How does home care work?

Home care – also known as care at home, empowers people to continue living independently in the comfort of their own homes. An alternative to residential care homes, home care is when a professional carer visits a client at home when additional support is needed with day-to-day life.

The services provided by an in home carer are flexible and include assistance with tasks such as getting in and out of bed, washing, mobility support, meal preparation, and cleaning. Whether you require temporary support during a recovery period or long-term care to live life with greater independence and confidence, our home care services can help.

For over 75 years, Prestige Nursing & Care has been trusted by our clients and their families to provide competent and compassionate home care. Our care is focused on improving health and overall well-being, and all in the place people love most, their own home.

Learn more about how home care works and its role in supporting you and your family.

HOW DOES HOME CARE WORK?

Through our experience of supporting thousands of people and their families, we know that most people who need additional care and support would prefer to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their treasured home and not endure the disruption caused by a move away.

Our home care is tailored to your unique needs, offering flexibility from visiting hourly care for as many hours or visits as necessary throughout the day or week. One or several days of the week, depending on your care and support needs. In cases where substantial or clinical care is required, our care services can be provided over a 24-hour period, ensuring continuous support for individuals with complex needs.

Explore our flexible home care services.

WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER HOME CARE?

Considering home care is a significant decision that can greatly enhance your quality of life or that of a loved one. Here are some situations where care in the home can help:

1. RECOVERY FROM ILLNESS OR SURGERY:

If you or a family member is recuperating from an illness or surgical procedure, home care can provide the necessary support during the recovery period. Professional carers can assist with daily tasks, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable healing process.

2. MOBILITY CHALLENGES:

When mobility becomes a challenge, whether due to ageing or a health condition, home care offers invaluable support. In home carers can provide support with mobility, including help in getting in and out of bed, supporting personal care routines or getting out and about the local community.

3. LONG-TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS:

For people managing long-term health conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, or diabetes, home care can be a sustainable solution. Carers can assist with medication management, monitoring health indicators, and providing overall support for better health and quality of life.

4. POST-HOSPITALISATION TRANSITION:

After a hospital stay, the transition back home to everyday life can be challenging. Home care ensures a smoother and safer transition, reducing the risk of complications whilst helping to create a supportive and comfortable environment for your recovery.

5. SUPPORT FOR FAMILY CARERS:

If family members are the primary carers and need additional support, especially when juggling work and other responsibilities, professional care at home can offer respite. This allows family carers to recharge while ensuring their loved ones receive consistent and high-quality care.

6. ENHANCING OVERALL WELL-BEING:

Home care is not solely for addressing specific challenges; it is also a proactive choice for enhancing overall well-being. Having a professional carer can contribute to a better quality of life whilst reducing the feelings of loneliness or isolation often experienced by the elderly.

WHAT DOES HOME CARE INCLUDE?

A home carer will provide a range of care and support services to you in the comfort of your home, including:

  • Specialist care of complex conditions, like dementia or Parkinson’s
  • Sensitive and discreet personal care
  • Help with domestic tasks, such as laundry, cleaning and shopping
  • Meal planning and preparation
  • Rehabilitation and home from hospital
  • Palliative / end-of-life care
  • Overnight care
  • Medications management and administration
  • Companionship and emotional support

IS THERE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR HOME CARE?

When arranging home care, you will need to consider how to pay for the care you need and whether there is any funding available to you.

If you have an identified healthcare need, you may be entitled to Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC), a form of funding entirely managed and funded by the NHS. If you do not meet strict qualification criteria, you may still be entitled to social funding, depending on your financial circumstances. There are also other Government Initiatives that you may be able to access.

1. CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT:

Arrange for a care needs assessment through your GP or local community health care team. This assessment will determine your eligibility for healthcare funding from your local Integrated Care Board or social care funding based on your financial circumstances.

2. CONSULTATION WITH GP OR LOCAL HEALTH CARE TEAM:

Talk to your GP or local community health care team about the funding options available to you. They can provide guidance on the types of funding you may be entitled to and the application process. If seeking funding through your Integrated Care Board (ICB) or social services team, a care needs assessment will be crucial in determining the level of funding you may receive.

3. CHOOSE YOUR CARE PROVIDER:

If you qualify for funding, you can choose your care provider. This can be managed through a personal budget and direct payments, or the funding entity can handle the care arrangement on your behalf. Keep in mind that if the funding entity organises and pays for your care, they may have a list of preferred providers limiting your choices.

4. WORKING WITH EXPERIENCED PROVIDERS:

Leveraging many years of experience, we collaborate with Case Managers, commissioning teams, local authorities, and other professionals involved in procuring specialist home care. Our goal is to provide the right care at the right time, throughout all stages of life.

5. SELF-FUNDING CARE:

If you do not qualify for any funding, self-funding care becomes the option. This means you will be responsible for paying some or all of the care costs. Explore various financing options, including care fee insurance policies that can cover care fees over the longer term. Seeking independent financial advice before committing to any such policy is always advisable.

HOW MUCH DOES HOME CARE COST?

The cost of home care can vary based on several factors, including the type and level of care needed, the duration of care required, and your location.

The hourly cost of our home care services is dependent on the level of care and support you require, with the overall cost determined by the number and frequency of visits to you at home. Our experts will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your needs at your home, or in hospital if you are awaiting discharge, to truly understand what you need and how much your care will cost.

Various funding options exist in the UK to help people with ongoing or complex medical needs receive the support they require. At Prestige Nursing & Care, we work closely with our clients to help them navigate the funding process to ensure they receive the best possible care and support.

Learn more about the cost of in home care.

WHY CHOOSE PRESTIGE NURSING & CARE?

See for yourself why our valued clients choose Prestige Nursing & Care to provide the private home care services they need:

A FULLY MANAGED SERVICE

Prestige Nursing & Care is not an agency. Unlike a home care agency, we provide a fully managed and regulated home care service. This means our clients, their families and our professional partners can be reassured that the care and support we provide is of the very highest quality. Families can focus on spending quality time together rather than managing care arrangements.

CQC REGULATED CARE

Our service is inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Scottish Care Inspectorate (SCI) in Scotland. We are proud that 96% of our inspected services have been rated as providing a ‘Good’ service, with 4% rated ‘Outstanding’ in England. All our inspected services in Scotland have been awarded 3+.

Our accredited service for complex care, which meets local and national quality standards and ensures a consistent approach to the care we provide, provides peace of mind and reassurance that our service is of the highest quality.

RIGOROUS RECRUITMENT & TRAINING PROCESS

Our commitment to excellence starts with our care team. Our rigorous recruitment process ensures only the most qualified and dedicated individuals join our team. Our carers undergo comprehensive training to ensure they possess the skills, knowledge, and compassion required to provide exceptional care. All of our carers have at least six months of care or health sector experience before being placed with a client or community partner.

COMPLEX & SPECIALIST CARE

Our service is nurse-led and our carers are expertly trained to provide care for complex, terminal and other medical conditions. They are supported by a registered home nurse who provides unrivalled monitoring and supervision of our clinical care. With this leadership and oversight, carers can perform many delegated healthcare tasks and interventions at home.

CARE MANAGEMENT LOCAL TO YOU

Our responsive and reliable local nurse-led service allows us to put a care pathway and plan in place quickly and, in many cases, within 24 hours. We work in partnership with healthcare professionals, Case Managers, families and personal injury lawyers to ensure we have an in-depth understanding of a client’s needs. Our local registered nurse will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your needs at home or in any specialist care setting, enabling a plan of care and support to be developed that meets all your needs.

Our approach to care planning, whether it is for an hourly, respite or live-in care service, ensures we capture all your preferences and wishes so you can live a contented life in the comfort of your own home. We take time to find the nursing carer that would best meet your nursing needs, making sure they are closely aligned with how you wish to live your life.

Once care is in place, our local teams made up of care and clinical experts, provide you, your family and our carer with an abundance of ongoing support. This gives you reassurance that you or your loved one is receiving the very best complex care at home.

HOW TO ARRANGE HOME CARE

Arranging home care with Prestige Nursing & Care is easy. Simply call our friendly team today to schedule your free, no-obligation home assessment. One of our Care Advisors will meet with you and your family to discuss your care needs and how home care from Prestige can improve the quality of your life.

Our approach to care planning ensures we capture all your preferences and wishes so you can live life your way in the comfort of your own home. We take time to find the carer that would best meet your care and support needs, making sure they are closely aligned with your lifestyle and preferences.

Our responsive and reliable home care services in your local area mean we can put care and support in place quickly, in many cases within 24-hours. Once care is in place, our local teams made up of care and clinical experts provide you, your family and our carer with an abundance of on-going support. This gives you peace of mind that you or your loved one is receiving the very best home care support.

We are here to take your call and will provide impartial support and guidance – contact our friendly care experts today to discuss your care needs.


0808 239 1525

FIND A CARE SERVICE NEAR YOU

Find your nearest branch