The Care Podcast

About The Care Podcast

The Care Podcast is here to help you make sense of care, with honest conversations, expert advice, and real support for every stage of the care journey. Whether you're supporting a loved one, planning ahead for yourself, or working in the care sector, this podcast offers clear, compassionate guidance to help you feel more confident and better informed. Hosted by the team at Unique Senior Care, a CQC Outstanding-rated home care provider based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, the podcast brings together expert voices, including health professionals, social care leaders, legal specialists, care workers, and family carers. We explore the questions people often struggle to get straight answers to, sharing real-world insight and practical takeaways to help you navigate the world of care. Topics we cover include live-in care, hourly home care, dementia care, respite care, later life planning, carer wellbeing, and navigating the social care system in England. Who is this for? ✓ Family carers exploring options or facing decisions ✓ People planning for later life, either for themselves or others ✓ Professionals supporting older adults and families ✓ Anyone navigating care, ageing, or long-term wellbeing Why listen? ✓ Trusted expert insight on a wide range of care topics ✓ Real-life stories and honest, human conversations ✓ Calm, clear tone, no jargon ✓ Focused on dignity, independence and informed choice Brought to you by Unique Senior Care Unique Senior Care is a CQC Outstanding-rated home care provider trusted by families across the UK, offering live-in care and dementia care across England and hourly home care across Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Explore more support: 🌍 Website: https://www.uniquecare.co.uk (https://www.uniquecare.co.uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 📚 Care Advice Hub: https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/care-advice-hub/ (https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/care-advice-hub/) 📊 Care Cost Calculator: https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/home-care-costs-calculator/ (https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/home-care-costs-calculator/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 💼 Carer Jobs: https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/carer-jobs/ (https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/carer-jobs/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🎧 Podcast home: https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/podcasts/ (https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/podcasts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Follow Unique Senior Care: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unique.senior.care/ (https://www.instagram.com/unique.senior.care/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-senior-care/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-senior-care/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniqueSeniorCareUK (https://www.facebook.com/UniqueSeniorCareUK?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Unique Senior Care, Suite 5A and 5B, Hatton Rock Business Centre, Hatton Rock, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0NQ. Tel: 01789 204040.

Publisher

The Care Podcast

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Sept 2025

Latest episode

29 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

39 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Oct 2026

   Elderly Parent Refusing Care? How to Approach the Conversation

   What can you do when an elderly parent refuses care or doesn't want help at home? Talking to Mum or Dad about accepting support can be difficult, especially when they're worried about losing their independence. In this episode of The Care Podcast, Jo Cleary speaks with Nicola Culkeen, Registered Manager at Unique Senior Care, about how to approach conversations with an elderly parent who is reluctant to accept care. Drawing on 30 years of experience in the care sector, Nicola explains why older people may resist help, how to introduce support without pressure and why starting with companionship can make accepting care easier. Who is this episode for? ✓ Families whose elderly parent refuses care✓ Anyone struggling to talk to a loved one about getting help✓ Family carers supporting someone living with dementia✓ Older adults who feel uncomfortable about accepting support✓ Families considering introducing home care gradually In this episode, we discuss: ✓ Why elderly parents may refuse care✓ How to approach conversations about home care✓ Why maintaining independence and control matters✓ How to introduce care gradually✓ Whether companionship can help someone accept support✓ How memory cafés can build confidence and connections✓ Where to get advice if a loved one refuses care✓ Why accepting help doesn't mean losing independence The most important message is to avoid forcing the conversation. Listening to your loved one's concerns, involving them in decisions and introducing support at their own pace can help build trust. Sometimes, starting with a friendly conversation, help around the house or a companionship visit can be a more comfortable first step. Need Advice About Arranging Home Care? If you're concerned about an elderly parent who refuses help, our team can talk through your situation and explain the options available. Find out how to arrange care at home:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/how-to-arrange-care-at-home/ Not sure whether your loved one needs additional support?https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/is-it-time-for-care/ Call Unique Senior Care: 0808 134 1161 About Unique Senior Care Unique Senior Care provides personalised visiting care, live-in care and specialist support, helping older people remain independent and comfortable in their own homes. Watch More of The Care Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8fboT9aroWT_IldwcpXdgl7H4p21icBW Useful Links Dementia Care and Free Guide:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/dementia-care/ Care Advice Hub:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/care-advice-hub/ Home Care Costs Calculator:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/home-care-costs-calculator/ Website:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/ Join Our Caregiver Team:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/carer-jobs/ Follow Unique Senior Care Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unique.senior.care/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-senior-care/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniqueSeniorCareUK Chapters 0:00 Why Older People May Feel Uncomfortable Accepting Care0:18 Introduction to The Care Podcast0:48 How to Talk to an Elderly Parent Who Refuses Care1:12 Why Do Elderly Parents Refuse Help?1:38 Can You Arrange an Informal Home Care Assessment?2:03 Introducing Help With Everyday Activities3:06 Why Involving Your Parent in Care Decisions Matters3:30 What if Someone With Dementia Refuses Care?3:52 How to Introduce Home Care Gradually4:35 How Can Familiar Carers Build Trust?5:21 Can Memory Cafés Help Someone Accept Care?5:44 What Happens at a Memory Café?6:59 How Memory Cafés Can Help Families Explore Care8:03 Where Can You Get Help if an Elderly Parent Refuses Care?9:12 How to Approach the Conversation Without Pressure9:42 What if You're Reluctant to Accept Care Yourself?10:15 Can You Speak to a Care Provider Without Committing?11:11 Why Accepting Help Doesn't Mean Losing Independence12:19 Podcast Outro

2. 

   23 Oct 2026

   Is Home Care Safe? Common Worries About Arranging Care

   Is home care safe for elderly parents? When you're inviting a caregiver into Mum or Dad's home, it's natural to have questions about safety, background checks, costs and whether your loved one will feel comfortable accepting help. In this episode of The Care Podcast, Nicola Culkeen, Registered Manager for Unique Senior Care's Coventry and Warwickshire services, answers common worries families have before arranging home care. She explains how caregivers are checked and trained, where to research a care provider, how care costs can be discussed and what happens if someone doesn't get along with their carer. Who this episode is for: ✓ Families considering home care for an older parent✓ Anyone worried about trusting a new caregiver✓ People comparing home care providers✓ Families concerned about care costs and available funding✓ Anyone whose loved one is reluctant to accept care In this episode we cover: ✓ Are home carers DBS checked?✓ How to check a home care provider's CQC report and reviews✓ Using cameras in a loved one's home and the importance of consent and privacy✓ Discussing home care costs and adjusting support to individual needs✓ Where to ask about possible financial help with care✓ What happens if an elderly parent doesn't like their caregiver✓ Why sharing concerns with a care provider matters Nicola's main advice is to talk openly about your worries. Families may be facing these decisions for the first time, but an experienced care team will have heard many of the same concerns before and can help explain the options. Explore Your Home Care Options Our guide explains how to arrange care at home:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/how-to-arrange-care-at-home/ Estimate potential care costs:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/home-care-costs-calculator/ About Unique Senior Care Unique Senior Care provides personalised visiting care, live-in care and specialist support to help older people remain independent at home. Call for advice: 0808 134 1161 More episodes of The Care Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8fboT9aroWT_IldwcpXdgl7H4p21icBW Further Resources Is It Time for Care?https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/is-it-time-for-care/ Care Advice Hub:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/care-advice-hub/ Home Care Consultation:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/what-happens-during-home-care-consultation/ Website: https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/Caregiver Jobs: https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/carer-jobs/ Follow Unique Senior Care Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unique.senior.care/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-senior-care/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniqueSeniorCareUK If you found this conversation helpful, please like, subscribe and share it with someone considering home care. Chapters 0:00 Common Worries About Arranging Home Care0:12 Introduction to The Care Podcast0:41 Is Home Care Safe for Elderly Parents?1:05 Are Home Carers DBS Checked?1:28 How Are Home Carers Trained and Supervised?1:51 Why Check Reviews Before Choosing a Care Provider?2:38 How to Check a Home Care Provider's CQC Report3:38 Can You Have Cameras in an Elderly Parent's Home?4:01 Consent and Privacy When Using Home Cameras5:53 How Can Families Manage the Cost of Home Care?7:04 Is There Funding Available for Home Care?8:40 What if My Elderly Parent Doesn't Like Their Carer?9:42 What Should You Do if You're Worried About Home Care?10:44 Podcast Outro

3. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Why Having the Same Carers Matters

   Why is continuity of care important in home care? Having the same familiar carers can help an elderly parent feel more comfortable, build trust and maintain their daily routines. But what happens when a regular home carer is ill, goes on holiday or leaves their role? In this episode of The Care Podcast, Nicola Culkeen from Unique Senior Care explains why consistent caregivers matter, how small teams of familiar carers support older people at home, and how care providers manage changes without unnecessarily disrupting someone's care. For people living with dementia, familiar faces and routines can be particularly important. Having lots of different carers visiting can make it harder to build relationships and may cause confusion or anxiety. Nicola also explains why relying on just one caregiver isn't always practical. At Unique Senior Care, the aim is to have a small team of at least three familiar caregivers so that someone who knows the client can provide support when another team member is unavailable. Who this episode is for: ✓ Families arranging home care for an elderly parent✓ Anyone concerned about different carers visiting each day✓ Families supporting someone living with dementia✓ People comparing home care providers✓ Caregivers interested in consistent, personalised care In this episode we cover: ✓ Why continuity of care matters✓ How regular carers recognise changes in someone's needs✓ Why familiar carers are important for people with dementia✓ How having different carers can affect trust✓ How consistent care benefits caregivers too✓ What happens when a regular carer leaves✓ How new caregivers are introduced✓ How care providers manage sickness and holidays✓ Why a small team of familiar carers provides reassurance Consistency of care isn't simply about seeing the same faces. It's about building relationships with people who understand someone's routines, preferences and changing needs, helping them feel safe and confident receiving support at home. About Unique Senior Care Unique Senior Care is a CQC-regulated home care provider offering personalised visiting care, live-in care and specialist support. We help older people remain independent and comfortable at home, with care tailored to their individual needs. Call us for advice: 0808 134 1161 If you found this conversation helpful, please like, subscribe and share it with someone who may benefit. Watch More of The Care Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8fboT9aroWT_IldwcpXdgl7H4p21icBW Explore Our Podcast Hub:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/podcasts/ Further Resources and Support How to Arrange Home Care:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/how-to-arrange-care-at-home/ Is It Time for Care?https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/is-it-time-for-care/ Dementia Care and Free Guide:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/dementia-care/ Home Care Costs Calculator:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/home-care-costs-calculator/ Care Advice Hub:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/care-advice-hub/ Website:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/ Join Our Caregiver Team:https://www.uniquecare.co.uk/carer-jobs/ Follow Unique Senior Care Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unique.senior.care/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-senior-care/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniqueSeniorCareUK Chapters 0:00 Why Is Continuity of Care Important in Home Care?0:30 How Do Regular Carers Spot Changes in Care Needs?0:59 Why Do People With Dementia Need Familiar Carers?1:47 What Happens When Someone Has Different Carers Every Day?2:37 How Do Regular Carers Build Trust?3:28 How Does Continuity of Care Benefit Caregivers?4:26 How Familiar Routines Improve Home Care5:38 What Happens When a Regular Carer Leaves?6:00 How Is a New Caregiver Introduced?6:50 What Happens When a Home Carer Is Off Sick?7:13 Why Have a Small Team Instead of One Regular Carer?7:53 How Senior Care Teams Provide Cover8:19 How Does Consistent Care Help Someone Stay at Home?

Contact The Care Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.