You might consider residential care because: you might not be able to get out and about easily you may live on your own and want some extra company you may need help due to illness or disability you might need palliative (end-of-life) care You might still live in your own home with help from a carer, but need a short-term residential care stay while your carer has a break. This is called residential respite care and it can be on a planned or emergency basis.