How do you help an older person move into a care home?

There are some family conversations you hope you’ll never have to have. Telling your mum you’re worried about her being at home alone. Asking Dad whether he’s managing the stairs. Wondering whether your partner is safe when you’re not there. Or admitting to yourself that someone you love now needs more support than you can give them at home.

If you’ve found this guide after searching ‘how to get an elderly person into a care home’, we know those words probably don’t come close to describing how this actually feels. You’re not trying to ‘get’ someone into a care home or send them somewhere because they’ve become too difficult to look after. You’re trying to make a very big decision for, or alongside, somebody you love. And there can be a lot tangled up in that decision.

You might feel worried about their safety but guilty for even considering a care home. Your brothers or sisters might have different opinions. Mum might insist she’s managing perfectly well when you can see that she isn’t. Or perhaps everything has happened very quickly after a fall, illness or hospital stay and you suddenly find yourself having conversations you weren’t expecting to have yet.

It’s a situation our founder, Andrew Whelan, understands personally. When his own grandmother needed care, he saw first-hand how difficult navigating the care system could be. Both his parents were GPs at the time, yet even with their medical knowledge and experience, they struggled to understand the options available. It was an experience that ultimately inspired him to establish Westcott Care.

Whatever has brought you here, you don’t need to work everything out today.

This guide will take you through what happens when someone you love may need more support, from starting that first conversation and arranging an assessment to understanding funding, finding the right home and helping them settle in.

And we’ll explain it without the jargon.

Talk to us about your loved one’s care

You don’t need to know which type of care your loved one needs or have everything figured out before you get in touch. Tell us what’s happening, and we’ll help you understand what your next step could be.

How do you know when someone you love may need a care home?

There’s not usually one defining moment when you suddenly know that someone you love needs to move into a care home. If you’re wondering ‘when is it time for a care home’, it’s often because a collection of little things has gradually become harder to ignore. 

Maybe you’ve noticed there isn’t much food in Mum’s fridge when you visit. Dad has started missing tablets or taking them at the wrong time. Perhaps there have been a couple of falls, they’re struggling to get washed and dressed, or you’ve noticed they’re becoming less steady on their feet.

Sometimes the changes are less obvious. They might phone you more often because they’re lonely or worried. Someone who has always been fiercely independent may stop going out. If your loved one has dementia, perhaps you’ve noticed more confusion, changes in their behaviour or that things which once felt familiar are becoming difficult to manage.

And sometimes, the change is actually in your life.

Perhaps you’re popping in every morning before work, doing the shopping at lunchtime and going back again in the evening. Your phone is beside the bed at night in case something happens. Other members of the family (and possibly friends) are helping too, but you’re all quietly beginning to realise that the support your loved one needs is becoming more than you can safely provide between you.

None of this automatically means a care home is the answer. But it may mean it’s time to ask whether the support they have now is still enough.

You’re certainly not the only family facing that question. The Care Quality Commission’s State of Care report, published in October 2025, found that demand for local-authority-funded social care continued to increase and that 68% of new requests for support came from older people. 

Of course, these figures only tell part of the story. Many families also choose to self-fund a care home, giving them the opportunity to explore a wider range of options and consider not only the care their loved one needs, but the surroundings, facilities, activities and everyday experiences that will help them feel happy and at home.

Whether you’re exploring local authority support or planning to pay for care privately, if you can, start talking about additional support before things reach crisis point. It gives you more time to explore what’s available and gives your loved one more opportunity to tell you what they want, visit different places and be involved in deciding what happens next.

How do you talk to your loved one about moving into a care home?

The gentlest place to start is with what you’ve noticed, rather than announcing that you’ve decided they need to move. Tell them why you’re worried, ask how they’re feeling and, most importantly, give them time to tell you what they want.

You don’t need a perfectly prepared speech. You might simply say, “I’ve noticed you’re finding the stairs harder lately. How are you feeling about it?” Or, “You said the other day that you don’t like being here alone at night. Shall we have a look at what might make things easier?”

That feels very different from sitting Mum down and telling her you’ve decided she needs to go into a care home. Try to understand what she’s frightened of, too.

Is she worried that she won’t see you as much? Does Dad think he’ll have to give up the routines he enjoys? Are they picturing a care home based on something they saw decades ago? Are they worried they’ll lose their independence?

But sometimes, the conversation might be quite different. Your loved one may already feel that moving into a care home is the right decision for them. Perhaps Mum is finding the days at home increasingly lonely, or Dad would feel more comfortable knowing there’s someone nearby if he needs a hand. They might even be ready to make the move themselves, but feel guilty about telling you, worried that you’ll be upset or think they no longer want to live independently.

It’s important to give them space to share those feelings, too. Moving into care doesn’t always have to be something a family suggests. Sometimes, it’s a decision your loved one has thought carefully about and wants to make for themselves.

Those feelings and worries deserve to be heard too, rather than brushed aside.

You might not have all the answers after that first conversation, and that’s okay. Whether you’re both still getting used to the idea or your loved one has already made up their mind, give each other time to talk openly about how you’re feeling and what might happen next. Unless there’s an immediate concern about their safety, you don’t have to work everything out straight away.

Visiting a care home together can also help you both feel more comfortable about what comes next. There’s a big difference between talking about ‘a care home’ and actually walking through a front door, meeting the team, looking around a bedroom and discovering that somebody else supports the same football team as Dad.

Because this isn’t really a conversation about a building. It’s about what everyday life could look like for someone you love if they had a little more support around them.

What should you do first if you think your loved one needs care?

If you think your loved one needs more support, arranging a care needs assessment through their local council is a useful first step. It looks at what they’re finding difficult in everyday life and what kind of support could help.

What does a care needs assessment look at?

A care needs assessment may look at whether your loved one can:

• Get washed and dressed safely.
• Prepare and eat meals.
• Take their medication.
• Move safely around their home.
• Get out and about.
• Maintain friendships and relationships.
• Manage memory or confusion.
• Stay safe when they’re alone.

The assessor will also look at the help they already receive. And that’s important, because if you’re doing the shopping, cooking meals, helping Mum into the shower, arranging Dad’s medication and answering calls during the night, that support doesn’t somehow ‘not count’ because you’re family.

Under Section 9 of the Care Act 2014, any adult aged 18 or over who appears to have care and support needs is entitled to a free care needs assessment from their local authority. This applies regardless of their savings, income or how much support they might need, so even if your loved one will be self-funding a care home, they can still request an assessment.

And having an assessment doesn’t mean you’ve agreed to moving your friend or relative into a care home. It’s simply a way of understanding what support might help them live as safely and comfortably as possible.

 

Depending on your loved one’s needs, there may be different options to consider, including more support at home, adaptations to make home safer, residential care or nursing care.

If you’re trying to arrange a care home after hospital discharge, you don’t have to navigate this alone either. Speak to the ward or discharge team about what support your loved one may need when they’re ready to leave. 

For families searching ‘how to get an elderly person into a care home’, this is often the part that feels confusing. You may assume you need to find a home first and somehow arrange everything yourself. You don’t.

Start by understanding what your loved one needs. Everything else becomes easier to navigate from there.

What kind of care might your loved one need?

The right care depends on your loved one, not simply their age or a diagnosis. They might need a little help with everyday things, nursing support throughout the day and night, specialist dementia care, or somewhere they can stay for a shorter period while they recover or their usual support isn’t available.

You don’t need to become an expert in care terminology before you start looking.

In simple terms, residential care provides support with everyday life. That might mean help getting washed and dressed, taking medication, moving around safely or simply knowing there’s somebody there if Mum needs them during the night.

Nursing care includes this everyday support alongside care for more complex health or medical needs from qualified nurses.

Dementia care provides support shaped around the needs of someone living with dementia, including the environment around them, their routines and the way the team communicates and builds relationships with them.

Palliative care is there for someone living with a serious or life-limiting illness, helping to manage symptoms and make everyday life as comfortable and fulfilling as possible. It’s often associated only with the very end of someone’s life, but palliative care can begin much earlier and continue for months or even years. 

And respite care provides support for a shorter period. It might be useful following a hospital stay, while your loved one recuperates or when their usual arrangements temporarily aren’t possible.

But try not to let the label become the thing you focus on most. Your dad might need nursing care, but he’s still the man who wants the sports pages before anyone else gets the newspaper. Mum may need support with getting dressed, but she’ll still want to choose the outfit. Your nan may be living with dementia, but she might still light up when someone puts on the song she danced to at her wedding.

Those things aren’t extras to fit around the care. They’re part of the care.

How to choose the right care home for someone you love?

When choosing a care home, of course you need to know that it can provide the right support. But you should also walk through the door and ask yourself a much simpler question: ‘Can I imagine Mum or Dad here?’

Check the practical things. What care does the home provide? What are the costs? What facilities are available? Is the home registered with the Care Quality Commission and what does its latest report say? Then look beyond the checklist.

Listen to how the team speaks to the people who live there. Does conversation flow naturally? Do they know how the residents like their tea? Does everyone have to do the same activity at the same time, or can they spend the afternoon exactly as they please?

Ask the questions that matter to your family: Can Dad bring his own chair? Can Mum have breakfast later because she’s never been a morning person? Can you come in and have a cup of tea together? Can your loved one continue seeing friends, going out for lunch, attending church or keeping up with hobbies that have always mattered to them? And what happens on an ordinary Tuesday when there isn’t an organised activity or special occasion?

These things tell you a lot about what living somewhere will actually feel like.

If you’re looking for a care home for elderly parents, it can be tempting to compare homes based on facilities alone, but how a home feels – and how well the team gets to know your mum or dad – can matter just as much. 

One of the worries families sometimes have about moving a parent into a care home is that they’ll somehow lose them from family life. Current figures offer some reassurance here. Government statistics published in January 2026 found that 99.4% of responding care homes in England were able to accommodate residents receiving visitors in December 2025. 

Moving into care shouldn’t mean Mum stops being Mum or Grandad stops being Grandad. You’ll still come through the door with family news. You’ll still laugh about the same stories. There’ll still be birthdays, cups of tea, grandchildren popping in, afternoons in the garden and arguments about what’s on the television.

The address may change. The relationship doesn’t.

Talk to us about your loved one’s care

Tell us a little about your loved one and the support you’re looking for, and we’ll help you understand whether one of our homes could be right for them.

What if your loved one doesn’t want to move into a care home?

If your loved one doesn’t want to move into a care home, the first thing to remember is that their wishes matter. If they’re able to understand the decision they’re making, they generally have the right to decide where they live, even when you’re worried that staying at home is no longer the safest option. That can leave you in an incredibly difficult position.

You might be lying awake worrying about Dad falling again, while he insists he’s perfectly capable of looking after himself. Mum might be forgetting meals or struggling with everyday things but become upset whenever you mention getting more help. Try to find out what sits behind the ‘no’.

Perhaps your loved one thinks moving into a care home means giving up their independence. Maybe they’re frightened they’ll rarely see you. They might worry about leaving a home they’ve lived in for 40 years, losing touch with neighbours or giving up the routines that make their days feel like theirs.

Sometimes, simply visiting a home together can help.

There’s a world of difference between imagining what a care home might be like and walking through the door, meeting the team, looking around a bedroom, seeing what’s happening that afternoon and sitting down together for a cup of tea.

If it’s appropriate for your loved one’s circumstances, respite care can sometimes provide another gentle introduction to care, allowing them to stay for a shorter period rather than approaching the idea immediately as a permanent move.

And if you’re worried that your loved one may no longer be able to understand the decision they’re being asked to make, that’s when you may need some additional support.

What happens if your loved one can’t make the decision themselves?

If your loved one is no longer able to make the decision about where they should live, it may be possible for others to make that decision in their best interests. But there are proper safeguards around this, and being someone’s husband, wife, son or daughter doesn’t automatically mean you can simply decide on their behalf. This is particularly important for families affected by dementia.

A dementia diagnosis doesn’t automatically mean Mum or Dad can no longer make their own decisions. They might need help understanding some things while being perfectly capable of deciding others. Their ability to make a particular decision should be considered at the time that decision needs to be made.

If there are concerns, a mental capacity assessment may be required. Depending on what’s happening, a social worker, healthcare professional and anyone who has the appropriate legal authority to act for your loved one may be involved.

If a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney is already in place, this may also be relevant.

We know even the terminology around this can sound daunting. If you’re facing questions about mental capacity or legal decision-making, it’s important to get appropriate professional advice for your family’s circumstances rather than feeling you have to work it out alone.

And remember, even if your loved one can no longer make this particular decision for themselves, that doesn’t mean their voice disappears.

What would Mum have wanted? What has Dad always valued? What does your partner enjoy? What makes them feel comfortable? What frightens or unsettles them? What kind of day makes them happy?

Those things still matter. They always will.

How does care home funding work?

Understanding care home costs and how they’ll be paid for can feel like another daunting part of an already difficult decision. Care home funding depends on your loved one’s care needs and financial circumstances, and a financial assessment can help establish whether the local authority may contribute towards their care home fees. 

This is often one of the most confusing parts of the process, so if you’ve opened five different tabs and still aren’t entirely sure what applies to Mum or Dad, you’re certainly not alone.

The amount your loved one has in savings and other capital will help determine whether they receive financial support or will be self-funding a care home. 

For 2026/27 in England, the government has kept the capital thresholds at: 

• More than £23,250: your loved one will generally be expected to pay the full cost of their care.
• Between £14,250 and £23,250: they’ll usually contribute towards their care, with the local authority potentially contributing too.
• Less than £14,250: savings below this amount won’t be included when calculating their contribution from capital, although income may still be taken into account.

 

There are other rules to consider too, including when the value of a home is or isn’t taken into account. Some families may also need to explore NHS Continuing Healthcare or NHS-funded nursing care, depending on their loved one’s health and nursing needs.

Read the NHS guidance on care homes and funding

If you’re trying to understand paying for a care home, don’t make big financial decisions based on what happened when a friend’s parent needed care or something you’ve heard from somebody else. Every family’s circumstances can be different.

Ask for an assessment, find out what applies to your loved one and ask questions whenever something isn’t clear.

Need advice regarding paying for a care home, or would like to find out more about Westcott Care? Get in touch.

Tell us about your loved one and their situation and we’ll walk you through the information you need in plain English. 

What happens once you’ve found a care home that feels right?

Once you’ve found a home you think could be right for your loved one, the team will usually arrange a care home assessment before they move in. This is simply an opportunity to get to know your friend or relative, understand the support they need and make sure the home can provide it.

We’d encourage you not to think of it as an assessment that needs to be passed. It’s really the other way around.

The home needs to understand what your loved one needs and be confident it can support them properly. Of course, that means knowing about medication, mobility, health conditions and any help they need with everyday things.

But at Westcott, we’d want to know much more than what’s written in their medical notes.

We’d want to know that Dad likes his tea strong and his toast practically burnt. That Mum never misses the six o’clock news. That your husband has followed Sheffield Wednesday since he was a boy, or your nan would rather sit somewhere quiet with a crossword than join an activity she doesn’t fancy.

We’d want to know whether they like a lie-in, what foods they can’t stand, the music that gets them singing and the things that help when they’re having a difficult day.

Because providing good care starts with knowing who you’re caring for.

Use this time to ask your questions too. Ask about meals, medication, visiting, activities, bedrooms, what your loved one can bring with them and what happens on moving day.

You won’t be the first family to ask.

How can you prepare your loved one for moving into a care home?

You can help prepare your loved one for moving into a care home by involving them as much as possible, talking openly about what will happen and bringing familiar parts of home with them.

Because while you’re thinking about medication lists, paperwork and packing, Mum might be thinking about something completely different.

Can I take my chair? What about the photographs on the mantelpiece? Will I still see everyone? Can I bring my own duvet?

Those questions might seem small compared with everything you’re organising, but they may be the things that matter most to your loved one. So if you can, let them decide what comes with them.

Bring the framed photographs that have always lived beside the bed. Their favourite blanket. Books they’ve read a dozen times. Pictures for the walls. The radio they listen to every morning. Or that slightly chipped mug nobody else is allowed to use.

Ask the home what furniture can be accommodated too. If there’s a favourite chair or small piece of furniture that immediately makes a room feel more familiar, it may be possible to bring it along.

And don’t feel you need to buy your loved one an entirely new wardrobe, new bedding and matching toiletries because they’re moving somewhere new. Familiarity is good. 

The aim isn’t to erase their old home and create a completely different life. It’s to help a new room gradually begin to feel like theirs.

What should you pack when your loved one moves into a care home?

When your loved one moves into a care home, they’ll need practical things such as clothes and toiletries, but some of the most important things you pack may be the belongings that make an unfamiliar room feel familiar.

Alongside everyday essentials, think about bringing:

• Comfortable clothes, shoes, slippers and nightwear.
• Favourite toiletries and personal items.
• Family photographs.
• Pictures or artwork they love.
• Books, magazines or puzzles.
• A favourite blanket, cushion or bedspread.
• Small ornaments and keepsakes.
• Their radio, tablet or other familiar technology where appropriate.
• Anything connected with hobbies they enjoy.

 

The home will let you know what paperwork, medication information and other practical items need to come too, as well as whether clothing should be labelled.

But don’t put pressure on yourself to get everything perfect before moving day. You don’t have to fit someone’s whole life into a collection of cardboard boxes.

Start with the things they’ll miss if they aren’t there. Everything else can follow.

How can you make moving day feel a little easier?

Keeping things calm, familiar and unrushed can make moving into a care home feel a little easier. If your loved one can be involved, let them make choices throughout the day and give them time to take everything in.

Moving day may be emotional for all of you.

You might wake up with a knot in your stomach. Mum might be nervous. Dad may be unusually quiet. Perhaps you’ve spent the previous evening wondering for the hundredth time whether you’re doing the right thing.

You don’t need to pretend it isn’t a big day. But it doesn’t have to feel clinical either.

If possible, have some familiar belongings waiting in your loved one’s room before they arrive. Put photographs where they can see them. Bring their favourite blanket. Make sure the chair is where they’d like it. Then take the day at their pace.

Some people will want to meet everyone, explore the home and know what’s for dinner. Others may want to sit quietly with you and have a cup of tea. There’s no right way to arrive.

And when it’s eventually time for you to leave, that may be the hardest part of the whole day.

Talk to the team beforehand about how best to handle it. They can be there for your loved one after you’ve gone, help them settle and let you know how they’re doing.

How long does it take to settle into a care home?

There’s no set amount of time it takes to settle into a care home. Your loved one might begin finding their feet within a few days, or it may take several weeks or longer before their new surroundings and routines start to feel familiar.

Try not to judge the decision by the first afternoon, the first night or even the first week.

Mum may cry when you leave. Dad might tell you he wants to go home. And you might sit in the car afterwards and cry too. None of that automatically means you’ve made the wrong decision.

Think about how significant this change is. Your loved one isn’t simply sleeping in a different bedroom. They’re learning where everything is, meeting new faces and getting used to new surroundings, perhaps at the same time as dealing with changes in their health.

Give them time. And give yourself some too.

Keep talking to the care team. Ask how your loved one is when you’re not there, because what you see during a visit may only be one small part of their day.

And if your loved one continues to feel unhappy or distressed, it’s important to talk openly with the care team so you can review what’s happening together. Sometimes, a few thoughtful changes to their routines, surroundings or the support they receive can make a real difference to how comfortable and settled they feel.

You may discover that Dad, who told you he hadn’t spoken to anybody all morning, spent half an hour chatting to someone over breakfast. Or that Mum, who was tearful when you left yesterday, later joined everyone for tea and cake.

Slowly, faces become familiar. Someone remembers how they take their tea. They find their favourite chair in the lounge. They begin to recognise the footsteps of the team member who pops their head around the door each morning.

A new home doesn’t become familiar overnight. It happens in little moments.

How often should you visit after your loved one moves into a care home?

There isn’t a correct number of times you should visit after your loved one moves into care. Some mums and dads will find regular family visits reassuring from the beginning, while others may benefit from a little more time to settle into their new surroundings and get to know the people around them.

Ask the team what they’re noticing and take your lead from your loved one too. Most importantly, try not to feel as though every visit now needs to be a formal ‘care home visit’.

You’re still family.

Come in for a cuppa. Sit in the garden. Watch football together. Bring the grandchildren. Tell Mum what’s happened at work. Bring Dad the newspaper he likes. Take them out for lunch if they’re able and fancy it.

Current government statistics can offer some reassurance here too. As we mentioned earlier, 99.4% of responding care homes in England were able to accommodate residents receiving visitors in December 2025.

For some families, something else gradually changes too.

When you know Mum has eaten, Dad has taken his medication and somebody is there if they need help during the night, your visits don’t always have to revolve around everything that needs doing.

You can spend a little more time simply being their daughter, son, husband, wife, grandchild or friend again.

Is it normal to feel guilty about moving a parent into a care home?

Yes. Feeling guilty about moving a parent into a care home is incredibly common, and those feelings can exist even when you know in your heart that your mum, dad or loved one now needs more support than you can provide at home.

Guilt can come from all sorts of places.

Maybe Mum once made you promise you’d never ‘put her in a home’. Perhaps you feel you should have been able to manage for longer. You might worry Dad thinks you’ve abandoned him. A brother or sister may disagree with the decision. Or you might find yourself feeling guilty simply because part of you is relieved that you’re no longer listening for the phone to ring in the middle of the night.

Families can carry an enormous amount before somebody moves into care.

You may have spent months shopping, cooking, cleaning, arranging appointments, collecting prescriptions and popping in several times a day. Perhaps you’ve been trying to keep Mum safe while raising your own children and working. Maybe you’ve slowly become Dad’s carer without either of you ever really acknowledging that it happened.

Accepting that you need more help doesn’t undo any of that love. And moving into care doesn’t mean your role disappears. There are things a care team can do that you couldn’t realistically provide around the clock. But nobody on that team can replace your history together.

They weren’t there on your first day of school. They don’t know the family jokes. They weren’t on that holiday everyone still talks about. They don’t know why a particular Christmas song makes Mum cry or why Dad insists his roast potatoes are better than everyone else’s.

Care can support your loved one. It doesn’t replace you.

How to get an elderly person into a care home: what actually happens?

If you’ve searched ‘how to get an elderly person into a care home’, the process usually involves talking to your loved one, understanding the support they need, working out how their care will be funded, finding a suitable home, completing an assessment with that home and then planning the move together.

But we’d encourage you not to think of it as a checklist for getting somebody from A to B. Behind every one of those steps is someone you love.

In practical terms, you can think about it like this:

1. Start by talking. Tell your loved one what you’re worried about and, wherever possible, listen to what they want.
2. Understand what support they need. A care needs assessment through their local council can help with this.
3. Find out which type of care is appropriate. This might be residential care, nursing care, dementia care or another form of support.
4. Understand the finances. A financial assessment can help establish whether your loved one may receive help with care home funding.
5. Visit care homes. Look at whether they can provide the right care, but also whether you can imagine your loved one being happy and comfortable there.
6. Complete the home’s assessment. This gives the team an opportunity to understand your loved one’s needs, routines and preferences.
7. Plan the move together. Bring familiar belongings, keep talking and allow plenty of time for everyone to adjust.

 

If you’re arranging care following a hospital stay, or your loved one isn’t able to make certain decisions themselves, the process may be a little different and other professionals may need to be involved.

You don’t need to memorise every step before you begin. Deal with what’s in front of you first. Then take the next step when you’re ready.

You don’t have to figure this out alone

If you’re looking for help finding a care home, chances are you’re not simply comparing bedrooms, facilities and prices. You’re thinking about someone you love.

You’re wondering whether Mum will be happy. Whether Dad will make friends. Whether they’ll settle. Whether you’ll still feel like a family. And underneath all of those questions might be the one you’re almost afraid to ask: Am I doing the right thing?

We can’t make that decision for you. What we can do is listen.

At Westcott Care, we take the time to understand the person behind the care needs. The routines they’ve built over a lifetime, the things that make them laugh, the meals they look forward to, the hobbies they’ve always loved and the people they want around them. Because needing more support shouldn’t mean becoming anonymous.

There can still be Sunday lunches and cups of tea. Favourite television programmes and trips out. Family stories, birthdays, hobbies, friendships and quiet afternoons when nobody particularly wants to do anything at all.

Life doesn’t stop when support begins.

If someone you love needs more care and you’re wondering what happens next, Contact Westcott Care.

Tell us what’s happening and what’s worrying you. We’ll listen, answer your questions in plain English and help you understand the best next steps. 

We’ll pop the kettle on.

 

How do you get an elderly person into a care home FAQs 

Can couples move into a care home together?

Yes, some care homes can accommodate couples who want to continue living together, although the options available will depend on the home, the accommodation it offers and the level of care each partner needs. If you’re looking for a care home for an elderly couple, it’s worth asking about this from the beginning so you can find somewhere that can support them both without unnecessarily separating two people who want to remain together.

Can you take your loved one out of a care home for the day?

In many circumstances, yes. Moving into a care home doesn’t necessarily mean your mum, dad or loved one can no longer go out with family and friends. Depending on their health and care needs, they may still be able to head out for Sunday lunch, visit family, go shopping or simply enjoy an afternoon somewhere familiar. Speak to the care team beforehand so any medication, mobility or other support they need can be planned around the outing.

Can your loved one keep their own GP when they move into a care home?

Possibly, although this can depend on where the care home is located and whether their existing GP covers that area. If Mum is moving further away, for example, she may need to register with another local practice. Ask the home what usually happens before the move so you can make any necessary arrangements without interrupting her healthcare.

Can pets move into a care home too?

Some care homes are pet-friendly, but policies vary considerably, so it’s always best to ask the individual home. If a much-loved cat, dog or other pet is an important part of your loved one’s life, bring this up while you’re researching homes rather than assuming they’ll have to say goodbye. Even where a pet can’t live at the home, you can ask whether they may be able to visit.

Can your loved one go on holiday after moving into a care home?

Potentially, yes. Living in residential care doesn’t automatically mean holidays and overnight stays with family have to stop. Whether a trip is suitable will depend on your loved one’s health, mobility and care needs, so talk to the care team before making arrangements. They can help you consider medication, accessibility and any support Mum or Dad may need while they’re away.

What happens to your loved one’s pension when they move into a care home?

Moving into a care home doesn’t automatically stop your loved one’s State Pension, but paying for a care home can affect how their income and certain benefits are treated, particularly if the local authority is contributing towards their care. The rules depend on individual circumstances, so it’s important to check what applies to your loved one rather than assuming their finances will remain exactly the same.

What happens if your loved one’s care needs change after they move in?

Care needs can change, sometimes gradually and sometimes following an illness or hospital stay. A good care home should regularly review the support your loved one receives and talk to you where appropriate about significant changes. If their needs become more complex, the team can discuss whether they can continue providing the right support or whether additional nursing or specialist care may be required.

Can siblings share responsibility for arranging a parent’s care?

Yes. If several family members want to be involved in arranging care for an elderly parent, sharing practical jobs can make the process more manageable. One of you might speak to the local authority, another could arrange home visits and somebody else might help gather financial information. However, being a son or daughter doesn’t automatically give any sibling legal authority to make decisions for a parent who cannot make those decisions themselves.

What happens if your loved one needs to go to hospital after moving into a care home?

If your loved one becomes unwell and needs hospital treatment, the care home can help make sure important information about their health, medication and care needs goes with them. The team can also communicate with healthcare professionals and, where appropriate, keep family informed. Once they’re ready to leave hospital, the home may need to review whether anything about their care has changed before they return.

Can you change care homes if the first one isn’t right?

Yes. Moving into a particular home doesn’t necessarily mean your loved one has to remain there permanently. If their needs change or you have concerns that the home is no longer right for them, you can explore other options. Before making another move, speak to the existing home about your concerns, check any notice requirements in the contract and make sure a new care home can provide the support your loved one needs.