Choosing the Right Care

Care Home or Domiciliary Care?

Are you faced with finding and looking at options for care for for yourself or a loved one?

Recent events have made people reconsider what is actually the best option and making the decision between in-home care or a care home is not straightforward.

Domiciliary Care

Domiciliary care – otherwise known as care at home – are services put in place to support an individual in their own home, typically this is additional support with day-to-day household tasks, personal care or any other activity that allows them to maintain their quality of life and to live in their own home.

Many families are opting for domiciliary care for their loved ones – otherwise known as care at home – because it means the person receiving the care can continue to live independently and the support received can tailored to suit the individual. Typically the support will in in the form of daily visits right up to a live-in carer providing 24-hour care.

Care Home

Care homes provide accommodation and personal care for people who need day-to-day support, such as help with eating, washing, dressing, going to the toilet or taking medication, but aren't necessarily able to remain in their own home.

Typically, care homes also offer social activities such as day trips or outings.

What should I look for in a care home?

When you find a care home that seems suitable, you can visit it more than once. Find out as much as you can about a care home to help you to make an informed choice.

Before visiting a home, take these key steps:

• Make sure the home provides the level of care you need or could need in the future.
• Check if the home currently has any vacancies. If it doesn’t, find out how long the waiting list is.
• Read the home’s brochure or website before your visit, and call or email the home to speak to the staff or manager.
• Read the most recent inspection report for the home. You can ask the home for it, or look for it on the CQC website.