Care homes
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland
Residential or nursing homes are also known as care homes. This page provides a brief guide if you are considering your care options.
When is a care home appropriate?
You may want to move into a care home if you find it difficult to look after yourself and it is not possible for you to receive the care you need in your own home.
Some care homes just provide personal care. This can include:
- help with washing, bathing and showering
- help to manage continence
- help to take medication.
You will need a care home which also provides nursing care if:
- you are extremely frail
- you are bedridden
- you have a medical condition that requires you to have frequent medical attention from a doctor or a nurse.
Would I have to move into a care home permanently?
Not necessarily. Care homes don't just provide permanent accommodation. Many care homes cater for people who only need to stay temporarily. This could be to:
- allow you to convalesce after an illness
- give you and your carer a rest from each other
- let you try out living in a care home to see how you like it.
I am considering moving to a care home, what do I do first?
If you are considering moving into a care home, you should contact the social services department at your local council. They will carry out an assessment of your needs. You can find contact details for your council's social services department in the Advice services directory or on your council's website.
Social services will suggest the best form of care for you. This could include:
- having care provided in your own home
- moving to a care home for a short period of time
- moving to a care home permanently.
If the social services department suggest that you require care, they will be responsible for arranging and paying for this, but they will also carry out a financial assessment to see if you should contribute to paying for a care home. In most cases you will have to fund your own care if you have capital of more than £22,250 (or £22,000 if you live in Wales). Capital includes: savings, investments and property.
Can I refuse to move into a care home?
You do not have to move into a care home if the social services department suggest it following an assessment. If you are mentally capable of looking after yourself, you can refuse to go into care or refuse to accept care in your home. Your wishes should always be taken into account when any suggestions are made and the final decision should be yours.
Get advice if you think your wishes aren't being taken into account - the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) has further information on advice agencies.
Can I choose which care home I move into?
If you are going to move into a care home, you should be allowed to decide which one, so long as it:
- is suitable for your assessed needs, and
- does not cost much more than the care homes that social services already pay for in your area, and
- is prepared to accept the contract from your social services department
You can find informationfor care homes that suit your needs through Elderly Accommodation Counsel's Housingcare. You can also view the most recent inspection reports for any care home you are considering.
If you want to move outside your local area, your social services department will still have to arrange this for you. If you wish to move to another council's area or to another part of the UK, your social services department can make a special arrangement for you to do so. The social services department that assessed your needs will be responsible for paying for your accommodation wherever you go. (Remember, you may have to make a contribution.)
All rooms in care homes are non-smoking unless they are specially designated smoking rooms.
Where can I find out more about care homes?
- More information about care homes is available from DirectGov.
- More details about finding a care home and what to do if you have any problems regarding a care home are available from Help the Aged or Age Concern.
