do you respond to wandering, exit-seeking, agitation, or sleep disruption?
- What safety systems are used at doors and outdoors?
- How many residents need hands-on help overnight?
- What would cause you to determine the home can no longer meet a resident’s needs?
Daily life questions
- What time are meals, and how are preferences or special diets handled?
- What does a normal weekday and weekend look like?
- How are activities adjusted for different abilities?
- Can residents choose their wake time, bedtime, clothing, visitors, and daily routine?
- How often are laundry and housekeeping completed?
- How are appointments and transportation arranged?
Cost and agreement questions
- What is the base monthly rate?
- Which services, supplies, or care levels cost extra?
- Is there a community, admission, assessment, or move-in fee?
- How and when can the monthly rate increase?
- What deposit is required, and when is it refundable?
- What notice is required to move out?
- What happens to charges during hospitalization or a temporary absence?
- May we take home a sample admission agreement before deciding?
Family communication questions
- Who is the main family contact?
- What events trigger an immediate call?
- How often do you review care needs and pricing?
- How are concerns or complaints handled?
- How can a resident or family contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman?
What to observe
Notice whether staff address residents respectfully, whether residents appear comfortable, how quickly requests receive attention, whether exits and bathrooms appear safe, and whether the environment feels calm and clean. Ask permission before speaking with residents or families. A staged tour route should not be the only part of the home you see.
After the tour
Write notes immediately. Separate confirmed facts from impressions and unanswered questions. Verify anything important in writing, compare the complete expected monthly cost, and review the admission agreement before paying or signing.
Residents retain rights to dignity, privacy, information, choices, visitors, and complaints without retaliation. The California Long-Term Care Ombudsman hotline is 800-231-4024.
Return to the complete California comparison process →
Compare California care-home costs and fees →
This guide is educational and does not replace medical, legal, financial, or licensing advice. Services, staffing, pricing, and availability can change. Sources reviewed September 2026.