Start by asking your parent’s GP surgery and local authority adult social care for a care needs assessment. This tells you what support your parent needs and whether they qualify for funding. From there, you can compare council-arranged care with private agencies and choose what fits your family.

How do I know if my parent needs care at home?

Some signs build slowly. Others hit you the moment you walk through the door.

Watch out for falls, or bruises they can’t explain. Weight loss and empty cupboards matter too.

Muddled medication is a big one. So is a house that’s gone quiet, with curtains drawn all day.

Ask yourself: has your parent stopped seeing friends? Do they seem lower than usual, or forget things they’d never forget before? If you answer yes to two or more, it’s time to look into support.

What are my first steps this week?

Call the GP surgery first. Ask for a health check and mention your worries clearly.

Next, ring the local authority adult social care team. Ask for a care needs assessment. It’s free, and every council must offer one.

While you wait, check the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website. Search any care provider you’re considering and read their latest report.

Our guide on in-home care for elderly relatives walks through the types of support on offer, if you want more detail before you call.

Who do I contact and what do I ask?

Three calls matter most this week: the GP, the council, and one or two home care agencies.

Use this script when you call an agency:

• Are you registered with the Care Quality Commission, and what’s your current rating?
• Will my parent see the same carer each visit?
• How do you train and vet your staff?
• What happens if a carer is sick or on holiday?
• Can we arrange a trial visit before signing anything?

Write down the answers. You’ll want to compare them side by side.

How much does home care cost in England?

Costs vary by area and by how much help your parent needs. Here’s a rough guide.

Type of care	Typical cost	Best for
Hourly visits	£25–£35 per hour	Help with meals, medication, personal care
Daily visits (few hours)	£70–£140 per day	Someone managing but needs regular checks
Live-in care	£900–£1,600 per week	Higher needs, or a parent who wants to stay put
Residential care home	£800–£1,200 per week	Round-the-clock needs, less desire to stay home

These figures are averages across England. Ask any provider for a written quote before you agree to anything.

How is home care funded or paid for?

Many families pay privately, known as self-funding. But you may get help too.

The local authority carries out a financial assessment, or means test, after the care needs assessment. This decides if the council contributes.

NHS Continuing Healthcare covers full costs for people with serious ongoing health needs. It’s worth asking your GP or social worker if your parent might qualify.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. It’s not means-tested, so it’s worth checking even if you think you won’t qualify.

Council care vs private agency care: what’s the difference?

Both routes can lead to good care. The process differs though.

	Council-arranged care	Private agency care
Waiting time	Can take weeks after assessment	Often starts within days
Choice of carer	Limited to council’s approved list	You choose the agency and can request continuity
Cost	Depends on financial assessment	You pay the full rate, but control the hours
Flexibility	Set visit times and duration	Easier to adjust hours as needs change

Some families use both, with council funding topped up by private hours. Your social worker can explain what mix suits your parent.

What should I look for in a good home care provider?

Ask about staff training and how they handle emergencies. Good agencies train carers in first aid, moving safely, and medication support.

Continuity matters more than families expect. The same one or two carers, visit after visit, build trust and spot changes early.

Ask for references from other families. And always request a trial visit before signing a contract.

Our piece on what an in-home caregiver actually does is a good one to share with your parent, so they know what to expect.

What happens once care starts?

The agency should write a care plan with you and your parent. It covers routines, medication, and personal preferences.

A typical visit includes a check-in, help with tasks like washing or meals, and a written note for the next carer.

Ask for a review after the first two to four weeks. This is the time to raise anything that isn’t working.

Watch for red flags: rushed visits, carers who don’t know the care plan, or a parent who seems more anxious after visits. Raise these straight away with the agency manager.

Common questions

How do I get a care needs assessment?
Call your parent’s local authority adult social care team and ask for a care needs assessment. It’s free and looks at daily living, safety, and support needs.

Is home care cheaper than a care home?
For lower levels of need, home care often costs less. For higher needs, especially overnight care, a care home can work out cheaper than round-the-clock home care.

Will the council pay for care?
It depends on your parent’s savings and income. A financial assessment, or means test, decides how much the council contributes.

What is Attendance Allowance?
It’s a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. It’s not means-tested and doesn’t affect other benefits.

How do I check if an agency is safe?
Look up the provider on the CQC website. Every registered home care agency in England has a public rating and inspection report.

What if my parent refuses care?
Start small, with one visit a week, and involve them in choosing the carer. Many people accept help once they meet someone they trust.

Key points

• Watch for falls, weight loss, muddled medication, or isolation — these signal it’s time to act.
• Ask your local authority for a free care needs assessment this week, and check the CQC rating of any agency you consider.
• Home care in England costs roughly £25 to £35 an hour, or £900 to £1,600 a week for live-in care.
• You may get help through council funding, NHS Continuing Healthcare, or Attendance Allowance — check eligibility before assuming you must self-fund.
• Choose a provider on continuity of carers, staff training, and CQC rating, not just price.
• Book a trial visit before committing, and review the care plan after the first few weeks.

What’s my next step?

You’ve made a start just by reading this. Now pick up the phone.

Call the local authority this week and ask for a care needs assessment. Then get in touch with Rising Star Care Solutions for a free care needs consultation, and we’ll help you work out what good support looks like for your parent.