Domiciliary care is assistance provided to an individual in their own home, who due to age, disability, dementia or any other reason can no longer manage without support. It is provided by visiting carers at different (pre-organised) times of the day and is charged on an hourly basis. It is there to cover daily activities such as getting up, going to bed, washing, dressing, preparing and eating meals, shopping and cleaning or indeed anything else the individual may want.
Who is domiciliary care for?
When people transition from being completely independent, but do not yet need to consider the prospect of residential care, domiciliary is often the right choice.
It can be for the short-term following an illness, operation or accident just to get you back on your feet, or on a more permanent basis. It is for anybody that finds mobilising hard, who struggles to prepare meals for themselves or anybody with chronic conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, MND or multiple sclerosis.
Respite domiciliary care
Respite domiciliary care is provided on a short-term basis to give families who are providing long-term care to their loved ones a break to recuperate, go on holiday, or any other reason.
Cost of domiciliary care
Domiciliary care is charged by the agency based on an hourly rate and the length of time the care is delivered. Time is generally broken down into 15 minute blocks with people booking as much or as little as they need. The cost of care varies depending on the part of the country they are in and the company that is providing the care. Generally, it ranges between £15 and £20 per hour, but it does vary.
Benefits of domiciliary care
- More time at home: home care may prevent, or delay, a move into a care home.
- You can maintain contact with friends and your local community.
- Flexibility: home care services are flexible and you can have as little, or as much, help as you need.
- Cost: receiving care at home might be a lot cheaper than moving into a care home, depending on the amount of care needed.
- Pets: you can continue to live with your pets.
Drawbacks of domiciliary care
- Carers are not around 24/7, so if you have a fall or feel unwell it is not always easy to seek help.
- Inflexible: although you can adjust your care levels to match your exact needs, there is a delay in putting it in place. If you need extra care one day and not another that might be difficult to arrange.
- Unfamiliar carers: although the aim is usually to provide consistency of care, sometimes different staff may be used in times of staff sickness, holiday or when there is a shortage of carers.
Conclusion
Domiciliary care is an excellent option for many people. It represents the step between independent living and residential care. However, it is not right for everybody and is for many people only suitable for a short period before residential care becomes the most appropriate option.
Benefits of domiciliary care
The key benefit of domiciliary care is being able to receive the support you need whilst staying in your own home. You are able to maintain your place in your community, keep your neighbours and remain surrounded by your own things. This is a main priority for most older people.
For more information or if you wish to discuss care for your loved one please email care@greensleeves.org.uk