Live-in care in Bromley

• With savings or capital over £23,250 you pay for your own care but can still have a needs assessment. If you ask the council to arrange your care, it charges an arrangement fee: £304.20 a year (£5.85 a week) in its contributions policy revised April 2025, so check the current amount. You can also arrange live-in care directly with a provider.
• A family carer can ask the council for a carer’s assessment or complete its carer’s self-assessment online. There is no cost for the assessment, advice or information.

Council tax reductions to ask about: severe mental impairment certified by a doctor; a live-in carer giving at least 35 hours of care a week to someone on a qualifying benefit such as Attendance Allowance (not a spouse or partner); and a lower band if a disabled person needs an extra room, a second kitchen or bathroom, or wheelchair space. Helpline: 0300 303 8670. See council tax discounts.

• Carers. Bromley Well, paid for by Bromley Council and NHS South East London, gives unpaid carers free one-to-one support, training and social activities. Register on Freephone 0808 278 7898 (Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm) or online. Its dementia respite service gives family carers a break with up to 3 hours a week of support at home; it may be charged, in part or in full, after a financial assessment. Ask the council for a referral (020 8461 7777) or call the service on 020 8249 7282 (weekdays 9am to 4.30pm).
• Memory worries. Oxleas’ memory service at Bridgeways, Turpington Lane, assesses and diagnoses memory problems, usually for people aged 65 and over, by GP referral (020 8629 4900). The Bromley Dementia Support Hub’s Wellbeing and Exercise café runs twice a month on Wednesdays, 10.30am to 12.30pm (0203 328 0366). See dementia care at home.
• Equipment. Ask adult social care for an occupational therapy assessment (020 8461 7777); equipment may be lent. NRS repairs loaned equipment, including out of hours (0300 100 0253). You can see and try equipment at the Bromley Independent Living Centre, Astley Day Centre, 39 Magpie Hall Lane, by appointment only (0208 461 7985).
• Older people’s charity. Age UK Bromley & Greenwich, Community House, South Street, Bromley: 020 8315 1850. Age UK London lists its hours as Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm.
• Day care. The council and local charities run day care for older people who meet the council’s eligibility criteria, for example people who are frail, socially isolated or in the early stages of dementia. Ask the council for an assessment, or a GP or district nurse can refer; you pay for lunch and refreshments, and the person must agree to attend.
• End of life. St Christopher’s Hospice (Sydenham and Orpington) gives free specialist palliative care at home on referral by a clinician, but not hands-on personal care. Families of people in its care can call 020 8768 4500 at any time of the day or night. See end-of-life care.
• Getting about. TfL Dial-a-Ride (0343 222 7777) automatically accepts people aged 85 or over or on higher-rate Attendance Allowance.
• Having your say. Healthwatch Bromley: 020 3886 0752 (weekdays 9am to 5pm).