Home Care vs Care Homes: Which Is Right for You?

Choosing between home care and a care home is one of the most significant decisions families face. This guide compares both options to help you make the right choice.

Understanding Your Options

What Is Home Care?

Home care, also known as domiciliary care, involves professional carers visiting someone in their own home. Services can include:

Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting)
Medication management
Meal preparation
Light housekeeping
Companionship
Night-time support

What Is Residential Care?

Residential care involves moving to a care home where accommodation, meals, and care are provided around the clock. Types include:

Residential care homes (personal care)
Nursing homes (with qualified nurses)
Specialist care (dementia, complex needs)

Comparison at a Glance

Factor	Home Care	Care Home
Location	Own home	Care facility
Availability	Scheduled visits	24/7 on-site
Independence	Maximum	Structured
Social	Limited	Built-in community
Cost (low needs)	Often cheaper	More expensive
Cost (high needs)	Often expensive	May be similar
Pets	Can keep	Usually no
Family involvement	High	Visiting hours

Benefits of Home Care

Staying in Familiar Surroundings

Advantages:

Maintain independence and routines
Stay connected to neighbourhood and community
Keep beloved pets
Sleep in your own bed
Surrounded by memories and possessions

Best for:

Those with moderate care needs
People who value independence highly
Those with strong local support networks
People who would struggle to adapt to change

Personalised One-to-One Care

Home care provides:

Individual attention during visits
Care tailored to your specific preferences
Consistency with regular carers
Flexibility in scheduling

Control and Choice

You maintain control over:

Daily routines
What you eat and when
Who enters your home
How you spend your time

Benefits of Care Homes

24-Hour Support

Advantages:

Staff available day and night
Immediate response in emergencies
No waiting for scheduled visits
Peace of mind for family

Best for:

Those with high or unpredictable care needs
People at risk of falls or wandering
Those who need night-time supervision
Anyone needing nursing care

Built-In Social Life

Care homes offer:

Daily activities and entertainment
Communal dining
Opportunities to make friends
Reduced isolation and loneliness
Regular stimulation and engagement

Reduced Family Burden

Moving to a care home can:

Relieve family caregiver stress
Allow family to be visitors rather than carers
Provide professional expertise
Offer respite from constant worry

Cost Comparison

Home Care Costs

Level of Care	Hours/Day	Weekly Cost
Light support	1-2 hours	£120-280
Moderate	3-4 hours	£280-450
High needs	6-8 hours	£500-700
Live-in care	24 hours	£900-1,400
Complex care	24 hours +	£1,200-2,000

Care Home Costs

Type of Care	Weekly Cost
Residential	£750-1,100
Nursing	£1,000-1,500
Dementia specialist	£950-1,400

Key insight: Home care is often cheaper for those with lower care needs, but costs can exceed care home fees as needs increase.

When Home Care Works Best

Home care may be the right choice when:

✅ Care needs are low to moderate ✅ The home is safe and accessible ✅ The person wants to stay at home ✅ Family can provide some support ✅ There's a good local care agency ✅ The area is well-served by healthcare services ✅ Budget constraints prefer pay-per-hour

Considerations

However, home care may struggle when:

❌ Needs are unpredictable or severe ❌ 24-hour supervision is required ❌ The home has accessibility issues ❌ The person is isolated geographically ❌ Night-time care is frequently needed

When a Care Home Makes Sense

A care home may be better when:

✅ Care needs are high or complex ✅ Nursing care is required ✅ There's risk of falls or wandering ✅ The person would benefit from company ✅ Family carers are exhausted ✅ The home is no longer safe or suitable ✅ Dementia requires specialist care

Considerations

Care homes may not suit those who:

❌ Strongly value independence ❌ Would struggle to adapt to communal living ❌ Have pets they cannot be separated from ❌ Have minimal care needs ❌ Have a spouse remaining at home

Making the Decision

Questions to Ask

What level of care is needed now?
How might needs change over time?
What does the person want?
Is the home suitable for care delivery?
What is the budget?
What support do family members provide?
Is there isolation or loneliness?
What are the local care options?

Getting an Assessment

A professional care needs assessment can help determine:

Current care requirements
Appropriate level of support
Funding eligibility
Available local services

Contact your local council to arrange an assessment.

Hybrid Approaches

You don't always have to choose one or the other:

Starting with Home Care

Many people start with home care and transition to residential care as needs increase. This allows:

Maximum time at home
Gradual adjustment to receiving care
Time to research care homes if needed later

Respite Care

Using care home respite can:

Give family carers a break
Allow trial of residential care
Provide recovery time after hospital
Offer temporary support during home adaptations

Day Care

Combining home care with day centre attendance offers:

Social interaction
Structured activities
Respite for home carers
Trial of being out of the home

Conclusion

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice depends on individual circumstances, preferences, and needs. Take time to explore all options, involve your loved one in decisions, and remember that arrangements can change as needs evolve.

Need help deciding? Use our care search to explore options in your area, or contact us for personalised guidance.