If you can no longer remain in your own home you may want to move into residential accommodation. You should also consider other services that provide support for you or contact the customer advice centre.

Residential homes

Residential homes are suitable for older people who feel that they can no longer maintain their independence without significant support or care. The level of care varies from home to home, but the government defines it as the kind of care you would receive from a competent and caring relative. This includes: help with eating, washing, bathing, dressing and toilet needs; and caring for you if you become ill. Some residential homes can offer more specialist care for people with dementia.

Nursing homes

Nursing homes provide 24 hour nursing care for people who have complex nursing needs that cannot be met in any other way. Some nursing homes employ nurses who are qualified to look after people with mental health problems, learning difficulties or other special needs.

Eligibility

The decision to recommend a residential or nursing home will only be made after a full assessment. If nursing home care is recommended, then the local health Primary Care Trust also has to agree to this. You can also consider homes in other local authority areas if your needs will be better met there.

When choosing a home it is important to make sure that you choose one that will be right for you both now and in the future. You can get advice and information to help you make this important decision from:

• your social worker or care manager
• a district nurse
• a health visitor
• your family doctor

Finding a residential or nursing home

There are 9 residential homes in York that are run by the council. All have their own individual characters and can accommodate 25 – 45 residents.

Some of the council's residential homes offer more specialist care for people with dementia or people who need more physical care.

Some of our homes are registered to take people aged 55 upwards.

You can also download a list of organisations offering residential and nursing care on the right hand side of this page.

See the Commission for Social Care Inspection website to view inspection reports of care providers.  The council is not responsible for the content or reliability of external websites.

Paying for care

The amount you will need to pay will depend on:

• the amount that the home charges, and
• how much income, property and savings you have.

For further advice contact the customer advice centre.