Complete Guide to Home Care for 2023

Home care is an increasingly popular option for those who wish to remain independent in the comfort of their own home. The option of having professional carers visit and provide assistance to elderly and disabled people has been welcomed by many as it allows them to maintain their autonomy and remain in familiar surroundings. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of home care and why it has become such a popular choice for those needing extra help.

Check out all the locations we provide home care in.

What Is the Meaning of Home Care?

Home Care is the provision of assistance with everyday tasks for individuals who are unable to do them independently in their own homes.

Home Care is an umbrella term for a range of services that support people to stay in their own homes and live as independently as possible. It includes personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing and getting around, as well as practical support, like help with shopping, cleaning, meals and other tasks. Home Care can also provide emotional support and advice with finances, housing and other aspects of life. It is a way to maintain independence and keep people connected with their local community.

Who Is Home Care For?

Home Care is suitable for a wide range of people and conditions. Some typical examples of those conditions are:

• Companionship Care
• Dementia Care
• Palliative Care
• Elderly Care
• Respite Care
• Disability Care
• Post-operative Care

Want to learn about other types of care? Read our breakdown of all the types of care.

Who Can Provide Home Care?

Home Care can be provided by various people, from spouses and loved ones to professional carers, both self-employed and via care agencies. For many people, a flexible combination of the above can be used to meet the needs of someone requiring care.

Family Care – This is the provision of care by someone’s family and friends. For many older people, it’s very common to lean on family for some extra shopping or to take them to appointments. Some families choose to take care a level further and perform all types of care.

Self-Employed/Private Carers – These kinds of carers are people that you hire directly to help look after your loved one. Check out our full guide on private carers here.

Agency Carers – These companies employ teams of carers to manage rotas and look after patients in their own homes.

What Types of Carers Are There?

Professional carers come in three forms; Hourly Carers, Overnight Carers and Live-in Carers.

Hourly Care is where most people start and involves a carer stopping by your house for 30 minutes or more to assist with personal care, housework or companionship. You can find out more about Hourly Care here.

Overnight Care is similar to hourly care but is usually for those that need lots of support during the night. Overnight carers tend to work in 8-12 hour blocks over the entire course of the night. You can find out more about Overnight care here.

Live-in Care is quite different to the previous two options as it involves a carer living in a spare room of your house for 3-4 week placements. You can find out more about Live-in Care here.

Who Funds Home Care?

Home Care funding comes from a combination of three places; the patient’s own funds, local councils and the NHS.

Private Funding – This is when an individual or family of an individual spend their own money hiring carers. Most councils won’t fund care for people that already have significant savings.

Local Authority (Council) Funding – Your local council will fund home care if your savings drop below £20,000. There are plenty of other rules and tests to ensure you need the care.

NHS Funding – NHS can instruct a care agency to provide six weeks of care to get you back on your feet after an operation or other hospitalisation.

Check out our full guide to the cost of care here.

How Should I Prepare My Home?

There are many things in a home you can modify to help it suit your loved ones’ needs better. If mobility is a struggle, then options range from grab rails and stair lifts to ceiling hoists. If your loved one suffers from dementia, then some modern technology can assist them with reminders and monitor their well-being. If you’re looking to care for your loved one from your own home, then a “Granny Annexe” or other home modifications might be worth considering.