Domiciliary Care: The Basics
Domiciliary care, sometimes called home care or care at home, is professional support delivered to a person in their own home. It enables people who need assistance with daily tasks, personal care, or medical needs to remain living at home rather than moving to a care facility.
The term can encompass a wide range of support, from a brief daily visit to help with getting up and medication, to multiple visits throughout the day providing comprehensive personal care and assistance with meals, or even live-in support for those with more significant needs.
What Does Domiciliary Care Include?
Domiciliary care services typically include personal care (washing, dressing, oral hygiene), medication management and prompting, meal preparation and nutritional support, light housekeeping, support with mobility, companionship and social support, and assistance with community activities.
More specialist domiciliary care, such as that provided by our clinical and Complex Care teams, may also include nursing procedures, catheter or stoma care, management of feeding tubes, respiratory support, and post-operative care.
Who Is Domiciliary Care For?
Domiciliary care is for people of all ages who need support to live safely and well at home. This includes older adults managing age-related conditions, adults with physical disabilities or learning disabilities, people living with Mental Health Services needs, children and young people with complex needs, and people in the later stages of a serious illness.
There is no single profile of someone who benefits from domiciliary care. The common thread is a desire, shared by most people, to remain in their own home, surrounded by the familiar, whilst receiving the support they need.
How to Access Domiciliary Care
Domiciliary care can be accessed through a local authority needs assessment, through NHS continuing healthcare funding for those with significant health needs, or arranged privately. Our Funding Your Care page provides a comprehensive guide to the options available in Liverpool, Warrington, and Halton. To find out more about our services, explore Adult Social Care, Complex Care, and our full range of specialist support.