Care homes provide 24 hour care. Residential care homes have trained staff and a community nurse can visit when needed. Nursing care homes have trained staff including nurses.
Moving into a care home is a big decision. You may not need to move into a care home because we can support you to carry on living in your own home. We can help you live well at home, for example, we can offer home care or special equipment. We can also help you move into supported or sheltered housing.
A care home may be the best choice if you
- can no longer cope in your own home
- need 24 hour care.
Help to move to a care home
You, or someone acting on your behalf, should contact Social Care Direct to arrange for us to assess your needs. If we think a care home is the best option, we will help you to arrange one that is right for you.
Before we can arrange any payment towards the cost of a care home placement we must assess your needs. Any payments towards a care home place can only be made from, or backdated to the date an assessment is completed. It is important you ask for assessment before deciding on moving to a care home.
Choose a care home
After we have assessed your needs, you can choose a care home. You can on the Care Inspectorate website.
The regulates and inspects all care homes. Their reports tell you about the quality of each care home.
You should visit homes and have a look around. You can meet staff and residents and find out about the care provided. gives advice on what to look for when choosing a home.
You can take a virtual tour around some of our care homes.
How much you pay
Care home fees vary widely. Read our detailed information on the cost of care homes.