What’s the difference between home care and a care home?

Planning for later life care can be an emotional and stressful process for senior individuals and their families, but with an increasingly ageing population, more and more people in the UK will need to rely on home care and care homes in the future.

The two most common options for later-life care in the UK currently are home-based caregiving and care given within a residential care setting i.e. a care home or nursing home. Both aim to assist older people with everyday tasks, personal care and any other activity that allows them to maintain their dignity, independence and quality of life.

There are, however, significant differences that should be considered before deciding which option is most suitable for you or your loved one and, in this article, we will explore some of the many benefits of ‘at home’ care and care homes.

Home care: What’s involved?

Home care or ‘domiciliary care’, as it’s sometimes referred to, is an ideal solution for seniors wishing to stay in the comfort of their own home, but who also need regular, ongoing, professional care that family members and friends can’t always provide.

What does home care include?

No two people are the same and, as such, the level of home care will be adapted to each elderly individual’s requirements and presented in the form of a bespoke care plan. Depending on the type of support (and frequency) required, trained caregivers will visit the home to help with everyday living activities

A typical bespoke home care plan will include some or all of the following:

• Meal preparation
• Medication reminders (some agencies also provide nursing care)
• Personal care, such as bathing and shaving
• Laundry
• Light housekeeping
• Pet feeding/care
• Shopping & other errands
• Transportation
• Companionship

Home care: Affordable & flexible

One of the main benefits of visiting home care is the flexibility it offers, with caregivers tailoring their services to the individual's needs and schedule, making it easier for people to remain in the familiarity of their own surroundings and able to maintain their independence and quality of life.

Home care can be provided on a part-time basis, with daily visits (the minimum duration is usually 30 minutes) or full-time (live-in) care, again, depending on the specific needs and budget. As well as enabling couples to stay together at home, for others, home care is an ideal way to ease the transition before moving onto full-time residential support in a care home environment.

Since you only pay for the specific services required, home care can be a more affordable option for many, with some local authorities offering financial assistance for home care services, to further reduce costs.

While caregivers can provide elderly people with companionship and social interaction, the potential for feelings of isolation remains for those who live alone and may still feel lonely or disconnected from the community. This is where a care home can be an ideal choice.

Is a Care Home the same as a Nursing Home?

No, a care home isn't the same as a nursing home and it’s important to distinguish between the two. Nursing homes provide specialist care for those with more complex or chronic medical conditions, such as dementia, stroke rehabilitation or Parkinson’s desease.

Residential homes offer safe and comfortable ‘home-from-home’ accommodation, with round-the-clock supervision from trained carers as well as freshly prepared meals, assistance with personal care, provision of medication, housekeeping services and social opportunities. However, many residential homes will offer dementia care too.

Use Autumna's 'care filter' to find the care homes or nursing homes in your chosen location that best suit the needs of you or your older family member.

If a more detailed care specialism search is required, then try the 'Additional Filters' button on Autumna to really drill down to find a care home that can help.

Can you get visiting home care in a retirement community?

Retirement communities will often come with a home care package. This helps retirement home residents to maintain their dignity and mobility, to continue living as fulfilling lives as possible.  A retirement property, especially one with home care on tap, means older people will have a place where they will meet friends, explore new interests and enjoy good food, while family and friends can rest assured knowing their loved one is safe and well cared for.

A supportive helping hand when it’s needed most

Retirement communities that offer care are increasingly referred to as Integrated Retirement Communities. If you are searching for a retirement property on Autumna and need some level of home care, then look out for the ARCO logo. ARCO stands for Association of Retirement Community Operators and their badge displayed on an Autumna profile signifies 'best practice' when it comes to retirement developments that include home care services on site.

Accommodation within a retirement community can take many forms – single or double rooms, some en suite - and, in most cases, may require a certain amount of downsizing - or 'rightsizing' as some people prefer to call it. This can be an emotionally charged process - so many possessions can have deep sentimental significance and the temptation is always to try to keep them all. Specialist home moving companies exist for seniors to help with this process, bringing experience and a helping hand to ease the transition and contribute to a sense of homeliness, comfort and wellbeing.

Choosing between visiting home care or 24 hour live-in care in your existing home, a retirement village with visiting home care, or a care home can be a difficult and daunting decision. Ultimately, the best option will depend on the individual's specific needs, budget and personal preferences. 

How do I find a trusted and reliable home care company near me?

Autumna’s comprehensive elder care directory is the ideal resource to help you or your loved one find registered home care providers throughout the UK. Either go to our home care or live in care search pages and enter your chosen location. Alternatively, let Autumna's team of advice line experts send you a shortlist by filling in this simple questionnaire.

If your question is "How do I find a really good care home near me?" or "Where is the best nursing home near me?" then the Autumna questionnaire and advice line team can help you there too. It only takes around two minutes and will give you access to every single registered residential care home and nursing care home in the UK.

If you find you still need help with your senior care search, then ring the Autumna advice line on 01892 335 330. It's open 7 days a week and is staffed by independent and impartial later-life care experts who will be happy to talk through your individual needs free of charge.