Care at Home or a Care Home: Which Option Is Right?
Deciding how and where someone should receive support can be difficult.
For some people, remaining at home with the right support offers familiarity, independence and greater control. For others, moving into a residential care home may provide the level of support, supervision or community they need.
There is no single right answer. The best option depends on the individual’s needs, wishes, circumstances and available support.
What is care and support at home?
Care and support at home allows someone to remain in their own home while receiving help with agreed aspects of daily life.
Depending on the person and the Personal Assistant chosen, this may include:
- companionship
- domestic help
- shopping and meal preparation
- support with personal care
- getting out and about
- attending appointments
- respite for family carers
- support with routines and everyday activities
- overnight or live-in arrangements
Hub Care Support introduces people to independent, QCAS-approved Personal Assistants. The individual remains involved in choosing who supports them and agrees the arrangements directly with the PA.
areas to consider
What is a care home?
A care home provides accommodation and support within a residential setting.
Different types of care home offer different levels of support. Some provide help with daily living and personal care, while nursing homes also have registered nursing staff available.
Care homes may offer:
- staff available throughout the day and night
- meals and accommodation
- personal care
- organised activities
- communal areas
- support from a wider staff team
- nursing support in appropriate settings
The environment, staffing arrangements and level of support vary between providers.
Advantages of receiving support at home
For many people, the greatest benefit is being able to remain in familiar surroundings.
Potential advantages may include:
staying close to neighbours, friends and family
keeping familiar routines
remaining with pets
maintaining greater control over daily life
choosing who provides support
receiving support at times agreed directly
avoiding an unnecessary move
building a familiar relationship with a Personal Assistant
Support at home can often be adapted as circumstances change, although this depends on the availability of suitable support and whether the arrangement remains safe and practical.
Possible limitations of support at home
Possible challenges include:
- arranging enough support to meet increasing needs
- gaps when a regular PA is unavailable
- managing overnight or continuous support
- maintaining the home
- feelings of isolation between visits
- adapting the property
- coordinating support from several people or services
- the total cost where a high number of hours is required
These issues do not necessarily rule out support at home, but they should be considered honestly.
Advantages of a care home
A care home may be appropriate where someone would benefit from support being available throughout the day and night within one setting.
Potential advantages may include:
- staff on site
- accommodation and meals included
- organised activities
- opportunities for social contact
- less responsibility for maintaining a property
- access to a wider staff team
- nursing support where provided by the home
For some people, the structure and community of a care home can be reassuring.
Possible limitations of a care home
Moving into a care home is a major change and may not suit everyone.
Possible considerations include:
- leaving a familiar home and neighbourhood
- less control over routines
- limited choice over which staff provide support
- adapting to communal living
- restrictions around pets, visitors or personal belongings
- the emotional impact of moving
- variations in staffing and continuity
- cost and contractual arrangements
Visiting potential homes and asking detailed questions can help someone understand what daily life would be like
How Hub Care Support can help
Hub Care Support helps people explore one possible route: support at home from independent, QCAS-approved Personal Assistants.
Your local Hub can:
- explain how Personal Assistant introductions work
- discuss the general type of support being sought
- identify PA profiles that may be relevant
- explain typical local rates
- arrange introductions where appropriate
Hub does not assess whether someone should remain at home or move into residential care, and we do not provide medical, legal or financial advice.
Where needs are complex or safety is uncertain, it may be helpful to seek advice from the local authority, healthcare professionals or another appropriately qualified adviser.
Understanding the costs
The cost of both options varies considerably.
Support at home may be charged by the hour, overnight arrangement or live-in period. Independent Personal Assistants set their own rates, and additional costs such as mileage or expenses may apply.
Care-home fees normally include accommodation and a package of support, but charges vary according to the provider, location, room and level of care needed.
When comparing costs, check:
- what is included
- whether there are minimum charges
- additional fees or expenses
- how rates may change
- cancellation or notice terms
- whether local-authority or NHS funding may apply
A local-authority care-needs and financial assessment may help clarify what support could be available.
Exploring support at home Us
Use our postcode search to find your nearest Hub Care Support branch.
Your local Hub can explain how introductions work and help you explore whether support from an independent Personal Assistant may be suitable.