How to get an elderly person into a care home in Scotland?

Oct 22, 2025 5 min read •

senior care Healthy Aging Scottish Care Services

In Scotland, every adult has a right to be assessed for their social care needs. Knowing how to get an elderly person into a care home in Scotland begins with a care needs assessment carried out by your local council's social work department. This step is vital for determining the most suitable care option and accessing potential financial support.

Quick Summary

The process for admitting an elderly person into a care home in Scotland involves contacting the local council's social work department for a care needs assessment. This assessment determines the type of care required and eligibility for funding, with the financial aspect being evaluated separately. Following assessment, individuals can choose a suitable care home and arrange admission, with support from the council.

Key Points

Start with a Needs Assessment: The first step is to contact your local council's social work department to request a free care needs assessment, which determines if a care home is the right option.
Prepare for a Financial Assessment: Following the needs assessment, a means test will determine the person's financial contribution towards their care, although personal and nursing care are free in Scotland.
Free Personal and Nursing Care: All adults in Scotland assessed as needing personal and/or nursing care are entitled to receive it free of charge, regardless of their income or capital.
Choose the Right Home Carefully: Research care homes using the Care Inspectorate's reports, visit potential homes, and compare factors like atmosphere, staff, and activities before making a decision.
Consider Alternatives to a Care Home: Explore options like home care, sheltered housing, or self-directed support if the elderly person prefers to remain in their own home.
Protect the Elderly Person's Rights: Legal frameworks like Anne's Law ensure residents' rights to connect with loved ones, and a Power of Attorney can protect their interests.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Care Home Admission in Scotland

Navigating the process of moving an elderly relative into a care home can be complex and emotionally challenging. In Scotland, the system is designed to ensure individuals receive the right level of support, with several key stages to follow. Understanding each step, from initial contact with the local council to financial arrangements and choosing the right home, is crucial for a smooth transition for everyone involved.

Initiate the Care Needs Assessment

The first and most important step is to request a care needs assessment from your local council's social work department. This assessment is free and is the gateway to accessing all other support services and potential funding.

How to request an assessment: You can contact the social work department yourself, or ask a relative, friend, GP, or other healthcare professional to do so on your behalf.
Who conducts the assessment: A qualified professional, such as a social worker, will carry out the assessment. They will visit the elderly person to discuss their daily life, health, and what support they need.
The assessment's purpose: The goal is to determine if a care home is the most appropriate option. The assessor will also consider if the person's needs could be met through a home care package or other alternatives, honouring their preferences as much as possible.

Understand the Financial Assessment

Once a care needs assessment has been completed and residential care is deemed appropriate, a separate financial assessment (or 'means test') will be conducted. In Scotland, personal care and nursing care are free for all adults assessed as needing it. However, the cost of accommodation and other services is means-tested.

The £35,500 capital threshold: If the elderly person has capital (including savings and property) over £35,500, they are considered a 'self-funder' and will pay the full cost of their care, minus the Free Personal and/or Nursing Care payments from the council.
What if capital is below £35,500? For those with capital below this threshold, the council will contribute to the fees. The exact amount is determined by the financial assessment, which takes income and savings into account.
Property considerations: For permanent residents, the value of their home is usually included in the financial assessment. However, there are exceptions, such as if a spouse or dependent relative lives there. A 12-week property disregard also applies to allow time to decide on the home's future.

Choosing the Right Care Home

Following the assessments, the council will provide a list of suitable care homes that can meet the elderly person's needs. This is where the personal element comes in, and careful research is key.

How to research homes: Visit the Care Inspectorate's website to check inspection reports and ratings for potential homes. You can also search online directories and ask for recommendations.
Key factors to consider: When visiting homes, pay attention to the atmosphere, staff-to-resident ratio, activities offered, food quality, visiting policies, and overall standard of the facilities. Use a checklist to compare homes effectively.
Council-funded vs. self-funded: If the council is paying for some of the care, your choice may be limited to homes that accept the council's rate. A 'third-party top-up' can be arranged by a family member to pay the difference for a more expensive home, but the resident cannot pay this themselves.

Preparing for the Move and Settling In

Moving day marks a significant change, and preparation can help ease the transition for the elderly person. Emotional support and practical steps are both vital.

Pre-admission planning: Discuss routines, preferences, and personal belongings with the care home staff to ensure a smooth transition. Arrange for furniture and personal items to be moved in advance.
Power of Attorney: If the elderly person lacks capacity, having a Power of Attorney (PoA) is essential for managing their finances and welfare. This should ideally be set up well in advance of a crisis.
Focus on wellbeing: After the move, help the person settle in by visiting regularly, bringing familiar items, and encouraging them to participate in the home's social activities. The new 'Anne's Law' legislation protects residents' rights to see loved ones.

Alternatives to Residential Care

For some, a care home may not be the best solution. Several alternatives allow individuals to remain in their own homes with support.

Home care (domiciliary care): A carer visits the home to provide assistance with daily tasks, medication, and personal hygiene. This can be arranged for a few hours a week up to a full-time live-in carer.
Sheltered housing: Provides independent living in purpose-built apartments with an on-site warden and community feel. 'Extra care' housing offers a higher level of support.
Self-directed support (SDS): This gives individuals more control over their care budget, allowing them to choose and arrange their own support services.

Comparison of Care Options


Feature	Home Care	Sheltered/Extra Care Housing	Care Home (Residential)
Environment	Stays in own, familiar home.	Own apartment with communal areas.	Private room within a managed facility.
Level of Care	Flexible, from visiting to live-in.	On-site warden and optional support services.	24/7 care, tailored to specific needs.
Independence	Highest level, remains in control.	Retains independence with support.	Structured environment with reduced independence.
Social Interaction	Can be isolated without effort.	Built-in community in communal spaces.	Daily social activities and interaction.
Cost	Varies widely based on hours/needs.	Rent/buy apartment plus service charges.	Set weekly fee, means-tested.
Best For	Those who want to remain at home.	Independent living with light support needs.	Those requiring 24/7 or complex care.

Conclusion

The process of securing a care home placement for an elderly person in Scotland is a structured journey that begins with a care needs assessment from the local social work department. This determines the type and level of care required, while a subsequent financial assessment establishes funding eligibility. Families are empowered to choose a suitable home, guided by inspections and personal visits, and should be aware of alternatives like home care or sheltered housing. Early planning and understanding of the system, including legal aspects like Power of Attorney, are crucial for a successful and dignified transition. Support and information are widely available from organisations like Care Information Scotland throughout the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

The first step is to contact your local council's social work department and request a care needs assessment. This can be done by the individual or by a family member or health professional on their behalf.

Yes, if you own a property and are moving into a care home permanently, its value is usually included in the financial assessment. If your total capital, including the home, exceeds £35,500, you will be considered a self-funder.

Yes, personal and nursing care is free for all adults in Scotland who have been assessed as needing it by their local authority, regardless of their age or financial status.

The Care Inspectorate regulates and inspects care homes in Scotland. You can check their website for inspection reports and ratings of care homes you are considering.

As of recent guidance, if your capital exceeds £35,500, you will likely be considered a self-funder. If it is below this, the local council will contribute towards your care fees.

If an elderly person is discharged from a hospital and requires immediate residential care, the hospital's social work team will work with the local council to arrange a suitable placement, which may initially be an interim home if the preferred one has no vacancies.

A third-party top-up is a payment made by someone else, like a family member, to cover the difference between the local authority's standard rate and the actual fee charged by a more expensive care home. The resident themselves cannot pay this.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.