Domiciliary care vs home care – what’s the best outcome for your loved one?

When you are looking for professional care for a loved one, it can feel a bit overwhelming about what level of care they need to retain their independence at home. It obviously depends on the individual’s care requirements, but this is something the Right at Home team can advise you on as we have years of home care experience when it comes to caring for the elderly in Reigate, Redhill, Oxted, Horley and Crawley. 

A full in-depth assessment is always carried out before deciding a suited best level of care to meet your loved one’s needs. This helps us to identify how we can fulfil the gaps and achieve the best outcome for their wellbeing. It also enables your loved ones to live well independently enabling them to remain in their own home for as long as this may be safe and possible.  

In this article, we will explore the differences between domiciliary care and home care, examining their similarities, differences, factors to consider when making a choice, and the benefits of each option.

Although domiciliary care and home care are quite similar, there are two distinct differences that set them apart in terms of the services they both offer.

Domiciliary care: Domiciliary care tends to focus more on non-medical support, such as personal care and hygiene, household chores, and companionship. It is primarily designed to support individuals with their daily living activities and ensure their comfort and well-being is maintained.

Home care: Home care, on the other hand, encompasses a wider scope of care, and often involves in-depth assessment of the health and social care needs. The range of services provided in home care can be extensive, covering everything from medication support, encouragement to improve nutrition/hydration, meal planning, housekeeping, community visits and full support to maintain personal hygiene and pride in appearance (all provided with dignity).

When deciding between domiciliary care and home care, there are a couple of factors to consider.

• Your specific needs and requirements: It is essential that we firstly assess the level of care and support needed, considering factors such as medical conditions, mobility issues, and personal preferences. If the individual requires specialised medical treatments or therapy, home care may be the more suitable option due to the flexibility and availability of our team of caregivers.
• Resources and support available: Domiciliary care may be a more viable choice for individuals who have a strong support network in their community or family members available to provide additional assistance when needed. On the other hand, home care can offer a comprehensive range of services and the admin team assisting you to access the support of a wider network of health care professionals, which can be beneficial for individuals who have specific medical needs.

Making the right decision

Understanding the subtleties between domiciliary care and home care is vital when making decisions about the care of your loved ones. While both options aim to provide care and support in the comfort of the individual’s own home, there are differences in terms of the scope of services and level of professional expertise. This is where a full appraisal carried out by the team is both essential and helpful. 

At Right at Home Reigate and Crawley, we provide the entire spectrum of care which encompasses both domiciliary care and home care, and other options such as live in care. This more round-the-clock care provides overnight peace of mind, knowing a professional is on hand to reduce the risk of accidents going unnoticed, especially if the person is still mobile. 

By considering all options, care seeker can confidently make an informed decision that ensures the best possible care and outcome for their family member.

We understand this is a big step and decision for any family to make so please visit our website for more information www.rightathome.co.uk/reigatecrawley/the-services-we-offer/  and get in touch with us to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.