News and blogs document Living well - Housing options

It is important to explore all your options and make a decision that is right for you or your loved one.

A good place to start is to think about your current home and how well it suits you, both now and for the future. Having a conversation with family and friends can help you decide what is best for you and it also lets everyone know what you would like.

Ultimately, the choice of where to live rests in your hands. Below, you'll find a variety of housing choices to consider, along with a helpful guide from Age UK to support you in living well at home.

Living at home

Making minor changes to your home or getting support with daily activities can make a big difference to your quality of life. They can allow you to maintain your independence at home for longer.

Home adaptations such as grab rails, stairlifts, seats for showers and even transforming bathrooms into showrooms are just a few of the changes you could consider.

There are various daily living aids or alarms and devices available to assist you in your daily activities, enhancing your quality of life.

If you need extra support, with essential daily tasks, personal care or meal preparation, there is a range of options you can choose from to meet your needs.

While some adaptations to your home can be costly and require thoughtful consideration they are often more cost-effective than moving to a care home.

You may be eligible for a disabled Facilities Grant from your district council if you have received a care assessment and need to adapt to your home. Your Occupational Therapist will apply for a grant if you are.

Read our living well at home and care at home articles to learn more about adaptations, daily living aids, paid and unpaid care, and community support options.

Moving home

Moving home can be a big decision. Especially if you have lived in your current home for many years. However, it could also be the right choice for you. It is important to consider all your options and discuss them with people you trust.

You may want to think about downsizing or relocating closer to family. Moving in with family can often work well if that is a possibility for you. However, it is important to maintain realistic expectations. This experience will be quite different from living independently in your own home. You will also need to consider the impact on all household members.

Extra Care Housing is another option you may want to consider. It allows you to rent, part-by or buy a purpose built apartment with onsite care if needed. The housing combines self-contained living spaces, such as apartments or bungalows, with access to shared facilities and on-site care tailored to individual needs. For many this is an alternative to moving into a care home, allowing them to keep their independence and remain in the community.

Age UK Homeshare Oxfordshire

Age UK Oxfordshire Homeshare service carefully matches older people who are looking for help or companionship at home, with another person who can lend a hand, and needs affordable accommodation. In return for the accommodation the Sharer gives the Householder up to 10 hours of their time each week as a combination of companionship and practical help.

Each Homeshare match is individual and carefully agreed. It may include some cooking and light housework, help with computers and technology, maybe some shopping or gardening, spending time together over a meal or cup of tea as well as occasional trips out. The reassuring presence of another person in the house overnight is often an additional benefit for the Householder.

A Homeshare match does not involve any personal care.

Shared Lives

The Shared Lives scheme allows you to receive the help and support you need within the setting of your carer's home, sharing their family and community life. It is open to anyone who needs extra support to live independently and is ideal for people who prefer to live in a family setting.

You help design the care package you need, this could be living with a long term carer, short breaks or company and support from time to time. Everyone is different, so they will ask what is important to you before matching you with a suitable carer.

Care homes

Many people only consider moving into a care home when other options are no longer suitable.

You may want to consider a care home if you need a lot of care, particularly during the night as well as the day. Or if your care and supervision needs cannot be met in your own home.

However, there are times when people go into a care home sooner than they need to, which impacts their quality of life and is also a drain on their assets. It is worth taking this into consideration when looking into your options as there is lots of help and support to enable people to live well at home, including care at home.

It is important to get advice if you are considering moving into a care home. Age UK [ has independent advice on when to consider a care home and what you should look for when choosing a care home. Or you can request a care needs assessment for our adult social care team, to explore the best option for you.

Live Well Oxfordshire has details on care homes and Care Choices have a care home checklist, which you can use to see if the care home meets your needs. There is also find guidance on our finding a care home web page.

It is worth considering the financial implications of moving into a care home too. Whether you will need to self-fund, or if you are eligible for funding support through us. If you start off self-funding, it is possible you may need our support later on and that could mean you need to move to a different care home.

We are only able to fund a care home placement if you meet the eligibility criteria. You will need to complete our online financial assessment and request a care needs assessment by our adult social care team to identify whether you are eligible.

If you, a spouse or partner need to move into a care home, read do I have to sell my home to pay for care from Age UK.

Use Age UK’s guide to housing options

While you may have a clear vision of your next steps, it's a good idea to explore all the options presented in Age UK’s independent guide to housing options.

You might discover a different option; one you have not previously considered. It is important to think through and discuss your choices with family and friends. However, ultimately the decision of where to live rests in your hands.