Types of Care
Care at home
If someone wishes to stay in their own home, some changes may be necessary to allow this
They may include:
- adapting a home, or
- moving to a more suitable property.
If staying in their own home isn’t possible other options may include:
- living with family or moving nearer to supportive relatives,
- moving to sheltered, retirement, extra care or assisted living housing, or
- moving to a care or nursing home.
In addition to arranging care and support services, the local authority may also be able to help with minor adaptations to a property, provide aids, or organise an occupational therapy assessment or a means-tested grant.
Extra care/assisted care/supported living/care villages
These supportive or sheltered homes promote independent living. They can provide varying care and support services and may be privately rented, shared ownership, owned properties or have a social landlord. They can be in a variety of settings including a family home, such as in the case of a shared lives scheme.
Residential care homes
If more help is needed with day-to-day care, these homes have care assistants but don’t provide health/ nursing care.
Currently, the average cost of a residential care home is £672 per week1. However, the cost varies hugely across the country, between care homes, and depends on the level of care required.
Care homes with nursing
If someone has needs that include a medical element, then a home with registered nursing staff may be required. A nursing home often has a higher staff to resident ratio and may be a more suitable option for those with greater needs.
Currently, the average cost of a care home with nursing care is £937 per week1. Again, this cost varies hugely across the country, between care homes, and depends on the level of care required.
Specialist homes
Many care homes provide specialist support for specific conditions.
EMI is the abbreviation for Elderly Mentally Infirm. Homes with this status provide a more specialist care provision in a secure environment which may be necessary for some residents with dementia type behaviours/needs.
Other care homes specialise in rehabilitation or supporting particular illnesses or disabilities, including neurological conditions such as acquired brain injury (ABI) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
It may also be possible to find a home for a specific group of people. For example, there are Royal British Legion care homes for serving and ex-service people and their dependants.
Temporary/respite care
A temporary stay in a care home for a short period may give a carer a break, and/or help a person recover after an illness or following a hospital discharge. If you think someone, or a carer, would benefit from having some respite care, ask your local authority for a care needs/carers assessment.
