Care homes - a place for extra support
They offer 24-hour care and support, including meals, personal care, and accommodation. Some care homes are run by the council, while others are managed by charities or private companies:
- see the full list of care homes in Lewisham: Lewisham care homes
Types of care homes
There are two main types of care homes:
- residential care homes provide support with daily activities like dressing, washing, and eating - if nursing care is needed, district nurses may visit
- nursing care homes have qualified nurses on duty 24/7 to provide medical care for people with complex health needs
All care homes are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to make sure they meet safety and quality standards.
Who can live in a care home?
People of different ages and needs live in care homes, including those who need support with:
- dementia or Alzheimer's
- mental health conditions
- physical disabilities
- learning disabilities
- sensory impairments
- substance abuse recovery
- eating disorders
Care homes can be for different age groups:
- 0-17 years
- 18-65 years
- over 65 years
How to get a place in a care home
If you or a loved one might need a care home, the council can help:
- assessing your needs - a social worker and nurse will check what support you require
- exploring your options - if a care home is right for you, we help find the best one
- checking your finances - if you qualify for support, we may help pay for your care
You can choose your care home, as long as:
- it meets your care needs
- it falls within the councils budget
- the care home agrees to work with us
If you need help making a decision, we can arrange for an independent advocate to provide guidance.
Things to think about when choosing a care home
When picking a care home, its important to ask questions:
- what care and services are included in the fees?
- can I stay if my health needs change?
- is there a trial period to see if I like it?
- can I have visitors anytime?
- what activities and social events are there?
- will I have access to the internet?
- can I bring my pet?
- is there a garden or outdoor space?
- can I decide when to wake up and go to bed?
- can I keep my own GP and manage my own medication?
How much does a care home cost?
Care home fees vary. If the council helps pay, there is a maximum amount we can cover. If you choose a more expensive home, you or your family may need to pay the extra cost (called a top-up fee).
Can I get help with costs?
You may be able to get help with the cost of care, depending on your financial circumstances and care needs.
The Council can help cover care home fees if you are assessed as eligible through a financial assessment.
If you move into a nursing home, the NHS may contribute £187.60 per week towards your nursing care. This is called funded nursing care (FNC), and it applies if you have been assessed by the NHS as needing nursing care.
Support is based on eligibility. You will need to complete a financial assessment and, in some cases, a healthcare assessment to confirm what help you can receive.
Get independent financial advice
Before making any big decisions, its good to speak to a financial advisor about your options.
Deferred payment scheme: pay later
If you own a home but don't have enough savings to pay for care, you may be able to delay payments through a deferred payment scheme. This means the council covers your care costs now, and you repay later (for example, when your home is sold).
For more details, see our deferred payment scheme page.
BSL support and visiting care homes
We support British Sign Language (BSL) users in care homes to ensure their needs are met.
Visiting care homes
We are working with care homes to increase visiting opportunities safely. If you'd like to visit someone in a care home, please contact the home directly for the latest guidance.