Having expressed these concerns, it has to be said that there are pockets of exemplary care that are inspirational to visit, and it usually comes down to one thing: good management at the top - a person who just will not allow low standards and inspires his/her staff and makes them feel valued. This is true in may walks of life - schools, hospitals etc.
Arranged inspection visits are a nonsense.
When seeking a place for my demented mother, I was truly appalled at some of the homes - and they calmly showed me the awful things without any concept shame or embarrassment. Such things as: walking into rooms without knocking and ignoring the person in there, ignoring people calling out in distress, filthy soiled pads lying on bedroom floors, revolting decor - torn wallpaper, wet lino etc. - dark corridors with people walking around lost, people sitting around with no shoes on with their feet blue, revolting stench (NOT necessary - the best homes do NOT have this). The people showing us round seemed not to realise that these things were unacceptable. One home manager, when she heard that my Mum tended to wander, said what a shame it was that they were no longer allowed to strap people in their beds, as it had saved a lot of work! - yes, she said this to me openly and in all seriousness - and thought I might wish to send my mother there!!
All the homes I went to for my mother were ones with good inspection reports - heaven knows what the others were like!