What kind of care?
October 2009
It’s perfectly understandable that most of us want to stay in our own home for as long as we can. But there may come a time when you just can’t cope any longer.
This is when you will need to think about your options, particularly when it comes to finding the care and accommodation that will suit you best.
Domiciliary care
Domiciliary care, also known as homecare, gives you care in your own home, with one or more carers helping you go about your day-to-day life.
Although you still need care, domiciliary care allows you to stay comfortable and independent in your own home while keeping in touch with your local community.
You might need care for half an hour a week or several hours a day. You could need a live-in carer. You may need care on a long-term, temporary or as-and-when basis. Whatever your needs, domiciliary care gives you plenty of flexibility.
Sheltered housing
Also known as retirement housing, sheltered housing is specifically designed to meet the needs of elderly people. It allows you to live independently while still knowing that there is someone there for you in case of emergency.
Most sheltered and retirement housing schemes have a scheme manager or warden and an emergency alarm service. There are often communal facilities such as a lounge, laundry, guest flat and garden. Meals are not normally provided although some schemes have a restaurant or make arrangements for a hot meal.
While you can choose to rent or buy from a wide range of sheltered or retirement homes, they all set a minimum age for residents, which is usually 60.
Care homes
This term covers homes which provide either personal or nursing care.
Care homes may be owned and managed by private individuals, companies, not-for-profit organisations or local authority social services departments.
All care homes must be registered and undergo inspections to make sure they are meeting the required standards of care.
Before committing yourself to taking a place in a particular care home, always read its current inspection report. You can obtain a copy from the care home itself or its local authority.
Care homes generally fall into two categories:
Independent care homes are owned by private individuals or companies. They charge fees for accommodation, but depending on your financial circumstances, your fees may be paid by the local authority.
This category also includes voluntary care homes, which are run by voluntary bodies such as charities or organisations associated with particular trades, professions or religions. They charge fees based on an assessment of your capital and income.
Local authority homes are run by your local authority social services department. Here, your care is funded by your local authority following an assessment of your capital and income.
For more information about your eligibility for local authority funding, read our feature on Funding care fees.
Also see Tools and tips - Planning for your long-term care.
Residential homes
Residential homes come in different sizes and offer you different facilities. But at minimum, they should give you living accommodation and meals along with personal care (like helping you to dress), supervision of your medication, companionship and someone on call at night.
Nursing homes
Not all care homes are registered to provide nursing care. Those that do provide nursing care are still often referred to as nursing homes.
They are increasingly referred to as ‘care homes which provide nursing care’ to differentiate them from homes which are not registered to provide such care (Residential homes).
People diagnosed with dementia may need a care home with an additional category of registration. Homes which provide this specialist care are referred to as “EMI” homes. This stands for “Elderly Mentally Infirm “.
Extra care housing
Also known as assisted living, extra care housing is designed to give you varying levels of care and support. Whether you choose to buy or let, you end up with your own self-contained home and the legal right to occupy it. And because extra care housing is so flexible, you should be able to stay in your property for the rest of your life – whether or not your care needs change.
Throughout your stay, you receive 24-hour support in a safe, comfortable environment that usually offers a restaurant, domestic help, health and fitness facilities and hobby rooms.
Intermediate care
Intermediate care goes beyond the level of care you can expect from your primary care team but it is not as intensive as hospital treatment.
This option usually involves a stay in a care home for short-term therapy or treatment, either following a period in hospital or to prevent you from going into hospital. Bear in mind that intermediate care is subject to time restrictions.
For more on choosing care accommodation, see our checklists in Tools and tips - Questions: Care home.
