Choosing a care home can be difficult enough for one person. For a couple, there is another question to consider: can we move into care together and continue living as a couple?
In some cases, couples can move into the same care home, even when their care needs are different. A home may have accommodation suitable for couples, or it may be possible for partners to have separate rooms while remaining in the same home and spending time together.
The important point is not to assume that every care home offers the same arrangement. Accommodation, care services, room availability and fees can all vary.
If you are looking for care homes for couples, start by finding out exactly what each home can provide for both partners, now and if your care needs change.
Why choose a care home together?
For couples who have spent many years living together, moving into care does not necessarily have to mean living apart.
Staying in the same care home can make the move easier emotionally and allow partners to maintain familiar routines and regular contact. It can also mean that both people have access to care and support without having to arrange separate care settings.
There are practical benefits too. Instead of two completely separate care arrangements, you can look at homes together and consider how each partner’s needs can be supported within the same setting.
The right arrangement will depend on your individual circumstances and what the care home can offer.
Can couples have the same room in a care home?
Some care homes may offer rooms or accommodation suitable for couples, but this is not available everywhere.
If sharing a room is important to you, ask the care home directly whether it has:
- Rooms suitable for two people
- Shared or companion accommodation
- En-suite facilities suitable for two residents
- Availability for couples at the time you need care
- Any restrictions based on the care needs of either partner
It is also worth asking what happens if one person’s needs become more complex. A room that works well initially may need to be reconsidered if one partner later requires a different level of support.
If a shared room is not available or is not suitable, two separate rooms in the same care home may still allow a couple to remain close while receiving care that is appropriate for each person.
Check: What Is Residential Care?
Finding care homes for couples with different care needs
Couples do not necessarily have the same care requirements.
One partner may need residential care while the other needs nursing care. One may be living with dementia while the other needs support with mobility, medication or personal care.
This makes it important to look beyond whether a home accepts couples.
Ask whether the care home can meet both people’s individual needs and how those needs would be managed within the home.
For example, you could ask:
- What types of care does the home provide?
- Can both partners be cared for in the same home if their needs differ?
- Does the home provide nursing care?
- Does it provide dementia care?
- How are changing care needs assessed?
- Can couples spend time together even when they receive different types of care?
- What happens if one partner’s care needs increase?
A good care plan should be based on the individual rather than treating both partners as having the same requirements simply because they are moving together.
Nursing homes for couples: what should you check?
If one or both partners require nursing care, check that the home has the appropriate nursing provision before making a decision.
Nursing homes for couples may need to accommodate different levels of care within the same setting. The home should be able to explain what nursing support is available and how care is planned for each resident.
Ask about:
- Nursing support available day and night
- Medication management
- Support with mobility and personal care
- How health needs are monitored
- How care plans are reviewed
- What happens if either person’s health changes
Do not choose a home simply because it has a room available for two people. The care provided needs to be suitable for each partner.
What should you ask a care home before moving as a couple?
Speaking to several care homes can help you understand what is realistically available.
Before arranging a visit, ask about accommodation, care and costs.
Accommodation
Find out whether the home has accommodation suitable for couples and whether both partners can live in the same room if that is what you want.
Ask whether there are separate rooms available in the same part of the home if sharing is not suitable.
Care needs
Explain both partners’ current care requirements rather than giving only a general description.
Ask how the home would support each person and whether it can continue to meet those needs if circumstances change.
Daily life
Ask how couples are able to spend time together.
You may want to know whether you can eat meals together, use communal areas together, take part in activities or spend private time together.
These details can make a significant difference to everyday life.
Costs
Ask for a clear explanation of the fees for both residents.
Find out what is included, whether there are additional charges and how fees could change if either person’s care needs increase.
Do not base the decision on the cost of one person’s care alone when you are planning to move as a couple.
How much does a care home cost for a couple?
There is no single price for a couple moving into care.
The total cost will depend on factors such as the care home, accommodation, location and the care required by each person. Two partners may also have different care costs if their needs are different.
Before agreeing to a placement, ask the care home for a clear breakdown of the fees for each person and what those fees cover.
You should also understand how your care will be funded and whether your circumstances could affect what you need to pay.
If you are considering selling a jointly owned property to fund care, get appropriate financial advice before making a decision. Care funding can depend on individual circumstances, so avoid relying on a general assumption about how your home or savings will be treated.
Read: How to Choose the Right Care Home
What to look for when visiting care homes for couples
A visit is one of the best ways to judge whether a care home feels suitable for both partners.
Look at the areas that will affect everyday life, not just the bedroom.
Consider:
- Whether the accommodation is suitable for your needs
- How easy it is to move around the home
- Whether couples can spend time together
- The atmosphere between staff and residents
- Dining arrangements
- Communal areas and outdoor space
- Activities and opportunities for social interaction
- Visiting arrangements for family and friends
- How staff explain care plans and changes in care needs
Try to picture an ordinary day rather than focusing only on how the home looks during your visit.
If possible, ask how another couple living at the home manages their day-to-day routine. The home should be able to explain its arrangements without making promises that cannot be guaranteed.
Also Check: Home Care vs Care Home
What if one partner needs dementia care?
Different care needs do not automatically mean that a couple has to live in different care homes.
However, dementia can require specific support, and the care home needs to be able to meet that person’s needs safely and appropriately.
Ask how dementia care is provided and whether the other partner can remain in the same home.
It is also important to discuss what could happen if the person’s dementia progresses. A suitable arrangement should take future care needs into account rather than looking only at the situation on moving day.
Can couples stay together if their care needs change?
This is one of the most important questions to ask before choosing a care home.
Care needs can change over time. A partner who initially needs residential care may later require nursing support, while the other partner may continue to need a different level of care.
Ask the home:
“If one of our care needs changes, can we both remain here?”
The answer may depend on the home’s facilities, staffing, care provision and the person’s assessed needs.
Understanding this before moving can help you avoid having to make another major decision later.
How to choose the right care home for a couple
Start by making a list of what matters to both of you.
Separate the list into three areas:
Care: What support does each person need now?
Accommodation: Do you want to share a room, have separate rooms or simply live in the same home?
Lifestyle: What do you want your everyday life to look like?
Then contact several suitable homes and ask the same questions. This makes it easier to compare what each provider can actually offer.
Do not be afraid to ask detailed questions about fees, care provision, room availability and what happens if your circumstances change.
The best care homes for couples are not necessarily the ones with the most impressive facilities. They are the homes that can provide appropriate care for both people while helping them maintain the relationship and routines that matter to them.
