Choosing residential or nursing care can feel emotional. You might worry you’re letting someone down. Recognising your limits is important. If the person you care for needs more help than you can give, arranging the right support is a thoughtful and responsible step.

Before you decide, speak with adult social care about conversations (assessments) for both you and the person you care for. There may be extra support at home—more care, equipment, home adaptations or a short break—that helps you both. Try to talk openly together about how you feel. You can also speak with a friend, another carer, your GP or a social worker.

If you continue caring at home, you can ask for a Carer’s Assessment. This is a conversation about your wellbeing and what could make life easier.

If the person you care for moves to a care home, your role may change rather than end. Many carers still help with meals, personal care or emotional support. Talk with staff early about how you’ll stay involved and what you can offer.

You can still ask for a Carer’s Assessment if you continue caring in any way.

If you’re employed, you can request flexible working to help balance your job and caring. Check your contract, staff handbook or HR policies to see what support your employer offers. Guidance is available from ACAS.

Carer’s Leave Act (from April 2024): Employees in England, Wales and Scotland can take one week of unpaid leave per year to provide or arrange care for someone with long‑term care needs. You can take it in half days or full days, from day one in your job. Employers can refuse for sound business reasons.

Working Families have more information about your rights at work.

Living in a care home doesn’t change someone’s right to make their own decisions. If, in the future, they can’t make a specific decision:

There is useful information available:

Care homes may charge for their services. A financial assessment will decide how much the person you support needs to pay. This can include income, savings, and property.

People with specific medical needs may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). If someone doesn’t qualify for public funding, they may pay the full costs themselves (self‑funding).

Independent Age offers clear advice on how this works.

Some benefits continue after someone moves into a care home, but others may stop after 28 days—especially if public funds are used. This may also affect your Carer’s Allowance.

If the person is self‑funding, they may still be eligible for:

MoneyHelper offers clear, impartial advice on money and pensions. It includes a benefit calculator to help you find out what you could be entitled to.

If you’re worried about the care home, speak to the manager first. Every home must have a complaints process. If the home was arranged through social care, also contact the social worker or care manager involved. If you complete all stages and are still unhappy, contact the Local Government Ombudsman.

To find out about care home standards or to make a further complaint about a service, contact the Care Quality Commission.

If the service is provided by the NHS, ask your local health authority for a copy of their complaints procedure. If, at the end of the complaints procedure, you are still unhappy, you may be able to take your case to the Health Service Ombudsman.