Types of support

What support is there?

Knowing what’s what with care and support services can sometimes be difficult as there are lots of different terms used that may not be familiar. In the rest of this section you’ll find explanations of the different types of support and the names often used for them.

Support is often split in to four types:

• Prevention services
• Equipment and technology
• Community Care
• Residential services

Prevention services

Prevention services aim to delay or prevent people losing their independence. They are often free and may be provided on a temporary basis.

Equipment and helpful technology

Even simple equipment can mean the difference between living independently and needing someone to look after you.

You can find more information on equipment and technology on our information pages or by using our equipment house.

Community Care

Longer term support that is provided in your home or in your local community. For example this could include having some meals delivered or having a carer help you with tasks around the house.

Residential services

Residential services that provide a suitable place to live. This includes residential and nursing homes, but there are also other alternatives.

Sometimes these types of services are known as Placements.