Care guides and resources

Information about arranging care in the UK and supporting someone at home, from the NHS, GOV.UK, UK charities and Heems.

36 guides and resources across 8 topics

Help with arranging care

Pick the situation you're in to see the guides for it.

For families

Work out what kind of help is needed and what is available at home.

Types of care at homeHeems
Visiting, overnight, live-in, respite, dementia and palliative care, and who each one suits.
Care and support guide (opens in a new tab)NHS
The NHS overview of social care in England: what help exists and where to start.
Getting a needs assessment (opens in a new tab)NHS
Anyone who needs help day to day can ask their council for a free assessment of what care would help.
Help at home from a carer (opens in a new tab)NHS
What homecare covers, from personal care to companionship, and how to arrange it.
Arranging homecare (opens in a new tab)Age UK
Age UK's guide to getting help at home and the questions to ask before care starts.

For families

Benefits, council funding and NHS funding that can help with the cost.

How Heems pricing worksHeems
Carers set their own rates. See the platform fee and what you pay before you book.
Attendance Allowance (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
A benefit for people over State Pension age who need help because of an illness or disability. It is not means-tested.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
Help with extra living costs for people under State Pension age with a long-term condition or disability.
Direct payments from your council (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
If the council will fund care, you can ask for the money as direct payments and arrange the care yourself.
Paying for your own care (opens in a new tab)NHS
What self-funding means, and the advice and support available if you pay for care yourself.
NHS continuing healthcare (opens in a new tab)NHS
Care arranged and paid for by the NHS for people with significant ongoing health needs, and how to be assessed.

For families

Support that can help after a hospital stay.

Care after a hospital stay (opens in a new tab)NHS
Short-term support to help someone recover at home, and who to ask about it before they leave.
Visiting careHeems
A carer comes to the home for pre-arranged visits while someone settles back in.

For families

Understanding dementia and where to get specialist support.

Dementia guide (opens in a new tab)NHS
Symptoms, diagnosis and living with dementia, from the NHS.
Dementia care and support (opens in a new tab)NHS
Help available for the person with dementia and for the people who look after them.
Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline (opens in a new tab)Dementia UK
A free helpline staffed by specialist dementia nurses, for families and carers.
Alzheimer's Society (opens in a new tab)Alzheimer's Society
Information, local services and a support line for anyone affected by dementia.
Dementia care at homeHeems
Support that keeps home stable, familiar and reassuring for someone living with memory loss.

For families

Support, breaks and money for unpaid carers.

Carer's assessment (opens in a new tab)NHS
A free assessment from your council of the support you need as a carer.
Carer's Allowance (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
A benefit if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
Carer breaks and respite care (opens in a new tab)NHS
Ways to take a break, and how your council may help pay for one.
Respite care through HeemsHeems
Short-term, flexible care that gives family carers a break.
Carers UK (opens in a new tab)Carers UK
The national charity for unpaid carers, with advice and a helpline.

For families

Preventing falls, planning ahead and getting free advice.

Preventing falls (opens in a new tab)NHS
Why falls happen in later life and practical ways to lower the risk.
Falls prevention (opens in a new tab)Age UK
Age UK's tips on staying steady, including simple changes around the home.
Lasting power of attorney (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
How to choose someone you trust to make decisions for you if you can't in future.
Age UK Advice Line (opens in a new tab)Age UK
Free, confidential advice for older people, their families and carers.
Safety guidelinesHeems
How Heems keeps visits safe, and how to report a concern to us.

For families

Booking, paying and getting help on the platform.

How Heems worksHeems
From searching for a carer to booking and paying, step by step.
Find a carerHeems
Search carers near you and compare profiles, rates and reviews.
Help centreHeems
Answers to common questions about accounts, bookings and payments.

For carers

Setting up, tax and training for carers who work independently.

Working with HeemsHeems
Set your own rates, choose your jobs and get paid securely.
Becoming a sole trader (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
What you need to do to work for yourself, including keeping records.
Register for Self Assessment (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
Register with HMRC so you can report your income and pay tax as a self-employed carer.
Getting your enhanced DBS check (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
Since January 2026, self-employed carers can apply for their own enhanced check through a DBS umbrella body.
Care Certificate standards (opens in a new tab)Skills for Care
The standards new care workers in England are expected to meet.