One of the biggest concerns when it comes to shopping for care is the cost.
However, as any care broker will tell you, there is plenty of financial support available for anyone who needs it.
It's important to understand the facts so you know whether you have to pay; if you have to pay, how much it will cost; and whether your house is secure.
Unlike healthcare, social care isn't free to everyone.
Councils have restricted budgets for social care, so they usually only cover the costs of those most in need of financial help.
As a result, everyone looking for financial help when it comes to social care will be subjected to a care assessment.
The care assessment is different for each local authority, as they all have different budgets and different criteria.
Depending on the level of your income, your savings or your assets, you may have to pay some or all of your care.
If you're looking for non-residential services, such as home care, then the value of your home won't be taken into account as part of the care assessment.
However, your home may be taken into account if you're looking for residential care, but not if your partner lives there still.
If you need to pay for your care, you might have to sell your house.
If you move into a care home permanently, the council will ignore the value of your home for the first 12 months of your stay.
After that, it will be taken into account as part of the care assessment.
However, other funding options include third party top-up payments, which can be paid by a friend or relative.
Also, if you have been hospitalised under the Mental Health Act, you could be eligible for free care.
The key thing to remember is to claim for the benefits you're entitled to.
£2 million goes unclaimed by older people every year.