The AskBart journal
Advice, guides & stories for families. – page 12
Clear, jargon-free guidance on choosing care, funding it and supporting someone you love — written by our independent care experts.
How to Employ a Private Carer Directly (and Stay Legal) (2026)
Employing a private carer makes you an employer. What the law asks of you in 2026: PAYE, the minimum wage, pensions, insurance, right to work and DBS checks.
Respite Care over Christmas and Holidays: Booking Early (2026)
How to plan a respite break over Christmas or a holiday: getting assessed, booking a care home early and preparing for a short stay.
Emergency Respite Care: What to Do When a Carer Falls Ill (2026)
Who to call when a carer suddenly can't care, including out-of-hours social services, and how an emergency plan can help.
Live-in Care Explained: the Alternative to a Care Home
Live-in care lets someone stay in their own home with a carer on hand day and night. Here's how it works, what it costs, and how to decide if it's right.
Preventing Falls at Home: a Practical Guide
Falls are the leading reason older people lose their independence — but most are preventable. Here's a practical, room-by-room guide to reducing the risk.
Medication Management at Home: a Safe Guide
Missed, doubled or muddled doses are a common and preventable problem. Here's how to keep an older relative's medication safe, simple and on track.
When Is the Right Time for a Care Home? (2026)
There's rarely one moment that makes the decision obvious. Here's how to read the signs, weigh the alternatives, and decide together without waiting for a crisis.
Telecare & Gadgets That Help Someone Stay Safe at Home
From pendant alarms to fall detectors and GPS trackers, here's how telecare actually works, what it costs, and how to choose devices your relative will use.
What Is a Care Needs Assessment? (2026)
A care needs assessment is the free, no-strings starting point for arranging care in England. Here's exactly how it works and what happens afterwards.
Care Home or Home Care? Pros and Cons (2026)
A care home and care at home both work well for the right person — but the right choice depends on needs, budget and how things are likely to change. Here's how to compare them properly.
How to Help Aging Parents: A Comprehensive Guide
When a parent starts needing more help, it's hard to know where to begin. Here's a clear, UK-specific path through the conversations, the paperwork and the care choices.
An Expert Guide To Advance Care Planning for Seniors In 2025!
Advance care planning lets you set out your future care wishes now, so family and doctors know what matters to you if you can't say so yourself.