Alternatives to a care home
We can offer a trusted alternative to care homes for older adults who require care services to remain safe, healthy and comfortable, including home care options from dedicated Care Professionals.
Why is a care home not always the best fit for an older person?
An estimated half a million people live in care homes in the UK, and this is often the go-to option when an older person begins to need more help. However, care homes are not always the best option depending on the person’s medical conditions, mobility issues or mental health concerns. The downsides of care homes include:
- Having to adjust to a new environment with less privacy
- Reduced independence and autonomy
- An inability to live with loved ones
- Unmanageable expense (according to Age UK, it costs on average £800 to £1,078 per week for a place in a care or nursing home, depending on location)
It is important to be aware of alternatives to care homes to ensure your loved one is in the best place to support their needs.
What are the alternatives to a care home?
Moving to a care home is sometimes necessary, but often an older person’s needs can be met in other environments. Some of the best alternatives to care homes include:
- Visiting home care – A private carer will help older adults in their own home with things like personal care, medication management and specialist care
- Live-in care – A professional carer lives in the person’s home to provide more bespoke care, enabling them to stay in familiar surroundings
- Home adaptations – Modifying the person’s own home to accommodate their needs, such as installing a stairlift or grab rails
Assisted living – A specially designed home where older people with light care needs can continue living mostly independently in their own space
Is home care the right choice for your loved one?
The World Health Organization recommends older adults remain in their own home for as long as possible, and home care is an excellent alternative to a care home for many reasons:
- Studies suggest it could have a positive impact on wellbeing and happiness
- It helps keep older people in a familiar, comfortable setting (particularly those with dementia – studies find they could experience a higher quality of life as a result)
- It provides more access to family members, their community, and beloved pets
- It provides a more flexible and tailored care option
- It can be a more affordable option for many people, offering financial peace of mind
You can learn more about the benefits in our article:The benefits of Home Care vs a Care Home
How can we help?
We've helped thousands of families to stay safe, comfortable and happy at home. Whatever situation you're facing, or whatever the question is, Home Instead is here to help.
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My mum receives excellent care from Home Instead. They are all very caring, friendly, organised and help my mum to feel happy, safe and well cared for in her own home. The carers are very good at communicating with the office and in turn the office are great at communicating any concerns to me as situations arise.Jane, Client's Family
From day one Home Instead has given us a first-class professional caring service. Office staff and carers very helpful and understanding.Paul and Sandra, Clients
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How to get started arranging home care
The process of arranging home care shouldn’t be stressful, so we do our best to make arranging this simple and efficient. With personalised, attentive support tailored to your loved one’s exact needs, and adaptable as needs change, home care is a flexible option that helps many families avoid having to place their older loved one in a care home.
To get started, you can arrange a Care Needs Assessment with your local council to determine what kind of care is best, and how much of it you will have to pay for yourself. If you would prefer private care options like Home Instead, you can learn more about how to choose and arrange home care from our dedicated team who will discuss your circumstances and find you a Care Professional who can help.
Why Home Instead?
We understand you have many options when it comes to care for your older loved one, so ensuring you select the best option takes time and research. We aim to make sure our person-centred care is perfectly tailored to the needs of your older relative, whether that means a few hours of visiting care or full-time live-in care.
We are proudly rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk, and many of our locations are rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Whether your loved one needs help with personal care, occasional respite care when you are absent, or something more specialised, we can design a personalised package of care to suit your family, and help keep your loved one in the home they know and love.
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FAQs
What are the main alternatives to a care home?
One of the most popular alternatives is home care, where Care Professionals provide support in the comfort of your loved one’s own home. Other options include sheltered housing, extra care housing, or live-in care, depending on individual needs.
How does home care compare to a care home?
Home care allows your loved one to stay in familiar surroundings while receiving personalised one-to-one support from Care Professionals. Unlike care homes, routines, meals, and activities can be tailored to their preferences, helping them remain independent for longer.
What services can home care provide as an alternative?
Our home care services can include personal care, medication support, meal preparation, housekeeping, companionship, and even 24/7 live-in support. This makes it a flexible option that adapts as needs change over time.
Is home care suitable for people with complex needs?
Absolutely. We can provide Care Professionals trained in supporting conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, mobility issues, and other complex care needs. Care plans can be designed around both everyday tasks and more advanced needs or health challenges, including postoperative and recovery care.
How do I decide if home care is the right alternative for my loved one?
Think about your loved one’s wishes, their health needs, and how much independence they want to keep. Get in touch today with your local Home Instead office for support to help you explore personalised options that balance your loved one’s safety, comfort, and quality of life.
Diane WIlliams , Head of Quality & Standards
Before joining Home Instead, I built a comprehensive career in the social care sector, beginning in 1991 as a frontline care worker and advancing to senior leadership roles across both private and voluntary sector businesses.
Throughout my career, I have supported diverse care groups in a variety of settings, including community, residential, nursing, and secure environments. My experience spans working with older adults, including those living with dementia; individuals with physical disabilities and complex, long-term health needs; people with learning disabilities, including autism; individuals with enduring mental health challenges; individuals with current or past substance use and those with forensic backgrounds.
In 2002, I qualified as a social worker and have since maintained my professional registration with Social Work England.