Information about choosing and paying for a care home, for people who can no longer look after themselves in their own home.
Report a concern
If you’re worried about an adult in a care home, you can report abuse or mistreatment to us.
When to consider a care home
Care homes provide people with a place to live, when they cannot look after themselves. This can be due to age, disability or another health condition.
You may want to consider moving into a care home if the following do not meet your needs:
What care homes offer
All care homes provide accommodation and personal care, but some offer other services for specific needs such as dementia or learning disabilities.
Some care homes also offer respite care.
It’s important to make sure that you choose a care home that's right for you and your care needs.
Find a care home
Care homes can be run by organisations, private firms, voluntary sector organisations or Councils.
All homes have to be registered and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which keeps a directory of them on its website. You can search CQC’s directory for a care home in Sutton.
You can search for care homes in Sutton on CareHome.co.uk and HousingCare.
Types of care homes
Residential care homes provide food and accommodation, and help with:
- personal care (washing and dressing)
- taking medications
- going to the toilet
They may also offer social activities such as day trips or outings.
You’ll usually have your own bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and toilet and access to communal rooms and a garden.
There are specialist residential homes for people needing more support, for example for people with dementia.
Nursing homes care for people who are very frail and need care from a registered nurse.
These homes provide 24-hour nursing care. They are for people with more complex needs who need regular medical attention.
Nursing homes cost more because they provide a greater level of support. You can contact care providers directly to find out about costs.
Some care homes provide residential care and nursing care. This means that if your care needs increase after you’ve moved in, you’ll be able to get the right care and support without having to move.
There are care homes that provide specialist support for people with dementia, a learning disability or mental health problems.
They are designed to make people feel comfortable and safe, and offer care from specially trained nurses.
Help from the Council
If you are considering a care home for yourself or someone else, you can contact Adult Social Care to see if we can help.
You can request a care needs assessment for yourself or someone else. You’ll need their permission first, unless they don't have capacity to make or communicate that decision themselves.
We'll complete the assessment with you, to find out if we can provide support with your care and the cost of a care home.
Paying for a care home
Most people will need to pay something towards their care. How much you will pay depends on your income, savings and other assets.
After you’ve had a care needs assessment, we will ask you to complete a financial assessment. This will help us to work out if you can get help to pay for a care home.
There are a number of other ways that care home costs can be paid, including:
Contact us
To request a care needs assessment, contact the Adult Social Care team.
Phone
020 8770 5000
Email
referralpoint@sutton.gov.uk
Write to us
Sutton Council
Civic Offices
St Nicholas Way
Sutton
SM1 1EA
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Our offices and phone lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.