For some people, moving to a care home is the best option. Care homes offer 24/7 care, and a safe environment for people who do not have the ability to live independently. Some offer nursing care, for people who have health issues that need regular monitoring or treatment.
However there are different options you can explore. You might be able to adapt your existing home to make it more suitable, or find housing options that offer less support but greater independence. You can find out more on our Accommodation and Housing Options page.
If you’re thinking about moving into a care home, there are a variety of things you need to consider.
Different types of care
You can ask for a needs assessment, to find out your current care needs, and discuss with us what your future care needs might be.
Our assessor will look at whether your needs could be supported at home or whether staying in your own home would put you at risk. They will discuss this with you and your family, and agree on the best way to meet your needs.
There are various services that may help you to live safely and independently in your own home. These include things like personal care, supporting you with daily tasks, and carrying out small repairs.
Having a short break in a care home might work for you, to allow you to recover from an illness, or allow repairs to be carried out at home, for example. We can also arrange a place in a care home for people leaving hospital who may not feel confident about going home straightaway.
If a care home is the best option for you, your assessor will contact your district nurse or community psychiatric nurse if you have one. They will carry out a joint assessment of your care needs, either by a visit or with a discussion. Together they will recommend the level of care you need. This may be residential care, nursing care or continuing health care. We are required to do this by law.
If you have a friend or family member who helps you, we refer to them as your carer. We can also assess their needs too.
Visit our Carer pagesPaying for the care home
You may have to pay something towards the cost of living in a care home.
We’ll carry out a financial assessment to see how much you need to pay and advise you on any benefits you may be able to claim.
Request a Financial Assessment here
The financial assessment will look at your financial circumstances, not your partner’s or your family’s.
You may have the resources to pay for a care home by yourself. You do not need to have a financial assessment, if you do not want one.
You can have a needs assessment even if you’ll be paying your care home fees yourself.
If you will be paying your own fees and you don’t want a needs assessment, you can move directly into the care home of your choice.
If you find you need help with the fees later, you can request a needs assessment and a financial assessment then.
There is an option to defer payment of care home fees, effectively taking out a loan against the value of your home. The council pays your fees, and reclaims the money when your home is sold, or after your death.
Find out more about Deferred Payment
Sometimes people deliberately try to hide funds or property from the financial assessment, to avoid having to pay care home fees. This is called ‘deliberate deprivation ’ and is fraud. We investigate suspected cases of deliberate deprivation, and money or assets will be reclaimed.
Find out more about Paying for Care on our page
Different types of care homes
There are different types of care home for people with different needs.
| Type of care home | What they offer |
|---|---|
| Care homes | These have staff who help with personal care such as washing, dressing, taking medication and going to the toilet. They might also offer social activities and day trips for residents. They will often also offer support people living with dementia to feel comfortable and safe. They often have qualified nurses with dementia training. |
| Care homes with nursing | These are also known as 'nursing homes'. These employ staff who offer personal care, as well as 24-hour assistance from qualified nurses. |
| Dual-registered care homes | These accept residents who need both personal care and nursing care. This means that if someone moves in only requiring help with personal care, but their needs change, they won't have to move to a different home. |
There are options that are suitable for working age adults, not just for older people.
Choosing your care home if you're getting Council funding
You can move into your preferred care home as long as:
- it is suitable for the needs that your needs assessment says you have
- there is a place for you in the care home
- the care home accepts the Council’s standard terms and conditions
- the fees are suitable for the level of care you need
Find out about care homes in Cornwall
You can find details of registered care homes in Cornwall on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website. The information includes their latest inspection outcome and reviews.
Changing your mind about a care home you chose
If you change your mind within the first four weeks of moving into a care home, you or the home can end your contract by giving a week’s notice in writing. We would then help you find another care home.