Domiciliary Care

The emphasis within care services for older people is shifting away from institutions towards services provided in the home. Less than 5 per cent of older people end their lives in care homes. Not everyone needs support, of course - in 2002, more than 60 per cent of people aged over 80 in England reported no difficulties with specific activities of daily living. But many are supported in their own homes by the army of informal carers, as well as domiciliary services and home-care workers provided by the state. Very recently, traditional services in the home have been joined by 'personal assistants', paid for by the service user from direct payments, or new individual budget schemes.

Resources in this section are aimed at both carers and older people and seek to provide information on what can be done to respect the dignity of older people at home. Links are to relevant websites and organisations setting out guidelines for home care.

Link to the United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd (UKHCA) website (opens new window). The UKHCA is the professional association of home care providers from the independent, voluntary, not-for-profit and statutory sectors.