Everything You Need to Know About Domiciliary Care: Homecare Support.

It can be very confusing when first finding out about domiciliary care services. This article will help answer some of the questions you might have.

What is domiciliary care?

Domiciliary care, often referred to as homecare, is quickly growing in popularity as an alternative to residential and nursing care.

You can get homecare in numerous ways – the intensity of care depends on the person’s individual care needs. Some people need intensive domiciliary care for a short period of time, and others simply need low-level but long-term care.

Also called dom care, domiciliary care can be offered to young people, children and adults who need the service. Dom care is not an exclusive service for the elderly.

A key advantage of homecare is that it is carried out in the person’s home, removing the need for extended hospital time, and enabling them to remain independent in their own home for longer.

Domiciliary care can be on a short-term basis, where the carer may just be in the home for an hour, or it could be up to a carer living with you 24 hours per day. At this point, it is called live-in care and is a great option for people who do not want to go into a care home but would like someone to help.

What support is available?

There are a lot of different support options for you depending on what you need. Your local authority will decide your eligibility for these options.

These are a few services available to help you in your own home:

• • Meal prep
  • Getting in and out of bed
  • Washing and bathing
  • Cleaning
  • Fitting equipment in your home, handrails, stair lifts, etc.

What is the process to get homecare support?

The best way to arrange homecare support is to first get an assessment of your care needs from your local council.  This assessment is completely free of charge, and everyone is entitled to one.

After your assessment, your local council will provide a care plan, if you have been assessed as eligible for support. Alternatively, they will advise you on other options if you are not deemed eligible at that time.

How expensive is homecare, will I have to pay?

You will find that most local councils will charge for the care services provided to your home. However, before charging you, your local council must work out how much it is that you can afford to pay and this should leave you with a fair level of income.

Check your local council’s website to find out about costs

How can I arrange my own homecare?

If you are assessed as eligible, you can choose something called direct payments. Which allows regular payments from the council to you directly or someone you trust, so you can buy/arrange your own care.

Alongside this, the government has introduced personal budgets which give you more control and choice over how you arrange and pay for your social care services.

Learn more about personal budgets.

What should I do first?

Whatever way you intend to pay for your care services, it is important you get the assessment of needs carried out first.

Please note that nothing in this blog constitutes official medical advice. It contains our opinions only. Always consult your healthcare provider when making healthcare decisions for you and your family.