Care homes

Is a care home the best option for you

Choosing where you live and how you get care and support will be personal to you, as everyone has different needs. 

If you find it difficult to manage living at home, there are many ways you can get help. For example, you may be able to adapt your home, or get equipment to help you. Or, you may be able to get care at home. Find out more on our support at home and in the community pages.

If staying at home is not suitable, there are also other options you might prefer to moving into a care home. For example, supported living, where you live independently but get help from a carer, or our Shared Lives Scheme where you can live with a shared lives carer. Or, if you are older, supported housing or extra care housing, where you have your own accommodation but support on-site. Find out more on our care and support housing options page.

Getting independent advice

Before deciding whether to move into a care home, we advise getting independent advice about paying for your care. Visit our planning how to pay for future care page for further information about getting advice and finding an advisor.

Types of care home (residential and nursing)

If you do decide that a care home is the best option for you, it's important to consider what care homes there are available. There are different types of care homes for different support needs.

In a residential care home you can get 24 hour help with your personal care. This includes things like washing, dressing and taking medication.

In a nursing care home there are qualified nurses on site at all times if you need regular medical attention, due to illness or a medical condition.

Some care homes offer both types of support. This can be a good option if your condition is likely to get worse over time.

Age UK have information on the different types of care home.

West Berkshire Council run three care homes. You can find out more on our West Berkshire Council Care Homes page.

Getting support from the council

If you would like support from the council, we'll first complete a care and support needs assessment. We'll discuss how we can help you and work out if you are eligible for support from the council.

If you do get care home support from the council, we will make the arrangements for you.

We'll also complete a financial assessment to work out if we can give you financial support. If you are eligible for financial support from the council, see our paying for a care or nursing home page. 

Care home placement policy

The  Residential and Nursing Care Placement Policy for Older People [174KB]  describes West Berkshire Council's approach to new residential and nursing home placements, principally for Older People (65 plus), where such a placement is required to meet a person's assessed care and support needs.

This policy does not apply to existing placements.

If you arrange and pay for your own care

If you will arrange and pay for your own care, you can find care homes listed in the  Berkshire Care Directory [3MB] . This is an independent guide which is updated twice a year. All of these homes can be paid for privately. 

You can find helpful information on our planning how to pay for future care and funding your care webpages. We also advise getting independent advice to plan paying for your care.

Age UK also have guidance on choosing a care home and paying for care in a care home.

Monitoring care homes

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regularly inspect and check standards in registered care homes.

All residential and nursing care homes, providers and agencies in West Berkshire are monitored by the council's Care Quality Team.