Start With This

You don't have to read everything on this site today. Later-life care rarely arrives all at once, and neither should the guidance.

No sound needed: words on screen

Read the 60-second overview instead

Why we exist: when Mum was diagnosed, then Dad, both times all we were given was a leaflet. So I built what we wish we’d had.
Stage 1, Diagnosis & Understanding: what happens after a diagnosis, and who can help.
Stage 2, Planning Ahead: power of attorney, money, and the conversations to have early.
Stage 3, Living Well at Home: staying safe and well at home, and support for you too.
Stage 4, Increasing Care Needs: falls, hospital stays, carers and assessments.
Stage 5, Care Home & Funding: choosing a home, who pays, and settling in.
Stage 6, End of Life: comfort, palliative care, and what to expect.
Stage 7, Bereavement & Moving Forward: what to do after a death, and looking after yourself.
Plus free tools: a 20-page booklet, a care cost calculator, money help, a sudden change checker, a CHC toolkit and a local support finder.
Free. Plain English. From real experience. www.thecarecompass.uk

We built The Care Compass around one idea: find out where you are, then get exactly what you need for that moment.

That's what the wheel below shows. Seven stages, covering the whole journey from diagnosis through to bereavement and moving forward.

Worried something isn’t right, but there’s no diagnosis yet? That comes before the wheel, and we have guidance for it too: start here →

Where are you right now?

A calm way in, whatever’s happening.

Someone suddenly confused? Call 999 or go to A&E now. If someone has become worse without sudden confusion, use the Sudden Change Checker.

How to use this

Read the situations below and pick the one that feels closest. It doesn’t need to be exact.
Tap it to see the best guide to start with. Each one shows its stage, so you know where you are on the journey.
Start with just one guide. You can come back for the rest whenever you’re ready.

Not sure? Choose the nearest one. There’s no wrong answer, and every guide links to what comes next.

Before a diagnosis · before the seven stages“Something doesn’t seem right, but there’s no diagnosis yet.”
Early signs families notice →Free GP log to fill in →

The seven stages

Stage 1 · Diagnosis & Understanding“We’ve just had a diagnosis. What now?”
After a diagnosis: first steps →Help for you as the carer →
All Stage 1 guides
Stage 2 · Planning Ahead“We want to get things in order while we still can.”
Lasting Power of Attorney →Money and benefits help →
All Stage 2 guides
Stage 3 · Living Well at Home“We’re managing at home, but I’m stretched.”
Getting a carer’s assessment →Respite care explained →
All Stage 3 guides
Stage 4 · Increasing Care Needs“They’re in hospital, or need more help than before.”
Hospital stays and discharge →Arranging care at home →
All Stage 4 guides
Stage 5 · Care Home & Funding“We’re looking at care homes, or worried about the cost.”
Care cost calculator →Choosing a care home →
All Stage 5 guides
Stage 6 · End of Life“We think they may be nearing the end of life.”
Where end-of-life care happens →Recognising the final days: what to expect →
All Stage 6 guides
Stage 7 · Bereavement & Moving Forward“Someone has died, and I don’t know where to start.”
The first hours after a death →First days checklist →
All Stage 7 guides

You don't need to read them in order. Things often overlap, so dip into more than one stage if it helps.

Every guide is informed by real experience and checked against relevant trusted sources, including the NHS, GOV.UK and leading charities, before it goes live. No sponsored content, no referral fees, ever.

Find your stage →

“

In Steve's Own Words

There was no single place that had it all. I wanted anyone arriving here for the first time to feel like someone's already been where they are.

Steve, founder of The Care Compass

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