Starts by considering options other than care homes, then helps you think about whether you need personal care or nursing care as well as considering the different types of care homes available and how to choose a care home. It includes information about what to do if you decide to move into a care home and the rights of care home residents.

This page links to information about how to find a care home that is right for you and paying for care. (Content applies to England only)

Links to information about finding a care home, care home checklist, temporary care and permanent residential care. (Content applies to Wales only)

Covers issues to think about if you may go to live in a care home. Links to factsheets which look at different types of homes, and how to find a suitable home.

Information about the financial help that may be available from the local authority for people aged 60 and over needing care in a care home (nursing home).

Paying for residential care in a care home is expensive. There is some help available to meet the cost, but the care system can - unfortunately - be complicated and difficult to find your way through. Some older people may be eligible for financial help from your local authority or, in certain circumstances, from the NHS.

Information explaining how the local authority decides the care fees you should pay, how the value of your home is taken into account in their assessment, when your home won’t be counted, what happens if you jointly own your home and your options if you don’t want to sell your home to pay for care.

Links to a factsheet that explains how being part of a couple can affect a care home resident being allowed local authority assistance with care home fees, and both partners’ qualification for welfare benefits during the period in care. (Content applies to England only)

Paying for a place in a care home can be complicated. This factsheet explains how the system works, whether you’re paying for your own place or eligible for financial help from your local council.

You can download a factsheet from this page that looks at the rules for deprivation of assets (the reduction of your assets by spending, gifts, certain investments etc) in the local authority means test for care home provision.

This factsheet explains how the local authority charging rules for a temporary stay in a care home differ from those for permanent care. (Content applies to England only)

This factsheet looks at how your discharge following NHS treatment should be managed so that you don’t stay in hospital longer than necessary and receive the help you need in the most appropriate place. (Content applies to England only)

Most people have to pay something towards the care they receive. But some people with ongoing significant health needs can get their care paid for through a scheme called NHS continuing healthcare.

This factsheet explains when it is the duty of the NHS to pay for your social care. It covers what NHS Continuing Healthcare is, who is eligible, how the assessment process works and what you can do if you are unhappy with the outcome of an assessment. (Content applies to England only)

Continuing NHS Healthcare is a package of care provided by the NHS for individuals with complex and primarily health-based needs. There are links on the right hand side of this page to a leaflet and three Easy-read guides that explain continuing NHS healthcare.

The Care Quality Commission monitors, inspects and regulates health and social services in England to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. They publish what they find, including performance ratings to help people choose care. You can find independent reports and quality ratings on local care homes, home care and other registered services, plus address and contact details, to help you make the right choice.

Information on how to make a complaint about NHS treatment or social care services provided by a local authority or private care provider, including details of organisations which can help. (Content applies to England)

Links to sections giving information about many aspects of caring for a person with dementia. Includes sections on the respite care services available in England and in Wales, and how to arrange and pay for them.