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As a nurse I would say knock on the door and look around but, do remember that you may smell something unpleasant that may just have been dealt with and it is only a problem if its a smell that is there all the time (if you know what I mean!). Some patients with colostomies for instance create some awful aromas despite great care! Urine smells are another thing. Concentrated urine smells bad and you get that where the patients are not offered enough to drink. Very rarely this is because people are trying to prevent having to change pads as often but often its just not thought about. With enough fluid a person will pass urine less frequently but at a better volume which means that they get less infections as well as it not smelling as bad. Urine infections are a big risk for elderly as it is! and can be very serious. Look for jugs of water/squash around, look for cleanliness of staff and enough staff that can be understood by elderly people with often poor hearing. I would also say look for happy residents! Just a few thoughts....

Kay (a palliative care nurse)