What is domiciliary care? How much are carers paid in the UK?
Domiciliary care, sometimes also referred to as "homecare," is rapidly becoming a popular alternative for residential and nursing care in the UK. It is a broad spectrum of healthcare services provided at the convenience of a patient's home. It offers a wide range of benefits to everyone, from the recipient to their families and even the carer.
In this article, we will look in detail at what domiciliary care is, its importance, its benefits, and how much a carer gets paid in the UK.
What is domiciliary care?
Domiciliary care, also known as "dom care," is defined as the range of services put in place to support an individual's ability to live their life in the independence of their home. Domiciliary care services can range from daily routine household tasks both inside and outside the house to the personal care of the individual and other associated domestic services necessary to maintain an individual in acceptable health, hygiene, dignity, safety, and ease in their home. There might also be some medical needs that require the help of a trained carer.
The carer can visit as often as an individual needs them to, which can range from as little as a few hours per week to as often as every day. Day-long and overnight visits are possible as well.
Why opt for domiciliary care?
Many individuals and their families in the UK opt for domiciliary care, otherwise known as "care at home", as it puts them back in control of the support they receive. This service allows a person to remain in the comfort of their own home while knowing that their needs are being taken care of by a professional carer.
Who is domiciliary care for?
Domiciliary care is for anyone who wants to stay at home while they receive the support they need in the UK. It is not necessarily only for elderly people, as there are many people who have special needs that require more care, especially people who are going through a major illness or an operation and require recuperation and rehabilitation.
A "one-size-fits-all" approach doesn't work for domiciliary care, as each person is unique with different requirements, so there aren't any particular types of people for whom it is or isn't suitable. A domiciliary carer works with other healthcare professionals to deliver the best care possible. In some cases, family members themselves provide care, while when it requires special assistance, it is better to go for a reputed care provider like Nurses Group Homecare, which can provide a trained carer based on your needs.
Why is domiciliary care important in the UK?
Apart from allowing the individual to stay in the comfort of their home, domiciliary care also plays an important role in the care of a patient. These are as follows:
1. Patients' independence:
The most important aspect of domiciliary care is the patient's independence, since they can live their lives without limitation. They can do their chores, unlike in nursing facilities where their actions are restricted to strict timetables.
2. Environmental comfort:
Though there are many options in the UK for people who require support, most of these choices involve shifting the patient to a nursing facility, which can be uncomfortable. For instance, people with dementia don't need to move to a nursing facility, which can cause instability in their behaviour. The carers are also able to familiarise themselves with the client's environment and use any appliance as a recuperation tool. Moreover, comfort is vital for complete independence and happiness, and carers can prevent all the distractions that will adversely affect a person's natural course of living.
3. Personalised care:
As the support needs of each individual can vary, people can choose services based on their needs. Care providers like Nurses Group Homecare, offer complete flexibility to clients, allowing them to design a care plan that suits their requirements. Moreover, carers are able to build rapport with clients and establish trust while providing support.
4. Flexibility:
Domiciliary care is designed to provide flexibility, suggesting that its routine can change at any time. In essence, the kind and frequency of the support service are mostly determined by the care receiver's and their loved ones' needs and plans.
5. Relief for family carers:
Homecare provides relief for family carers, as they can concentrate on their lives while their loved one is being supported by a professional carer.
What are the benefits of domiciliary care?
There are numerous benefits that homecare brings along with it, which include:
1. It gives individuals the right to assistance without removing their independence.
2. The person doesn't have to make any or fewer changes in their daily routine.
3. It adds additional support for family carers.
4. Homecare is much more flexible when compared to any other support option.
5. It allows the individual to maintain his privacy and dignity.
6. Homecare services allow the individual to be close to family rather than visiting during a fixed time slot.
7. It alleviates feelings of loneliness in persons who do not have regular visitors - without overburdening them with forced group socialisation.
8. With the right care provider, like Nurses Group Homecare, recipients are able to customise the services they receive.
Who pays for the domiciliary care?
In the UK, for some individuals, there is financial assistance available for domiciliary care, which they could access through local authorities. However, for this process, the recipient must fulfil a few conditions and criteria.
In most cases, it is the family or the recipient themselves who pay for the service. It’s a good idea to look at attendance allowance to help with this cost, but it is difficult to assess how much domiciliary care will cost as everyone has different needs and it depends on where you live in the UK as well as what local authority support you’re entitled to.
The price of homecare services varies depending on the kind of support you opt for. However, according to homecare.co.uk, a recipient on an average pays between £20 to £30 per hour. Furthermore, depending on the needs, homecare can be cheaper when compared to resident care.
What does a domiciliary carer get paid?
According to the statistics provided by Glassdoor UK, the national average salary for a domiciliary carer is £26,453 per year. This can vary based on the kind of service they provide.
If you are considering domiciliary care and looking for a care provider in the UK, Nurses Group Homecare is the best option. As we provide our clients with the highest quality services at reasonable rates.