Arranging care in the London Borough of Merton
The London Borough of Merton sits in south west London and covers Wimbledon, Mitcham, Morden and Raynes Park, along with the smaller neighbourhoods that link them. Whether you are looking for support close to Wimbledon Common or something more central in Mitcham or Morden, care in Merton is shaped by the borough's mix of quiet residential streets, busy town centres and good transport links across south London.
How adult social care works in Merton
If you or a relative may need support, the first step is usually to contact Merton Council's adult social care team. As a London Borough, Merton is responsible for arranging a free needs assessment under the Care Act, which looks at daily tasks, mobility, health conditions and the support already in place from family or neighbours. If the assessment shows eligible needs, a financial assessment follows to work out what the council will contribute and what you may need to pay yourself, based on income, savings and national capital thresholds.
Merton's social workers can then help put a care and support plan together, whether that involves care at home, a short stay for respite, or a longer term move into a care home somewhere in the borough.
Choosing from care homes in Merton
Families in the London Borough of Merton have a good range of options locally, with around 96 CQC registered care homes across the area. That includes residential care homes for people who mainly need help with daily living, nursing homes for those with more complex medical needs, and specialist services for dementia. Visiting two or three homes in Wimbledon, Mitcham or Morden is often the best way to get a feel for what suits.
Care funding and typical fees
Depending on your financial assessment, care may be funded by the council, by the NHS through Continuing Healthcare, by you privately, or through a mix. As a general guide for Merton, home care tends to fall around £22 to £28 an hour, residential care homes typically cost roughly £1,100 to £1,500 a week, and nursing homes usually sit higher, often £1,300 to £1,800 a week depending on needs and setting.
