Useful Information

Your local Social Services department should be able to supply you with a list of homes in your area and there are a number of agencies that can help:

The Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The CQC will assist your search for a care home by offering free independent reports on the quality of your local homes and care services to help you make an informed choice. http://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/services-we-regulate/care-homes

The Care Homes Directory

The Care Homes Directory is a comprehensive directory of Care Homes, Nursing Homes, Care Agencies, Nursing Agencies and Care Suppliers. http://www.carehomes.net/

Elderly Care

Elderly Care is a free-to-use website created by the consumer group, Which?, to provide independent information on all aspects of care for older people. http://www.which.co.uk/elderly-care

The Elderly Accommodation Counsel

The Elderly Accommodation Counsel, a charity offering advice about residential and nursing homes offers two linked websites: http://
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Independent Age

Independent Age is an advice and information service providing expertise on social care, benefits, befriending and other social support and has a range of guides and publications. http://www.independentage.org/advice/

Find Me Good Care

Find Me Good Care is developed and managed by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), an independent charity working to initiate improvement and innovation in social care. http://www.findmegoodcare.co.uk/about-us

HousingCare.org

HousingCare.org provides a vast range of free information and guidance for elderly people, their relatives and carers, as well as professionals who work with them. This includes specialist directories of over 40,000 retirement housing developments and care homes in the UK, with details of nearly 3,000 available properties updated each week. A new Directory of Home Services provides information on local services that can help older people live safely and independently at home. http://www.housingcare.org/

Age UK

Age UK publishes information sheets on the subject of homes and housing for the elderly. Also, your local group, whose number should be in the phone directory, should be able to provide information about homes in your area. http://www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/social-care-and-support-where-to-start/

Age UK have published a guide called “Advice for carers”, which looks at both the practical side of caring and the emotional side, including where to go for help, so your relative does not feel they have to manage on their own. http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Information-guides/AgeUKIG13_Advice_for_carers_inf.pdf?dtrk=true

FirstStop Advice

FirstStop Advice is an independent, free telephone service offering advice and information to older people, their families and carers about housing and care options for later life. http://www.firststopadvice.org.uk/

The Carers Trust

The Carers Trust has a national network of 144 carers’ centres that can help. These centres offer a range of services, from information and advice, to emotional support, to education and training. http://www.carers.org/carers-services/find-your-local-service

NHS Carers Direct

NHS Carers Direct helpline provides a useful guide to social care. http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/Pages/CarersDirectHome.aspx

NHS Video

NHS Video on caring for a parent at home. http://www.nhs.uk/Video/Pages/Caringforaparentathome.aspx

NHS Guide

NHS Guide to Care provides a step-by-step guide to the practical help, support and advice that’s on offer and how to get it, including how to look after someone http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/Pages/Guidetocaringhome.aspx

NHS

General NHS information. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Disability/Pages/Olderrelative.aspx

NHS Specific guidance. http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/Pages/Guidetocaringhome.aspx

UK Homecare Association (UKHCA)

UK Homecare Association (UKHCA) for information and advice about home care services and to find local providers in your area. http://www.ukhca.co.uk/choosingcare.aspx

The Relatives & Residents Association

The Relatives & Residents Association is an independent charity that exists for older people needing or living in residential care, and the families and friends left behind. http://www.relres.org/

LaterLife

LaterLife are specialists in making the most of later life and of retirement. http://www.laterlife.com/retirement-c5/retirement-caring-for-elderly-parents-living-with-you.htm