Q11. Are there alternatives to a care home?

A11. Yes. There are other options which include:

• Care at home: a range of services which are designed to help you remain independent and stay in your own home.
• Retirement housing: purpose built apartments or flats for older people. They enable the residents to remain independent but help is available if needed.
• Sheltered accommodation: a series of specially designed accommodation (e.g. bungalows, flats etc) which residents can buy or rent. They encourage independence but have a warden on hand if need be.
• Assisted living: similar to sheltered accommodation but with a higher level of care. Often situated within the grounds of a care home.

More information about these can be found in our other options to a care home section.

FAQS Index : A guide to Elderly Care

FAQs Intro

1. Is there more than one type of care home?
2. Which type of care home is right for me?
3. My mother has Alzheimer’s disease and requires care; how do I go about arranging this?
4. How much does a care home cost?
5. Why are care home fees so expensive?
6. Will I have to pay for all of my care home fees?
7. Will I have to sell my house to pay for my nursing home fees?
8. Can I get help towards the cost of my care?

9. What is a ‘needs assessment?’
10. I am not happy with the standard of care at my father’s care home; how do I make a complaint?
11. Are there alternatives to a care home?
12. How do I go about arranging help at home for my parents?
13. I want to stay in my own home but am finding it difficult to manage: can I get any help with this?
14. What is ‘sheltered accommodation'?
15. What is ‘assisted living?’