The Care Jargon Buster: Social Care Terms Explained.
Researching care options for a loved one is already an emotional and demanding process. The last thing you need is to wade through a wall of unfamiliar terminology before you can even understand what is being offered.
This guide explains the most common terms you will encounter when exploring residential care, funding options, and assessments.
Care needs and assessments
Care needs assessment A free assessment carried out by your local authority (council) to determine what support a person needs with daily living. It looks at physical, mental, and emotional needs. Anyone can request one, and it is the usual starting point for accessing funded or council-arranged care.
Carer's assessment A separate assessment for the person providing unpaid care (a family member or friend). It looks at the carer's own wellbeing, capacity, and what support they need. It can unlock practical help, financial support, and access to local services.
Self-funder / private payer Someone who pays for their own care from personal savings, assets, or income, rather than receiving local authority or NHS funding. Most residents at Lavender Fields are self-funders. This typically means greater flexibility in choosing where and how you receive care.
Means testing The process by which a local authority assesses whether someone qualifies for financial support towards care costs. It takes into account savings, assets (including property in some cases), and income. If a person's assets exceed a set threshold (currently £23,250 in England), they are expected to pay for their own care in full.
Types of care
Residential care Day-to-day personal care and support for people who are no longer able to manage independently at home. This typically includes help with washing, dressing, meals, mobility, and medication, alongside social activities and companionship. At Lavender Fields, residential care is provided in Provence House.
Nursing care Care provided by or under the supervision of a registered nurse, for people with more complex medical or clinical needs. Not all care homes offer nursing care. Lavender Fields has an on-site District Nursing team, which means residents with nursing-level needs can be supported without having to move elsewhere.
Dementia care Specialist care for people living with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive decline. Good dementia care involves trained staff, a familiar and consistent environment, and structured routines that support orientation and wellbeing. Lavender Fields provides specialist dementia care within Provence House.
Respite care A short-term stay in a care home, either planned or at short notice, to give a family carer a break or to provide additional support during a period of recovery or crisis. It can also be a useful way for a person to experience residential care before any permanent decision is made. Lavender Fields offers short-term and respite stays.
Palliative and compassionate care Care focused on quality of life, comfort, and dignity for people who are nearing the end of their life or living with a life-limiting condition. It is not about hastening death or giving up. It is about ensuring that the time a person has is as comfortable, meaningful, and supported as possible. You can read more about compassionate care at Lavender Fields.
Continuing Healthcare (CHC) A package of care that is fully funded by the NHS, for people whose primary need is assessed as a health need rather than a social care need. It is available in any setting, including a care home. Eligibility is determined through a formal assessment. It is worth asking about if a person has complex, ongoing medical needs.
NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC) A contribution made by the NHS towards nursing care costs for people in a care home who have been assessed as needing nursing care but do not qualify for full CHC funding. It is paid directly to the care home, not the individual.
Funding and financial terms
Deprivation of assets A term used to describe situations where someone has given away or transferred money or property in order to reduce the amount they are assessed as having for means testing purposes. Local authorities have the power to treat assets as still belonging to the person if they conclude they were disposed of deliberately to avoid care costs.
Third-party top-up When a local authority funds a person's care, it pays up to a set rate for a care home in the area. If the chosen care home charges more than that rate, someone else (usually a family member) can pay the difference. This is called a top-up payment. It is only relevant for people receiving local authority funding.
Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) An arrangement with a local authority that allows someone to delay paying their share of care costs until after their death, usually secured against their property. It can be useful where a person has assets tied up in a home they or a family member still lives in.
Power of Attorney (POA) A legal document that authorises someone to make decisions on another person's behalf. Relevant to care planning are Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs, and Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare. These can only be set up while the person still has mental capacity to consent. It is strongly advisable to put these in place early.
Court of Protection The court that makes decisions about financial or welfare matters for people who have lost mental capacity and do not have an existing Lasting Power of Attorney in place. Proceedings can be slow and costly, which is one reason early planning is so important.
Care home quality and regulation
CQC (Care Quality Commission) The independent regulator of health and social care in England. All registered care homes are inspected by the CQC and given one of four ratings: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Reports are published publicly on the CQC website and are a useful starting point when researching homes.
Care plan A personalised document that sets out how a resident's care needs will be met. It covers physical health, emotional wellbeing, daily preferences, social interests, and any medical requirements. At Lavender Fields, care plans are developed with the resident and their family and reviewed regularly.
Key worker A named member of staff who takes particular responsibility for a resident's wellbeing, acts as a point of contact for the family, and ensures the resident's preferences and care plan are kept up to date.
Person-centred care An approach to care that treats each person as an individual, taking into account their history, preferences, relationships, and values, rather than simply addressing clinical or physical needs. It is considered best practice and is central to how Lavender Fields works.
Planning ahead
Advance Care Plan (ACP) A record of a person's wishes about their future care, particularly if they become unable to communicate those wishes themselves. It may cover treatment preferences, end-of-life care, and personal values. It is not legally binding in the same way as a Will, but it carries significant weight.
DNACPR (Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) A medical decision, made with the person and/or their family, that states CPR should not be attempted if the person's heart or breathing stops. It is not a withdrawal of care. It is a considered clinical and personal decision about what is appropriate given someone's condition and wishes.
Discharge to assess A NHS approach where someone is moved out of hospital to a care or home setting before their long-term needs have been fully assessed. It is increasingly used to free up hospital beds, which means families can sometimes feel pressured to make urgent care decisions. If your relative has been told they are being discharged from hospital, our guide on next steps after hospital discharge may help.
Still have questions? The team at Lavender Fields is always happy to talk things through without any pressure or obligation. Get in touch here, or explore our approach to the care journey to understand how we support families at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does self-funder mean in care? A self-funder is someone who pays for their own care using personal savings, assets, or income, rather than receiving financial support from the local authority or NHS. Self-funders generally have more choice over which care home they move into.
What is the difference between residential and nursing care? Residential care provides personal support with daily living. Nursing care includes clinical or medical support provided by or supervised by a registered nurse. Some people begin with residential care and move to nursing care as needs change. At Lavender Fields, the no-fee-increase guarantee means this transition does not affect costs.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney and why does it matter? A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows a person to appoint someone they trust to make decisions on their behalf if they lose mental capacity. There are two types: one covering property and finances, and one covering health and welfare. Without an LPA in place, families may need to apply to the Court of Protection, which is far more complex and expensive.
How do I find a care home's CQC rating? CQC ratings are published on the CQC website at cqc.org.uk. You can search by location or by the name of the care home.
What is person-centred care? Person-centred care means treating each resident as an individual, shaped by their life history, preferences, and relationships, rather than simply managing their physical or medical needs. It is the foundation of good care and central to how Lavender Fields approaches every resident.