A guide for families
How to choose a care home: a calm guide for families
It's one of the most important decisions a family makes. This guide takes you through it step by step, without rush or jargon.
1. Start with a conversation
Whenever possible, decide together with the person it concerns. Ask what worries them, what matters most and how they picture an ordinary day. Feeling involved makes the move much easier.
2. Name the needs
Write down where your loved one needs help. It makes talking to homes easier.
- Moving, getting up, bathing and dressing.
- Medication, dressings, chronic illness, need for a nurse.
- Memory and orientation: are they safe alone?
- Company, activities, contact with family and friends.
3. Choose the type of care
Not every situation needs a permanent move. Day care, assisted living or a short respite stay may work for a long time. When round-the-clock help is needed, consider residential care, and nursing care for medical needs.
4. Understand the formalities
A social welfare home (DPS) place is arranged through the social welfare centre (MOPS or GOPS) at the person's request. The resident pays up to 70% of their income.
A care and treatment facility (ZOL) needs a doctor's referral. Medical care is NFZ-funded and the patient pays up to 70% of income for the stay.
Private homes work on a contract and their own prices. A private 24-hour care home must hold a permit from the province governor, ask about it and read the contract before signing.
5. Visit the home
See the rooms, corridors and garden. Notice the smell, light, calm, and how staff speak to residents. Ideally visit twice, at different times of day.
6. Give yourself time
Compare two or three homes. If possible, start with a short stay. After the move, visit often in the first weeks, it's a time of settling in for everyone.
Confirm services, current prices and availability with the facility before making a decision.
Ready to start looking?
Choose a town or province and see care homes nearby. Or describe the needs and matching homes will reply.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a DPS (public social welfare home) and a private care home?
A social welfare home (DPS) is run by local government or by an organisation on its behalf. A referral comes from the local social welfare centre (MOPS or GOPS) at the person's request. The resident pays up to 70% of their income; family or the municipality may cover the rest.
A private care home works on a contract with its own prices. A private 24-hour care home must hold a permit from the province governor (wojewoda) and appear in their register, it's worth asking about.
What is a ZOL (care and treatment facility)?
A ZOL (zakład opiekuńczo-leczniczy) provides 24-hour medical care for people who no longer need hospital treatment but still need constant nursing. A doctor issues the referral and needs are assessed with tools such as the Barthel scale.
Medical care is funded by the NFZ. The patient pays for food and accommodation, up to 70% of their income. Confirm details with the NFZ or the facility.
How much does a care home cost?
Each home sets its own prices, depending on the region, room type and level of care. We don't publish figures we cannot verify, always ask the home for the current fee and what it includes.