How to choose care
The kinds of care there are, what to think about, and who can help.
Choosing care is hard, and it is often needed at short notice. This page is general information, not advice. For help that fits your situation, talk to your local council or one of the organisations at the end of this page.
When you are ready to look, search for care services near you.
The kinds of care
- Care home (without nursing). A place to live, with meals and help with things like washing, dressing and taking medicines.
- Care home with nursing. The same, with qualified nurses on hand for people who have medical needs.
- . Care workers visit you at home, from one short visit to several each day.
- Supported living. Your own home, with support from staff to live as independently as you can. Often for adults with a learning disability, autism or mental health needs.
- Extra care housing. Your own flat in a building with care staff on site, so help is there when you need it.
- Shared Lives. You live with, or spend time with, a trained and approved person or family in their home.
Things to think about
- What help is needed day to day, and what might be needed in a year or two.
- How close it is to family and friends who will visit.
- The regulator’s rating, and how old it is. Our guide to the ratings explains what they mean.
- Cost, and whether the council or the NHS can help pay. We do not show prices, because there is no reliable official source for them.
Questions to ask
- Can I visit, and can I come at a different time?
- How many staff are on duty during the day and at night?
- How do you decide what care each person gets?
- What happens if needs change? Can the person stay?
- What is included in the fees, and what costs extra?
- Can I see the latest inspection report, and what has changed since?
Who can help
These organisations are independent of Care Comparison. They are not connected to us.