Are you considering in-home care for older people? There are many factors to consider when thinking about a transition away from home, reducing the workload of a family caregiver or getting the help you need to stay in your home as an alternative to moving into residential care.
What is in-home care?
In-Home Care, also known as domiciliary care, is a carer who will help with a variety of tasks to help with daily needs in the person’s own home. This can include personal care, like bathing, dressing and eating. It can encompass domestic tasks like shopping, cleaning and washing. Medication management to ensure that the correct medication is taken at the correct times can also be useful.
The benefits of in-home care
The biggest advantage to in-home care is the choice to stay in place at home as opposed to moving into a residential care home environment. This can maintain independence for longer and can be cost effective in comparison to a care home. The care package will be personalised to the person who is being cared for.
In-home care can be split into activities and instrumental activities of daily living.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities of daily living are the personal aspects of in-home care. They include personal assistance like assisted bathing or toileting, dressing and feeding. Mobility support means help with walking or moving to another area of the house. Befriending and companionship is an activity of daily living.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
Instrumental activities of daily living are related to the home and include household chores, shopping and meal preparation. IADLs cover help with finances and payments, using the telephone to communicate, transportation for external activities or medication management.
Medical needs
The medical needs of the user will be part of the in-home care plan. This could be accessing hospitals or clinics, getting physical therapy or occupational therapy, or management of a chronic condition like multiple sclerosis or acquired brain injury.
In-home care providers
There are a few different types of in-home care providers. Some providers offer skilled nursing care and palliative care alongside home care.
Home care agency
Home care workers are trained to work with older adults and those with complex needs like autism or dementia. They can provide short or long term care to enable someone to live safely in their own home.
Respite care
Respite care is a short or long term service that provides the caregiver with the time to rest and recuperate from caring. They can use this time to look after their own needs, get a haircut, go and see friends and family, go on holiday. All while knowing that the person who needs help is getting it.
Companion care
Befriending and companionship services provide social interaction for people who would otherwise be alone at home for long periods of time. This emotional support is essential to those who live alone and are not mobile enough to get out to activities or to see friends. Companion care can also include light housekeeping or running errands.
Finding in-home care
Look for an in-home care provider who is local to your area. They may be a national home care agency or an independent care provider. The best in-home care providers will provide a care plan for every user. This outlines the daily routines and tasks and sets clear expectations for what services will be provided.
Communication between users, caregivers and family, and the care team is essential. This ensures that any issues are addressed promptly. Choose an in-home care agency that you are comfortable with and who are easy to reach when you need help.
Supporting the family caregiver
In-home care supports the family caregiver and offers them respite from caring daily for someone. This self-care is important to prevent exhaustion and emotional stress for the family caregiver. It means they can balance caregiving with their personal life over what can be a long term period.
Choosing in-home care for older people
In-home care supports older people so that they can remain in their own home. It can provide emotional or practical help to someone who is struggling with everyday tasks. The care team can lessen the workload of a family caregiver who is caring for someone long term and night and day.
In-home care has an advantage over residential care in a care home because it allows a person to age in place, in other words to remain in their own home and a familiar environment. It also allows for personal and individual care dependent on the needs of the user.
Individuals require different care packages to meet their needs. Every user is different. They might need help with mobility around their home or to attend external activities if they no longer drive. They might need help with personal tasks like washing, dressing, eating or going to the toilet. They may need help with domestic chores that are no longer possible. They might not be able to manage their medication safely. Consider your individual in-home care requirements and talk to our care team about care packages.