Guides
Straight answers on care in Scotland
A free, searchable library written for Scotland rather than England, and kept free of jargon. Search a question, or browse by topic.
15 guides/Free to read/Reviewed July 2026
6 guides in Visiting and comparing
Choosing a homeHow to choose a care homeHow to shortlist, how to read an inspection report, what to notice on a visit, and 30 questions worth asking before you commit.Visiting and comparingInspections11 minRead the guide
Choosing a homeTypes of care explainedThe difference between a care home and a nursing home, what dementia and specialist registration mean, and how to judge the right level of care without over-buying or under-buying.Nursing careDementia8 minRead the guide
Moving inMoving into a care home: what actually happensHow to raise the subject, what the pre-admission assessment involves, what to bring, what the first day and first month feel like, and how families settle in too.Moving dayDaily life9 minRead the guide
Choosing a homeCare Inspectorate grades explainedThe six-point scale in plain English, the key questions services are graded against, how requirements and areas for improvement differ, and how to check any home's current grades yourself.InspectionsVisiting and comparing8 minRead the guide
Choosing a homeRespite and short-stay care in ScotlandRespite explained in plain English: carer breaks, recovery after hospital, emergency cover and trial stays, plus what the council may contribute and how quickly a stay can be arranged.Visiting and comparingFunding8 minRead the guide
Choosing a homeCare home availability in Scotland: how to find a room, and how fastA practical guide to finding a care home room in Scotland: how availability works, what to do while you wait, how fast a move can happen, and the questions to ask before you accept a room.Visiting and comparingMoving day8 minRead the guide
Beyond the guides
When reading turns into looking, these are the pages families use next.
- Our care homesThirty homes across Scotland, with fees, grades and photographs.
- Types of care we provideResidential, nursing, dementia, respite and palliative care explained.
- Funding adviceWhat the council pays, what you pay, and the current Scottish rates.
- Talk to someoneA conversation with a home manager, with no obligation attached.
Still deciding
Talk it through with someone who knows
Our home managers speak with families every day, most of them long before anyone is ready to move. There is no obligation and no sales pitch.