Resources & advice

Guides and advice about care

Plain-English guides to help you understand the different types of care and support, how assessments work, and what to expect when arranging care for yourself or someone you love.

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Types of Care

Understanding the different types of care

A plain-English overview of the main types of care and support available, so you can work out what might fit your situation.

What is domiciliary care?

An explanation of domiciliary (home) care, what it involves, and who it suits.

Live-in care vs visiting care: what's the difference?

How live-in care compares with visiting (scheduled) home care visits.

Waking nights and sleep-ins explained

The difference between a waking night carer and a sleep-in carer, and how to decide which is needed.

Paying for care: an overview

A short overview of the main ways care can be paid for, with links to our full funding guide.

Understanding direct payments

How direct payments work and what they can be used for.

Understanding personal budgets

What a personal budget is and the ways it can be managed.

Understanding NHS Continuing Healthcare

What NHS Continuing Healthcare is, how eligibility is assessed, and where it can be delivered.

What is supported living?

How supported living works, and the distinction between your home and your care.

Supported living vs residential care: what's the difference?

How supported living and residential (care home) settings differ in independence, tenancy and funding.

Home care vs supported living: which is right for you?

Comparing care in your existing home with moving into a supported living tenancy.

Understanding dementia care at home

How home care can support people living with dementia, and what to look for in a carer.

Arranging care after a hospital stay

What to expect when arranging care to support a safe, confident discharge from hospital.

Understanding reablement

What reablement is, how it differs from ongoing care, and how it can help rebuild independence.

Understanding respite care

What respite care is, when it's used, and how to arrange it.

Help and support for family carers

Practical and emotional support options for people caring for a family member.

What happens at a care assessment

What to expect from a needs assessment, whether from a council or a care provider.

Preparing for a care assessment

Practical tips to help a care assessment run smoothly and cover everything that matters.

Choosing the right care for you or a loved one

Practical pointers to help you think through which type and level of care is the best fit right now.

Palliative and end-of-life support at home

How home-based palliative and end-of-life care can support comfort, dignity and choice.

Medication support at home

How carers can help with medication at home, and the limits of that support.

How quickly can care start?

What affects how quickly care can be arranged, including urgent situations.

Choosing a home care provider

What to look for, and what to ask, when choosing a home care provider.

Questions to ask a care provider

A checklist of useful questions to ask before agreeing care with a provider.

How care plans work

What a care plan is, what it should include, and how it's kept up to date.

Understanding safeguarding in home care

What safeguarding means in a care setting, and what to do if you have a concern.

Talk to us about care

Call us on 01902 275780 or send a request — our office team will talk things through with you.

Request care Call 01902 275780