The rising importance of domiciliary care
The choice of living arrangements for older people often falls down to the decision of whether to enter a residential care home or to carry on living independently in their own home, or in like-minded communities, but receive in home care from an external agency through the day – this second options is known as domiciliary care.
Domiciliary care has been growing in importance in the older person care market over recent years, with more people choosing this option due to the lack of services in the community and the result of less families living locally or have busy lives so are unable to help themselves.
The role of a domiciliary carer would be to to visit a person in their own home and help the individual with the daily activities they would struggle to carry out themselves – be that cooking a meal, administering medication, washing, going to the toilet or getting in and out of bed. The assistance they receive makes a significant impact on the quality of life for the individual. The role is also having a significant impact on the healthcare system, as people are receiving the care they need to avoid health care issues brought on by lifestyle conditions. This essential role of meeting day to day needs lowers the chances of unnecessary hospital stays and medical complications.
There are in excess of 4000 domiciliary care providers in the UK are regulated by the Care Quality Commission in England, by the Commission for Social Services Inspectorate for Wales and Social Care and Social Work Improvement in Scotland. Often people discharged from hospital will be provided with a short term allowance for domiciliary care to help the individual in the short term get over the effects of n operation or illness.
Demand for domiciliary care will play an increasingly important role in the provision of care for older people as pressures on healthcare services increase. With limited spaces available in homes, and with the costs involved in being in a home, domiciliary care sector will become more focussed and professional – with requirements for more medical care being important.