Finding Help
There's a whole spectrum between "managing fine" and "needs a nursing home". Knowing the options — and matching them to the actual need — is half the battle.
Free & IndependentNo commissionsLast updated: June 2026
The spectrum of support
- A bit of help — cook, cleaner, driver. Often the first and most useful step.
- Part-time attendant — companionship and help with daily tasks for a few hours.
- Live-in carer — for parents needing constant support.
- Trained nurse / medical attendant — for recovery or complex conditions.
- Organised elder-care services — companies offering coordinated care, emergency response and check-ins.
- Assisted living / care homes — for higher needs, where appropriate and agreed with your parent.
How to choose well
- Start from the real need, not the fear — over-buying care can be as unhelpful as under-buying.
- Vet carefully — ID, references, police verification, a trial period. See hiring help.
- Compare organised providers independently — our commission-free comparison walks through the main ones.
- Involve your parent in the decision wherever possible — dignity matters as much as safety.
Worth Knowing
The right help isn't the most expensive — it's the most reliable and the most respected. A well-treated, fairly paid helper who stays for years is worth more than a string of cheap, churning hires. Get the relationship right and the care follows.