Full home care is a comprehensive package of support that enables someone to live safely and independently at home. In the UK, it can include personal care, domestic help, nursing, rehabilitation and companionship – all tailored to the individual’s assessed needs under the Care Act 2014.
What does full home care actually include? Many people associate home care with basic help around the house, but a full home care package in the UK covers a wide range of support. Here we explain each element and what to expect.
Personal care – the foundation of full home care
Personal care is at the heart of any full home care package. It covers the tasks a person can no longer manage independently due to illness, disability or frailty:
- Help getting up, washing, bathing or showering, and dressing
- Toileting and continence care
- Help with eating and drinking
- Oral hygiene and grooming
- Getting ready for bed
Personal care is the most commonly commissioned home care service and is the primary focus of council-funded care under the Care Act 2014 [1].
Domestic support – keeping the home running
A full home care package also includes help with household tasks that the person can no longer manage safely:
- Cleaning and vacuuming
- Laundry and ironing
- Shopping for food and essentials
- Meal preparation and cooking
- Collecting prescriptions
Domestic support is typically arranged alongside personal care and may be provided by the same care worker or a separate one, depending on the provider.
Home nursing care – clinical support at home
For people with more complex needs, full home care can include nursing services delivered by registered nurses:
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Medication administration (including injections)
- Catheter and stoma care
- Monitoring vital signs and chronic conditions
- Post-hospital discharge support
- Palliative and end-of-life care at home
Home nursing care is usually arranged separately from personal and domestic care, often via the NHS or a specialist nursing agency [1].
Medication management
Even outside of nursing visits, full home care packages include daily medication support:
- Reminders to take medication at the right time
- Help opening packaging and taking tablets
- Management of dosette boxes or blister packs
- Liaising with GPs and pharmacists
Companionship and social support
Loneliness is a significant concern for older people living alone. A full home care package recognises this:
- Regular companionship visits
- Accompanying the person on walks or errands
- Help with correspondence, calls and appointments
- Linking to day centres and community activities
Reablement – regaining independence after illness
Many councils in the UK offer a reablement service as part of home care following a hospital discharge. Reablement is a short-term, intensive programme where occupational therapists and care workers work with the person to help them regain everyday skills – getting dressed, making a cup of tea, moving safely around the home. The aim is to reduce the need for ongoing home care.
Live-in care – round-the-clock support at home
For people with very high or complex needs, full home care can mean live-in care – a professional carer who lives in the home and provides support throughout the day and night. Live-in care is an alternative to a care home for those who wish to remain in their own home and typically costs between £900 and £1,600 per week.
Personal alarm – an important safety supplement
Council community alarms work indoors only and offer limited features. A private personal alarm from Sensorem works outdoors, includes GPS tracking and automatic fall detection, and costs from €21.25/month – an important complement to any home care package.
