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What is emergency home care?
Emergency home care can be arranged efficiently and delivered by experienced, trusted Care Professionals who can quickly get to grips with the urgent needs of older adults.
What does emergency home care mean?
It is important to establish that emergency home care differs from ambulatory response. Emergency home care refers to the fast implementation of home care services to meet the urgent needs of an older person who cannot manage alone. Examples of people who might need this include:
- Those being discharged from hospital after a serious injury or illness
- Those in significant pain who need urgent palliative care
- Anyone with a recently acquired complex medical need
- Anyone whose regular caregiver suddenly takes ill
- Those with rapidly progressive conditions like rapid onset dementia
When care needs develop with little warning, emergency home care enables older adults to receive quality care in their home at a moment’s notice, sometimes within 24 hours.
Why is emergency home care important for older adults?
A 2024 report from Age UK found that older people have insufficient access to quality NHS treatment and social care, and the current system is ill-prepared for the UK’s ageing population. This means there could be a delay in receiving urgent care at home for older adults with newly acquired disabilities or health conditions, risking their safety and health.
The toll this can take on unpaid family caregivers who need to step in can be significant – data shows that 20% of carers already feel they are neglecting themselves. Older adults who experience a sudden need for care may feel the only option is to move into a care home, but emergency home care is a helpful alternative that can provide personalised care when you need it most.
How do I know if my loved one needs emergency home care?
Identifying when an older loved one might need emergency home care is important to ensure their safety and comfort at home after any big change in health. If you notice a sudden change in your loved one that might indicate a health condition, seek help from a GP or go to A&E. From there, you can determine their need for emergency home care to support recovery.
If your loved one is abruptly unable to manage their own personal care, or there is a rapid deterioration in their ability to live independently, emergency home care can step in to provide the necessary care, fast. This might include services such as emergency palliative care, medication management, stoma care, wound care, vital signs monitoring, post-operative support and more.
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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This is a company whose staff really do care on a personal level and who are client orientated, providing stimulative activities, conversation and going the extra mile to help client and family.
Eileen, Client
As I got older, I realised that this service had made me happy in my own home.
Elisie, Client
I have had my care from Home Instead for almost ten years and things just keep getting better. I can’t praise them enough.
Kevan, Client
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Get in touch How to arrange emergency home care
We’re here to help make it easy for families to fit home care into their lives whenever they need it. Our friendly Care Professionals offer flexible care for a number of conditions, and very often we can have someone assess your needs and home environment immediately to have emergency home care up and running in just 24 hours. This could take the form of visiting care that comes to the home several times a day, or for those who need emergency home care, live-in care might be more appropriate to ensure safety and comfort after a major health event.
With emergency home care, we prioritise finding a Care Professional experienced and trained in your exact requirements. Get in touch with us to discuss what you need and how quickly you need it.
Why Home Instead?
Our expert Care Professionals are dedicated to keeping clients safe and comfortable in their own home, so if you or a family member is struggling with newly acquired health needs that are difficult to manage, we can quickly relieve the stress of this by providing a dedicated caregiver who can take care of things straight away.
We are proudly rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk, with many of our locations also rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). With our experience of providing effective care without delay to address the urgent needs of clients, you can rest assured that you or your loved one will be in safe hands with our emergency home care.
Advice & Support
FAQs
- What is emergency home care, and when is it needed?
Emergency home care provides immediate support for individuals who require urgent assistance due to a sudden illness, injury, or unexpected change in circumstances. It is often needed when a primary carer is unavailable, after hospital discharge, or during a health crisis.
- What services are included in emergency home care?
Emergency home care can include personal care, medication management, meal preparation, mobility assistance, and emotional support. It may also involve coordinating with healthcare professionals to ensure the individual receives the appropriate medical attention and ongoing care.
- How quickly can emergency home care be arranged?
Many home care providers offer rapid response services, with carers available to provide support within hours of a request. The exact timing depends on the provider, but the goal is to ensure help is delivered as quickly as possible to address urgent needs.
- Who can benefit from emergency home care?
Emergency home care is suitable for individuals of all ages who need immediate assistance, including elderly people, those recovering from surgery or illness, and individuals with disabilities. It also provides peace of mind for families during unexpected situations.
- How do I arrange emergency home care?
To arrange emergency home care, just get in touch with Home Instead and explain the situation. We’ll assess the individual’s needs and quickly match them with a qualified carer who can provide the necessary support.
Diane Williams , Head of Quality & Standards
I have worked with Home Instead since July 2016 as a member of the Quality Team, taking the role of Head of Quality & Standards in 2020.
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.
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.