Choosing care can feel daunting, especially with so many options available. In the modern age, we’re incredibly lucky to have a wide range of care choices available to suit every need and individual. But you might be unsure which option is right for you. Additionally, care that works for you now may not be suitable long-term as your needs change with age.
There’s no ideal one-size-fits-all solution to care. From assisted living and home care to nursing homes and specialist care, each type has its benefits and will be more suitable for some people than for others.
This guide will break down each main option for senior care, explain who they’re suitable for, and outline factors to consider when selecting an option that is likely to work for you now and in the future. Whether you’re researching care for yourself or exploring care options for your ageing parents, we’re here to help.
Considerations when choosing the right option for care
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the right care option, and it entirely depends on your personal circumstances. You may wish to think about:
- Current and future medical needs: If you have a condition, is this likely to progress quickly or will it be manageable for years to come?
- Personal care requirements: Perhaps you could benefit from help getting dressed, organising paperwork, or can’t manage domestic chores as well as you used to.
- Desired level of independence: It’s important you feel comfortable and in control of your life. If you’re able to live independently with a little support, there’s no reason you should give that up.
- Whether remaining at home is important: It can be difficult to move away from your family home after years of memories and life spent there, but perhaps you’d benefit from a smaller, more manageable home that’s still your own.
- Social interaction and wellbeing: Loneliness and isolation are common challenges among older people. If you’re not getting the social engagement you want in your current living environment, a move to a thriving community could be just what you need.
- Budget and funding: Think about how you’ll be paying for living expenses, care fees, and accommodation costs. You may wish to use a combination of pension income, savings, and even part-time work as part of your budget.
- Support from family and friends: Those closest to you can provide companionship, financial help, or caregiving duties. Consider the longevity of their support and whether plans need to be made for the future, as your children have their own children or as loved ones’ abilities to provide care decline.
7 types of care for older people
There are seven main care options available for older people, each with varying levels of support to accommodate different needs.
1. Home care
Home care, also called domiciliary care, refers to medical or non-medical support from professionals who visit you at home. Home carers provide a range of services to support you with everyday activities, including household chores, preparing meals, medication management, and bathing and dressing.
Main benefits of home care include:
- People can stay living independently in their own homes for longer.
- Peace of mind knowing carers will be visiting regularly.
- It can be short- or long-term, depending on needs.
- Financial support could be available to fund home care, though this is means-tested.
Home care is suitable for older people with disabilities or medical needs, mobility challenges, or recovering from a stay in hospital. It’s unlikely to be suitable if you need to be monitored 24 hours a day or it’d be unsafe for you to live alone.
2. Live-in care
Live-in care is similar to home care, but professional carers stay in your home day and night. Carers are on-call every moment of the day to provide support at a moment's notice.
Main benefits of live-in care include:
- 24-hour support.
- One-to-one support from a carer who gets to know the person and their preferences and can notice small changes.
- Allows people to stay in a familiar environment, which can be especially helpful for those living with dementia who may find a move distressing.
Live-in care is ideal for older people who require around-the-clock care, live alone but have additional needs, and want to continue living at home. However, if you have complex medical needs or your home is unsuitable for you to live in, alternative arrangements should be considered. If you require constant monitoring at night, a night-shift carer may be required in addition, as live-in carers are entitled to sleep and are typically only on call during night hours.
3. Assisted living
Assisted living is similar to home care but involves moving to a purpose-built property within a supportive community, such as our Retirement Living Plus developments. You’ll live independently in your own private home, with on-site trained staff available to provide personal care and domestic support.
Main benefits of assisted living include:
- Your own manageable, private home.
- 24-hour emergency help.
- Maintain independence, with access to flexible support when needed.
- Access to a sociable community made up of friendly older people.
- On-site amenities, such as restaurants, shared lounges, and salons.
Assisted living is ideal for people who want to live in their own home, but could benefit from a helping hand to make each day a little more comfortable. Properties are often designed with thoughtful adaptations to make life easier now and as you get older, so you can stay in one place for longer. Assisted living won’t be suitable for people who require nursing care day and night.
4. Residential care
A care home is a residential facility that provides personal care support to its residents. Professional staff help residents with using the bathroom, dressing, eating, and anything else they need throughout their day.
Main benefits of residential care include:
- Reassurance that support is available 24 hours a day.
- Activities, day trips, and entertainment are provided.
- Financial support might be available to pay for care home costs through your local authority if assessment requirements are met.
Residential care is ideal for people who can no longer live independently and need regular support to get through their day. People who want to live autonomously in their own space may not enjoy care homes, as you typically rent just one room and all other areas are shared. Care homes typically don’t offer specific medical support, so people with complex medical needs will be better suited to a nursing home instead.
5. Nursing homes
Nursing homes are similar to care homes, but have nursing staff on-site to support medical needs in addition to providing personal care.
Main benefits of nursing homes include:
- Same level of support as a care home, with medical needs also looked after.
- Professional support for medical needs, such as dementia, restricted mobility, or other complex conditions.
- Stays in nursing homes can be temporary, such as when recovering from an illness, or long-term if more appropriate.
- Financial support is often available through your local authority for nursing care aspects, though other fees will need to be funded through other means.
People who’ll benefit the most from nursing homes are those with complex medical needs, unless you have an acute psychiatric condition. If you don’t need nursing support or can live independently, then assisted living or home care would likely suit you better.
6. Respite care
Respite care is a type of temporary care that acts as a substitute for usual arrangements. For example, someone typically cared for by a family caregiver may enter respite care for a weekend or a few weeks at a time. This will provide caregivers with a break from their duties.
Main benefits of respite care include:
- Prevents caregiver burnout by providing time to rest.
- Arrangements are flexible based on your needs, with options for residential stays, day centres, or live-in care support.
- Financial support may be available to fund respite care, though this is often means-tested through your local authority.
Respite care is suitable for anyone who is regularly cared for by a family member or friend. It’s also ideal for recovery following illness or a health issue that means care needs are temporarily increased, though a rented apartment in an assisted living property could provide a similar level of support throughout your recuperation. Respite care is not a long-term solution, and is typically used to complement a primary care solution.
7. Specialist care
Specialist care is highly tailored support for people who have complex conditions and needs, including advanced Parkinson’s, dementia, or serious illnesses. Professional carers provide personal and medical support in addition to condition-specific support, such as memory care or palliative care.
Main benefits of specialist care:
- Completely personalised to complex health conditions.
- Involves several professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists who work together to design care plans.
- Potential to live at home with live-in carers or choose a suitable care home.
- Financial support is often available through your local authority, but this tends to be means-tested.
If you don’t have any specialist or complex needs, are able to live independently, and only require a low level of support, then a visiting carer or assisted living would be more than enough to maintain your desired lifestyle.
Which care option is best for your needs now and the future?
It’s impossible to pick a care option that’s guaranteed to work for you now and in the future, as we can’t predict how our health and needs will change as we get older. The most you can do for now is choose something flexible enough to support evolving conditions, that prioritises independence so you can stay in your own home for longer, and offers a fulfilling and engaging place to enjoy life.
| Care type | What it is | Independence | Care flexibility | Living arrangements | Socialising and community |
| Home care | Professional carers visiting you at home to provide support for daily activities | Supports independence | Level of care can be adjusted | Live in your own home | Dependent on where your home is |
| Live-in care | Professional carers move into your home to provide support any time of day or night | Supports independence | Dedicated one-to-one support 24/7 | Live in your own home | Dependent on where your home is |
| Assisted living | A private home in a purpose-built community with personal care and domestic support available on site | Prioritises independence for longer | Only access the care you when you need it | Private home in a supportive community | Live in a purpose-built community for older people |
| Residential care | Personal and domestic care provided within a dedicated facility | Independence is not prioritised | Level of care dependent on needs | Single room rented in a facility, with all other areas shared | Activities, trips, and events arranged by the facility |
| Nursing homes | Personal, domestic, and medical care provided within a dedicated facility | Independence is not prioritised | Level of care dependent on needs | Single room rented in a facility, with all other areas shared | Activities, trips, and events arranged by the facility |
| Respite care | Temporary care provided for flexible periods of time. | Limited independence | Care is very flexible | Live at home most of the time with residential stays at facilities as needed | Dependent on care needs |
| Specialist care | Bespoke personal and medical care to support specific conditions and health needs | Limited independence | Care is flexible and designed to support specific needs | Can live at home or in a specific facility | Dependent on care needs |
When might it be time to consider additional support?
Reaching the conclusion that you need extra support looks different for everyone. Sometimes a feeling is all it takes, or a turning point like a bad fall when no one was home.
While it varies, these are common signs that a helping hand could be beneficial:
- Managing everyday tasks is becoming difficult.
- Increasing mobility issues.
- Loneliness or isolation that negatively affects your mental wellbeing.
- Family caregivers are struggling to provide the level of support you need.
- Safety concerns at home, such as challenges climbing in and out of the bath.
These are all natural parts of getting older, and it doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy life to the fullest. Receiving care sooner rather than later allows you to get the support you need to stay independent for longer.
Get support as you age with Retirement Living Plus assisted living
Enjoy assisted living support in our Retirement Living Plus developments, designed to make life easier. Each apartment is low-maintenance so you don’t need to worry about upkeep.
Our beautiful communities across the UK welcome people aged over 70, with an on-site team on hand to provide bespoke care and support entirely on your terms. You’ll receive one hour of household or lifestyle support each week as standard, but you’re welcome to access our lifestyle services as and when you need to.
Learn more about our Retirement Living Plus developments by contacting us online or calling us on 0800 201 4811. A member of our lovely team will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have, or arrange a visit to one of our developments so you can experience the lifestyle for yourself.
Care options FAQs
When should someone move into assisted living?
There is no fixed time to move into assisted living, as this will be entirely unique to each person. Assisted living is most beneficial when older people are mostly independent but start needing a little extra support with things like household chores, self-care, or even life admin.
What's the difference between assisted living and a care home?
Assisted living properties and care homes do share some similarities, but have significant distinctions that make each more suitable for different people. Both types offer a level of care which is typically tailored to each individual. However, care homes are for people who may struggle to live independently and have ongoing care needs, while assisted living is more appropriate for people who are primarily independent but may also benefit from a helping hand to make life easier.
What if care needs change over time?
Assisted living at McCarthy & Stone Retirement Living Plus developments is designed to be flexible. The level of care and lifestyle support services you access can be increased when you need extra help, so you can get back to doing the things you love. Life in assisted living might not be forever, and that’s perfectly normal as your needs evolve.
Assisted living can act as a stepping stone to a potential move to a care facility in the future, but allows you to enjoy more years of independence with bespoke support available as and when you need it.
