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Hiring, onboarding and sponsorship, written plainly

Practical writing on hiring, onboarding and sponsorship compliance for UK and US care providers.

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Hiring · 1 min read

How to fill a rota gap without lowering the bar

Most rota gaps are a shortage of hours to work through applicants, not a shortage of applicants. Screen on the day, keep the questions identical, and book interviews straight into the manager's diary.

Care manager reviewing a rota on a laptop
Hiring and sponsorship

Practical guidance on filling rota gaps, screening carers and staying compliant as a sponsor.

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Hiring · 1 min readHow to fill a rota gap without lowering the barMost rota gaps are a shortage of hours to work through applicants, not a shortage of applicants. Screen on the day, keep the questions identical, and book interviews straight into the manager's diary.
Immigration · 3 min readLatest UK Visa Sponsorship RulesThis all-in-one guide explains the latest UK visa sponsorship rules, including the major changes introduced in July 2025. It covers sponsor licence compliance, care sector specifics, salary thresholds, skill requirements, and transitional deadlines, with a focus on what both care providers and care workers need to know.
Immigration · 2 min readHow to Switch Care SponsorsA complete, step-by-step timeline for UK care workers switching Skilled Worker visa sponsors — from resignation to starting your new role, often in as little as 3 to 6 weeks.
Home safety and care options

Making the home safer, weighing up care settings and getting the practical support you are entitled to.

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Advice · 4 min readComparing the cost of care at home, sheltered housing and care homesA breakdown of the real costs of staying at home, sheltered housing, care homes and nursing homes in the UK, plus the financial support available to older people and their families.
Advice · 5 min readHow does dementia affect mobility?We all lose some physical mobility as we age but with dementia, this process is accelerated. Here's how dementia affects coordination and balance, and how to help someone stay mobile and independent for longer.
Advice · 5 min readTracking devices and dementia: What you need to knowTracking devices may be a great way to keep a loved one with dementia safe, but they can also raise legal and ethical issues. We look at both sides of the argument.
Dementia symptoms and health

What to look out for and how to respond when dementia affects the body, mood and everyday health.

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Advice · 3 min readWhy does dementia cause suspicions, delusions and paranoia?It can be very distressing to see a loved one experiencing delusions, suspicions, and paranoia, but they are fairly common symptoms of dementia. Here are a few ideas to help you cope.
Advice · 4 min readWhat is the life expectancy for someone with dementia?It's sad but true that people with dementia usually have shorter lives. However, exactly how much shorter their life will vary enormously from person to person. Here's the key information about life expectancy by dementia type.
Advice · 4 min readWhat causes pneumonia in people with dementia?You're bound to be worried if a loved one with dementia develops a respiratory infection such as pneumonia — here's what to know about the causes, symptoms and prevention.
Activities and wellbeing

Ideas that bring music, food, film and company into the day for people living with dementia.

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Advice · 3 min readThe best phones for people with dementiaPhones can be a lifeline for someone with dementia, but choosing the right one matters. Here's our pick of the best dementia-friendly phones and how to solve common problems.
Advice · 4 min readWhy Lego is good therapy for people with dementiaLego therapist Kitty Short explains how the much-loved building bricks can have surprising benefits for people with dementia — boosting focus, motivation, and reviving happy memories.
Advice · 4 min readWhy caring can be boring — and what you can do about itMany family carers are afraid to admit how bored they often feel, particularly if they're stuck at home a lot with a loved one who has dementia. So what can help to make the days a bit more interesting for you? Here's a few ways to alleviate the boredom.
Stories and news

Real journeys, interviews and the dementia stories making headlines.

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Advice · 4 min readTop 6 films for loved ones living with dementiaChoosing the right film can have a real impact on the mood of someone living with dementia. Here are six dementia-friendly films to watch with a loved one, from musicals to classic comedy.
Advice · 4 min readTV Review: Finding ArchieA review of BBC1 documentary Reported Missing, which followed the police search for Archie Campbell, an 82-year-old man with dementia who went missing from home — and why the ordeal underlines the case for GPS tracking devices.
Advice · 3 min readWhat's the truth about Terry Jones' dementia?Newspaper headlines last week painted two very different images of the Monty Python star's life with Frontotemporal Dementia (Pick's disease). So which was the most accurate?