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Here's a breakdown of average care home costs in the UK:

• Residential care: £1,406 per week, £6,093 per month
• Nursing Care: £1,558 per week, £6,751 per month
• Dementia Care: £1,449 per week, £6,279 per month
• Nursing Dementia Care: £1,597 per week, £6,920 per month

Read our full guide to care home costs in the UK.

The NHS will only pay for your care under certain circumstances. If you qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which is a benefits package you may be entitled to if you have a serious disability or illness, you may receive support. Read more in our article about NHS Continuing Healthcare.

Another circumstance is if you qualify for NHS-funded nursing care, which is available if you’re already living in a care home and require nursing care. The NHS will only pay for the nursing care costs. Read more about NHS-funded nursing care here.

A care needs assessment is a free service from your local council that helps determine what care and support you might need. If you're struggling with everyday tasks like maintaining your personal hygiene or moving around your home, this is the first step to finding the help you need, whether it's home care or a care home.

The assessment looks at areas like personal care, specialist care requirements, home adjustments, and access to nearby services. It’s available to anyone who feels they need support and can be requested through a self-assessment, directly from the council, or via a referral from a professional. Apply for a care needs assessment by social services here.

It might be time to consider a care home if you or your loved one are finding daily tasks difficult to manage at home or if there are any safety concerns. Signs to look out for include challenges with personal care, mobility, social isolation, or a home environment that’s no longer safe.

If someone is at risk of harm or if family members can no longer provide the necessary support, it might be time to consider a care home. It’s also helpful to get a care needs assessment to see if professionals suggest that a care home is the best option.

Before committing to a care home, you could also consider:

• Home care - You could arrange for a professional carer to support you at home, which allows you to remain independent while getting the help you need.
• Home adaptations - Your local council can provide a free home assessment and suggest home adaptations like installing stairlifts or grab rails, which can make your home safer and easier to navigate.
• Living with family - Moving in with family members can offer practical and emotional support.
• Sheltered housing - This option lets you live independently but with access to support when needed. Some sheltered housing schemes also offer "extra care" housing, which combines the privacy of your own space with help for tasks like personal care and meal preparation.

Before committing to a care home, there are several other options you might want to explore.

One alternative is home care, where you can arrange for a professional carer to support you at home. This allows you to stay independent while receiving the help you need.

Another option is making home adaptations - your local council can offer a free home assessment and recommend changes like installing stairlifts or grab rails to make your home safer and easier to move around.

You might also consider living with family, which can provide both practical help and emotional support.

Finally, sheltered housing could be a good fit if you’d like to live independently but still have access to support when needed. Some schemes even offer "extra care" housing, which combines the privacy of your own home with assistance for everyday tasks such as personal care and meal preparation.

Yes — support is available. If your savings are below a certain threshold, your local council may help after a financial assessment. The NHS may also cover care through Continuing Healthcare if you have complex medical needs.

We know that understanding care fees can be daunting. That’s why we’ve created clear, expert advice on care funding in England, Scotland and Wales — to help you understand what support you’re entitled to and how to apply.

When care is urgently needed — such as after a hospital stay or a sudden change in circumstances — moving into a care home can happen within days, depending on availability and assessments.

We know how overwhelming this stage can feel. That’s why we’ve made the process easier by offering a free, tailored shortlist of care homes in your area with current availability — so you can focus on what matters most.

Yes — many care homes offer shared rooms or neighbouring rooms so couples can continue living together while receiving the right level of care. Some couples move in together even if only one person needs support.

If this is something you’re looking for, we’ve handpicked the best care homes for couples to help you find a home that prioritises comfort, independence, and togetherness.

Care homes across the UK are regulated by independent bodies that carry out inspections and publish reports to ensure that each home meets safe and high-quality standards:

• England - Care Quality Commission
• Scotland - Care Inspectorate
• Wales - Care Inspectorate Wales
• Northern Ireland - The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority

Visiting a care home in person can be one of the most important steps in finding the right place for your loved one. Our team of care experts recommend looking for:

• Warmth and kindness - Notice how staff interact with residents. Are they patient, respectful, and genuinely caring? A kind word or gentle tone can tell you a lot.
• The atmosphere - Does it feel calm, friendly and lived-in? Listen for laughter, conversation, and whether residents seem content and engaged.
• Daily routines - Ask about meal times, activities and personal care plans. Are they tailored to each resident's needs and preferences?
• Cleanliness and comfort - Look at shared spaces, bedrooms and bathrooms. Is everything clean, well-kept and homely?
• Family involvement - Ask how families are kept informed and involved. Are there flexible visiting hours and regular updates?
• Your instincts - Perhaps most importantly: does it feel like somewhere your loved one would be happy, safe, and understood?

A luxury care home typically offers high-quality care alongside premium facilities — creating an especially personalised and comfortable experience for residents and their families.

You can expect spacious ensuite bedrooms, beautifully designed communal areas, landscaped gardens, and extras like private dining rooms, on-site salons, cafés, and cinema rooms. These homes feel calm and well-kept, with thoughtful attention to detail throughout.