Care homes and nursing homes

Both care homes and nursing homes can offer you extra support for day to day tasks. All offer accommodation, meals and personal care, but nursing homes also have nurses on duty at all times.

Most care homes or nursing homes are for people over 65. However there are 3 local homes that support people of any age:

Care homes and nursing homes can be run by private companies, local councils or voluntary organisations.

Care homes and nursing homes in Midlothian

Or search the directory by keyword:

Or by postcode:

Waiting for your 1st Choice of care/nursing home

All the homes in Midlothian work together to manage their waiting lists.

If you have a social worker, they will put your name down on our central waiting list. If you will be paying for the home yourself, you may add your name directly to a home’s list.

All offers of a place are subject to individual assessment for the most suitable placement at that time.

If the care home or nursing home you would like to go to has a waiting list, you can either:

  • wait at home
  • or move to another care/nursing home until there is a space in your first choice.

Paying for your care

Paying for a care home or nursing home can be costly. You may be eligible for financial assistance from Midlothian Council. The amount you pay depends on your financial circumstances.

Respite

Some care homes or nursing homes have short-stay spaces to offer respite for carers. Find out more about support for carers.

Getting ready for your move

If you are working with a social worker to move into a care home or nursing home, they will ask you to complete a pre-admission form. This tells the home important things about you.

If you are not working with a social worker, you do not need to complete a form, but it may help the home get to know you and your routine.

Planning for the future

Moving can be a big change, and now might be the time to think about what you would like to happen in the future.

Power of Attorney

You may think your family will be able to make decisions about future support or treatment, especially if you are married or have a will, but this isn’t always true. Your relatives may be consulted, but they can only make decisions for you if you have given them the legal power.

Setting up a Power of Attorney means you can choose who can make decisions on your behalf. Find out more at mypowerofattorney.org.uk.

You might also want to think about having an anticipatory Care Plan.