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
- Retirement living · 22
- Cost & Funding · 146
- Regulation & Quality · 62
- Respite for Carers · 16
- Live-in Care · 15
- Reablement · 16
- Alzheimer's & Dementia · 50
- Care homes · 124
- Overnight Care · 11
- London · 99
- End-of-Life & Palliative · 28
- Carer Support · 48
- Elderly Care · 99
- Personal Care · 15
Carer Support
Letter to challenge a care needs assessment: free templateA free letter asking the council to reassess, citing the Care Act 2014 and eligibility rules, with complaint timelines and how to reach the…
Care homes
Complaint letter to a care home: free template and how to use itA free, editable complaint letter for a care home, with what to gather first, how to send it and how to escalate to the…
Elderly Care
Hoarding in older people: helping a parent and when to get supportHoarding in later life is best tackled slowly and with your parent's agreement, starting with safety, the GP and a free fire safety visit.
Care homes
Care home trial periods: how they work and what to checkA care home trial period lets either side end the stay more easily, but CMA guidance says the notice and refund terms must still…
Care homes
Days out and holidays from a care home: fees, benefits and planningCare home residents can take days out and holidays; here is how fees, benefits, insurance, capacity and DoLS work while they are away.
Care homes
Finding a care home that respects faith, culture and LGBT+ identityEvery care home in England must respect a resident's faith, culture and LGBT+ identity; the real test is how it handles food, worship, personal…
Care homes
Care homes for younger adults (under 65): options, funding and rightsYounger adults in England have the same Care Act rights as older people, but the benefits, alternatives and charging rules that matter most are…
Carer Support
Young carers and the Carer’s Leave Act: rights and supportWhat the Carer's Leave Act 2023 gives working carers, and the assessments, benefits and support available to young carers under 18 and young adult…
Cost & Funding
Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment 2026/27Who gets the Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments in winter 2026/27, how much, the £35,000 rule and what changes…
Cost & Funding
Blue Badge, Motability and other disability concessions (2026/27)A practical guide to the Blue Badge, Motability, bus passes, the Disabled Persons Railcard, VAT relief, council tax reductions and the CEA cinema card…
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