As we or our loved one’s age, the question of how to maintain independence and quality of live becomes increasingly important. Domiciliary care, or home care, offers a valuable solution for many families, providing professional support in the familiar surroundings of one’s own home. How do you know if this is the right choice for your situation or that of an aging parent? Let’s explore the benefits and why now might be the time to consider it.

Firstly, let’s look at the advantages of receiving care in your own home:

Independence

Homecare allows individuals to continue their daily routines with autonomy, preserving a sense of control. Whether it’s choosing when to wake up, eat, or simply go about the day, domiciliary care supports the lifestyle of the person being cared for, without significant disruptions.

Stability

For many, staying at home offers a comfort that institutional settings cannot match. The ability to receive care in a familiar place, surrounded by personal belongings and memories, can make the transition to needing assistance much smoother. It can reduce feelings of stress or disorientation during what is often a challenging time.


Flexible

Homecare can be customised to fit evolving needs, whether it’s short-term care after a hospital stay or long-term support for chronic conditions like dementia. As circumstances change, the level of care can be adjusted to provide exactly what is needed, when it is needed

Affordability

With homecare, you pay only for the services you require. Many providers offer tailored packages, ensuring that care is both personal and economical. This makes homecare a budget-friendly option compared to the often-higher costs associated with care homes.

One-on-One

Unlike care homes where the attention is spread across multiple residents, domiciliary care provides one-on-one care. This means that caregivers are focused solely on the individual, providing a more personalised and attentive experience.

With all of the above in mind, here are the disadvantages to consider:

Unsuitable facilities

One possible disadvantage to domiciliary care is that you’re limited to the facilities that already exist in the home. This can mean having to make appropriate home modifications such as hand rails, ramps, shower seats or, more majorly, stair-lifts or widening door ways.

Sharing your personal space

Although the major advantage of domiciliary care is that you can stay in your home, it does mean that you need to be open to and comfortable with allowing a carer into your home. You may find it difficult to have someone new in your home sharing your personal space. Having said this, it is possible that you may only feel this way initially and become used to seeing your carers come and go regularly.

We’re ready to talk. Ready to Listen. Please get in touch if you want to find out more about our services and how we can help you. Telephone Julie on 028 9026 5515.

If, on the other hand, you’re interested in learning more about becoming a domiciliary care assistant, we have several opportunities available for experienced, caring and compassionate care workers across Ireland and the UK. Find out more about these opportunities here.