What is domiciliary care and how does it work?

For many people, social care takes place within a care setting such as a care home, but there is another option. Domiciliary care supports an individual while they remain living in their own home, helping them to maintain an independent lifestyle in familiar surroundings.

But what services are covered by domiciliary care and what level of training is required by domiciliary care workers? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at this important form of social care.

What does domiciliary care mean?

Domiciliary care is also known as dom care, home care or care at home. It is a form of social care which enables people with care needs to remain in their own home rather than moving into a care setting or staying in hospital. It is often provided to the elderly but can also be offered to children, young people or adults with temporary care needs.

The frequency of visits by a home carer and the level of care provided will depend on the individual’s personal circumstances and requirements. It could cover a single visit each week, several visits throughout the day or overnight support. A domiciliary carer could even live in the individual’s home to administer round-the-clock care.

What do domiciliary care services cover?

Domiciliary care can cover all of the requirements of the individual as if they were receiving care in a care home.

Services provided by a domiciliary care agency could include personal day to day care such as bathing and continence care, preparing meals and managing medication. Domiciliary carers can also help with household tasks and help the individual to move in and around their home. They may also be able to assist with clinical care requirements such as stoma management or PEG feeding.

These services can allow the individual to stay in their own home with as little change as possible to their normal daily routine.

What are the benefits of domiciliary care

Domiciliary care allows the individual to remain in their own home rather than moving into a care home. This can help them to maintain their independence for longer.

Many families also opt for domiciliary care because it gives them more control over the care provision. The care plan can be tailored to suit the exact needs of the individual rather than requiring them to fit into the schedules and routines of a care home.

They can also choose a domiciliary carer who fits with the personality of the person receiving care. The carer then becomes a familiar face, offering companionship and emotional support which can be very beneficial for mental health.

Domiciliary services can work out to be less expensive than a residential care home, and can also be subsidised by care provided by family and friends.

What training is required for domiciliary care workers?

Individuals and families who are hiring a domiciliary care worker should make sure that they check the credentials and training of the staff provided. Domiciliary care agencies should be happy to explain their recruitment and training processes to potential clients.

The level of qualifications required for domiciliary carers depends on the type of care they are providing. Day to day care will be provided by a domiciliary care assistant but ongoing medical care or palliative care will be provided by a qualified nurse or healthcare assistant.

Domiciliary care is subject to the same regulation as services provided in a care setting and CQC mandatory training requirements will apply here. Induction training will be required together with ongoing social care refresher training at regular intervals.