Types of Care Homes and Care in the Community     

The decision to ask for help or leave your home and go into a residential care home is not an easy one to make. You may be reading this because you or someone you know is finding it hard to cope alone.

It is important to know what help is available, and therefore we have set out below the different types of residential care homes that exist and the help that is on offer to enable people to stay in their own home.

Residential Care Homes

You may choose to go into a care home (sometimes called residential home) if you can no longer manage in your own home. Services you should expect at a care home include:

• meals and accommodation
• help with personal care like bathing and dressing
• staff available 24 hours a day
• physical and emotional care
• care through short illnesses

Nursing Home

If you have a disability or illness that means you need nursing care on a frequent basis then a care home with nursing might be more appropriate. A qualified nurse will be on duty 24 hours a day.
You have the right to choose your care home but it must meet your needs, so if you need a care home with nursing - you may not be able to move into one that cannot provide nursing care.
You may qualify for full NHS funding of your care home. You will have to meet your health authority's criteria. You can ask them for a copy of these.

Specialist Residential Homes

You may choose to move into a care home that provides specialist care for your particular disability or needs. This might include specially trained staff or adapted facilities.
Your local council should have lists of specialist care homes or ones that might offer services appropriate to your needs. Charities can also be very helpful in finding the right care home.

Care in your own home

Known as Care in the Community, this might include:

• Disability equipment and adaptations to your home
• Day centres to give you or the person who cares for you a break
• Help with personal care
• Help with domestic tasks such as housework, cooking and shopping
• Delivery of meals
• Transport to and from doctor and hospital
  

Up to date information for support to stay in your own home

Government website for Health and social Care Assessments

Navigate the Care Homes section pages with the links below:-

Introduction to Care Homes  | Types of Care Homes  | Care Home Criteria | Care Homes - Questions you should ask | Care Homes - Useful Organisations |

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