Types of care
Residential care homes
What residential care provides, and how to compare homes without spending weeks on it.
5 min read
What residential care covers
Residential homes provide accommodation, meals, personal care and on-site staff. They do not routinely provide nursing care on site — if regular nursing input is needed, look at nursing homes.
Visit twice, once unannounced if allowed
Visit at a mealtime and again at a different time of day. Watch how staff speak to residents when they are busy — that tells you more than any brochure.
Read the fee agreement carefully
Ask what the weekly fee includes, what is extra (chiropody, hairdressing, escorted appointments), how fees are reviewed, and what happens if funding changes.
Official sources
Guidance only — it isn't financial or legal advice, and rules and figures change. Always check the official source or speak to an adviser.