Care Questions Answered
Plain answers to 60 common questions about the UK care system — organised by topic.
Getting care started
- How do I arrange care quickly after a hospital discharge?
- What is short-term care after hospital discharge?
- What happens when someone is discharged from hospital needing care?
- What are the first steps when care is suddenly needed?
- How do I get emergency care in place quickly?
- How long does it take to arrange care?
- Can a GP arrange care for someone at home?
Assessments and process
- What is a care needs assessment?
- How do I request a care needs assessment?
- How do I challenge a care needs assessment I disagree with?
- What happens during a financial assessment for care?
- How do I challenge a financial assessment for care?
- What is a social worker's role in arranging care?
- What does a care plan actually contain?
- How does the council decide what care support to provide?
Paying for care
- How much does a care home cost in the UK?
- Who pays for care if you have no savings?
- Do you have to pay for care if you have savings?
- Do you have to sell your house to pay for care?
- What happens to care funding when savings run out?
- What is a top-up fee for a care home and who pays it?
- Can care home fees go up after someone has moved in?
- What happens to someone's benefits when they move into a care home?
NHS and free funding
Types of care
- What help is available for elderly care at home?
- What is domiciliary care?
- What is the difference between residential and nursing care?
- What is the difference between a care home and a nursing home?
- What is extra care housing?
- What is supported living and how is it different from a care home?
- What is respite care and how do you access it?
- How does palliative care at home work?
- Can I arrange care privately without the council?
- Can you arrange care at home privately without the council?
Choosing and moving care homes
Legal and decisions
- What is a Lasting Power of Attorney and why does it matter for care?
- What happens if someone with dementia can no longer make decisions?
- Can someone be kept in a care home against their will?
- Can someone be forced into a care home against their will?
- What happens if someone refuses care?
- What is adult safeguarding and when does it apply?
- What is a care advocacy service and when do you need one?