The difference between homecare, care home and assisted living

Caldy Manor Care Home, Wirral

There are three major categories of long-term care for people later in life. Today we aim at giving you a brief, but detailed definition of these types. 

Home care

With this option you get to remain in the comfort of your home and you will receive regular visits from a home care worker to help with your routine such as personal care, shopping and preparing meals. Home care services differ from place to place and so do the services offered.

Generally, services such as meals on wheels, monitored personal alarms and household equipment to help with everyday tasks are included.

Usually home care allows older people to have full control over the care and support received and added benefits are that you stay close to what is familiar and the value of your home is not taken into account when it comes to calculating the cost of care.

Care home

Inside this category, there is a slight distinction to be made. Care homes can have nursing care carried out by registered nurses and experience care assistants or be without nursing care that on the other hand still provide help and assistance with personal care.  Both places offer care on site at all times and you can live there, often with a spouse.

Some aspects to take into consideration are the fact that there are social activities to keep you active; there are no utility bills to worry about, chores or meals, as everything is taken care of. Most of all a care home can often be safer and more secure than your own home.

Assisted living

This third option for long-term care is in-between the previous two. Housing for older people like this offers an option for people who are unable to live on their own or unwilling to and provide a mid-level custodial care. Services include medication support, lifestyle activities, transportation and meals.

To find out what services Barchester can provide follow the link to our types of care page and find out how life is with Barchester.