While many older people prefer to stay at home and live independently for as long as possible, there may come a time when more intensive support is required. Various care options are available, including live-in care services, home care services, or a suitable residential care home.
If intensive support is only needed for a short-term period or as a transition to a long-term arrangement, care homes can also provide respite care.
When Residential Care Homes Are Needed
Residential care homes are often the best option for adults who:
- Have mobility issues that prevent them from moving around the home, getting dressed, or bathing
- Experience continence problems and need assistance using a toilet or commode
- Need help with meal preparation and eating
- Have severe cognitive issues requiring ongoing supervision for their health and safety
- Require regular prompting for meals, medication, or personal hygiene
- Are unable to dress or undress themselves
- Cannot, or do not want to, maintain their home, even with help
- Seek the comfort and company provided by a residential care setting
- Need support throughout the day and overnight”
Types of Care Homes and Housing for Older People
There are various types of care homes and supported housing available in the UK:
Residential Care Homes
Residential care homes offer accommodation for varying numbers of residents, with staff providing assistance with daily activities like personal care, dressing, and eating. These homes may offer furnished or unfurnished rooms, along with meals, housekeeping, and laundry services. Some care homes also have on-site facilities like hairdressers, cafes, and gardens, and often organise entertainment, social, and leisure activities.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide a similar level of care to residential homes but also have qualified nurses on-site, 24/7, to offer medical care as needed. Due to this added support, nursing homes tend to be more expensive than standard care homes.
Supported Housing, Sheltered Housing, and Assisted Living
Supported housing typically offers self-contained flats of varying sizes, along with varying levels of support for meals and personal care. Some facilities have care workers on-site and even a cafeteria. These arrangements often include falls sensors, fall-safe bathrooms, accessible doorways, and living areas, as well as a 24-hour alarm system to ensure residents can call for help when needed.
Accommodation is usually self-contained but complemented by shared areas such as lounges, dining rooms, or gardens. These schemes frequently organise social activities for residents. Supported housing is often available through councils or housing associations, but some private rental options may also exist.
Retirement Villages
In retirement villages, residents typically purchase an apartment within a larger complex, though part-buy and rental options are available. Designed to promote independent living, these properties are built with accessible kitchens and bathrooms and equipped with alarms or fall sensors. Many retirement villages also offer on-site care services and dining options that can be used as needed. Increasingly, these facilities include on-site care homes for seamless transitions if a higher level of care is required.
Day Care Centres
Day care centres offer support during the day, allowing older people to stay in their own homes at night. They can provide respite care for carers and are particularly helpful for individuals needing rehabilitation, those struggling with mental health, or those who are socially isolated. Day care centres may be run by councils, businesses, charities, or volunteers, with qualified staff on hand to assist with rehabilitation, treatment, and social activities. Meals and snacks are often provided.
Hospices
Hospices are increasingly providing care for individuals with various long-term conditions, not just cancer. They offer support to those in their final days or months, with services tailored to specific needs.
Further Reading
Five things to consider when choosing a care home for elderly parents
