Enlisting the services of a professional paid carer (known as homecare or domiciliary care) who comes to visit you in your home can make a significant difference to your quality of life, so it’s always worth considering if you have been struggling due to illness, disability or age.
Bringing in a paid carer can be a temporary arrangement for just a few weeks, or it can be something more long term – and the flexibility of the service means you can tailor it to suit you and your specific requirements.
In terms of costs, it can vary between £15 and £30 an hour depending on where you live and what your needs are, but it’s possible that your local council will contribute towards the cost.
Do I need help at home from a paid carer?
It can be difficult to know if you could benefit from domiciliary care, so ask yourself if you’re struggling to manage your daily routines such as personal care, cooking, dressing, washing, or leaving the house.
You may not want to leave your house and move to a care home, in which case a paid carer could help you retain your independence without compromising your health and safety.
However, you may also want to consider home adaptations that will allow you to age in place, accommodating for your evolving needs over time.
How do I get funding for home care?
While homecare services aren’t typically free, you may be eligible for funding or grants from your local council to help you with the costs.
You will need to have a care needs assessment carried out, where a council representative visits your home to assess your care needs and the kinds of services you’re likely to require. This assessment will consider whether you’re eligible for financial aid based on your level of need.
Note that if you don’t agree with the decision, you can appeal. To do so, get in touch with your council and ask if there is a dedicated appeals process, as this will be the quickest way to resolve the issue.
If the council doesn’t have a dedicated appeals process, you can use the standard complaints procedure. You may also want to consider getting in touch with your local Healthwatch branch if necessary, as they will be able to advocate on your behalf.
If you are eligible for funding, your council will carry out a financial means-tested assessment for social care, where your contributions will depend on your income and savings. Typically, in England, local councils help to pay for care-related costs where people have savings of less than £23,250.
If your local authority does pay for some or all of your domiciliary care, you will receive a care and support plan detailing what your needs are, how they’ll be met and what your personal budget is. You can opt to receive this as a direct monthly payment so you can choose your own care provider.
