Discover how the benefits of domiciliary care offer personalised support at home while giving loved ones reassurance and peace of mind.
With nearly 960,000 people receiving domiciliary care in the UK, the demand for home care continues to increase year after year.
But how do you know if domiciliary care is the ideal fit for your life or the lifestyle of your loved one?
In this blog, we’ll unwrap the various benefits of domiciliary care to help you understand whether it’s the right type of support for you and your family.
Domiciliary care or “dom care” supports people in the comfort of their own homes. Care workers pay regular visits, helping with dailytasks, such as personal care, household tasks, and companionship.
Therefore, domiciliary care fits into the bracket of “home care” but doesn’t involve specialised services associated with complex medical care, rehabilitation, or palliative care.
By not requiring a nurse or other medical professionals to deliver complex clinical needs, domiciliary care provides that everyday support to someone still independent enough to live alone, but who still needs help with certain tasks.
Here are some examples of domiciliary care services you would expect to receive:
The frequency and length of visits will vary depending on your individual needs and preferences, ensuring you receive the right level of support as and when you need it.
Now that we have a clear understanding of what domiciliary care entails, let’s explore the specific benefits it offers compared to other forms of care:
1. Independence
One’s quality of life often comes down to the level of independence we have to live life on our terms. From making decisions to taking action, our sense of independence provides life with meaning and purpose.
The overriding benefit of domiciliary care is that it offers independence in various ways. Firstly, you have the independence to stay in your own home within familiar surroundings. We cannot underestimate the stress and anxiety of moving out of home, especially at a time when we feel vulnerable and reluctant to leave.
Secondly, this independence to stay at home feeds into our capacity to continue routines. Even the smallest of things, like pottering in the garden, speaking to neighbours, or sleeping in our own bed, all add up to help us feel more comfortable and retain a sense of control.
And lastly, the services provided by our care worker support our independence to continue living life the way we wish. Whether it’s helping to keep our home in order or taking us out on exciting day trips, their support gives us the independence we need to continue enjoying life as best we can.
2. Flexibility
Domiciliary care delivers a flexible approach tailored to individual needs and preferences. Unlike moving into a care home, domiciliary care adapts to your lifestyle, routines, and care needs as and when they evolve.
From the time your care worker visits to how long they stay and the services they offer, you remain in control at a time and a placethat suits your needs.
With domiciliary care, you’re empowered to receive the ideal level of help beyond a “one-size-fits-all” approach associated with other, more rigid types of care.
3. Companionship
Beyond whatever care needs you may have to manage, a huge benefit of domiciliary care is the companionship it offers individuals living alone. With 3.3 million people 65 and over in the UK living alone, it shows the scale of potential loneliness, even for those who don’t require domiciliary care services.
Emotional support can prove just as pivotal in protecting our wellbeing and ensuring our mental health doesn’t spiral. Although one’s mobility and mental state may not require direct care, increased loneliness is linked to risks of early mortality, depression, and cognitive decline, alongside serious health issues like heart disease andheart failure.
4. Family Assurance
Although the person receiving care is always the central focus, the benefits of domiciliary care also bring reassurance to family and friends.
Knowing that your loved one is supported by trained professionals provides that all-important peace of mind, while easing the pressure of sharing care responsibilities within the family.
By staying at home, families can continue visiting their loved ones without the added stress of relocation. This not only preserves a familiar environment full of memories but also reduces the emotional strain of losing a family home.
5. Community Connection
With the independence and flexibility of remaining at home, domiciliary care also helps you stay connected to your local community.
Whether it’s attending a weekly dance class at the village hall, catching up with friends at the local café, or attending church on a Sunday morning, these familiar routines can help us all nurture a stronger sense of belonging.
Community classes, clubs, and hobbies play a vital role in our wellbeing. With the right support in place, domiciliary care makes it easier to remain an active part of the groups and activities that give our lives meaning.
6. Affordability
The flexibility of support also pays into the flexibility of costs. As someone receiving domiciliary care services, you’ll only need to cover the cost of the visit, without worrying about paying larger lump sums that come with other forms of care.
Overall, this makes domiciliary care a more affordable option for many families, while still ensuring that the right level of supportis in place.
For over 30 years, Kemble at Home has provided award-winning domiciliary care for individuals across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and the surrounding areas.
Rated “outstanding” by the CQC, our team of helpful care professionals provides compassionate domiciliary care services designed to help you or your loved one remain independent, connected, and supported at home.
Contact us today to learn more about how our domiciliary care servicescan make a difference in your life or the life of a loved one.
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