Care home census for adults in Scotland
Statistics for 2009 to 2019

About this release

This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) provides information from the Scottish Care Home Census for adults on the numbers of care homes, registered places, residents, admissions and discharges. Data are presented at Scotland and at Local Authority level, and cover the period from 2008 to 2009 through to 2018 to 2019.

Please note that this release does not cover the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 6 October 2021, the 2018 and 2019 ongoing length of stay data for care homes for learning disabilities, mental health problems, and physical and sensory impairment were revised. Figure 26 and part of Excel table 11 have been revised accordingly. The scale and impact of the revision are considered to be minor.

On 13 July 2021, a revision was made to the average gross weekly charges in Tables 13A and 13B. Previously, some outlier costs were incorrectly included, and these are now excluded from the calculations. For years 2009 to 2017, average gross weekly charges continue to be calculated using values between £300 and £1500 (inclusive), however, for years 2018 to 2019, average gross weekly charges are now calculated using values between £500 and £2000 (inclusive).

Revised on 11 December 2020. Some additional double suppression has been applied to values in columns 2018 and 2019 for a small number of Local Authorities.

Main points

All care homes for adults: 31 March 2009 compared to 31 March 2019

• At 31 March 2019, there were 1,102 care homes for adults and 41,032 registered places. These are a 22% and 5% decrease since 31 March 2009, respectively.
• At 31 March 2019, there were an estimated 35,630 residents aged 18 years and over in care homes – a 5% decrease since 31 March 2009.
• From 31 March 2009 to 31 March 2019, the estimated percentage occupancy increased slightly, from 86% to 87%.
• On 31 March 2019, residents in care homes for older people accounted for 91% of residents in all care homes for adults.

Care homes for older people (65 years and over)

• At 31 March 2019, there were an estimated 30,914 long stay residents in care homes for older people – a reduction of 4% since 31 March 2009 (32,226). Of these, an estimated 19,590 had dementia (either medically or non-medically diagnosed).
• Care homes may also provide short term or respite care. At 31 March 2019, there were 1,531 residents in a care home for these purposes – an increase of 49% compared with 31 March 2009 (1,029).
• Most care home provision is delivered by the private sector. The estimated number of residents in private sector care homes for older people increased by 1,200 (5%) between 31 March 2009 and 31 March 2019. Over the same time period, the estimated number of residents decreased by 868 (23%) in the voluntary and not for profit sector, and by 1,142 (26%) in the Local Authority/Health Board sector.

Background

The Care Home Census includes all care homes for adults aged 18 years and over in Scotland, including care homes for older people (65 years and over) and for those with learning disabilities, mental health problems, physical and sensory impairment, acquired brain injury, alcohol and drug problems, and blood borne virus (such as HIV/AIDS).

The underlying data have been provided directly by care homes via the Care Inspectorate’s online eForms system. All care homes are asked to participate in the annual Care Home Census.

Of the 1,102 care homes for adults open on 31 March 2019:

• 906 (82%) care homes submitted data for at least part of the Census.
• 196 (18%) care homes did not submit any data.

Census data not submitted by care homes are estimated by PHS. Further information is available in the supplementary report on Data quality and completeness.

Further information

Open data for the publication is available from the Scottish Health and Social Care Open Data platform (external website).