Home Care Guide

In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about Home care. We’ll explain what it is and how it works. We’ll outline the pros and cons. And we will explain how to get Home Care. By the end, you should know whether Home Care is the right option for you.

What is home care?

Home care is also known as domiciliary care. Home care supports people with day-to-day living in their own home. Professional carers visit at scheduled times. They assist with agreed activities, like:

Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming).
Meal preparation and feeding.
Medication reminders and/or administration.
Companionship and emotional support.

Who can get home care?

Anyone can choose to pay for home care themselves. Some people can get home care funded by the local council. This may include:

Older adults.
People with long-term health conditions.
Disabled people.
Carers who require respite.

To get funding, you must meet certain criteria. The council will look at your support needs and finances to see if you’re eligible.

Who is home care suitable for?

Home care may be a suitable option for you or your loved one if they:

Are beginning to need support with daily tasks.
Want to remain in their own home while getting support.

Who provides home care?

Home care is managed by a professional agency. These agencies organise and oversee the support. The actual care and support is delivered by trained agency staff.

Pros and cons

When choosing home care, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons to decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Pros

Less personal responsibility

Care is managed by a professional agency. They are responsible for organising everything.

Trained and vetted staff

The agency ensures all staff are fully trained and vetted.

Continuity of care

Continuity of care is managed by the agency. They will arrange cover if your usual carer is unavailable.

Cons

Less control

You may not have full control over who provides your care. The agency assigns carers based on availability.

Limited felxibility

Care is delivered according to a pre-set schedule. This lack of flexibility may not work around your life or commitments.

Changes are slow

Changes to care or scheduling need to go through the agency. This can slow down adjustments.

Alternatives to home care

Are you looking for an option with more choice and control? If yes, self-directing your support could be a better option. Self-directing your support gives you more say. However, it does require more involvement.

Two options to self-direct your support are:

Direct Payments
Individual Service Funds (ISFs)

Each option has its own pros and cons. So it’s important to carefully consider which might work best for you. For more information, read the guides below.

Individual Service Fund Guide

You stay in control of your support decisions without the admin! You choose an organization to manage your budget and the support you get.

11th August 2025

Direct Payment Guide

Get full choice and control with a Direct Payment! You get the money directly into your bank account. And you take full control over arranging and paying for your own support.

11th August 2025

Supportmatch Homeshare: A Flexible Alternative

This scheme is perfect for people who don’t need 24/7 support. You will be paired with someone who will move into your home. They will provide companionship and light support. You will give them affordable housing in return.

Making the right choice for you

Choosing home care or a self-directed option depends on:

Your personal preferences.
Your lifestyle.
How much control you wish to have over your support.
What type of assistance you require.

Some people prefer to let an agency handle everything. While others prefer to have more control over their support. No matter what you choose, the aim is to get the support you need to live life your way.

I think home care is right for me, what are the next steps?

To get funded home care, you need to speak with Cornwall Council. They will assess your needs and finances to see if you qualify for care and support. If you do qualify, you can choose to get this as home care.

Start the process by...