Residential and Nursing Home Care

If you are thinking of moving to a care home

Before you decide to move to a care home, it is worth thinking about other solutions to your needs, such as:

• Care support in your current home.
• Equipment to help you live safely and independently at home.
• Adapting your home to make things easier for you
• Accommodation with a warden to offer support.
• Extra Care Housing where qualified care staff may give support at any time of the day or night.

Types of care home

Care homes provide care if you are not able to live at home. Staff may help you get in and out of bed, wash, dress and go to the toilet. Your meals will be provided. There may be social activities you can join in.

Care homes with nursing also offer these services, as well as care from a qualified nurse.

Dual registered homes offer both types of care. If you move to this type of home, you may not need to move again if your needs increase. Couples with different levels of need can also be accommodated in this type of home.

Choosing a care home

Deciding where to live is a personal choice. Make sure you choose a home that meets your needs and where you will enjoy living. Age UK Care Home Checklist| and Alzheimer's Society Guide to Selecting a Care Home| provide helpful hints and tips on what to consider, the kind of questions to ask, and what to look for when you are selecting a care home.  

Care homes are registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission.| They publish reports on their inspections. You can use these to find more about homes you are considering.

Funding your stay in a care home

Social care is not free to everyone. You may be eligible for help toward the cost. This depends on your income, savings and capital assets. You can find more by reading our information on paying for care in a care home| and paying for your own care in a residential or nursing home.|