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
- Personal Care · 15
- Elderly Care · 99
- Carer Support · 48
- Overnight Care · 11
- Retirement living · 22
- Live-in Care · 15
- Regulation & Quality · 62
- Cost & Funding · 146
- Respite for Carers · 16
- Reablement · 16
- Care homes · 124
- Alzheimer's & Dementia · 50
Cost & Funding
Home care charges in Northern Ireland: what’s free and what isn’tPersonal care at home arranged by a Health and Social Care Trust is free in Northern Ireland, but home help, meals, respite and private…
Choosing Care
Care glossary: 150 UK care and funding terms explainedAn A to Z of 150 care, funding and legal terms families meet when arranging care in the UK and Ireland, with 2026/27 figures…
Elderly Care
First week with a live-in carer: printable checklistA printable checklist to help families in England settle a new live-in carer, covering the room, routines, house rules, breaks, handover notes and safety.
Choosing Care
Choosing a home care agency: printable checklistA printable checklist for families choosing a home care agency in England, from checking CQC registration to reviewing the first two weeks of visits.
Care homes
Moving into a care home checklist: before, on the day and afterA printable checklist for families moving a parent into a care home in England, covering the paperwork, benefits, GP, belongings, moving day and the…
Elderly Care
Hospital discharge checklist for families (printable)A printable, stage-by-stage checklist to help families prepare for an older parent leaving hospital in England, from the first days on the ward to…
Care homes
Letter giving notice to leave a care home: free templateA free template letter giving notice to leave a care home, with CMA guidance on notice, refunds, deposits and moving when the council pays.
Care homes
Letter to dispute a care home fee increase: free templateA free template letter to challenge a care home fee rise, using CMA consumer law advice, top-up rules and the Ombudsman route.
Carer Support
Letter to request a carer’s assessment: free templateA free, ready-to-send letter asking your council for a carer's assessment, with the Care Act 2014 rules, timescales and next steps explained.
Cost & Funding
NHS continuing healthcare appeal letter: free templateA free CHC appeal letter asking the ICB to review its decision, with the evidence to gather, timescales and the route to independent review.
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