The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent national regulator for all care homes in England. You can access CQC reports about every registered care home via their website at: www.cqc.org.uk
Age UK (the charity combining Age Concern and Help the Aged) has a fact sheet entitled "Finding Residential and Nursing Home Accommodation" which is available on their website at www.ageuk.org.uk
Counsel and Care is an independent national charity providing help and advice to older people, their families and carers. Counsel and Care's website is: www.counselandcare.org.uk
The website for the long term care sector: www.careinfo.org
Contact the Elderly groups organise gatherings for frail, elderly people who live alone: www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk
Healthcare Improvement Scotland is the newly formed care regulator for independent care homes in Scotland (replacing the Scottish Care Commission). Healthcare Improvement Scotland's website is: www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org