Standards of service in care homes are hoped to be increased with the unveiling of a new website from age equality charity Help the Aged today.

My Home Life is intended to connect care homes across the country, so that best practice can be shared across all levels of such organisations from assistants to inspectors, the charity explains.

The site is set to feature briefings on a range of subjects, such as managing to transition into care homes and creating opportunities for real activities for residents, among a variety of other facilities.

Julienne Meyer, My Home Life programme director, observes: "Too often care homes come under hostile scrutiny, with only bad practice making the limelight.

"This new website is about building upon the good practice that already exists in care homes and valuing a sector that has unrecognised potential as part of the solution to the long-term care crisis."

Meanwhile, Professor Ian Philp, the national director for older people's services, has called for a change in the way that health services address the needs of older people, the Guardian reports.

He has stated that many people placed in care homes after hospital treatment would be able to live independently at home, given the appropriate support.