Home Care

What is home care?     

Home care is provided to people in their own homes. Its purpose - as part of community care - is to help people remain living at home as an alternative to moving into some form of residential or nursing home. 

It is a flexible service and can be used to provide a break to carers (this is sometimes called respite) either on a one off or regular basis.   

Home care can include: 

Personal care  such as help with: 

• getting in and out of bed; 

• use of the toilet; 

• getting washed and dressed/undressed; and 

• eating meals.   

Support at home  providing practical  help rather than personal care and can include: 

• collecting pensions and shopping; 

• preparing meals;   

• day or night sitting (only in exceptional circumstances); 

• lighting fires; and   

• essential household hygiene.   

Home care is provided by paid care staff who visit people at home. Every person receiving this service will have a Care Plan  produced by a social worker. This plan will describe how often care staff will visit, what they will do and how long this is expected to take.