Family guide
How to arrange home care for a parent
A step-by-step guide for families starting out
6 min read
If you've noticed a parent struggling — meals skipped, medication muddled, the house harder to manage — you're probably wondering what to do next. It's one of the most common situations families face, and one of the least talked about.
This guide walks through the practical steps, in the order most families take them.
1. Start with a conversation, not a decision
The biggest mistake families make is arriving with a plan already made. Care works when the person receiving it feels in control, so start by listening: what's getting harder? What matters most to them about staying at home? What would they never want to give up?
Many older people fear that accepting help is the first step towards losing their home. Reassure them that home care exists to do the opposite — it keeps people in their own homes for longer.
2. Consider a needs assessment
Your local council's adult social care team can carry out a free care needs assessment, regardless of income. It identifies what support would help and may lead to council funding, depending on a financial assessment.
You can also arrange care privately at any time — most home care providers, including us, offer a free assessment of their own.
3. Understand the types of home care
- Visiting (domiciliary) care — carers call in for anything from 30 minutes to several hours a day
- Overnight care — a carer sleeps in or stays awake overnight for safety and reassurance
- Live-in care — a carer lives in the home, providing round-the-clock support
- Respite care — short-term cover so a family carer can take a break
4. Check any provider is CQC-registered
In England, providers of personal care must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Registration means the provider has met legal requirements to operate and is subject to inspection.
Always look the provider up on cqc.org.uk — any legitimate provider will encourage you to. Newer providers may not yet have an inspection rating; that's normal, and you can ask them directly about their training, DBS checks and care planning instead.
5. Questions worth asking any provider
- Will we have the same carers regularly, or different faces each week?
- How do you introduce carers before care starts?
- How will you keep the family informed?
- What happens if a carer is ill or delayed?
- How quickly can care start, and how flexible is the plan?
- How are your carers trained, checked and supervised?
6. Expect a proper care plan
Good care starts with a written, personalised care plan — built around routines, preferences, health needs and goals, and reviewed regularly as things change. If a provider offers a one-size-fits-all rota instead, keep looking.
The takeaway
Take it one step at a time, involve your parent in every decision, and choose a CQC-registered provider who listens more than they sell. If you'd like to talk any of this through, call us on 01254 503317 — no pressure, no obligation.
Let's talk about the right care for you or your loved one.
Book a free, no-obligation care assessment, or call our friendly team for an informal chat. We're here to help you take the next step with confidence.