Choosing Care

Could a care home be the answer you have been looking for?

Support to live life, your way

Many families spend a long time trying to manage at home before considering a care home, and that is completely understandable. But for many people, moving into a care home marks the beginning of a much better quality of life, not the end of one.

When the right level of support is in place, residents often find they are safer, happier and more socially connected than they were at home. And families find they can stop worrying and start enjoying time together again.

What you can expect when you choose Caring Homes

Hawkhill House two residents eating lunch in the dining room

Living in a Caring Homes care home means:

  • 24/7 support from a trained team, giving you genuine peace of mind
  • Genuine companionship, varied activities and events to look forward to
  • Nutritious, freshly prepared meals every single day
  • Beautiful communal spaces, gardens and cosy lounges to enjoy
  • The freedom to live each day as you would in your own home

What to look for when you visit a care home

Choosing the right care home for someone you love is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, and it can feel like a lot of pressure to get it right.

The truth is, no amount of reading brochures or browsing websites will tell you as much as a single visit. When you walk through the door, trust what you see and how it feels. Ask yourself:

  • Does it feel warm and welcoming the moment you arrive?
  • Do the residents look comfortable, engaged and well cared for?
  • Does the team seem to genuinely know and care about the people they look after?
  • Is there flexibility to fit around your loved one's routines and preferences?

The right home will feel right. Our guides below can help you prepare for that visit and know what questions to ask.

Not sure where to start? You're not alone

For some families, the need for care arrives suddenly following a fall, a hospital stay or a significant change in health. For others, it is a gradual realisation that things at home are becoming harder to manage.

Wherever you are in that process, it helps to feel informed. Whether you want to understand the difference between residential and nursing care, weigh up care at home against a care home, or simply work out whether the time is right, these articles are here to help you think it through clearly and without pressure.

Have you joined us at one of our events yet?

If you're thinking about care, or just curious about our homes, attending some of our events is a great way to see the warmth and spirit that sets our care homes apart.

Visit Our Events Page
Understanding the cost of care: What you need to know

How Much will Care Cost?

Worrying about the cost of care is one of the most common concerns families face, and it is one of the least talked about openly. We want to change that.

The cost of care in one of our homes depends on the type and level of support your loved one needs. We will always be transparent about fees from the very beginning, so there are no surprises.

The main funding routes available are:

Paying for care can feel complicated, but there are different routes depending on your circumstances:

Self-funding: Where the resident or their family covers the cost of care directly.

Local Authority funding: Financial support that may be available following a means test based on income and assets.

NHS Continuing Healthcare: Funding that may be available in cases where a person has complex ongoing healthcare needs.

Every situation is different and funding can feel complicated. Our team is here to talk it through with you in plain, straightforward terms, at whatever pace suits you.

Family owned, family values — For over 30 years

Caring Homes has been family owned and operated for over 30 years. While many care providers are run by large corporate groups, Caring Homes remains independently operated, with a family at the heart of every decision we make. We are run by people who genuinely care about the quality of life we provide, and that shows in the homes we operate and the teams we employ.

When you choose Caring Homes, you can expect:

  • A team that treats every resident as an individual, not a room number
  • Homes that feel welcoming, warm and inclusive from the moment you arrive
  • Highly trained dementia care and nursing expertise across our portfolio
  • An open door for families, because we know that care works best when everyone feels involved

We are not just finding care for your loved one. We are here to make sure you feel supported too.

Our homes aren’t just places to live, they’re communities where people can thrive.
Julie Mason, Operations Director

Next steps: We’re here to help

If you’re at the stage of considering care for a loved one, our friendly team is here to talk things through. Whether you’d like advice on funding, guidance on choosing the right home, or to book a visit, we’re ready to help.

📞 Get in touch with your nearest care home

Any questions?
Call us 7 days a week.

Last year we helped over 5,000 families find the right care with free advice on anything from funding care to finding the right home and moving in.

We can help with advice on paying for care and how funding works. We can check availability in all of our homes and send you the latest brochure. If you'd like to meet our Home Manager, we'll book an appointment at a time to suit you.

01206 356 005
Enquire now 01206 356 005