Residential services are not just care homes. There are several other alternatives you can choose from, depending on what is suitable for your situation.
Supported Living
Supported Living services are designed for people with learning disabilities and long term mental health needs. The individual would normally rent a house or flat in a safe environment that is part of the supported living scheme. This would include support from carers in a routine designed to give the person maximum independence.
Extra Care Housing
Extra Care housing is an alternative to residential care that enables people to remain as independent as possible. In Extra Care Housing people live in their own self-contained accommodation, but also have access to 24 hour on site support.
You can read more about Extra Care Housing in Buckinghamshire here.
Shared lives
Shared Lives is a service provided by carefully chosen single people, couples or families we call Shared Lives Carers.
Shared Lives Carers offer support in or from their own homes within local communities.
Sheltered housing
Sheltered housing allows people to live independently but in a smaller, easier-to-manage home that has support available. Sheltered Housing is sometimes known as Supported or Retirement Housing.
There are many different types of sheltered housing schemes. Some will have a warden or manager who lives onsite or offsite, though most will have 24-hour emergency help through an alarm system.
There are often communal areas, such as a lounge, laundry room and garden.
Residential Care and Nursing Homes
Residential Care Homes provide help with personal care (washing and dressing, etc.), give emotional support and help you to live as independently as possible. This level of care cannot be provided in your own home.
Nursing homes care for people who are very frail and may need care from a registered nurse.
Last reviewed: 07/12/2018