Arranging care for someone you love raises a lot of questions. These guides answer the common ones for families in England: what live-in care involves, what it costs and who pays, benefits such as Attendance Allowance, care at home with dementia, Parkinson's or after a stroke, what happens after a hospital stay, and support for family carers. If you are just starting out, read what live-in care is or how much it costs.
Showing 18 guides
- Understanding live-in careWhat is live-in care?Live-in care means a trained carer lives in your home to support you day to day. How it works, what carers do and don't do, breaks, costs and how to arrange it.7 min read
- Understanding live-in careSigns your elderly parent needs help at homeThe everyday signs that an older parent is struggling at home, how to start the conversation, and the free assessments and care options that can help.7 min read
- Costs and fundingHow much does live-in care cost?Live-in care costs about £1,610 a week in the UK (Sept 2026). What affects the price, what is included and how council and NHS funding work.9 min read
- Understanding live-in careLive-in care vs a care homeLive-in care or a care home? Compare 2026 costs, one-to-one support, routines, couples, dementia and safety, and when a care home suits better.8 min read
- Choosing careManaged vs introductory live-in careManaged live-in care or an introductory agency? Who is responsible for the care, CQC registration, costs, contracts and what to ask first.6 min read
- Choosing careLive-in care for couplesHow live-in care can help a couple stay together at home: when one carer can support both partners, when two are needed, costs, funding and what to ask.6 min read
- Costs and fundingPaying for care at homeWho pays for care at home: the needs assessment, the £23,250 means test for 2026/27, direct payments, NHS funding and Attendance Allowance.8 min read
- Costs and fundingAttendance Allowance: a guide for familiesAttendance Allowance is £76.70 or £114.60 a week in 2026/27 and is not means-tested. Who qualifies, how to claim and how it can help pay for care.7 min read
- Costs and fundingDirect payments for care at homeHow council direct payments work in England: who can get them, using them for an agency or a personal assistant, paying family, topping up and live-in care.7 min read
- Costs and fundingNHS continuing healthcare for care at homeNHS continuing healthcare pays for care at home when needs are mainly health needs. How the checklist, assessment and Fast Track work.8 min read
- DementiaLive-in dementia care at homeWhen live-in care can help someone with dementia stay at home, signs it may be time, what a good care plan includes and how to pay.9 min read
- Health conditionsCare at home after a strokeWhat to expect when someone comes home after a stroke: NHS rehabilitation and early supported discharge, daily support, preparing the home and live-in care.7 min read
- Health conditionsParkinson's care at homeLiving at home with Parkinson's: medicines on time, on and off periods, freezing, falls, swallowing, communication and nights, and how live-in care can help.7 min read
- Health conditionsPreventing falls at homeA third of people over 65 fall each year. Room-by-room checks, the health causes to rule out, what to do after a fall and how support at home lowers the risk.6 min read
- Hospital and recoveryHospital discharge checklist for familiesWhat to ask before, on the day and after someone comes home from hospital, your rights under NHS guidance, and how live-in care can help.8 min read
- Understanding live-in careHow to prepare your home for a live-in carerA practical checklist for preparing your home for a live-in carer: the carer's room, Wi-Fi, safety, breaks, food, emergencies and the first week together.6 min read
- Understanding live-in careLive-in care vs 24-hour care24-hour care at home can mean live-in care, waking nights or round-the-clock shifts. What each one is, when you need it and 2026 UK costs.7 min read
- Family carersCarer's assessment: support for family carersA carer's assessment is free for anyone over 18 who looks after someone. What happens, what to say, the support it can lead to and how to get a break.6 min read