The choice of care home will depend on the persons care needs. If they are mobile but require help with personal care such as dressing and bathing a residential care home may be suitable. If they have difficulties with walking or self care and require nursing assistance for part of their daily care a nursing care home would be more suitable.

Some care homes have both residential care for more able people and nursing care for more disabled so that if the persons health is likely to deteriorate they can stay within the same care home. Some care homes specialise in dementia care or for people with physical disability or high nursing needs such as continuous oxygen.

Your social work department should have a list of all the care homes in your local area. Some care homes are social work funded and others will be more expensive requiring a top up in funds by the person themselves or from you or the family. If social work funding is required it will be needs assessed but this could be up to a maximum payment. Social work department can help you to clarify the level of care need and which care homes can meet that need. They should have information about waiting lists and vacancies. They may also be able to arrange a trial stay so the person will have a more realistic chance to decide if a specific care home is right for them.

If you are self funding the care home you can make the arrangements with the care home directly with or without advice from social work department. Even so it is advisable to get as much information and advice as you can.

Choices are more limited if the person is under 65. Some larger care homes have accommodation for younger  residents. Usually all but the most physically disabled are cared for at home for as long as possible before care homes are considered.

For more information please also see Topic 5: Money and benefits > Money rules for residential or nursing home care on this website.