What training will the carer have?

Every carer must pass our interview process and provide: – At least 2 verifiable references – Examples of at least 6 months’ experience – An enhanced DBS certificate As an introductory provider, we are unable to provide bespoke training. However, through our carer loyalty programme, carers who actively find work through our platform have access to a third-party online learning platform, where they can enhance their skills. We match based on the skills and experience you tell us you need, for example, if your loved one has dementia, we’ll only match you to self-employed carers with experience of looking after someone with the condition. We consistently re-evaluate which carers we work with based on feedback from families.

Can I meet the carer before they arrive?

We’ll always send you an introductory video of each carer you’re matched with – where they’ll tell you about their background, what they enjoy about being a carer, and their hobbies and interests. Once you’ve chosen your carer, we’re happy to set up a virtual meeting too, such as a Zoom call so that you can get to know them better before they arrive.

How quickly can care be arranged?

We have a large nationwide network of 6000+ independent care professionals, and have connected families to carers in 123 of 124 postcode areas in Great Britain. This means we can usually get care in place within 24 to 48 hours if your needs are urgent.

Can the carer administer drugs?

Yes if the medications are non-controlled. However carers can prompt and remind, but aren’t allowed to administer controlled drugs and injections. If this is a hard requirement, it might make financial sense for you to have a nurse visit in addition to the main carer, rather than hiring a clinically-trained carer.

Will they be English speaking?

Yes. Every carer we work with must have a good level of written and spoken English. If you’d prefer a carer who also speaks a second language, simply let us know.

Would I get sent a different carer every time?

No. We do our best to keep the number of carers that visit you to a minimum as we recognise the importance of routine and consistency to the elderly. Plus it allows them to do a better job, and they take pride in that.

Can I use local authority or NHS funding to pay for visiting care?

Yes, many of our customers use funding from their local authority to cover all or part of their care costs. Often customers choose to receive their funding as a direct payment, so that they’re free to choose their own the carer provider, rather than the council picking one for them. If you’ve not started the process of applying for local authority funding, we have mapped out the full process here. If you or a loved one is living with an on-going health condition, it’s worth applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare too. If you meet the criteria, this form of funding will cover every penny of your care costs. However, bear in mind that this funding is reserved for complex conditions which may fall out of the scope of what a self-employed carer can provide.

Is there a minimum hours of care I need to book?

No, you can book as little as 1 hour. However if you require a large number of hours, we offer live-in care which might suit you better. Our care advisors can explain it all, just give us a call if you’re unsure.

Is Elder CQC regulated?

Elder is an introductory agency so we’re not CQC regulated. We’re here to help match and introduce you to a self-employed care professional, and help the ongoing relationship run smoothly. You can learn more about our status here. Not having the status allows us to keep our prices affordable, and we still go to great lengths to ensure the quality of carers – as described above, as well as in our safety and trust guide.

Find the right carer and keep the life you know and love

Elder is an award-winning marketplace connecting families and self-employed home carers across Great Britain.

Find a carer Call us

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More Value

On average, services facilitated by Elder are 35% cheaper than traditional alternatives.

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More control

Whenever and however you need it, you set the scope of your service.

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More choice

Pick your favourite self-employed carer from personalised matches.

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More support

Use our platform to plan and manage care from anywhere, and chat to 5* rated support teams.

Our care services

Carer laughing with elderly woman on a bench

Live-in care

Long-term 24-hour support

A carer lives in the home to provide round-the-clock support
Suitable for people living with conditions like dementia, reduced mobility, etc.
For long-term care needs

Find a carer Explore live-in care

Carer helping elderly woman in the kitchen

Respite care

Temporary 24-hour support

A carer moves in for a few days to provide round-the-clock support
Suitable to cover for a main caregiver or for a temporary increase in care needs
Minimum duration of 3 days

Find a carer Explore respite care

Elderly woman with her carer and daughter

Visiting care

Flexible home visits

Book as many hours as you need for help in the comfort of your home
Support with everyday tasks like grooming, walks, cooking, etc.
From as little as 1 hour per week

Find a carer Learn more

MyElder is the only solution you need to arrange and manage care

Screenshot of arranging care via the Elder app

Screenshot of reviewing carers via the Elder app

MyElder is the only solution you need to arrange and manage care

Capture and manage recipient details

Keep healthcare details up-to-date and in one place to ensure safe and sufficient care delivery for your loved one.

Easily update details when things change
Allow carers to fully understand care needs
Clinical team on hand to review

Review and communicate with carers

Review suitable carers interested in providing care for your loved one. Use chat to talk to them, arrange video calls or even meet in person

Review previous experience and intro videos
Background checks carried out by Elder
Communicate directly to Elder and Carers

Manage care around your schedule

Request and edit care placements within the platform at ease. Have consistency of care moving forward with rotations among previous carers if needed.

Manage care schedule to request additional care
View your loved one’s care schedule easily
Invite family to collaborate and view care in place

The benefits of care at home

Why 9 out of 10 elderly people would prefer to be cared for in their own home.

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Personalised care

Home care means a focus solely on your loved one: care tailored to their unique needs and wants, from a familiar face, 7 days a week.

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Better life quality

Care at home allows the elderly to preserve their independence, routines and friendships. 97% of people receiving it say it’s improved their quality of life.

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Lower health risks

Moving to a care home often causes anxiety, whilst the unfamiliar location is proven to increase the chance of life-changing falls by 50%.

Carer helping elderly woman with walking

Helping you find the right carer

We want you to find a self-employed carer you can trust and get on with. All cares pass a rigorous screening which includes a background check, character and skills assessment, and verifiable professional references. Only 2% of applicants to join Elder are successful. As a result, 9 out of 10 customers are very satisfied with their first carer.

“Patience is a breath of fresh air! She is lively, cheerful and fun and brings joy to my in-laws' home. Nothing is too much trouble. She makes my mother-in-law feel like a princess.”

Louise Elder Customer

“David has been 400% better than I could ever have imagined. I have seen many carers over the years but David is in a break away Premier league. He is attentive, thoughtful, constantly looking to improve the situation.”

David Elder Customer

“[Our carer] never underestimated mum's sharp intellect and desire to hold on to her independence. She and mum chatted about songs mum had always enjoyed, and she helped to create a special playlist for her."

Jane Elder Customer

“My mother has dementia and Maria quickly gained her trust...Maria cooks her delicious meals from scratch and keeps my mother busy with new card games. I have never seen my mother so happy.”

Alice Elder Customer

“She was a very friendly capable caring lady. My husband thought the world of her and has asked me if he can have her care for him the next time I am away which means a lot to me.”

Elizabeth Elder Customer

"Marko has taken the trouble to understand Ken's complicated needs, has become a good friend for Ken and is restoring some fun to Ken's life. For that we cannot thank him enough."

Alan Elder Customer

“Josephine has gone above and beyond. Every Wednesday she cooks a big meal and sets the table for Alison, her son Donald and his wife Annette, which is the highlight of the week and something they all really look forward to.”

Kyla Elder Customer

“Katie has made life easier and better for my gran from the moment she arrived. She has fitted in so well with our wee family and makes my gran feel special.”

Angela Elder Customer

Find your ideal carer

We have connected over 5000 families to carers so far.

How it works

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Share your care request

Tell us what you're looking for using our simple request form or speak with a dedicated care advisor to build your care profile and describe the care you need.

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Select the right carer

You’ll start receiving profiles of your uniquely matched carers in 24 hours. Chat online to carers you’d like to know better, or arrange a phone or video call.

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Prepare for care

Use MyElder to communicate with your chosen carer and the Elder support team, manage your care schedule, and set up secure payment.

Catherine

placeWest Oxfordshire

badge36 years

starstarstarstarstar

Catherine looked after my 92 year old Father for a week. She made an effort to talk and communicate with him, discuss what was on the television and watch with him. She was also proactive in picking up jobs not normally done by the Carer such as ironing and taking a cup of tea in the morning. My Father has said that he would be happy to see Catherine again.

Chris

placeNuneaton and Bedworth

badge16 years

starstarstarstarstar

Chris spent a year with my father, the last 6 months was palliative care. I cannot put in to words, how well Chris cared for my Dad; often in very difficult circumstances. There was a real genuine friendship between him and my Dad; I could not have asked for a better carer/companion for my father in his last year. Chris supported my Dad throughout lockdown, when I was unable to visit. Throughout that year Chris only took 1 week holiday, because he was so dedicated to caring for my Dad as he died. The hospital and medical profession said my Dad lasted months longer than expected, because of the way Chris cared for him. Chris is a gentle man and gentleman and I hold him in very high regard. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone.

Cynthia

placeLeeds

badge24 years

starstarstarstarstar

Cynthia is lovely x great with my parents x top class in everything she does

Degnan

placeBirmingham

badge6 years

starstarstarstarstar

It's hard to believe that Degnan has only been with my Mum for one week. She has a quiet manner and fitted into the household demands from the moment she arrived. She has a calming and steadying influence on the household which is quite a challenge with my Mum who is suffering with the early stages of dementia and can be quite demanding. Degnan liaises between my Mum, my brother who lives nearby, his wife, and myself (daughter, I'm in the States). We are so pleased to have her steady support.

Rosine

placeManchester

badge11 years

starstarstarstarstar

Rosine is friendly and confident. She's fitted in really well with my 99 year old mum who is mentally very well but is physically weak. She's extremely likeable and she's become like a much loved family member.

Thomas

placeNorwich

badge8 years

starstarstarstarstar

Tom is a lovely young man. He is brilliant with my mum and very kind He genuinely cares

Huldah

placeBromley

badge29 years

starstarstarstarstar

Huldah looked after mum after a difficult time in hospital and was always professional and caring, even when mum couldn't settle and became annoyed. She is very experienced with dementia clients and I would highly recommend her.

Mary

placeBromley

badge9 years

starstarstarstarstar

Sweet, kind Lady. Quietly gets on with her duties. Very respectful.

Kathleen

placeInverclyde

badge19 years

starstarstarstarstar

Kathleen came along at a point where our family really needed support. She was fantastic and communicated so well with everyone in the family. She was great with my Nana and really tried to provide my Nana with some variety with TV shows and films, taking her out and generally giving her the companionship she needed. Thank you so much Kathleen, you have been amazing!!!

Elizabeth

placeWiltshire

badge7 years

starstarstarstarstar

Elizabeth has been a wonderful support to all of us. She is kind, considerate and knowledgeable. She has been excellent with my dad and dealing with all the rest of the family. Her extensive experience with elderly care has been immensely useful, and she has been so helpful when I am dealing with all the medics and other professionals. She is also an excellent cook.

Nasra

placeHillingdon

badge16 years

starstarstarstarstar

Nasra goes the extra mile and strives to make both Dad(John) & Jean comfortable and monitors their medication meticulously

Naresh

placeLeicester

badge19 years

starstarstarstarstar

Naresh stepped in with no notice when another carer became unwell and was only with us for a couple of days. He arrived and got straight to work. He is kind, caring, always smiling and nothing was ever too much trouble. He engaged very well with both my parents, helping them to cope with the unexpected changes. We are very grateful.

Anne

placeRedcar and Cleveland

badge10 years

starstarstarstar

Anne was an absolute find. I had never done live in care before and was a bit reticent about it, but it is one of the best things we have done for our relative. Constant company, chatting, singing round the house, has cheered her up no end. Having someone there for continuity of care, general welfare and mobility is brilliant .

Ade

placeBirmingham

badge10 years

starstarstarstarstar

Ade was our first experience of having care for Mum and it was a very positive one. I felt happy leaving my mother in Ade's care whilst I had 2 weeks respite. Ade is a lovely friendly person and is competent and reliable. I could see that she would be able to look after and manage my mother successfully, which allowed me to go on holiday and not worry about my mother. Her communication skills were very good, she contacted me a couple of times to clarify things she was unsure about. My mother got on well with Ade and we would be happy to have Ade to care for Mum again.

Patricia

placeCoventry

badge15 years

starstarstarstarstar

Trish has formed a good relationship with my Mum. Under her care my mum seems happier and has regained health after having had Covid a couple of months ago. Trish is cheerful, knowledgeable, professional and helpful and we have selected her to be ongoing carer for Mum. Mum will be very happy to see her again when she returns.

Teresa

placeWatford

badge21 years

starstarstarstarstar

Teresa is an excellent carer. We have found her to be outstanding. Such a comfort knowing our loved one is in such good hands. She is an angel. We dont want to lose her as i think she would be very hard to replace she has far exceeded our expectations

Amanda

placeTest Valley

badge32 years

starstarstarstarstar

Amanda is a star. Our mother is very frail and can be difficult to deal with at times. But Amanda takes it all in her stride. We're very happy with Amanda and so is our mother.

Jawahar

placeIslington

badge11 years

starstarstarstarstar

jay is caring kind compassionate and my parents love her....

Vivienne

placeCroydon

badge42 years

starstarstarstarstar

Vivienne is a very nice good carer....

Nimo

placeRugby

badge15 years

starstarstarstarstar

Toileting and grooming box has not been ticked only because these are not wanted by the client.

Catherine

placeWest Oxfordshire

badge36 years

starstarstarstarstar

Chris

placeNuneaton and Bedworth

badge16 years

starstarstarstarstar

Cynthia

placeLeeds

badge24 years

starstarstarstarstar

Cynthia is lovely x great with my parents x top class in everything she does

Degnan

placeBirmingham

badge6 years

starstarstarstarstar

Rosine

placeManchester

badge11 years

starstarstarstarstar

Thomas

placeNorwich

badge8 years

starstarstarstarstar

Tom is a lovely young man. He is brilliant with my mum and very kind He genuinely cares

Huldah

placeBromley

badge29 years

starstarstarstarstar

Mary

placeBromley

badge9 years

starstarstarstarstar

Sweet, kind Lady. Quietly gets on with her duties. Very respectful.

Kathleen

placeInverclyde

badge19 years

starstarstarstarstar

Elizabeth

placeWiltshire

badge7 years

starstarstarstarstar

Nasra

placeHillingdon

badge16 years

starstarstarstarstar

Nasra goes the extra mile and strives to make both Dad(John) & Jean comfortable and monitors their medication meticulously

Naresh

placeLeicester

badge19 years

starstarstarstarstar

Anne

placeRedcar and Cleveland

badge10 years

starstarstarstar

Ade

placeBirmingham

badge10 years

starstarstarstarstar

Patricia

placeCoventry

badge15 years

starstarstarstarstar

Teresa

placeWatford

badge21 years

starstarstarstarstar

Amanda

placeTest Valley

badge32 years

starstarstarstarstar

Amanda is a star. Our mother is very frail and can be difficult to deal with at times. But Amanda takes it all in her stride. We're very happy with Amanda and so is our mother.

Jawahar

placeIslington

badge11 years

starstarstarstarstar

jay is caring kind compassionate and my parents love her....

Vivienne

placeCroydon

badge42 years

starstarstarstarstar

Vivienne is a very nice good carer....

Nimo

placeRugby

badge15 years

starstarstarstarstar

Toileting and grooming box has not been ticked only because these are not wanted by the client.

You get to pick and talk to the carer beforehand, so you have someone who is a right fit. The carer gets to ask questions, and you can build a trusted relationship before they even begin care.

Sarah, Elder Customer

The carers have real affection for my parents. They also laugh and joke a lot, which is great especially with my dad…he hasn’t lost his spark even though he is older, and still loves a joke!

Jan, Elder Customer

It has made my own life a lot easier, as I know Jennifer our carer will just sort things out. It’s a nice balance between being consulted about the important decisions, but not having to do it all yourself.

Jill, Elder Customer

We have been very impressed with Elder. They have been really good at finding carers. All the carers have been very very good, kind, organised and helpful. The liaison with Elder has been excellent right from our initial contact.

Margo, Elder Customer

FAQs

Still have questions?phone0333 920 3648