Why it can be difficult
Lincolnshire is one of England's largest counties, and much of it is rural. Visiting care - where carers call in several times a day - depends on carers driving between homes, so agencies can struggle to cover remote villages, and visits may be short or at awkward times.
The main options
Families usually weigh up three routes:
- Visiting home care - several short calls a day, if an agency covers your area
- Live-in care - a carer who lives with you, so travel isn't an issue
- A residential or nursing home - which may mean moving away from your village
Where live-in care fits
Because a live-in carer stays in the home, the distance to the nearest town doesn't matter. Help is there at 7am and at 11pm, and someone is in the house overnight. For people with significant needs in remote places, it is often the most reliable way to stay at home.
Getting about without a car
If giving up driving is the main issue, Lincolnshire's CallConnect bookable bus service covers many rural areas, and community transport schemes run in several districts. A live-in carer who drives can also take you to appointments, the shops and family.
First steps
Ask Lincolnshire County Council for a needs assessment, which is free whatever your finances. Then talk to providers about what they can offer in your area - and ask directly whether they can cover your village reliably.
This guide is general information rather than financial or legal advice. Funding limits and benefit rates usually change every April.