With life expectancy rising every year due to advances in medicine and an increased awareness of what is and isn't good for us the elderly population is increasing year on year and sees no signs of slowing. An increased older population has a knock on effect in many ways and on many levels.

There are economic consequences involving taxes and interest rates and there is also an increased demand for products and services that a younger population does not have to consider. The biggest demand from an aging population is of course health care. Health care encompasses many different products and services including medicine, nursing care and care homes.

In the UK, with the increase of the elderly population, the need for care homes has increased in demand and as such has gone through significant changes in recent years. The system in the UK is means tested and as a result many people are finding that they have to pay for all or part of their care themselves rather than rely on the government. As many as 70,000 people a year fall into this category and it is set to rise.

This increased demand has meant more choice for people seeking a care home and consequently with more choice has come competition. The knock on effect of competition has been that standards have improved and facilities have become better and more relevant. With such improved standards and the wide choice now available it is always worth considering taking independent advice or certainly looking at several options before making a choice.

Perhaps the biggest change in thinking regarding care homes in the last few years has been the attitude that rather than you having to fit in with what is available you should be able to get the correct care no matter what that involves. Rather than you having to go where the care you require is, it should be delivered to you.

The government's 'White Paper', Caring for People, outlines this in detail. Whatever your needs regarding old age, mental illness, learning disabilities or physical disabilities your individual needs should be met whether that is at home or in residential care homes. It also states that any information regarding services, support and the options available should be communicated to both the person being cared for and the care home employees at all levels.

The preferred option for anyone in the later years of their life would be to stay at home and receive their care there. Unfortunately this is not always possible due to a variety of circumstances including illness and disability. Other factors can also play a part. Your surrounding may no longer be suited to your needs or you may require around the clock care. The alternative then is to opt for a place in a care home.

There are many advantages to living in a care home. A care home is a place which provides accommodation, including board and lodgings, and either personal care or nursing care. The severity of any illness or disability that you may have will determine whether you opt for personal or nursing care and it is one of the most important aspects to consider.

Some care homes will offer both types of care and it should be easy to find out which are on offer. Each care home must register the type of care they offer and they may break down the care they offer into further categories such as respite, where the care provided is for a set time or palliative which is for the terminally ill. Whatever your needs it is worth spending some time looking at what is available before making any decision.