How Can a Home Carer Help Me?
What Is Home Care? A Complete Guide to Care at Home in the UK
Home care (also called domiciliary care) is support provided by trained carers in a person’s own home. It covers help with personal care, household tasks, medication and companionship, so people can stay independent and safe in familiar surroundings instead of moving into a care home.
Demand for home care in the UK has grown steadily. According to The King’s Fund, more than 350,000 older people use home care services, along with over 75,000 younger adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health conditions.
Whether you need care yourself or look after a loved one, this guide explains the types of home care, who it suits, how to pay for it and how to arrange it.
Who Can Benefit From Home Care?
Home care suits anyone who needs support to live safely at home. This includes older people, people living with disabilities, those recovering from illness, injury or a hospital stay, people with long-term health conditions, and people receiving end-of-life care who wish to stay at home with loved ones.
Care at home can also support people living with dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke or multiple sclerosis, with carers trained in each condition.
What Types of Home Care Are Available?
The main types of home care are personal care, household support, companionship, healthcare support, respite care and live-in care. Most care plans combine several types, and visits can range from a 30-minute daily check-in to 24-hour support.
- Personal care: help with washing, bathing, dressing, grooming and using the toilet.
- Household support: cleaning, laundry, shopping and meal preparation.
- Companionship: conversation, outings and social activities that reduce loneliness and isolation.
- Healthcare support: medication prompting and administration, and support alongside district nurses and GPs.
- Respite care: short-term cover so family carers can take a break.
- Live-in care: a carer lives in the home to provide round-the-clock support.
- Specialist care: dementia care, learning disability support and care for children and adults with complex needs.
What Are the Benefits of Home Care?
Home care lets people keep their independence, routines and community while getting the help they need. It is flexible, so care can increase, reduce or stop as needs change, and it is often more affordable than a residential care home for people who need a few hours of support a day.
“Home care is a lot more flexible, offering different levels of care without long-term commitment,” explains Age UK. “For example, you may just need help with everyday tasks whilst you are recovering from an illness. When you’re feeling better you may not need the extra help.”
Key benefits include:
- Better quality of life: staying in a familiar home supports emotional wellbeing, especially for people living with dementia.
- One-to-one attention: care is focused on one person, not shared across a ward or care home.
- Choice and control: you decide how much care you receive, when, and what it includes.
- Keeping families together: couples can stay together and pets can stay at home.
How Does Home Care Support Family Carers?
Professional home carers provide respite, giving family carers time to rest, work and look after their own health. Unpaid caring takes a heavy toll. According to Carers UK:
- 87% of carers said caring had a negative impact on their mental health.
- 64% said a lack of practical support affected their mental health.
- 39% had put off medical treatment because of their caring responsibilities.
- 37% of carers aged 18–64 had given up work to care.
Regular respite care helps reduce stress and burnout and lets carers lead a more balanced life.
Choosing the Right Home Care Worker
Choosing the right home care worker is crucial to ensure that the individual receives the best possible care. When selecting a home care worker, consider the following factors:
- Qualifications and experience: Look for carers with relevant qualifications and experience in providing care services. This ensures they have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the individual’s needs.
- Personal qualities: A caring and compassionate attitude, respect for the individual’s autonomy, and good communication skills are essential. These qualities help build a trusting and supportive relationship.
- Availability: Consider the carer’s availability and flexibility to meet the individual’s needs. It’s important that the carer can accommodate the required schedule and any changes that may arise.
- References: Ask for references from previous employers or clients to ensure the carer is reliable and trustworthy. This provides peace of mind that the carer has a proven track record of delivering high-quality care.
By considering these factors, individuals can find a home care worker who provides high-quality care and support, enabling them to live their best life in the comfort of their own home.
How to Find Home Care
To begin the process of finding home care, start by contacting your local authority to arrange a care needs assessment. The assessment is completely free, and will enable you to better understand your needs, as well as the financial support you are eligible to receive. Get started by finding your local authority here.
Home Care with Abbots Care
Abbots Care is an award-winning home care agency, covering the Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Dorset regions of the country. Our management team have more than 30 years’ worth of experience, while our business has accreditation from the Care Quality Commission, the UK Home Care Association and Skills for Care.
Our team of professional carers are able to offer a variety of different services, including respite care, dementia care, and support for both adults and children with physical or learning disabilities. We will work with you to create a personalised care plan which suits your needs and preferences.
All of our care workers are fully-trained and complete a Care Certificate Course, ensuring they possess the right skills for the role, while our management team carry out regular checks and are always available to review the care being provided. Abbots Care is dedicated to supporting vulnerable people, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care and support. You can book a free assessment through Abbots Care by clicking here.
