Condition guide
Parkinson's care in England: help at home, nursing care and support
Around 153,000 people in the UK live with Parkinson's. Symptoms change through the day and over the years, so good care is flexible: help with movement, eating and personal care, and above all medication given at exactly the right time.
In England there are 11,231 home care agencies registered for physical disability care (88% of those rated Good or Outstanding) and 4,442 care homes registered for nursing care (80% of those rated Good or Outstanding), according to the CQC register.
Reviewed 20 October 2026 by The Care Panel editorial team · Next review April 2027 · Editorial policy
Medication on time
Parkinson's medication is time-critical. A dose given even 30 minutes late can leave someone stiff, unable to swallow or at risk of falling. Ask every agency or home how they make sure doses are given on time: visit times fixed around the medication schedule, carers trained in Parkinson's, and what happens if a carer is late.
Care at home
Home care can help with getting up and dressed, meals, medication and getting out. Physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and an occupational therapy home assessment, usually arranged through the GP or Parkinson's nurse, can keep someone independent for longer. Equipment and home adaptations under £1,000 are free from the council after an assessment, and a Disabled Facilities Grant can pay for larger changes.
When nursing care is needed
In later stages people may need help day and night, have swallowing problems, or need a registered nurse to manage complex medication. That can be live-in care with nursing support or a nursing home. Ask whether staff have Parkinson's training and how they manage "off" periods.
Benefits
- Under State Pension age: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), up to £114.60 a week for daily living and £80.00 for mobility.
- Over State Pension age: Attendance Allowance, £76.70 or £114.60 a week.
- Family carers: Carer's Allowance of £86.45 a week for 35 hours or more of care.
Find parkinson's care near you
Home care agencies: physical disability care
- Birmingham 241
- Bilston 232
- Buckhurst Hill 230
- Leicester 226
- Tipton 218
- Coseley 218
- Smethwick 212
- Oldbury 197
- Chigwell 194
- Sedgley 189
- Wednesbury 184
- West Bromwich 183
- Willenhall 182
- Manchester 178
- Aveley 177
- Nottingham 174
Care homes: nursing care
- Croydon 36
- Newcastle upon Tyne 29
- Leeds 27
- Barnet 27
- Kingston upon Thames 23
- Bromley 23
- Derby 23
- Sheffield 22
- Worthing 22
- Liverpool 22
- Sutton 21
- Northampton 21
- Brighton 20
- Southport 20
- Chester 20
- Hillingdon 20
Our guides
Questions
Why does Parkinson's medication timing matter so much?
Levodopa and other Parkinson's drugs wear off quickly. If a dose is late, symptoms can return within minutes: stiffness, tremor, freezing and difficulty swallowing. Carers and care homes should give doses at the times the person's specialist set, not on a standard drug round.
Does someone with Parkinson's need a nursing home?
Not always. Many people are cared for at home throughout. A nursing home is usually considered when someone needs nursing care day and night, for example for swallowing difficulties or complex medication, and live-in care isn't enough.
Free download
Free printable: 40 things to check in a care home
Take it on every visit and compare up to three homes side by side: CQC checks, staffing, daily life, the room, fees and the contract.
Checklists
Visiting a care home · Choosing a home care agency · Live-in care · Dementia care · Easy Read: care costs
Sources: NHS: Parkinson's disease · Parkinson's UK · GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants. Provider counts from the CQC register (Open Government Licence v3.0). This guide is general information, not legal, financial or medical advice.
Provider details from the Care Quality Commission register, updated Oct 2026. Contains CQC data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The Care Panel is not a care provider.