By the time you’re reading this, chances are something’s been worrying you for a while.

A phone call you missed. A strange moment on FaceTime. A neighbour’s text that didn’t sit right. Or just… a gut feeling.

You love your mum, dad, or elderly relative, and you want them to stay independent. But lately, something’s changed. They’re forgetting appointments. The house isn’t quite as tidy.

And you’re beginning to ask yourself a hard question:

“Do they need help?”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not a bad son, daughter, or partner for thinking it.

That’s where Jon Sharpin comes in.

Jon is Hemby’s Home Care Manager, and he’s been helping families make these decisions for over 11 years. He started in care because of his own Nan, and now leads a team that serves families across the UK. “I’ve done the difficult calls, I’ve been there when families felt overwhelmed, and I’ve seen how the right support changes lives,” he says.

We asked him: What do people really worry about when thinking of home care?

“Can I trust this person to care like I would?”

That’s the biggest one, he says. “People want to know their mum or dad will be safe, respected and supported, not just ‘cared for’ in the clinical sense. It’s deeply emotional. And if you’re living far away from your parents, it’s even more stressful.”

According to Jon, this moment is one of the most emotionally loaded crossroads families face.

“It’s rarely about just care,” Jon explains. “It’s about trust. Even guilt. About wanting to do right by someone who raised you.”

How to Start the Care Journey

Jon’s advice? Don’t jump into 40 hours a week. Start small.

“Try a visit once or twice a week. Get to know the carer. Let your parent feel in control,” he says. “And meet face to face. That makes all the difference.”

Also, know your options:

• Every council offers free care needs assessments.

• You may qualify for local authority funding if assets are under £23,250.

• Some people qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, though it’s rare.

• Don’t forget about Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance, you might be missing benefits.

A Story Jon Won’t Forget

One of Jon’s earliest clients was an elderly gentleman. “He didn’t really want anyone in his home. He was proud, a bit stubborn. But he let me in.”

Jon chatted with him, made him a cup of tea, helped with a few tasks. The man joked, “I was hoping for a shave today, but looking at your face, I might pass!” They both laughed, and Jon told him he was sure they could sort something out. "It was the first time in a while he’d had that kind of personal care and I could see how much it lifted his spirits."

Later that evening, the man’s son called. “He was in tears and thanked me for for what had been done".

“That’s what good care does,” says Jon. “It brings people back to themselves.”

The 5 Hidden Truths About Home Care Every Family Should Know

1. “Help at home” doesn’t mean “giving up independence.”

In fact, it’s the opposite. The right home care helps your loved one stay in their home, on their terms, longer. Hemby carers are trained to enable, not overtake.

2. You don’t need to wait for a crisis.

Many families delay until a fall, a hospital discharge, or a sudden decline. Jon says, “If you’re wondering whether help is needed, it probably is. Start small. Even a few hours a week makes a difference.”

3. Trust is built face-to-face.

At Hemby, every care relationship starts with a real visit. No hard sell. Just a friendly, reassuring chat where you — and your loved one — can ask anything.

4. It’s okay to ask for help.

In Jon’s words: “Daughters and sons shouldn’t have to become carers. They should stay family.” And that’s exactly what Hemby helps make possible.

“What if they don’t like having help?”

Many seniors worry about losing dignity. Many also assume that accepting help means giving up independence. “But the opposite is true,” says Jon. “Good home care can actually keep someone independent for much longer.” That’s why Hemby carers are trained to prioritise respect, sensitivity, and choice. Jon recommends starting small and turning the tables. “Often it can be easier for the elderly parent to accept some help, if they know their children will feel more at peace that way”.

Why More Families Are Turning to Hemby

Let’s be honest. Home care has a reputation problem. Many people picture rushed visits, strangers showing up at random times, or impersonal, ‘tick-box’ support.

But Hemby isn’t that. Hemby is built for families who want to feel relief, when they finally make the decision to get help. “We don’t just support older people,” Jon says. “We support the whole family. Their peace of mind. Their daily lives.”

“It’s what I’d want for myself and my own Nan,” says Jon.