Guide to home care and domiciliary support
Home care lets your loved one stay in their own home while receiving professional support. This guide explains how it works, what it costs, how to find a good provider, and how to get funding through the council or NHS.
What is home care?
Home care (also called domiciliary care) means a professional carer visits your loved one at their own home — helping with personal care, medication prompting, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and social interaction. Visits can range from 30 minutes to several hours, and can happen once a day or multiple times.
For many families, home care is the first and most appropriate response when someone needs more support — it preserves independence, familiar surroundings, and existing routines. A care home isn't always the right answer, and it certainly doesn't have to be the first step.
Types of home care support
Personal care
Help with washing, dressing, bathing, toileting, and grooming.
Medication support
Prompting or administering medication to the right schedule.
Meals and nutrition
Preparing meals, shopping, and making sure nutrition needs are met.
Companionship
Social visits, conversation, and activities to reduce isolation.
Night-time care
Overnight support (sleeping or waking nights) for those who need it.
Live-in care
A carer lives in the home full-time — an alternative to a care home.
Paying for home care
Many families assume they'll have to pay for everything themselves. That's not always the case.
Council-funded home care
Your local council must carry out a free care needs assessment if your loved one appears to need support. If they qualify, the council can fund part or all of the home care package. Financial means-testing applies, but the needs assessment itself is free regardless of income.
How to request a needs assessmentNHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
If the primary reason for care needs is a health condition, your loved one may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare — which fully funds all care costs, including home care. Most families aren't aware this exists. It's worth checking even if you think they won't qualify.
About NHS Continuing HealthcareDirect payments
Instead of a council-arranged care package, you can request direct payments — the council gives you money to arrange care yourself. This gives you more choice over who provides care and when.
Self-funding
If your loved one has savings or income above the council threshold (currently £23,250 in England), they may have to fund home care themselves. Costs vary widely — typically £18-30/hour for a visiting carer, or £700-1,400/week for live-in care.
Benefits your loved one may be entitled to
Billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed every year. The main ones related to home care are not means-tested — meaning savings and income don't disqualify you. These benefits can significantly reduce or offset the cost of home care.
Attendance Allowance
£72.65 or £108.55 per weekFor those aged 65 and over who need help with personal care or supervision due to illness or disability. It is not means-tested — even those with significant savings can receive it. It can be used to pay for home care.
Apply for Attendance Allowance (Gov.uk)Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Up to £184.30 per weekFor those under 65 with a disability or long-term health condition. Has a daily living component and a mobility component. Can be used to fund home care.
About PIP (Gov.uk)Carer's Allowance (for you)
£81.90 per weekIf you provide 35 or more hours of unpaid care per week for your loved one and they receive a qualifying disability benefit, you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance. It affects some other benefits — check with Turn2Us before applying.
About Carer's Allowance (Gov.uk)Pension Credit
Tops up to £227.10/week (single)Means-tested benefit for those over State Pension age on low incomes. Unlocks other entitlements including free TV licence, Council Tax reduction, and NHS dental and optical treatment.
About Pension Credit (Gov.uk)Also worth checking: legal arrangements
Before arranging home care, make sure Lasting Power of Attorney is in place so you can legally act on your loved one's behalf for financial and health matters. Free guidance on LPA →
Choosing a home care provider
Home care providers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). You can check any registered provider's rating and inspection reports on the CQC website. When comparing providers, ask these questions:
- What is your CQC rating? Can I see the latest inspection report?
- Do you have consistent carers, or do they change each visit? (Consistency matters hugely)
- What's your process when a carer is sick or on holiday?
- Are carers employed directly, or are they agency contractors?
- Do you do a care assessment before starting, and who is involved in writing the care plan?
- How do you handle concerns or complaints?
- What training do carers receive, particularly for dementia or specific conditions?
Ready to explore your options?
Use our free triage tool to find the right care option, or start the Care Journey to track every step.