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What is the difference between a care home and home care?

If you or your loved one are starting to struggle with day-to-day tasks like washing and dressing or cooking dinner, you may be considering what options are available to ensure you get the support you need. Many people believe that the only option when they need additional support around the home is moving into a care home, but home care is an alternative that offers people flexible care tailored to them.

In this guide, we explore the differences between a care home and home care and how each can offer benefits depending on your personal circumstances.

Different care options

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Care home vs. home care – What are the differences?

First, it’s important to explain the differences between a care home and home care, so you can make an informed choice about which is best for you or your loved one.

What is a care home?

A care home is a residential home that provides accommodation, care, and support to those who need it. Residents are given their own room, which they can personalise with items they cherish from home. They also have access to communal areas, where meals may be taken, activities organised or just for general socialising.

The staff at care homes help with tasks like washing, dressing, medication, and serving meals that have been prepared. They usually work with multiple residents, so they don’t offer the same one-to-one care you would receive with home care.

Home care

Home care, on the other hand, is where you receive support from a carer in your own home. It means you don’t have to move out of the home you love, which can be a big benefit of home care for many.

Home care can be provided by a relative or friend, or you can engage the services of a professional carer, either yourself or through a trusted company like Cherished Home Care.

Home carers can provide support with tasks, including personal care, medication management, light housekeeping, companionship, and assistance getting out and about.

Plus, with home care, you can get as little or as much support as you need. This could be through hourly visits, overnight care, complex care, or live-in care if you need round-the-clock support. Whatever level of care you decide is right for you, with home care, you get one-to-one, as when the home carer is with you, they are fully dedicated to ensuring that your needs are met.

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Home care vs care homes: at a glance

What are the benefits of home care?

Home care can be ideal for people who need additional care and support but want to continue living in the home they cherish. The benefits include:

Flexibility

One of the biggest benefits of home care is it can be tailored to your needs and the way you wish to be cared for. This could be through flexible hourly visits a few times a week for companionship or live-in care for complex health conditions like dementia.

Plus, if your needs change in the future, you can adjust the home care services you receive to suit you.

Personal to you

Home care providers, like Cherished Home Care, work hard to match you with the right carer. As part of our process, we ask questions about the support you need, your preferences, routines, and any likes and dislikes. This helps ensure we can find a carer who can meet not only your care needs but also matches your personality.

Stability

Home care enables you to stay in the home you love, which can offer stability and reassurance, especially if you live with a condition like dementia. Home care also ensures you don’t have the hassle and stress of having to sell and move from your home.

One-to-one care

If you require live-in care, you get one-to-one care from a team of carers who work on a rota to provide round-the-clock support.

However, even if you opt for hourly visits, although the carers may work with multiple clients when they visit you at your home, they are solely dedicated to your care.

Speak to our client services team 0203 728 7572

Benefits of a care home

For some people, a care home can be the best solution. The benefits of a care home include:

Socialisation

Moving into a care home offers lots of opportunities for socialising, from group mealtimes to organised activities and outings. This can be good for people who are feeling isolated and lonely at home and would benefit from more interaction.

A stable routine

Care homes usually run to a structured routine, with set times for mealtimes, activities, and visiting times. This can offer reassurance and consistency for people who enjoy structure.

Fully Regulated

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regularly assesses care homes to ensure they provide safe and adequate support to residents.

female carer and female client having a drink together out in the park
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Things to consider when choosing home care or a care home

If you are considering home care or a care home for yourself or a loved one, there are some things you may want to consider before deciding which is right for you.

The differences between home care and a care home setting mean the things you need to consider will vary depending on your preferred care option.

A care home

If you are considering moving into a care home, it’s important to consider:

  • What care homes are local to you, and whether they provide the support you need? If you have specialist medical needs, you may have to consider moving further away to find a care home that can offer the right level of support.
  • How do you feel about having to move from your home? Moving out of your home and selling it can be a big step, so you should consider how this will affect you.
  • Will the routine nature of living in a care home suit you? Care homes are not just responsible for you but for lots of others, too. This means that there can be lots of rules in place that must be adhered to. For example, there may be set visiting times or restrictions on the number of visitors you are allowed at one time. So, it’s important to think about whether this will be right for you and your loved ones.

Home care

If you are considering home care, you should think about:

  • Who will provide your care? Although home care can be provided by a relative or friend, you can also get professional care from providers like Cherished Home Care. Choosing a professional care provider ensures you get reliable and consistent care that is regulated by the CQC.
  • Is your home suitable? You may require adjustments to your home to make it more suitable for your requirements like handrails or safety equipment in the bathroom to make washing easier and safer. Getting these fitted can help make living in your own home easier and more comfortable.
  • Getting the right match. Allowing someone into your home to provide care can be daunting so it’s important that you feel comfortable with your home carers and that they are a good match for you. With Cherished Home Care, you can be confident that we will work with you and your loved ones to ensure that you are matched with carers who can not only meet your care needs but also have similar likes and interests to you.
Speak to our client services team 0203 728 7572

Care home or home care – Which is right for me?

When it comes to choosing whether home care or a care home is the best option, ultimately, it comes down to your circumstances and preferences.

Hopefully, this guide has helped outline some of the differences between a care home and home care, the benefits each can offer, and the things you need to consider before deciding which is right for you. You can also call 0203 728 7572 and speak to our friendly care advisors, who will be able to answer any other questions you may have about home care and how it could be a good fit for you.

Male carer and male client in wheelchair outside
Speak to our client services team 0203 728 7572

Find a home carer local to you

If you are looking for a home carer local to you or your loved one, get in touch with Cherished Home Care. We offer local, bespoke care in your home and are committed to enabling you or your loved one to live well at home.

Book a free care assessment