Starting the Care Journey: What Families Need to Know

August 10, 2025

A step-by-step guide to navigating the care system with confidence and compassion.

When a loved one needs care—whether it's your child, your parent, your partner, or even yourself—it can feel like the world tilts on its axis. Suddenly, you’re trying to make sense of assessments, services, funding, eligibility, and paperwork… all while managing the emotions that come with change, worry, and responsibility.


At IntriCare, we understand how overwhelming this can be. Many of the families we support started exactly where you might be now—uncertain, anxious, and desperate for clear, human guidance. That’s why we’ve written this guide: to walk you through the care journey in simple, manageable steps. Because when you're informed, you're empowered. And when you’re empowered, everything gets easier.


Let’s break it down together.


Step 1: Recognising That Help Is Needed


This is often the hardest step. For many families, there’s a long lead-up to seeking support. You might notice that your loved one is struggling more than before. Maybe it’s getting harder for them to cope at home, or their behaviour has changed. For young people, it might look like isolation, disengagement from school, or emotional outbursts. For older adults, it might be forgetfulness, frequent falls, or just seeming lost in their own home.


Here’s the truth: needing care isn’t a failure—it’s a turning point. And recognising that need is a sign of strength, not weakness.


Step 2: Starting the Conversation


If you’re helping someone else access care, talking about it can feel delicate. Here are a few tips:

  • Use “I” statements like “I’ve noticed you seem more tired lately,” instead of “You’re not coping.”
  • Be curious, not critical. Ask how they’ve been feeling, what’s felt hard lately.
  • Frame support as a tool for independence, not control. For example: “Getting some help might mean you have more energy for the things you enjoy.”


If you’re the one needing care: be kind to yourself. Admitting you need help doesn’t make you a burden. It makes you brave.


Step 3: Getting an Assessment


In the UK, care usually begins with an assessment through your local council’s adult or children’s social services. This process helps determine:

  • The type and level of support needed
  • Whether you (or your loved one) qualify for funded services
  • What your options are moving forward


You can self-refer or ask a GP, school, or healthcare professional to help initiate this.


At IntriCare, we’re happy to support families through this process—explaining the forms, attending assessments (if appropriate), and helping you feel confident about what to ask for.


Step 4: Exploring Support Options


Once an assessment is complete, you’ll receive a care plan or support recommendation. This is where many families feel overwhelmed—because the options can seem endless, and it’s hard to know what’s right.


Let’s simplify that.


At IntriCare, we specialise in:

  • Complex Care for individuals with multiple health or behavioural needs
  • Domiciliary Care (in-home support for daily tasks)
  • Youth Support services to help vulnerable young people build resilience and re-engage
  • Mental Health and Social Isolation interventions


Each of these is delivered in a person-centred, community-based way. That means we don’t drop in and disappear—we build relationships, co-create plans with the person receiving care, and adapt as things change.


When choosing a care provider, ask:

  • Do they listen to what you need?
  • Will the same people be showing up each time?
  • Do they involve the whole family or support network, if appropriate?
  • How do they handle changes, concerns, or emergencies?


If you’d like to meet us or learn more before committing, we welcome it. Care works best when it’s built on trust.


Step 5: Understanding Costs and Funding


This part can be confusing, and many families worry about affordability. The good news is: there is help.

  • Local authority funding may cover part or all of the cost, depending on income and needs.
  • Direct payments allow you to choose your own care provider, even if the council is funding the support.
  • Some services (especially for youth or mental health) are funded via referrals from NHS or social services.


Our team at IntriCare can walk you through your funding options, help you apply, and even liaise with professionals on your behalf. You’re not expected to figure this all out alone.


Step 6: Starting Care — What to Expect


Once your support is arranged, we’ll work closely with you to create a transition plan. The first few weeks are all about settling in, getting to know your keyworker or support team, and fine-tuning the routine.


You’ll likely receive:

  • A named point of contact for questions or changes
  • A clear schedule or care rota
  • Regular check-ins to ensure everything’s working well


And yes—things might feel strange at first. That’s normal. It takes time to build trust. But we promise: we’re in this with you.


Step 7: Ongoing Reviews and Adjustments


Good care doesn’t stay static. Needs change. Goals shift. People grow.


That’s why we build flexibility and feedback into everything we do. You’ll have opportunities to review your care plan regularly and let us know what’s working—or what’s not. We also encourage open communication between families, support workers, and professionals. We’re all part of the same team.


Step 8: Looking After Yourself as a Family Member


This one’s important: you matter too.


Caring for a loved one—especially during the early stages of the care journey—can be emotionally draining. You might feel guilt, grief, frustration, or helplessness. That’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.


Remember to:

  • Ask for help (from friends, professionals, or peer groups)
  • Take breaks when you can
  • Celebrate the small wins
  • Be patient—with your loved one and yourself


You’re doing the best you can with what you have. And that’s enough.


You’re Not Alone


Starting the care journey is rarely simple—but it doesn’t have to be lonely. At IntriCare, we see families every day who are navigating this maze for the first time. And every day, we see them come out the other side—more informed, more empowered, and more hopeful.


If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, take a breath. You’ve already taken the first step: seeking information and support. That matters.


When you’re ready, we’re here to walk the next steps with you. Whether it’s a phone call, a home visit, or just a conversation to explore what’s possible—we’re listening.


Because at IntriCare, care starts with connection. And the journey starts with you.

Woman with long white hair, holding flowers in a greenhouse, examining others.

Encouraging Independence for Loved Ones with Dementia

August 27, 2025
One of the hardest balances in dementia care is knowing when to step in and when to step back. Families naturally want to protect their loved ones from harm, but overprotection can unintentionally strip away independence and dignity. The challenge is to encourage autonomy while still ensuring safety. Independence looks different at each stage of dementia. In the early stages, it might mean managing simple tasks like dressing, preparing light meals, or handling small financial matters with oversight. Later, it may involve choosing clothes, watering plants, or joining in familiar hobbies, even with supervision. The key is focusing on what remains possible rather than what has been lost. Encouraging independence requires patience. Tasks that were once effortless may take longer or involve mistakes. It can be tempting to take over, but allowing extra time respects the person’s abilities and preserves self-worth. Even small successes, such as buttoning a shirt or making tea, carry significance. Adapting the environment can make independence safer. Clear labelling on cupboards, simplified appliances, or removing unnecessary clutter reduces confusion and risk. These adjustments support autonomy without constant intervention. Families can also involve loved ones in decision-making wherever possible. Asking preferences about meals, clothing, or activities reminds the person that their voice matters. Even when choices must be limited, offering options fosters a sense of control. Social independence is equally valuable. Attending community groups, visiting neighbours, or participating in faith gatherings can provide purpose and connection. Isolation accelerates decline, while engagement sustains wellbeing. It is equally important for families to adjust expectations. Independence does not mean perfection; it means contribution. What matters is not whether the task is completed flawlessly but whether the person feels involved and valued. Supporting independence ultimately benefits both the person and the family. The individual retains dignity and purpose, while families find relief in sharing responsibility. Together, these efforts preserve a sense of normalcy and humanity in the midst of change. Dementia may take many things, but with encouragement and adaptation, independence can still thrive in meaningful ways. 

Supporting Families as They Cope with Dementia

August 27, 2025
When dementia enters a household, it rarely affects just one person. Families as a whole must adjust, learning to navigate changes that can test patience, emotions, and relationships. Coping as a family requires both practical planning and emotional resilience. The first challenge is often grief. Dementia is not a single moment of loss but a gradual one. Families mourn the fading of memories, the change in personality, and sometimes the reversal of roles, as children take on responsibilities once managed by parents. Recognising this grief is essential. Families need permission to feel sadness, anger, or even resentment without guilt. Communication within the family is just as critical as with the person living with dementia. Each member experiences the journey differently: one may take on the bulk of caregiving, while others feel helpless or distant. Tensions arise when responsibilities feel uneven. Honest, respectful conversations about roles and expectations help prevent misunderstandings from hardening into conflict. Support networks make an enormous difference. Professional services, support groups, and respite care options provide practical relief and emotional encouragement. Families who share experiences with others often discover they are not alone in their struggles, and this recognition can be healing. At the same time, families must carve out moments of joy. Dementia does not erase the capacity for laughter, music, or affection. Sharing a song, baking together, or simply sitting quietly with a loved one can remind everyone of the bond that still exists. These moments do not cancel the difficulties, but they provide balance and hope. For carers, especially those most directly involved, self-care is essential. Exhaustion helps no one. Taking time away, even briefly, is not neglect—it is preservation. Families that support one another in allowing breaks create a stronger collective resilience. Finally, coping as a family means acknowledging limits. No one can manage every challenge alone. Accepting professional help or considering alternative care arrangements when necessary does not mean failure. It means acting out of love to ensure dignity and safety.  Families who learn to cope together discover that while dementia changes relationships, it does not have to sever them. With patience, support, and honesty, families can hold onto connection even as they adapt to new realities.

Creating Daily Routines that Bring Comfort and Stability

August 27, 2025
Life with dementia can be unpredictable, both for the person experiencing it and for their family. Memory lapses, mood swings, and confusion can unsettle even the simplest day. That is why routines matter so much. They act like anchors, giving structure and reassurance where uncertainty otherwise rules. A consistent routine provides a rhythm. Waking, eating, bathing, resting, and sleeping at familiar times reduces anxiety. People with dementia may not recall why the day feels calmer, but their bodies and emotions recognise the pattern. Over time, this predictability fosters a sense of safety. Small details matter more than many realise. Using the same mug for morning tea, sitting in a favourite chair by the window, or playing a particular radio station during lunch can become comforting cues. These signals remind the person what comes next without needing explanation. Of course, routines should never feel rigid. Flexibility is essential because dementia progresses differently in everyone. A good day may allow for a walk in the garden or a trip to the shops, while a more difficult day might call for rest and quiet. The aim is balance: enough structure to provide security but enough flexibility to respect the individual’s changing needs. Involving the person in daily tasks, even in small ways, can be empowering. Folding laundry together, stirring a pot of soup, or helping water plants maintains a sense of purpose. It also reinforces identity—reminding them they are not defined only by dementia but by their role as parent, spouse, neighbour, or friend. Carers benefit from routines too. When daily rhythms are clear, planning becomes easier and stress lessens. Knowing that medication is always after breakfast or that a walk comes before dinner reduces the mental load of decision-making. It also helps family members and professional carers coordinate care more smoothly. Routines will inevitably shift as the illness progresses. What works in the early stages may no longer suit later on. The key is observation and adaptation. If an activity begins to cause frustration rather than comfort, it is time to adjust.  At its best, a daily routine does more than organise time—it nurtures dignity, provides comfort, and strengthens bonds. In the midst of dementia’s uncertainties, it offers something both families and loved ones can hold onto.