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You should be involved at all the different stages of your assessment, so be sure to let staff know how you feel about going into a care home. There could be other possibilities: for example, maybe you could manage at home if you had extra support, or perhaps move into sheltered housing.

It could be, however, that moving into a care home is right for you. It is natural to have some reservations; most people do. But if you feel reasonably happy with the idea, moving into a care home can be a positive step. Although it can be difficult coming to terms with the idea of not going back home, you may feel more secure and comfortable living somewhere that can meet your needs.

Your local council is responsible for arranging and paying for your place in a care home, if they have assessed you as needing it. The local council also has a responsibility to collect a financial contribution from you, to go towards the cost of this care. The amount that you will have to pay varies depending on how much income and savings you have.

A brief explanation of how your contribution is worked out is given later on; more detailed information on funding your care home place is given in our free information sheet no. 10, Paying for Your Care Home. More detailed guidance on finding and choosing a residential or nursing home is contained in our free advice leaflet, Care Homes.