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What is a home care agency?

Understanding home care agencies.

If you are currently struggling with certain daily activities, bringing in home care could be beneficial, and a home care agency could help to organise this. Here, we are sharing more about what a home care agency is, what it does, what the alternatives may be, and the pros and cons of using an agency, as well as hiring your own carer or using an introductory agency. We will also take a closer look at what services a home care agency can provide, what to expect from a home care agency, and how to choose the right one for you. At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of domiciliary care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global home care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about home care, we can help.

What is home care?

Home care (sometimes called domiciliary care) refers to the care someone receives in the comfort of their own home to help with various daily tasks, instead of going to a hospital, care home, nursing home or assisted living facility. Home care can be beneficial for older adults, those with disabilities or complex needs, or anyone recovering from an illness or surgery. Whether in their own home or the home of a loved one, a person can bring in professional home care to help with things like personal care (washing or using the bathroom, for example), cooking and meal preparation, companionship, medication management, specialist care and more. This may be required if someone is struggling with mobility and cannot move around easily, has health or cognitive issues that affect their ability to live independently, has recently had surgery or a medical procedure that limits their physical movements, has a dementia condition that affects their memory, or any other issue that makes certain essential daily activities harder or impossible.Home help can enable the person to remain in their own home instead of moving to another facility, and maintain their independence and quality of life. It also helps family members to know their loved one is being taken care of when they are not around to do so. If you are considering home care for a loved one, you may find our guide helpful: Do I Need A Carer? How To Tell If You Or A Loved One Needs Support.

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What is a home care agency?

A home care agency is an agency that facilitates the planning and organising of home care for those who need it. Home care agencies will match clients with carers who have the skills and training to help with elements of their daily life that they are unable to manage by themselves.A home care agency may offer services such as:

  • Personal Care – This is when a carer visits to help with activities like getting washed and dressed each day, or using the toilet, while also helping to maintain the person’s dignity as much as possible.
  • Night Care – This usually means an agency will arrange for a carer or a number of carers to stay with the person overnight to make sure they have everything they need, can get to the bathroom, and adhere to their medication schedules throughout the night. This could be a sleep-in service or a waking night service, and will allow the person’s loved ones to get a full night’s sleep without worrying that their family member will fall ill or be without something they need. 
  • Day Care – This type of care could help with any number of daily activities. The aim of day care is often to help the person maintain their independence, so this might involve helping them carry on with pastimes and interests, preparing meals and snacks, providing enjoyable activities, helping with gentle exercise and going on walks, or something else. Whether for a few hours or the full day, a carer can become a trusted companion for someone less able to do things by themselves.  
  • Respite Care – Respite care is designed to give the families of people who require constant care a much-needed break from their caring duties to avoid carer burnout. It can be difficult for families to manage caring around other life responsibilities, and they may feel guilty when they leave their loved one alone. Respite care has benefits for all involved, and an agency can arrange for a carer to provide temporary relief so families can manage their duties better, attend important appointments or events, or just rest and recharge. You can read about this in more depth in our guide: What Is Respite Care?
  • Specialist Care – Those with specific medical needs or a health condition that require medication, monitoring or regular assistance can benefit from specialist care from a carer with the appropriate training and experience. An agency can help to find a carer who is a good fit for what the person needs. A specialist carer can help with daily complex needs, liaise with the person’s doctor to address problems early, or help to support the transition from hospital to home with postoperative or recovery care.
  • Live-in Care – Live-in care is when a carer (or multiple carers working in shifts) will live in the person’s home with them to provide round-the-clock care. For those with more intense needs, or who prefer the constant companionship or sense of safety when someone is around 24/7, a live-in carer can be an excellent fit to help them maintain their quality of life. You can read more about this type of care in our guide: What Is Live-in Care?

What does a home care agency do?

A home care agency will provide many of the care needs mentioned above through their staff of trained, experienced carers who can offer support and assistance for anyone who needs help with daily tasks but prefers to remain in the comfort of their own home. This may be most helpful for older adults, those with disabilities or mental health conditions, or anyone who has sustained an injury or undergone surgery and needs help during the recovery period. The carers provided by a home care agency may help with services such as medication management, meal preparation, personal care assistance, companionship and more. Trained carers with the appropriate skills and qualifications can deliver each of these services based on the individual needs of their client to ensure their safety and wellbeing, promote autonomy and dignity, and enable them to maintain as much independence as possible.A home care agency will facilitate the organisation side of hiring a carer, and will take care of administrative duties such as:

  • Searching for a carer in their network that can provide the appropriate care for the person’s needs 
  • Ensuring the carer is a match in both skills and personality for the client 
  • Doing home checks to ensure the environment is set up for the client’s safety
  • Doing all necessary background checks on the carer to ensure others have had good experiences with them in the past, as well as checking their credentials and certificates (some agencies will require staff to undergo their own training programs) 
  • Managing the initial setup of the care relationship by organising introductions and trial session 
  • Managing the payment side of the arrangement so the individual or their family does not need to worry about the logistics of employing a private carer 
  • Being available to help with any issues that may arise, such as the need for a new carer with additional skills, or a particular piece of equipment 
  • Being available to arrange respite care if the person’s regular carer is taking a break or on holiday 
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What are the alternatives?

While there are many benefits to organising home care, there are also alternative options you may wish to explore, as well as alternatives to organising home care through a managed agency. Here, we have provided more information on each option, along with some of their pros and cons:

Moving into an Assisted Living Facility

This option is usually for those who can still live mostly independently, and only require minimal help. In an assisted living facility, residents can receive assistance with daily activities and be monitored for safety. You can read about this option in our guide: Assisted Living, Or Live-in Care?Pros: The homes in these facilities are typically set up for older adults with safety in mind, so they often feature mobility aids, safety pull-cords and more, allowing the person to feel safe and remain independent.Cons: Assisted living facilities may not be suitable for those who require more hands-on care each day, such as help to use the bathroom or cook dinner. These facilities usually have someone checking in occasionally, but may not be suitable for those who need more regular contact and care. 

Moving into a care home

A care home is a home where older adults will usually have their own room but share communal spaces with other people. In care homes, staff are on hand 24/7 to help with their needs, from getting washed and dressed, to providing stimulating and entertaining activities. You may find more helpful information on care homes in our guide to the benefits of home care vs a care home.Pros: Care homes provide round-the-clock care so residents do not feel worried about their safety, and with so many other people around, they will have many opportunities for socialisation and entertainment. Cons: Care homes are not usually set up for each individual to have their own routine and preferences, so often the person will need to fit in with the routine and plans of the care home staff. Many care homes in the UK are full and suffer from staff shortages, so it can be difficult to find a place in a good care home, and the level of care may not be as high as home care would be. Also, according to Age UK, it costs on average £800 to £1,078 per week for a place in a care or nursing home, which could exceed the budget some people have for care.

Moving into a nursing home

Nursing homes are very similar to care homes in that they are a communal living facility where care is on hand 24 hours a day, however they are more appropriate for older adults with complex medical needs that require round-the-clock medical care. You can read more about nursing homes in our guide to live-in care vs nursing and care homes.Pros: Nursing homes can offer the appropriate medical care for those with complex health needs, and may be able to take care of issues that would normally lead to a hospital admission for an older adult. Cons: Like care homes, nursing homes will not be able to cater to each individual’s preferences, so residents will need to adjust their own routine to fit the needs of the wider community. Staff shortages and lack of beds may also affect nursing homes.

Hiring a private carer

Instead of using an agency to arrange home care, there is also the option to do this independently by hiring a private carer. You can find more information on hiring a private carer in our guide on how to choose and arrange home care services.Pros: A private carer can offer one-on-one support, as well as dedicated time and attention to one individual’s needs without splitting their time. This can help to build a solid carer-client relationship. Cons: A private carer will lack the oversight and resources of a home care agency. Also, hiring a carer privately will mean you become an employer and will need to arrange payment and other administrative requirements. 

Using an Introductory Agency

Introductory agencies are a type of home care agency, however they do not manage the ongoing carer-client relationship. Their role is to find out what services the person needs, and source the best carer for this position – the person must then hire and manage the carer themselves. You can read more about this type of agency and the pros and cons in our guide to introductory agencies vs managed live-in care providers.Pros: Introductory agencies can be helpful if you are looking to hire a private carer, as they can take on all of the research and background checks in order to find the best fit for your needs. Cons: Introductory agencies will not provide ongoing help with tasks such as paying the carer’s salary or finding arespite carer, which can be costly. This means there will be more administration work involved each month for the person or their family. 

Having a family member provide care

In many cases, family members or another loved one may provide care for a person themselves. Pros: Many older adults prefer to be looked after by family members as they are familiar and trustworthy. Similarly, many family members prefer to care for their loved one themselves as they feel more in control of their care, and can save money by not paying for home care. Cons: It is important to understand how demanding a care role can be, especially if it is for a family member. Caring for a loved one can be tough as it alters the relationship, and there may be sacrifices required in other areas of life such as work and family, which can lead to carer burnout. You can read more about this in our guide to becoming a full time carer for a family member.

What can you expect from a home care agency?

If you are considering enlisting the services of a home care agency, there are a few qualities that you should expect from a reputable, well-reviewed agency. A home care agency should offer personalised support tailored to your needs, or the needs of your loved one. Trained caregivers will provide assistance with daily tasks like medication management, meal preparation and personal care, and they can also be available for general companionship and emotional support, which can help improve the wellbeing of you or your loved one. Agencies should ensure safety by conducting background checks on their staff and supervising their care work to ensure you receive the best quality of care, and that this care remains consistent and appropriate for your particular needs. They can also help with scheduling and respite care to accommodate your preferences and changing needs. In addition, they should offer caregivers the latest safeguarding information and training to ensure you are receiving the very best care. Reputable agencies will maintain open communication with you, and address any concerns promptly so you always feel safe and protected.

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How can you find a reputable home care agency? 

Finding a reputable home care agency that provides exactly what you need often requires some research. It can help to begin by speaking to your doctor or another healthcare professional about any agencies they would recommend, as well as friends or family members who have used these types of services in the past, or still do. 

An agency can make any number of promises, but it is always important to verify their credentials, licences, affiliations with professional organisations, and more. Check the reputation they have through online reviews and ratings, and their commitment to thorough background checks and continuously upskilling and training the carers in their network. Also, check what policies and procedures they have in place when it comes to protecting you or your loved one’s best interests. 

Remember, you do not have to commit to the first home care agency you find. It is always helpful to schedule initial consultations with multiple agencies in order to assess their approach to care, the services they offer, how compatible they may be with your needs, and how the fees fit your budget. 

Try to look for an agency that you feel is transparent, professional and has an excellent reputation, and don’t be afraid to trust your instincts when it comes to the final decision. 

The Care Quality Commission shares more information about what you can expect from a good home care agency, including safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and more.

How can you choose a home care agency?

Choosing a home care agency can feel daunting as there are so many options available, and so many factors to consider. When starting to look into organising home care, it can help to: 

  • Assess your specific needs and preferences, taking time to involve family members or loved ones who may have additional thoughts on what type of care you need 
  • Speak to your doctor to find out what their recommendations might be (they may recommend that you organise a Care Needs Assessment to find out the type of care you need and what you may be entitled to in your area) 
  • Research local home care agencies that offer the services you require
  • Seek recommendations from healthcare professionals, friends or family members, as it can be helpful to know that someone connected to you has already had a positive experience with a particular agency 
  • Verify the agency’s credentials and certifications to ensure they comply with all regulations, and to put your mind at ease about their professionalism 
  • Evaluate the agency’s reputation through online reviews and testimonials to determine if other people have had a mostly positive experience with them 
  • Schedule consultations to discuss their approach to caring, their caregiver selection process, and how flexible they can be in accommodating your needs
  • Ask about their fees, contracts and cancellation policies to ensure you can afford the service they provide and that you are happy with the contract you would be signing 

You may find more helpful information in our guides: 

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If you are looking to arrange home care through a home care agency, Home Instead has local offices all over the country and can provide personalised, quality care for everything from occasional companionship to live-in complex care. 

Our Care Professionals are the best of the best, and highly trained to deliver whatever services you need. In addition, during our selection process we strive to find carers who enjoy similar interests and are a great fit for your personality, as we believe this helps to create a strong, long-term bond between clients and their carers. 

No matter what type of home care you are looking for, we can provide a tailored service that suits you or your loved one. We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.