Looking after mum, dad or gran
Compare care homes, domiciliary care and respite with CQC ratings explained plainly, likely costs shown in £, and NHS or local council funding routes set out without the hard sell.
Prefer to get the money side straight first? Read our UK funding guide before you start ringing round.
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Start with the cities families search most, then widen out once you have a feel for inspection notes, availability and the likely £ involved.
Begin with care home, domiciliary care, respite or dementia support.
See CQC ratings in England, note the wider UK regulator where relevant, and get the shape of likely costs in £.
Ring up or message only when you are ready, then compare options calmly with the family.
For providers in England, we surface the four inspection outcomes families usually want to understand before they book a visit.
We cross-reference CQC registrations, Care Inspectorate, CIW and RQIA records, local council context and provider websites so the UK route feels like proper family research, not a US page with the spelling changed.
England listings surface Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate where available, rather than hiding them in the small print.
We flag where local council help, NHS Continuing Healthcare or self-funding questions should shape the shortlist.
Reviews and listing notes are moderated to sound like sensible family advice, not lead-generation copy.
The fee is only part of it, but these ranges help families sense-check quotes before they commit or ask the council and NHS the right questions.
DOMICILIARY CARE
£15-£25/hour
Useful for help with washing, meals, medication and companionship while someone stays at home.
CARE HOME
£800-£1,200/week
Check what is included, whether there is a top-up, and whether local council support could change the picture.
NURSING HOME
£1,000-£1,500/week
For people who need registered nursing as well as personal care. If the main need is medical, ask about NHS Continuing Healthcare.
We needed to sort something sensible for Mum and did not fancy being chased by half a dozen sales teams. seniorhelp.care let us compare three care homes in Manchester, see the CQC notes and rough fees, then ring only the places we actually wanted to visit.
Helen R. — daughter and family carer, Manchester
Once the ratings and the £ look sensible, most families want a better feel for day-to-day life.
Ask about routines, quiet spaces, meals and whether staff know how a resident likes things done.
Visiting hours, location and how welcome relatives feel often matter more than polished brochures.
Check top-ups, one-off fees, hairdressing, transport and extras before deciding a place feels like a fair deal.
Start with London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, then widen the search across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Three funding routes worth understanding before you start ringing round. Each has its own assessment process and eligibility rules.
NHS CHC
Fully funded care for people with a "primary health need". Free at the point of use — but the assessment is rigorous and can take weeks. Ask your GP or hospital discharge team to refer you.
Attendance Allowance
A non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. You don't need a carer to claim it — it's based on what you need, not what you get.
Council-funded care
If savings are below £23,250, your council may contribute. A care needs assessment and financial assessment determine how much you pay. Contact your local adult social services.
A care home supports day-to-day living, personal care, meals and routine help. A nursing home also has registered nurses on site for people who need regular clinical input. seniorhelp.care keeps those two categories separate so you do not end up comparing unlike-for-like.
The Care Quality Commission inspects registered services in England and grades them Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Those inspection results are one of the quickest ways to spot risk, so we surface them early rather than burying them in the small print.
Many families use a mix. Some people qualify for local authority support after a care needs and financial assessment, some receive NHS Continuing Healthcare because their main need is medical, and others pay privately. We call out that mix on the UK route so you can compare options with the right budget in mind and sense-check quotes in £.
Respite care gives family carers a break, whether that means a few domiciliary care visits, regular day care, or a short stay in a care home. It is often the most practical starting point when you need support now but are not ready to commit to a permanent move.
Claim your service on seniorhelp.care so local families can see your CQC profile, care type and contact details without the usual directory clutter.
Answer three quick questions and we'll show you the right care options.
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