Guides

When someone comes into your home to support you or someone you love, it is not just about the tasks they help with. It is about how they make you feel. Whether they seem to understand your world, your routines, the way life works in your area. Whether the whole thing feels natural rather than clinical.

If you or someone you love has started to find everyday life more difficult at home, a care needs assessment is often the first formal step toward getting some support in place. Many people have never heard of one until a GP, hospital discharge team, or social worker mentions it. This guide explains what it […]

A Parkinson’s diagnosis brings a lot of questions. About what the condition means day to day, how life at home might change over time, and what kind of support might eventually be needed. For many people and their families, the answers are not always clear, and the path forward can feel uncertain. This guide is […]

When families start looking into support at home, most end up in the same place: a list of local care agencies, a few phone calls, and a growing sense that none of the options feel quite right. Traditional agencies are often the first thing people find. But they’re not the only option, and for a […]

Most families don’t see it coming all at once. It starts with small things. A parent who used to manage everything now seems a bit more tired. The house isn’t quite as tidy as it used to be. Phone calls that used to be chatty are getting shorter. A fall, or a stint in hospital, […]

The first week of home support is a journey of discovery. It’s when a new person becomes a familiar face and a new schedule starts to feel like a natural rhythm. From the “Grand Tour” to that first shared cup of tea, discover how to build a trusting relationship with your ilarna Personal Assistant from day one.

Once support begins, many people find that what matters most isn’t a label or a contract. It’s how visits fit into the flow of everyday life. Small choices (like the timing of a morning cup of tea or how you like the kitchen organised) are what help support feel natural rather than intrusive.

When you start exploring support at home, one of the first questions is often about presence. Would a few hours a week make daily life feel easier, or would having someone based in your home feel more reassuring?

Living far away from a parent or loved one can be emotionally challenging. It’s often the quiet moments between phone calls that feel hardest, wondering how everyday life is really going when you’re not there to see it for yourself.

Realising that you or a loved one could benefit from some support at home is a significant moment. It often comes with mixed feelings — wanting to stay independent, while recognising that certain parts of daily life feel harder than they used to.

Coming home from hospital is an important milestone. For many people, it’s also a time when everyday life can feel unexpectedly demanding as routines restart and energy levels fluctuate.