The Care Podcast

Choosing a home care provider can feel overwhelming. Every care company promises compassionate, high-quality support, but how do you know which questions really matter?

In this episode of The Care Podcast, Stacey, Client Services Manager at Unique Senior Care, explains the essential questions every family should ask before arranging home care. From CQC registration and DBS checks to care costs, carer matching and involving your lov...

Nervous about having carers in your home? You're not alone. In this episode of The Care Podcast, Stacey, Client Services Manager at Unique Senior Care, explains what really happens during a first home care visit, how experienced care managers help people feel at ease, and why accepting care is about building trust, not judging your home or your situation.

Many people worry about inviting someone into their home for the first time. ...

If you've started looking into care for a loved one, you've probably come across terms like visiting care, live-in care, respite care and companionship care.

But what do they actually mean, and how do you know which type of care is right? In this episode of The Care Podcast, we explain the different types of home care in simple, straightforward language to help you understand your options and make informed decisions with confidence...

Many families wait until they're in crisis before reaching out for home care. In this episode of The Care Podcast, Jo Cleary is joined by Stacey, Client Experience Manager at Unique Senior Care, to discuss why asking for help can feel so difficult and how the first conversation can make all the difference.

Whether you're exploring care for yourself or supporting an ageing parent, Stacey explains what happens when you contact a home...

When is it time to stop driving? Road safety experts from Warwickshire County Council explain how older drivers can stay safe, recognise when changes may be needed, and maintain their independence for longer.

As we get older, our driving needs and abilities can change—but that doesn't necessarily mean giving up the keys. In this episode, Rosalie and Sharon from the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership discuss how older driver...

Finding the right carer for an elderly parent or loved one can be one of the most important decisions a family makes. In this episode of the Care Podcast, Jo Cleary is joined by Lucy, Director of People at Unique Senior Care, to explain why the relationship between a carer and the person receiving care is just as important as the care itself.

From recognising the signs of a good match to knowing when it's time to ask for a differen...

When someone begins receiving care at home, feeling comfortable, respected and understood can make all the difference. In this episode of The Care Podcast, Lucy, Director of People at Unique Senior Care, shares practical insights into how carers build trust, respect personal preferences, and help people feel at ease in their own home.

Who this is for:

✓ Families considering home care for a loved one

✓ People receiving care at home

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In this episode of The Care Podcast, Lucy, Director of People at Unique Senior Care, explores why listening is often more powerful than trying to solve someone's problems. From supporting people through emotional challenges to helping loved ones accept care, Lucy shares practical insights on building trust, understanding resistance, and responding with compassion.

Who this is for: ✓ Family carers supporting an older loved one ✓ Any...

When care needs begin to change, seeing the same familiar faces can make a huge difference. In this episode of the Care Podcast, Joe Cleary is joined by Lucy, Director of People at Unique Senior Care, to talk about why continuity of care matters so much — especially for older people living with dementia, anxiety, frailty, or more complex health conditions.

Lucy shares how regular Caregivers help build trust, reduce distress, ...

Accepting help at home can feel overwhelming at first, especially for someone who values their independence and privacy. In this video, Lucy, Director of People at Unique Senior Care, explains what helps people feel safe with home care - from communication and consistency to empathy, trust and compassion.

If you’re exploring care for a loved one, this conversation offers practical reassurance about what families should look ...

In this episode of The Care Podcast, Jo speaks with Helena Hitchcox, Director of Operations at Unique Senior Care, about how sudden changes in a loved one’s health can quickly turn into overwhelming situations for families.

From hospital admissions to unexpected diagnoses, Helena explains how to prepare in advance, what practical steps can make a difference, and how having the right support in place early can make these momen...

Why You Can’t Switch Off When Caring for a Loved One (And What Helps)

In this episode of The Care Podcast, Jo speaks with Helena Hitchcox, Director of Operations at Unique Senior Care, about the emotional weight that often comes with supporting a loved one. When someone you care about is struggling, it can be hard to stop worrying — even when you’re not with them.

Helena shares her personal experience of supportin...

In this episode of The Care Podcast, Jo speaks with Helena Hitchcox, Director of Operations at Unique Senior Care, about what to do when something doesn’t feel quite right with a loved one. Whether it’s small changes in behaviour, memory, or daily routines, Helena shares practical advice on how to trust your instincts, respond calmly, and avoid jumping to the worst conclusions. Drawing on both professional experience an...

In this episode of The Care Podcast, Jo is joined by Helena Hitchcock, Director of Operations at Unique Senior Care. With over 40 years of experience, Helena shares practical advice on managing the constant worry that can come with caring for an ageing parent or loved one.

Together, they explore the emotional and practical challenges families face — from feeling overwhelmed and stretched too thin, to knowing when to seek extr...

In this episode of the Care Podcast by Unique Senior Care, we talk about how families can make practical safety changes in a loved one’s home without it feeling clinical or hospital-like.

Our Operations Director, Helena Hitchcox, shares simple advice on balancing comfort, familiarity and safety, especially when supporting an older person who may be at risk of falls or other hazards at home.

Who this is for:

✓ Family members s...

What Makes a Great Carer? Insights from Skills for Care.

In this episode of the Care Podcast, brought to you by Unique Senior Care, we’re joined by Rachel Shaw and Shirley Way from Skills for Care to talk about careers in adult social care and what it takes to build a strong, compassionate care workforce.

We discuss how people enter the care sector, the skills and values that make a great carer, and how organisations like Ski...

Thinking of caring for a parent yourself? In this episode we explore what families often underestimate when they try to manage care alone.

Jo Cleary is joined by Phil Maundrill, Founder and Director at Unique Senior Care, who shares honest reflections on the realities of family caregiving. Drawing on his personal experience arranging care for his own mum, Phil discusses the emotional, practical and physical pressures families can f...

When is the right time to arrange home care for a loved one? In this episode we explore why many families delay starting care, and why waiting until a crisis can make the decision harder for everyone involved.

Jo Cleary is joined by Phil Maundrill, Founder and Director at Unique Senior Care, who shares insights from both his professional experience and arranging care for his own mum. Together they discuss the emotional barriers fam...

Starting home care and unsure what questions to ask first? In this episode, we explore the things many families wish they had understood earlier when arranging support for a loved one.

Jo Cleary is joined by Phil Maundrill, Founder and Director at Unique Senior Care, who shares practical advice drawn from both professional experience and arranging care for his own mum.

Together they discuss the questions that can make a real differ...