Useful Information

Care home information to help you when you are looking for the best care homes.

Questionnaire - What do you ask a care home when you visit? Best-care-home.co.uk has put together a comprehensive list of questions in its care home questionnaire. Covering everything you need to know when you are considering a nursing or residential care home - Click here to view.

There is very little information available, in particular about people who are paying for care privately, about how they find the services they need. If you have the time please fill in this short questionnaire.

Paying for care - When you are considering long term care it is important to plan how you are going to pay for it. This free care fees planning guide will give you the information you need about protecting assets for the future and planning for care either at home or in residential or nursing care.

Charity Shops - Having made the difficult decision to sell the family home, are you now faced with what to do with the contents? View a list of registered charity shops that will help you with house clearance and make sure that your families belongings go to a new family - Click here.

Assessment - You are entitled to a full assessment by your local council. You have a right to this assessment no matter what your ability is to pay for your care. In order to get a care assessment contact your local council. If you are caring for someone, you are also entitled to an assessment, again speak to your local council; for full information - Click here.

Attendance Allowance - This is a tax-free benefit you may get if you are over 65 and need help with personal care. You won't usually need a medical examination and you may be able to claim up to £70.35 per week (2009-2010). For full information - Click here.

Home Improvements - Home improvement agencies are locally based, not-for-profit organisations. They help older, disabled and vulnerable homeowners or private tenants to repair, improve, maintain or adapt their homes. 'Staying put' schemes as they are sometimes called, help you to stay in your own home for as long as possible, for more information - Click here.

Pets - When living at home is no longer an option, what options do you have concerning the faithful family pet. Many care homes will take pets by arrangement, however it may not be appropriate in all circumstances; best-care-home.co.uk would suggest taking a look at the Cinnamon Trust who will help out with your pet whilst you are still living at home, or look after your pet for the rest of its life.

Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's disease affects your memory and reasoning and it is the most common form of dementia affecting your mental abilities. Unfortunately there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, however there are treatments that can slow down its development. If you would like to find out more about Alzheimer's and dementia, please Click here.

Reminiscence is shown to help many people who are suffering from dementia. Aimed at people in their 70's 'Many Happy Returns' provides 'prompts' to help you share memories, click here for more information.


Holidays - Holidays, leisure time and travel are all available for the elderly or for those with disabilities, by travel companies that specialise in supporting trips and holidays away, 'Click here' for more information.

Tourism for all - NHS travel information for information about holidays for adults with disabilities - Click here.

Caring - Are you caring for somebody? A carer is somebody who looks after and supports a friend, relative or neighbour who could not manage without their help. Three in five people in the UK will become carers at some point in their lives. If you would like some more information about what it means to be a carer Click here.

Learning Disability - The government is committed to improving the life chances of people with a learning disability. At best-care-home.co.uk we want to support adults with a learning disability to lead independent and full lives, for more information please Click here.

Disability Allowance can be claimed if you are under 65 and if you have a physical or mental disability or if your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself. For full details Click here.

At best-care-home we encourage personal recommendations and votes for the best-care-home award.  This award aims to recognise the best care in England and help you to find it. 

Blue badge map - An interactive free map for accessible services in over 100 towns, that shows parking bays, local council parking rules, accessible public toilets, train station accessibility, shopmobility centres, accessible beaches and much more across the UK. For web enabled phones text BLUE to 83377.

Contact your local authority to find out your entitlements as each authority acts independently.

Motability.  Anyone who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement can exchange this weekly payment – currently around £50 per week – for a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair with Motability. Over half a million disabled people in the UK choose this affordable way to get on the road.
 
Over 400 makes and models available at no Advance Payment – this means no up front costs. Customers simply transfer their weekly mobility allowance to Motability in exchange for a brand new car with the insurance, servicing, maintenance, tyre replacement, and breakdown assistance included.
 
Full details of all car prices are available on the online Searchable Price Guide at motability.co.uk. For more information on leasing a car from Motability call 0800 093 1000.