Homecare: How to arrange care at home
Homecare, also known as “care at home” or domiciliary care, can offer a flexible, tailored way to receive the help you need, on your terms. It allows someone to receive care at home, whether they are having difficulty with daily tasks, need some help around the house, or they have specific medical care needs. It’s a good solution to consider for someone wishing to remain in their home, to retain independence and stay in familiar surroundings.
We’ve created a handy guide of the entire process so you can get to grips with getting care at home. The Direct Homecare team is available 24 hours a day if you’re looking to arrange homecare for yourself or a loved one, and you can find out more here if you’d prefer to speak to someone over the phone on 08448 404 404.
How will I establish my homecare requirements?
In some cases, you may well know what type of care you require. If you’re unsure, at Direct Healthcare we offer a free care assessment to help you through the process of arranging home care. We are here to offer compassion and reassurance throughout the assessment phase. The free homecare assessment will look at exactly what level of care is required, and if there are any clinical needs also - so we can match you with the correct carer or homecare nurse, and create a care plan. It’s natural to feel unsure during this time, so we’re here to put your mind at ease.
What type of homecare can I get?
Homecare is available in many forms. There is a level of care to suit everyone, from a few hours around the house each week, to a round-the-clock clinical care package for complex medical needs. The main areas of care are broken down below, but this is not an exhaustive list;
Personal and Companionship Homecare
Personal homecare and companionship homecare offer support with daily activities that may no longer be possible to complete independently, due to illness, injury or similar. This can include:
Washing, dressing and personal care
Continence care
Preparation of meals, help with eating or drinking
Managing medication, collecting prescriptions
Help with administrative duties such as paying bills or collecting pensions
Socialising, outings into the community
Movement around the house for those with limited mobility or with a fall risk
Companionship, feeling secure at home
Visiting care or “sitting” service
Overnight care
Nursing Homecare
Nursing homecare offers clinical care from an NMC registered nurse or qualified healthcare professional. This specialist care is typically more complex, as specialist support and services are required such as stroke homecare, spinal injury or acquired brain injury homecare, long term complex condition homecare and neurological condition homecare. Care packages are tailored for a range of health requirements, offering maximum independence but also involvement in care plans where appropriate.
Changing dressings
Administering medications
Infusions and injections
Tracheostomy care
PEG feeding and Nasogastric
Ventilation care (CPAP, BPAP, NIPPY)
Dementia and Alzheimer's Homecare
For patients and their families, Dementia homecare and Alzheimer's homecare can offer a high quality of care in a familiar setting, without the disruption of moving to a care home. This may involve assisting at meal times, facilitating activities or socialising, help with mobility, medication management and general help around the house. This care is delivered by a carer or healthcare professional with experience and training in Dementia and Alzheimer’s homecare.
What is the process for arranging homecare
Working with a homecare provider like Direct Homecare means that we take the stress out of the process of arranging homecare for you. Once we’ve established your unique care needs via our free homecare assessment, we will create a customised care plan that offers you control and flexibility. Our team will use our knowledge of each client to match with a carer that is not only qualified to fulfill the delivery of care, but also a good fit in terms of values and personality. Direct Homecare has a network of vetted and skilled carers and homecare nurses and we will find the right person for you. Our priority is to give you peace of mind, and we maintain a strong line of communication to give you visibility over the process.
If you would like to discuss arranging homecare for you or a loved one, contact a friendly member of the Direct Homecare team on 08448 404 404 and we will happily talk you through the process. Prefer to arrange care online? Submit our easy online form and a member of our team will get in touch.
