The main choices are staying in your own home with changes, sheltered housing, and extra care housing.
Rules and availability vary by council and provider. Rules can also differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Can I stay in my own home, and what changes would help?
Yes, many people can. Small changes and extra support at home may make daily life easier.
The NHS has an online tool, Housing Options for Older People. It helps you spot problems with your current home and gives suggestions. For falls and home adaptations, speak to your GP or council.
Advantages
- You stay somewhere familiar, near neighbours and local shops.
- There is no move to organise.
Disadvantages
- The home may stay hard to manage, for example with stairs or upkeep.
- Any help you need will need to be arranged separately, and you may have to pay for it.
Our free care cost calculator shows what care at home costs and whether the council may help.
What is sheltered housing, and what are its pros and cons?
Sheltered housing is for people who can usually live fairly independently but need occasional help or support. It often has a warden, a member of staff you can call in an emergency. It also often has security features such as alarm systems.
It can come from the local council, or you can buy or rent privately.
Advantages
- There is often a warden you can call in an emergency.
- Security features may help you and your family feel safer.
Disadvantages
- The level of support differs from scheme to scheme, so check each one.
- It is built for occasional help. It may not be enough if your needs grow.
What is extra care housing, and who is it for?
Extra care is also called "assisted living" or "very sheltered housing". You get a self-contained flat with your own front door. Staff are usually on hand for up to 24 hours a day to give personal care and support.
It sits between sheltered housing and a care home. It offers more support than sheltered housing and more independence than a care home.
You do not have to take up care when you first move in. The help can increase as your needs change.
Advantages
- Support can grow without a move.
- You keep your own front door and flat.
- Unlike sheltered housing, extra care is regulated by the CQC (Care Quality Commission). The CQC inspects it and gives ratings.
- Renting may make it easier to move if needs change. The landlord also handles some repairs.
Disadvantages
- It is not available everywhere.
- There are several charges to understand.
- Most extra care housing is sold leasehold. The lease may restrict selling or leaving the property to a relative.
Some extra care is offered privately to buy or rent. Some comes from the council, usually after a social services care needs assessment. This checks what help you need.
Who pays for housing, care and service charges?
Housing costs and care costs are separate.
In extra care, costs can include:
- rent
- ground rent, if you bought leasehold. Leasehold means you own the property for a set term under a lease.
- care charges
- a service charge, which pays for running the scheme
Council tax, water rates and energy bills are paid on top.
Help with rent or service charges may come through Housing Benefit (if you rent) or Pension Credit (if you own). If the council finds your needs eligible, it does a financial assessment. It may then pay some or all of your care costs. Our rights and benefits guide explains the means test.
What other options are there?
- Close care housing is on the same site as a care home. The home provides personal care, and a later move may be possible.
- Retirement villages are large developments of homes designed for older people.
- Homeshare lets you stay in your own home by sharing a spare room with someone who helps out.
Availability and costs vary, so ask each provider for details.
How do I start looking, and what should I check?
Ask your local council about nearby extra care schemes. You can also use the Elderly Accommodation Counsel directory. Age UK explains extra care housing in more detail.
Before you commit, ask about:
- all charges, including one-off fees such as administration or exit fees
- how and when service charges and care charges can go up
- any lease limits on selling, or on leaving the property to a relative
- whether a transfer or exit fee applies if you sell or if the people living there change, for example if a carer moves in
- what support the scheme gives
- the scheme’s CQC rating, if it is regulated
If the person has dementia
Moving can be upsetting for some people living with dementia. The GP or memory service can give advice on planning a move.
- Involve the person early, before a crisis forces a decision.
- Visit schemes together if you can, and more than once.
- Ask each scheme how it supports people living with dementia.
What to do next
- Talk with your relative about what is hardest at home.
- Try the NHS Housing Options for Older People tool.
- Ask your council about local schemes and a care needs assessment.
- Visit two or three schemes and use the checklist above.
- Use our care cost calculator to plan for costs.