Choosing a care home
Before moving into a care home, we will always look at ways to help you stay at home first.
This might include:
- care at home
- extra care housing
- supported living
If a care home is the right option, we’ll help you find one that meets your needs. You have the right to choose the provider and location of your care home.
Where to start
If you’re in hospital and cannot return home safely, hospital staff will arrange for a social worker to assess your needs.
If you’re at home and finding it difficult to cope, contact us for advice.
We'll carry out:
- a Care Act assessment (to understand your needs)
- a financial assessment (to see how care will be paid for)
We will talk with you (and your family, if you want) about:
- the type of care you need, including any specialist support
- your care home preferences
Finding a care home
You have the right to choose which care home you live in.
We’ll give you details of suitable care homes based on your needs and what is available.
We will always offer at least one suitable care home within your budget. If you choose a more expensive home, someone may need to pay the extra cost (a ‘top-up’).
If it’s outside Walsall borough, we will still arrange it.
It’s a good idea to visit a few care homes before you decide. We’ll always take your preferences into account. If your first choice is not available, we will help you look at other options.
Age UK has lots of advice about choosing the right care home for you.
Check the quality
Before you choose a care home, look at how good it is.
You can:
- check the latest CQC ratings and reports
- make sure the home can meet your needs
You may also want to find out if the home:
- is close to family and friends
- meets your cultural or religious needs
- offers activities you enjoy
Choosing a home not on our list
If we haven’t already got a contract with the home you want to go to, you may still be able to choose it.
- Tell your social worker which home you want
- We’ll check the home
- We will see if we can put a contract in place
This process can take a bit longer, but we will support you through it.
Paying for your care
You will usually need to pay towards your care based on your income and savings.
Find out more about your options to pay for care home placement.
If you don't want a financial assessment, you can choose, arrange and pay for care yourself. This is called self-funding.
Further information
Read our guidance for more detailed information:
You can also:
