Care and support
To help you navigate your care journey we've pulled together an overview of the different types of care and financial support available. We also have our Care Costs Calculator, which can help you work out how much it might all cost.
Choose from a variety of care options
If you need care and support at home, a good first step is to ask your local authority for a free care assessment. They’ll look at your care needs and finances to see what level of support you need and how it could be paid for.
Even if you’re planning to pay for care yourself, it can still be very useful because it’ll help you decide what care is best for you.
Having experienced carers visit regularly or stay with you is a good way to get support while keeping your independence. Whether it’s help preparing meals, taking medication or just washing and getting dressed, you’ll be cared for where you’re most comfortable.
Visiting care
You can arrange for carers to drop by your home regularly through a care agency. When you first get in touch, they’ll meet with you to get to know your needs and set out a care plan that’s right for you.
Live-in Care
If you need support throughout the day and night but don’t want to move into a care home, live-in care could be a good choice. If you have a spare bedroom, a trained carer can live with you and be on hand. But it can be expensive, with fees often more than £1,000 per week.
If you’re looking more for domestic help around the home and don’t need a personal care specialist, a live-in Personal Assistant could be a more affordable option.
Care homes
If you need support 24 hours a day, it’s worth thinking about a residential care home. Moving into one can be a big upheaval but for many, it’s a positive choice. It’ll give you a bedroom of your own, regular meals and shared areas for socialising.
Nursing homes
If you have medical needs, a nursing home will offer the same services as a residential care home but with extra support from on-site registered nurses.
Temporary or intermediate care
Sometimes, short-term support is all you need. It’s called respite care. After a stay in hospital, spending a few weeks in a care home can help you to recover before you go home. Or it can give any unpaid carers who support you a short, restful break.
Intermediate NHS care
If you’ve recently had a stay in hospital, the NHS or your local authority may offer you temporary care to help you get back on your feet at home or in a care home. It’s free and usually lasts for up to six weeks. It can make a return to hospital less likely, and help you rebuild your confidence and readiness to live independently again.
Housing with on-site care
Designed to keep you living independently with extra support on hand if you need it, Retirement Villages offer specialist housing with care available on site. Housing with care is a good alternative to a care home for people who just need a helping hand to keep an independent lifestyle.
Checking care providers
Checking care providers
All UK personal care providers must register with their national care regulator. They must follow a strict code of conduct and have regular inspections of their service. Each UK regulator has a website where you can check individual care providers and see their latest inspection reports.
England – Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Wales – Care Inspectorate Wales
Scotland – Care Inspectorate
Northern Ireland – Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
Care home and in-home care costs
Many people needing care find they’ll have to cover some or all of the costs themselves, which can be daunting. Thinking them through in advance will help you choose your next steps carefully. That can even stop you having to move to a new care provider later on if your care needs change.
In-home care costs
The United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) calculated a minimum price for homecare of £28.53 per hour. It covers the UK Living Wage for careworkers, and includes their travel time, mileage and wage-related costs. The rate also includes a minimum payment towards running a care business at a financially sustainable level.
Care home costs
Care home fees can be significant, though they will vary depending on where you live and what your needs are. In many homes you can expect to pay more than £1,000 per week, in fact the average weekly cost for a private payer in a residential care home is approximately £1,100 per week. This average increases to over £1,400 where nursing care is required.