What are the alternatives to care homes in the UK?

Care homes aren’t the only option

Talking about care isn’t an easy conversation. Independence is a precious thing, and nobody wants to feel like they’re giving theirs up.

With that in mind, it’s understandable why so many families leave care planning to the last minute. That difficult conversation is easy to avoid until it becomes unavoidable.

However, that often means care planning turns into a rush. And in that rush, many families assume moving into a care home or nursing home is the only option.

For some people, it’s the right move. But it’s fair to say that most people would rather consider alternatives first. Moving into a care home means giving up your home, pets and familiar routine. It’s a big decision that can be stressful for everyone involved.

The good news is that care home alternatives are available. These generally allow for more independent living than care homes or nursing homes. And while some still involve moving out, others let you stay in the home you love.

Why consider care home alternatives?

You might want to consider an alternative to a nursing home or care home if you:

• Value your independence and want to maintain it as much as possible
• Want the comfort of your own space, not a shared environment
• Would benefit from one-to-one, personalised care
• Have pets and want to keep them
• Want to keep family and friends close by

What are the alternatives to care homes?

Let’s look at five care home alternatives and weigh up their potential pros and cons.

1. Live-in care

Live-in care is a type of home care where a carer comes to live with you. They’ll stay in a spare room, so you’ll have support and companionship from a dedicated carer all day and night.

Key benefits

• You get to stay in the home you love
• Family and friends can visit at any time
• You can keep pets
• 24/7 care from a dedicated carer
• One-to-one, personalised support
• Specialised care for ongoing health conditions
• Reduced risk of confusion for people living with dementia
• Peace of mind for the family

Is it right for me?

Many families choose live-in care as a long-term alternative to a nursing home or care home. It provides a level of one-to-one, person-centred care that’s just not possible in care homes, where carer time and facilities are shared between residents.

However, it’s not right for everyone. If you just need a bit of extra support, visiting care, sheltered housing or assisted living might be a better fit for you.

2. Visiting care

Visiting care is also known as ‘domiciliary care’. With this option, you stay at home while a carer visits occasionally to offer practical support. That could include help preparing meals, catching up with housework or getting ready for the day, among other things.

Key benefits

The benefits of visiting care are similar to live-in care. The difference is that you don’t get 24-hour support. Instead, you work with your care provider to draw up a visiting schedule that fits your needs and your routine.

• You get to stay in the home you love
• Family and friends can visit at any time
• You can keep pets
• You choose when carers visit and how often
• One-to-one, personalised support
• Specialised care for ongoing health conditions
• Reduced risk of confusion for people living with dementia
• Peace of mind for the family

Is it right for me?

Visiting care might suit you if you want to stay at home but need occasional support to stay independent. It’s a very flexible type of care because you choose exactly how much support you get and how often.

If you think you’ll need more support, live-in care might be a better option. However, you can always start with visiting care and switch to live-in care as your needs change.

3. Family-led care

Family-led care is just what it sounds like. Family members take responsibility for your care, sometimes with support from specialist carers where needed.

Living arrangements are up to you and your family. Often, the person receiving care moves in with family members so they have 24/7 support. But depending on your needs, you could choose to stay at home while relatives visit to help with the tasks you find most difficult.

Key benefits

• Familiar environments
• Loved ones provide care
• Flexibility of living and care arrangements
• Specialist carers can step in for more complex needs where needed

Is it right for me?

For many people, family-led care feels like the most comfortable option. It means you can stay at home or move into the familiar environment of a relative’s home. And it offers peace of mind because you don’t have to invite a stranger into your home. Instead, family members take charge of your care.

However, it’s not without its downsides. While they no doubt want the best for the person who needs care, not every family can provide the right level of support. They might not be able to dedicate enough time or may have space constraints at home. And while specialist carers can step in occasionally to help, it’s not easy to provide 24/7 support for a person living with complex health needs.

There’s also the risk of strained relationships and carer burnout. Respite care can give family carers a break, but depending on your needs, professional home care might be a better long-term option.

4. Sheltered housing and retirement villages

Sheltered housing and retirement villages both offer a high level of independence in purpose-built housing sites. You rent or buy a self-contained flat, house or bungalow, so you have your own private space while benefiting from shared facilities.

The main differences are the level of amenities provided and the cost. Retirement villages are typically more expensive and often feel like self-contained towns or resorts, featuring facilities such as restaurants, shops, gyms and even swimming pools. Sheltered housing is usually more affordable and offers simpler shared facilities such as lounges and gardens.

Key benefits

• Your own private space
• High level of independence
• A community feel and shared facilities
• Supervision and support from on-site wardens
• Accommodation is often accessible and step-free
• Some level of care may be provided

Is it right for me?

Sheltered housing and retirement villages are almost always restricted to older people (typically 55+), so they’re not an option for younger people who need support.

However, if you meet the age requirement, they can offer a good balance of comfort, safety and independence. You’ll still have your own space, but you’ll be among a like-minded community and have the peace of mind that on-site staff are available if needed.

One downside is that levels of care can vary. Sheltered housing developments typically have 24-hour emergency alarm systems, which is reassuring, but they don’t usually include any care as standard. And retirement villages sometimes offer pay-as-you-go care services, but not always. Both options are more about independent living than round-the-clock care.

It’s always worth considering the cost and inconvenience. You’ll have to buy or rent a new place, which means moving out, potentially downsizing and leaving your old life behind.

5. Assisted living

Assisted living offers a middle ground between a care home and a retirement village or sheltered housing facility. It’s sometimes called ‘extra care housing’.

With assisted living, you buy or rent your own flat within a shared facility. As with a care home, you can access support around the clock from specialist carers.

You also get access to shared amenities, which might include a lounge, dining room and exercise classes or other activities.

The key difference between a care home and assisted living is how the support is structured. Assisted living emphasises your independence and only provides support where needed, while care homes are more about constant, supervised care.

Key benefits:

• Your own private space
• Access to care 24/7
• Shared facilities
• A community feel

Is it right for me?

People often choose assisted living if they’re independent but are finding day-to-day tasks more difficult. It means they can maintain privacy and their own routine while accessing support from trained carers all day and night.

However, like a care home, it means moving out and leaving family and friends behind. And because care is included in the living arrangements, costs are often higher than supported living.

If a fresh start in a new community appeals to you, assisted living could be a great option. Otherwise, you could receive the same level of care – or better – with home care services such as live-in or visiting care.

What is the best alternative to a nursing home or care home?

At Novus Care, we firmly believe that home is the best place to receive care.

That’s why we’re so passionate about live-in care and visiting care. Both options let you stay in the home you love, stay in touch with family, and receive one-to-one, dedicated support from a trained carer.

And when you choose Novus Care, we tailor all our home care to you. You’ll get to know your carer, and you’ll have a bespoke care plan that covers your non-negotiable daily needs and preferences.

We know it’s not for everyone. But we do think that home care is the best alternative to a nursing home for most people. Here’s a quick comparison to show why.

What do alternatives to care homes cost?

The cost of care home alternatives can vary depending on the type of care, your living arrangement, your location and other factors.

At Novus Care, we offer live-in care across England starting from £1,199 per week for one person. For two people, it starts from £1,499. So, you could save if you’re a couple and you both need care at home.

Family-led care doesn’t usually have a fee attached, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s free. Family members may lose earnings or have to reduce work hours to provide care.

Costs for sheltered housing and retirement villages vary considerably. You’ll have to pay rent or purchase a property. And you’ll typically need to budget for service charges, optional facilities and personal care, whether provided on site or arranged separately.
Assisted living costs vary by facility and care package, too. As well as rent or purchase costs, you’ll need to consider service charges and personal care charges.

Some schemes also charge for on-site emergency support.

How Novus Care can help

Novus Care is a family-run, CQC-regulated care agency offering flexible home care across every town and village in England.

When you choose us, you receive:

• One-to-one, tailored support at home from a highly trained carer – selected and employed directly by us
• Flexible care options that can adapt to suit your needs and lifestyle, including live-in care and visiting care
• Around-the-clock support from a dedicated care management team
• Peace of mind – we’re regulated by the Care Quality Commission, so you can have confidence in the quality of our care

Are you weighing up alternatives to care homes? We’d be delighted to chat about how our home care services could work for you. Give us a call on 0800 138 4030  or get in touch with our friendly team online.

Your questions about care home alternatives answered

What are the best alternatives to care homes for the elderly?

That depends on the person and their individual needs and preferences. Some older people thrive in the community atmosphere of sheltered housing or an assisted living facility. Others prefer receiving care in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

However, there are good reasons to consider care at home. Both Age UK and NHS England recognise the importance of helping older people maintain their independence and stay in familiar surroundings. With the right support, many people can continue living at home, enjoying their usual routines and maintaining connections with friends, family and their local community.

Do I need a nursing home if I live with a complex health condition?

Not necessarily. At Novus Care, we provide one-to-one support at home from carers who are trained to support people living with a variety of health conditions. That includes conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, diabetes, stroke and mobility issues.

For you, that means receiving one-to-one, specialised care in the comfort of your own home.

Learn more about the conditions we support.

What are the alternatives to a nursing home for dementia care?

The main alternatives for dementia care are home care (live-in and visiting care) and assisted living facilities.

Home care providers like Novus Care offer specialised, one-to-one support at home for dementia. That continuity can be very beneficial for people living with dementia. Staying in the familiar environment of their own home can help reduce confusion and anxiety.

In fact, NHS England recognises that moving into unfamiliar surroundings can be distressing for people with dementia and recommends avoiding unnecessary moves where possible. With the right support, many people can continue living comfortably in their own homes, even as their care needs change.

Some assisted living facilities also provide specialised dementia care. However, this isn’t usually continuous one-to-one care, and moving into unfamiliar surroundings can be challenging. It’s important to consider the person’s preferences, symptoms and care needs when weighing up the options.

H3: What are my options for funding care outside of a care home?

You can either self-fund your care or check if you’re eligible for financial support.

Depending on your circumstances, your local council may be able to contribute to care costs. This involves:

• A care needs assessment to check what kind of practical support you need
• A financial assessment to see if you qualify for financial support and how much you’ll need to contribute

If you live with a health condition, you might also qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare. This offers free care to certain people with complex, long-term health needs.

Learn more in our guide to funding home care.