Voluntary organisations

Age Concern
A network of groups providing services for older people. These can include information, advice and advocacy. Check your phonebook for your local group or call 0800 00 99 66.

Alzheimer Scotland
22 Drumsheugh Gardens
Edinburgh EH3 7RN
Helpline: 0808 808 3000

Alzheimer's Society
Devon House
58 St.Katerine's Way 
London E1W 1JX
Helpline: 0845 300 0336
Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland offer specialist advice for people with dementia, their carers and families.

Cinnamon Trust
10 Market Square
Hayle
Cornwall TR27 4HE
Tel: 01736 757 900
Specialist charity for older people and their pets. Can help to re-home your pet if you're unable to take it with you into a care home.

Citizens Advice Bureau
Free, confidential and independent advice, face-to-face or by telephone. Your local branch should be listed in your phonebook.

Counsel and Care
Twyman House
16 Bonny St
London NW1 9PG
Advice line: 0845 300 7585
Gives advice and information on how to go about finding a care home and what to look for.

Elderly Accommodation Counsel
3rd Floor, 89 Albert Embankment
London SW1 7TP
Advice line: 020 7820 1343
Provides free advice to older people on their housing options. Has a comprehensive database of care homes in the UK. .

Help the Aged Care Fees Advice
FREEPOST LON18542
Oxford OX29 4BR
Tel: 0500 76 74 76
Provides free, impartial financial advice to help you plan your finances so that you can meet any future care costs.

NAPA (National Association for the Providers of Activities for Older People)
Bondway Commercial Centre, Unit 5.12
71 Bondway
London SW8 1SQ
Tel: 020 7831 3320
Provides information on what activities to look out for in care homes.

Parkinson's Disease Society
215 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 1EJ
Helpline: 0808 800 0303
Offers specialist advice and guidance for people with Parkinson's, their carers and families.

Relatives and Residents Association
24 The Ivories
6-18 Northampton Street
London N1 2HY
Advice line: 020 7359 8136
Charity set up to support care home residents and their relatives. Operates a helpline and has a network of local groups.

Stroke Association
Stroke House
240 City Road
London EC1Y 8JJ
Helpline: 0845 30 33 100

Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland
65 North Castle Street
Edinburgh EH2 3LT
Advice line: 0845 077 6000
The Stroke Association and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland offer specialist advice and guidance for people who have had a stroke, their carers and families.

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Care standards authorities

For inspection reports and care standards for care homes.

Commission for Social Care Inspection (England) 
St Nicholas Buildings
St Nicholas Street
Newcastle NE1 1NB
Tel: 0845 015 0120

Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
4-5 Charnwood Court
Heol Billingsley
Parc Nantgarw 
Nantgarw CF15 7QZ
Tel: 01443 848450

Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee DD1 4NY
Tel: 0845 603 0890

The Regulation, Quality and Improvement Authority
9th Floor, Riverside Tower 
5 Lanyon Place
Belfast BT1 3BT
Tel: 0289 051 7500