FAQs
Frequently asked questions about care at home
Find Answers to your burning questions
You can find answers to frequently asked questions here. If you can’t see your question, feel free to contact us, we will be glad to help.
If you’re starting to notice they’re struggling on their own, maybe forgetting things, getting more unsteady on their feet, or not keeping up with meals and hygiene, it might be time to think about getting support from a professional.
Other signs include monitoring what’s going on in your loved one’s life, like iare they recovery from surgery, managing a long-term condition, or needing help during the day or night?
If you’re helping them already and it’s getting a bit much, or you’re feeling worn out, then it’s worth getting some proper care in place. A needs assessment from the council might also suggest looking into home care. And if they’re starting to become isolated or confused, that’s another big clue they need some support.
You’ve got a couple of options: you can speak to your local council to ask for a care needs assessment, or you can come straight to a care agency like us for a no-pressure chat. Either way, someone will help you figure out what kind of care is right.
That depends on finances and what’s needed. According to the NHS, as of 2025, if your loved one has less than £23,250 in savings, they might get help from the council to cover some or all of the care costs. The exact amount will depend on the care needs and financial situation. You can also choose to arrange private care yourself, many people do that for more flexibility or to get care started quicker.
Yes, absolutely. Organisations like Age UK have brilliant guides online (you can start here: Age UK ). If you’d rather speak to someone, we offer free, confidential consultations. We’re happy to talk you through everything with no obligation, no pressure, without having to sign up to anything.
The cost of homecare depends on how much help is needed. This can involve things like how many hours of care per week and how long each visit is. The best way to get a clear answer is to book a free, no-obligation quote or assessment with us so we can look at your actual needs.
There are a few key differences when comparing self emplyed home carers and home care agencies even though both can deliver care with compassion.
That said, we’re a care agency ourselves — so we’ll admit we’re a bit biased.
- With self-employed carers, you might feel like you have more control — you choose who to hire, you agree the hours, and you avoid agency fees.
But with that comes extra responsibility:
You’ll be their employer. That means:
- sorting out wages, cover when they’re off sick, doing the interviews, making sure they’re safe and suitable.
- managing the care plan yourself.
- Because it’s just one person, they have to do everything — the care, the paperwork, the quality checks. That can be a lot for anyone,
- if they can’t come for any reason, finding a replacement can be stressful and disruptive.
With an agency, all of that is taken care of. We handle the hiring, training, checks, rotas, and cover. You don’t have to worry about who’s coming, or what happens if someone’s off. And there’s a team behind every carer — which means more continuity, more support, and more peace of mind for you.
Carers can help with lots of everyday things. Like helping someone get up in the morning, washed, dressed, brushing their hair, going to the toilet, sorting out meals and drinks, taking medication, and getting settled for bed. It’s not just the big things either — sometimes just having someone there for a bit of reassurance or company makes all the difference.
Yes, absolutely. We can help with basic cooking, light houseowrk, picking up prescriptions, doing the food shop, or even getting someone to a club or appointment. If it’s part of daily life, we’ll try and help with it.
Overnight care is when a carer stays in the home through the night. There are two types: “sleep-in” care where the carer is there just in case they’re needed, and “waking night” care where they stay awake all night to provide support. It’s ideal if your loved one tends to wake up during the night or needs help getting to the toilet or with medication.
Live-in care means a carer moves in with your loved one and is there round the clock. It’s a great alternative to residential care because it means staying in their own home, surrounded by familiar things, while still getting one-to-one support. We match carers carefully, and everything is built around the person’s routines and preferences.
Yes. Some people just need a bit of company, or light help around the house, and we can definitely provide that. We’ll do an assessment to see what level of support is right, no pressure, just a chat to see what’s needed.
Respite care is temporary, short-term care provided so that family carers can take a break from their responsibilities — whether that’s just for a few hours, a day, or a bit longer. It lets you step away without guilt or worry, knowing your loved one is still being looked after properly. A good respite setup keeps everything running smoothly — their routine, safety, and dignity.
It starts with booking an assessment, which is usually free. We’ll talk through your loved one’s needs, get to know them, and match them with a carer. Our way of doing assessments is a bit different — it’s more personal. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about really understanding your loved one, the carers too.
There are loads of ways to search — online, social media, local directories, even leaflets through the door. But with so many choices, it can feel like a minefield. Start by checking websites and online reviews, but then go one step further: speak to someone. Look them in the whites of the eyes, have a proper conversation. Ask about their team, who’s actually in charge, how involved they are, and what happens if you’ve got a problem.
You can also ask friends, neighbours, or your GP if they’ve had experience with local providers. And when you speak to different agencies, don’t be afraid to ask questions or raise concerns. The right one won’t dodge them — they’ll welcome them.
We’ve prepared a free guide to finding a home care agency near you.
To know if a care agency or carer is reputable and safe, you can check if they’re registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – that’s the main body for regulating care. Look at their reviews and social media pages.
Ask how they recruit their carers do they do proper checks, training, and ongoing support? How long do their staff stay with them? Are they responsive when you ring? And don’t forget to actually talk to them.
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Every family’s care needs are unique. Contact us today for a compassionate, no-pressure conversation about finding the right home care solution in your community.