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Major funders:

The Big Lottery Fund distributes half of all National Lottery good cause funding across the UK. It is supporting FirstStop with a 3 year grant, awarded in January 2008

The Department for Communities and Local Government is supporting FirstStop to help deliver its Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society, with a two year grant starting in April 2009.

> Advice for Older People

Welcome to FirstStop!

FirstStop Advice is an independent, free service providing advice and information for older people, their families and carers about care and housing options in later life. FirstStop also offers useful information for carers looking for support and advice. The service, provided jointly by Counsel and Care, Elderly Accommodation Counsel, Age Concern and Help the Aged and NHFA brings together the expertise of each organisation through one telephone number and one website. By providing advice for older people and information for carers we aim to open up the options and choices they might consider, helping them choose the right care and right housing at the right time.

What FirstStop offers: Advice for older people

FirstStop provides support and advice for seniors as well as an information service for carers covering care, housing, finance and rights both through this website and our telephone Advice Line.

Care and support for older people - in your own home, in specialist housing or in a care home.
Housing - services to help you 'stay put' successfully; information about all the options if you choose to move somewhere more suitable.
Finance - including paying for care, benefits and allowances, Council and NHS funding, insurances, financial planning and financial products.
Your rights - the law; standards you should expect; and how to get what you are entitled to, including advocacy services that can support you.

Our philosophy

FirstStop aims to promote independence, dignity and choice for older people in meeting their care and housing needs, whether this is by providing advice and information for older people directly or by making available the right information for carers and families at the right time at the click of a button or over the phone.

About this website

In our aim to provide clear information and advice for seniors, their families and carers our site includes:

Straightforward explanations of how help and social care works in England, what State support is available in delivering care or helping with the cost and how to go about deciding on the many accommodation options from adapting your own home to moving to special housing or a care home.
A comprehensive library of factsheets and other reading materials about all aspects of care and housing for older people.
A directory of care homes, covering all homes that provide care for older people, and including links to sources of additional information.
A directory of retirement housing, covering all forms of sheltered and retirement housing, assisted living, extra care, retirement villages and other caring environments.

About our Advice Line

FirstStop's Advisors are available to discuss your own circumstances and offer guidance on the options available for meeting your care needs. They are experts in all aspects of accommodation, care and support for older people. They can also help you get the most out of this website and explain anything you find unclear or difficult. The Advice Line is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. So why not call us now on 0800 377 7070 or request a call back by clicking here.