With an ever increasing number of people every year requiring long term care for the first time, residential or nursing homes with round the clock support from caring staff have become the choice of care for many.

The decision to enter care can be an emotive one, as it will usually mean coming to terms with selling the family home and recognition of our own mortality. It is natural therefore that it may be met with a degree of reluctance.

Selecting a Care Home

However once the decision has been made the experience of selecting a suitable home often dispels some of the common misconceptions that have been held about care homes.

The majority of UK homes have traditionally provided excellent care and conditions for residents. With the advent of regulation and agreed minimum care standards which are implemented by the National Care Standards Commission, these homes can now demonstrate that they exceed a benchmark of care to prospective residents and their families.

Today there is a wide variety of choice in the care home sector, and finding one to suit your requirements should be relatively easy. Click here if you would like advice on the sort of questions to ask when selecting a care home.

Once a home has been selected it very quickly becomes a home away from home. Often people in residential care enjoy normal activities and continue to pursue the outside interests and hobbies that they enjoyed whilst living in their own home. With, however, the added benefit of security, the companionship of like-minded residents and 24 hour care.

Private Care Homes

It is a common misconception that private care homes are only available to wealthy individuals.

Those with relatively modest means, with specialist financial and legal advice, can enjoy private care. In actual fact people whose care needs are entirely funded by the government are often able to live in a private home if they wish.

In the UK the majority of care homes, both nursing and residential, are in the private sector and are supplemented by homes owned and operated by Local Authority Social Services Departments and charities etc.

However, it is often difficult to obtain all the facts, figures and information needed to make the right choice about how to pay for care most effectively. The Department of Health recognizes that the options offered by Social Services and Local Authority is limited, and therefore in its guidance notes says, "You are advised to seek independent advice before you finalise your arrangements".