Care Guides topic
Care choices
Understand the options — help at home, care homes and support after hospital — and questions to ask.
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Levels of care explained: from a little help to nursing careSupport ranges from informal family help and equipment, through visiting home care and extra-care housing, to residential care homes and nursing…More in Care choices
Care needs assessment for an elderly parent: what to expect
Ask your parent's local council for a care needs assessment when they may need help with daily living. The assessment explores their needs and…
5 min read
Home care for elderly parents: where to start
Begin by asking what your parent wants help with, request a care needs assessment where appropriate, and compare providers against the specific…
5 min read
Care home vs nursing home: what is the difference?
Residential care homes provide accommodation and support with daily living. Nursing homes also have registered nurses on site. The right setting…
5 min read
How to choose a care home for an elderly parent
Start with your parent's wishes and assessed needs, shortlist suitable homes, read inspection information, visit at different times and ask for…
5 min read
What to do when an elderly parent is discharged from hospital
Ask the hospital team for the discharge plan and whom to contact with questions. Confirm transport, support at home, follow-up appointments and…
5 min read
How to prepare for a care home assessment
Ask the home what its admission assessment covers, bring any existing care needs assessment and discuss your parent's routines and preferences.…
5 min read
Questions to ask a home care agency before choosing one
Ask whether the agency can meet the specific support requested, who will visit, how changes are handled and what the full terms cost. Check…
5 min read
Who's who in care: the professionals you may meet
Care often involves a GP, community or district nurses, a council social worker, therapists such as an occupational therapist, paid carers and…
5 min read
NHS continuing healthcare: what families should know
NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) is a package of care arranged and funded by the NHS in England for adults whose main need is a health need.…
4 min read
How council-funded care works in England
In England, the council first assesses care needs, then a financial assessment works out how much, if anything, the person contributes. The…
4 min read
Benefits to check when caring for an older person
Commonly checked benefits include Attendance Allowance for people over State Pension age who need help, and Carer's Allowance for people who spend…
4 min read
Palliative and end of life care: a practical family guide
Palliative care aims to help someone live as well as possible with an illness that can't be cured, supporting comfort and emotional needs. End of…
4 min read
Home care vs a care home: comparing the options
A calm comparison of home (domiciliary) care and care homes in the UK, with questions to help families and their relative think it through together.
7 min read
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