The main types of Care available:

Residential homes

Nursing homes

Dual registered homes

Dementia care

Specialist care

Young physically disabled (YPD)

Respite care

Convalescent or post-operative care

Palliative and terminal care

Residential homes

Residential homes provide accommodation, meals and personal care, such as help with bathing and dressing, for those who are finding it difficult to cope at home, or who need more help than their carers are able to provide. They do not generally provide nursing care for any medical conditions you may have. The minimum age for admission is normally 65, although you should check with individual homes as some may accept younger residents.

Nursing homes

Nursing homes provide accommodation, meals and personal care, but also have qualified nurses in constant attendance. Many also provide more specialist dementia care (also known as EMI, or elderly mentally infirm, see below). A nursing home will generally charge higher fees than a residential home because it offers care by qualified nurses, although the NHS now makes a contribution to nursing care fees (see Paying for care). The minimum age for admission is normally 65, although you should check with individual homes as some may accept younger residents.

Dual registered homes

These offer both residential and nursing care. They may be the right choice if you think the level of care you need may change in the future, or for couples who need different levels of care. Dual registered homes will normally be registered for specific numbers of nursing beds and residential beds, and availability will depend upon the home's assessment of your needs and the availability of an appropriate bed.

Dementia care

The most common mental infirmities in older people are dementia-related conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease. Depending on the level of confusion, care may be available in residential or nursing homes. There are also specialist units offering nursing or residential care with experienced staff and adapted facilities. Discuss your needs with your local home in the first instance, who can give you advice and arrange an assessment if necessary. Dementia care is often referred to as Elderly Mentally Infirm or EMI care.

Specialist care

Some care homes offer specialist care for conditions such as Parkinson's Disease or Huntington's Disease, or for young physically disabled people (see below), with specially trained staff and adapted facilities.

Young Physically Disabled (YPD)

This is residential or nursing care for people with physical disabilities who are unable to live in their own homes. It may be within a care home for older people, a specialist care home for YPD residents, or a unit attached to a care home. Each home will be registered for different age groups, so you should check with the individual home. Please note that 'young' may refer to any age from 18 up to the age of 65, to distinguish it from care for older people, and you should check with your chosen home.

Respite care

This is short term care, perhaps for a week or two, so that carers can have a break or if a carer is unavailable for a while. Some homes will have rooms set aside for respite stays, others will only offer it if there is a room vacant. You may have to pay a higher fee for respite care to cover the additional administration costs of a short stay.

Convalescent or post-operative care

This is short term care for people recovering from illness or an operation. Most nursing homes offer both convalescent and post-operative care, while residential homes will usually only offer convalescent care. As with respite care, additional fees may be charged for these short stays.

Palliative and terminal care

This is active, compassionate care of the chronically and terminally ill, directed towards improving the quality of life. Palliative care particularly focuses on the control of pain and symptoms. These specialist approaches include the individual, the family, carers and friends, and extend to bereavement and grief.

Other options

Retirement housing, assisted living and care at home may also be options to consider if you do not yet need residential care.