Older people should not be coerced into choosing a care home, one charity has warned.

According to Age Concern, it is important that people looking to go into a care home should not be rushed into making a decision, since it is a choice concerning where their next home is going to be.

Neill Young, senior media relations officer for the charity, commented that a care home may provide a new circle of friends and "lease of life", but that looking round several nursing facilities is essential.

"We urge anyone looking to move into a care home to visit more than one, and to ask plenty of questions about fees and what possessions they can take with them

Over the next 30 years, it is anticipated that the number of older people with high dependency levels will increase by over 60 per cent.