Care and welfare

There may come a time when you need a helping hand to keep on top of everyday tasks.

There are lots of options available to you for advice about getting help at home, moving into retirement accommodation, or ill-health and disability benefits.

Long-term care

Whether you're planning on staying in your own home or moving into a care facility, there are plenty of places you can go for guidance and advice.

Getting help at home

If you need help at home with your personal care or daily tasks, ask your Local Authority for a needs assessment form. There's also plenty of helpful information in Age UK's Care at home guide.

Care homes

Moving into a care home is a huge decision, so you must make sure you find one that suits your needs. If you need advice on choosing a care home, you can get information from Age UK, your Local Authority and the Elderly Accommodation Counsel.

If you want to know how the care home you're considering is rated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), you can search their residential care and nursing home inspection reports. The CQC checks that care homes, hospitals and other care services meet national standards.

Ill-health and disability benefits

If you have a disability, or a long-term or terminal health condition, you may be able to claim the Attendance Allowance or the Personal Independence Payment to help you with any extra care needs.

Attendance Allowance

You can claim this tax-free benefit if you need help with personal care because of a physical or mental disability and you're age 65 or over. It's paid at two different rates depending on the level of care you need.

Personal Independence Payment

You can claim this tax-free benefit to help with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or disability if you're between ages 16 and 64. Like Attendance Allowance, it's paid at different rates depending on how your condition affects you.

Neither of these benefits is means tested.

Find out more

For more information about ill-health and disability benefits, search gov.uk.