Guides · Updated November 2026
Care guides
Plain-English guides to arranging care in England: what it costs, how to pay, how to choose a provider and what the council must do. Written from official guidance and the CQC register.
- All guides
- End-of-Life & Palliative · 28
- London · 99
- Respite for Carers · 16
- Live-in Care · 15
- Elderly Care · 99
- Carer Support · 48
- Regulation & Quality · 62
- Cost & Funding · 146
- Retirement living · 22
- Overnight Care · 11
- Personal Care · 15
- Care homes · 124
- Alzheimer's & Dementia · 50
- Reablement · 16
Care homes
Personal hygiene in care homes: standards families can expectThere is no fixed rule on how often a care home resident must wash. Care plans set the routine, while CQC regulations on dignity,…
Carer Support
How to volunteer to help elderly people near you: a UK guideYou can volunteer with older people through charities such as Age UK and Royal Voluntary Service, or find local roles through GOV.UK listed volunteering…
Carer Support
How often should you visit elderly parents? A practical guideNo official guidance sets a number of visits. Decide with your parent using their needs, wishes and your own capacity, then review as things…
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Care home activity and entertainment ideas that workGood care home activities are meaningful to the person, adapted to their ability and offered during the day. Here are 18 distinct ideas grouped…
Alzheimer's & Dementia
How to make elderly people happy: practical, evidence-led ideasOlder people tend to feel happier with meaningful company, a sense of purpose, gentle activity and choice over their day. Ask what they enjoy,…
Elderly Care
Hospice care at home: what is offered and how to get itHospice care at home brings specialist nursing and support to someone with a life-limiting illness, usually free of charge. Ask the GP, district nurse…
Elderly Care
Comfort care at home: what it is and how to arrange itComfort care at home aims to keep someone free from pain and distress rather than cure an illness. You arrange it through the GP…
Choosing Care
Questions to ask an individual carer before you hire themAsk any individual carer whether they are employed or self-employed, and to show an Enhanced DBS certificate, right to work, references and insurance. If…
Cost & Funding
How much does a retirement home cost in the UK? (2026)There is no single price. Age UK gives typical retirement flat service charges of £1,500 to £3,000 a year, up to £10,000 in newer…
Cost & Funding
Deferred management fees in retirement properties explainedA deferred management fee, also called an event, exit or transfer fee, is charged under some retirement leases on sale or change of occupancy,…
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