In recent years, the notion of long-term care and support has significantly changed attitude, particularly for older people and individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Families and individuals are more frequently opting for care and support when and where they want; home. This reflects a need for independence, dignity and familiarity now seen as common features of care professionals' work practices.
Many people do not wish to go into residential care; they want to live where they feel most at ease. So, home care is also called home, or community care. This means individual needs will be met for daily living and service needs such as medical support and connection with friendly companionship while one limited spaces and environment.
In this blog, we will look at; what home care is, the importance, the advantages, and the growing relevance of home care, and how it is improving the delivery and possibly the future of support services internationally.
Home care has many benefits, not only for people needing assistance, but for families and caregivers too. At the centre of this model is the concept of person-centred care–care that considers the individual’s particular preferences, medical conditions, routine, and goals.
Below are some of the key benefits of care at home:
There is arguably no greater benefit than the psychological and emotional value of being in your own home. Home represents familiarity: familiar surroundings, familiar routines and personal possessions, and even the family pet offer a sense of normal and comfort that an institution cannot provide. This familiarity and comfort can ease anxiety and confusion, especially for an individual with cognitive issues, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Care at home is not a one-size-fits-all. Services could include assistance with bathing, dressing, mobility, meal preparation or more intricate support such as wound care or medication management, and the plan is tailored to restore quality and dignity in life, with flexibility.
Supporting people so that they can maintain control of their daily lives is key. For many people, if they receive the support needed, they may continue to do whatever they are capable of independently whenever they can, which fosters confidence and independence.
Residential care homes often have one fee, as they are paid for a place to live and all meals, whereas home care may be less expensive, particularly if a person only needs some services for a few hours a day/few days a week. With home care, families can select as much or as little support as they need, and they can increase or decrease this support based on the person's situation and progression of change to their functioning.
Family members may remain more involved in a person's daily life when they are receiving care in their home environment. This deepens relationships and can act as an enhanced emotional support system for the person that can be critical to their overall sense of wellbeing.
Home-based care services can include a whole range of services, from overall house help to sophisticated health care approaches. Based on a person's circumstance and some of their desired goals of support, a list of services may include:
Support can be provided on a scheduled basis - daily, weekly, or even live-in - depending on the person’s needs and preferences.
As populations in many developed countries age, the notion of 'ageing in place' has emerged. Ageing in place means growing older and continuing to reside at home in a safe, independent and comfortable way.
Home-based care supports ageing in place by helping seniors manage the space between independence and supported living. With access to qualified personal carers and technological adaptations (e.g. fall alarms; mobility aids), seniors can remain in their homes longer without sacrificing safety.
This is especially useful in rural and regional settings where there may be limited aged care facilities, or relocation would require long distance travel.
As the industry moves to a more personalized service model, and greater provision of in-home care, the role of care workers, and the services they offer will continue to evolve. Care workers are now expected to fulfil roles that require:
Along with a continued rise in demand for workers with advanced training on mental health, dementia, and complex health conditions.
The increase in demand has also meant a greater recognition for care workers, sparking discussions around wages, career advancement, and skills development across the industry.
Technology continues to shape how quality and efficiency are retained in home care as well. Some of the most common tools and solutions in this space include:
Together, these innovations enhance communication, transparency, and care coordination, making home-based care more effective than ever before.
A frequently omitted advantage of care at home is that it may enhance mental health. Isolation and depression are widespread among older residents and those with disabilities, culturally and disability transitions especially to unfamiliar settings.
The ability to remain connected to your community, your neighbourhood and your personal networks has considerable influence over your emotional wellbeing. Home-based care including domiciliary care services can directly contribute to a person’s physical needs and promote a sense of emotional safety and mental strength by keeping them in their own environment.
For families, knowing that a loved one is receiving care in a safe and familiar space brings peace of mind.
Many countries, including the UK and Australia, have a system of public financial support in place to enable and facilitate home-based care including full funding pathways. In the UK, local councils and personal care budgets may cover the services. Similarly, in Australia there is funded support for aged care and disability services like My Aged Care and NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme).
Factors affecting eligibility and access include, age, classification of medical conditions and income levels. Once determined eligible, you will work with a care coordinator or case manager and develop a personalised care plan and choose providers.
It can be daunting to choose the right care provider, especially if this is the first time for families exploring these options. Remember to take the big picture approach to compare different services. Some important considerations might be:
An open discussion with prospective providers can assist in clarifying expectations and helping to form a solid working relationship from the outset. An increasingly broad set of domiciliary home care services exists today. Home care services now offer many more options than simply assistance with daily tasks; these may include emotional care and support, medical assistance and support, or even a more lifestyle-based service coming from an individualised approach based on their goals and culture. Involving the care recipient in choosing their service can help to establish confidence and trust from the very beginning.
As more people choose to receive care in their homes, the industry must adapt and grow with this rise in demand for in-home services. Trained professionals continue to be in short supply; access to services in rural areas continues to be inequitable, and there continue to be no new investments in research and development.
Attitudinal shifts are also needed to address the stigma associated with receiving care. If we can shift the conversation about home care from one of dependence and survivorship to one of empowerment and proactivity, there is potential to help change the typical psyche around home care and support a healthier society.
It is important to emphasize that care services are an important part of this new landscape. It allows for dedicated attention, in a person's living environment, without the impact of leaving their home.
As the number of care providers increase, competition will drive innovation and level of service. People and families have never had so many choices to find care that complements their values, budget and expectations.
Moreover, domiciliary care providers now encompass a broad range of supports including social inclusion programs, language specificity in carers, and even the opportunity for pet care all promoting the notion that home is where healing is best done from.
In-home care represents an important step toward autonomy, dignity and connectedness to community. Whether for ageing adults, people living with disabilities, or simply those recovering from an illness, home-based care is a more compassionate and flexible approach.
With our ageing population and changing expectations, home will remain the main location for care supported by qualified professionals, intentional planning and service systems that put people first.