Every person looking for care or in care has two fundamental rights:

. You have the right to a care needs assessment and you also have the right to decide on the home you go to – no one can force you to go to a home you do not want to go to. However, this may mean that you have to pay more for your care. Some funding is available but you are not automatically entitled to receive financial help so please use the information we provide about funding to study all your options.

. You have the fundamental right to be treated with dignity, care and respect. Should you feel that this is not happening you have the right to complain and each care home is duty bound to ensure that there is a complaints procedure in place that thoroughly investigates each and every issue.