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Home care
Find out about care at home, adaptations and technology to help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
Home care near you
Use our directory to find local home care agencies anywhere across the UK.
Find home care agencies
Carers & caring
Learn about the benefits, support and rights you have as a carer to help you through this difficult time.
Cost of care and eligibility in England
Use our simple tool to find out how much care might cost and what financial support is available.
Care costs in your area
Financing care
Learn about funding options for home care, home adaptations and care homes, together with Attendance Allowance, gifting assets and Power of Attorney.
Cost of care and eligibility in England
Use our simple tool to find out how much care might cost and what financial support is available.
Care costs in your area
Housing options
Consider your options and learn about sheltered housing, retirement villages and care homes.
Care homes and support at home near you
Use our directory to find local care homes, home care agencies and carer support services across the UK.
Find care services
End of life
Guidance on the practical and emotional aspects at the end of life, from planning end of life care to arranging a funeral and coping with bereavement.
Which? Wills
From writing your will, to setting up your Power of Attorney, Which? is here to help you make important decisions for your future.
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Care services directory

Care home finance

We explain all that you need to know about how to pay for a care home, looking at the range of care home fees and how to get local authority funding.

Paying for a care home

3 min read

We explain options for paying for a care home, from local authority support to paying yourself, known as self-funding, and NHS Continuing Healthcare.

Care home fees

5 min read

Find out how fees vary across the UK. There are also differences depending on the type of care home you are looking for and your care needs.

Self-funding a care home

4 min read

We explain how you can pay for your care, what happens if your money runs out and getting financial advice.

Local authority funding for a care home

9 min read

Government funding might be available to help pay for a care home – we explain the means test thresholds and other rules.

Financial assessment calculations for residential care

3 min read

The financial assessment for residential care is governed by strict guidelines. Here, we give you an overview of the most important elements.

Deferred payment agreements and the property disregard

3 min read

A long-term loan, a ‘deferred payment agreement’, can be requested from the council if you’re struggling to pay your fees.

Third-party top-up fees

3 min read

Find out about third-party top-up fees; what they are, when they can and can’t be paid, and how to ensure you have the right paperwork.
Real-life stories
Andrew's story
58 | ABINGDON
Read Andrew’s story about finding the perfect care home for his mother and how he learnt about the different funding options.
Pamela's story
63 | LONDON
When Pamela’s mother needed to move to a care home, the main priority was finding a home that she would be happy in.
See more real-life stories
Cost of care and eligibility in England
Care costs in your area
Use our calculator to find out how much care might cost and what financial support is available.

Further reading

Residential care homes

Find out what's provided at a residential care home, how to find homes near you and what life is like in a care home.

Pros and cons of care homes

We look at the practical benefits of care homes, including safety and 24-hour help, and at the potential downsides, too.

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