Guides to growing older...

Most people do not plan to move home in later life, and if you are finding it difficult to manage, but would like to stay put, there are ways in which you can make life easier or safer. However if you are considering moving, there are now several types of housing purpose-designed for elderly people. If you feel you need daily care, then there are also choices to make - between care in your home, care in a special housing setting, or moving into a care home. Our guides look at all these options in more detail, and are written by our experinced advice team. For each one we have selected a limited number of factsheets, leaflets and books most likely to give you the information you are looking for.

Staying put, staying at home

Selected guidance on staying in your own home and receiving domestic and home care services. Staying in your own home or moving? Is your present home suitable for you? Could alterations to your home help? What about home care?

Care at home

Many people who find it difficult to manage or who can no longer deal with all their personal care (getting up/going to bed, dressing, bathing, toileting etc), can still remain at home if the right level of care or support can be arranged.

Sheltered housing and sheltered accommodation

Sheltered, retirement or warden-assisted housing are all terms used to describe accommodation provided specifically for elderly people. Schemes usually have the services of a warden or scheme manager, though increasingly this person lives off site, or the service is provided as 'floating support', with periodic visits from a member of staff.

Housing-with-care (extra care housing)

Assisted living, extra care housing or housing-with-care are terms used to described various models of retirement housing for older people who can no longer live completely on their own but do not need 24-hour complex medical supervision.

Close care housing

Close care is a term used to describe various models of elderly people's housing where there is sheltered/retirement accommodation linked to or on the same site as a care home.

Residential care homes

Care homes for personal care, sometimes known as residential homes, are for people who need 24 hour support. Residents have a room, sometimes with their own en suite bathroom, and access to shared facilities.

Nursing homes (Care homes with nursing)

Care homes for nursing care, sometimes known as nursing homes, are mainly for people who need 24 hour support, and regular care tasks carried out or supervised by a qualified nurse. Individuals who need two people to help them transfer, e.g. from bed to chair, or from a chair to the toilet may also need a nursing home because of the higher staffing levels.

Guides to growing older...

Staying put, staying at home

Care at home

Sheltered housing and sheltered accommodation

Housing-with-care (extra care housing)

Close care housing

Residential care homes

Nursing homes (Care homes with nursing)

Retirement villages

Dementia

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