What does a domiciliary care assistant do?

If you or a loved one need some extra support to continue living independently at home, you might need some help from a domiciliary care assistant. 

Many people find terms in the care sector confusing, but knowing the specifics can help you make informed decisions about the right type of care for you.

In this blog, we’ll explain the domiciliary care worker role, and look at what domiciliary care worker duties might be. We will also show how their work supports people in their own homes, helping them to lead fulfilling lives in a familiar environment.

What is domiciliary care?

Domiciliary care, often called home care, provides support to people in the comfort of their own homes. This type of home care service helps you, or your loved one, continue to live independently. 

Domiciliary care assistants can help with daily tasks that may have become challenging. This support allows people to maximise their independence and quality of life.

Anyone, at any stage of life, might find domiciliary care services beneficial. This includes elderly people, and younger people with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory impairments, or physical disabilities.

Care assistants provide tailored support that meets a client’s unique and complex needs. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) sets standards to ensure that care received in your own home is of high quality, focusing on a personalised approach. This means the care services you receive are designed specifically for you.

What is a domiciliary care assistant?

A care assistant is a professional who provides support and care to people within their own homes. You might also hear them referred to by other job titles, such as home carer, care worker, or community care assistant.

Their main goal is to help service users live as independently as possible. Care workers visit people to assist with a broad range of activities. They could help with personal care, household tasks, or even accompanying clients to appointments.

Some domiciliary carers also provide support during the night for those who need around-the-clock assistance. 

The specific tasks a domiciliary care assistant does will always depend on the individual needs of the person they are supporting, making it a truly personalised care service.

Key responsibilities of a domiciliary care worker

The domiciliary care worker responsibilities are varied and centred around the needs of the person receiving care. The domiciliary care worker job role offers comprehensive support, enabling clients to live with dignity in familiar surroundings.

The specific domiciliary care assistant duties you or your loved one receive will always be based on an individual needs assessment and outlined in a personalised care plan. This ensures that every client gets the right level of support to maximise their independence and quality of life.

Some of the duties of a domiciliary care worker or home care assistant might include: 

Personal care

This is a vital part of the role of a domiciliary care worker. 

Depending on a client’s needs, personal care may involve assisting with washing, bathing, dressing, and toileting. All personal care tasks are carried out with the utmost respect and dignity, ensuring comfort and privacy for your loved one. Support with personal hygiene helps people feel their best.

Assistance with medication

Domiciliary care workers do not typically administer medication like a nurse would, unless they have received very specific training for certain situations as part of a personalised care plan and it's agreed with your GP. However, they still play a crucial role in medication adherence.

This may include reminding your loved one to take their medicines, helping them open packaging, or ensuring they understand their prescribed routine. This support helps maintain health and well-being.

Meal preparation

Good nutrition is essential for health. A domiciliary care worker can assist with meal preparation, from planning healthy meals to cooking and even helping with feeding if needed. They can ensure your loved one enjoys nutritious and enjoyable food, catering to dietary needs and preferences. This includes preparing meals that are not only healthy but also appealing.

Light housekeeping and domestic tasks

Keeping a home clean and tidy can be difficult, especially for people who have complex health conditions or mobility problems. Domiciliary care duties often include light housekeeping such as vacuuming, dusting, laundry, and washing dishes. 

These household tasks help maintain a pleasant and safe living environment, so keeping your living space clean and comfortable is a key part of the domiciliary carer job description.

Mobility assistance

Domiciliary carer duties should support a client’s well-being, so, for those who find moving difficult, a care worker can help.

This may include helping the client to get in and out of bed, moving around the house, or gentle encouragement with exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist. Staying active and moving regularly can help to prevent falls.

Companionship and emotional support

Some clients may not need personal care, but still need someone to visit regularly. Living alone or dealing with health challenges can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, so companionship domiciliary care is important. 

A domiciliary carer provides friendly company and emotional support, engaging in conversation, sharing activities like reading or hobbies, and simply being there. This social interaction greatly improves quality of life.

Shopping and errands

The domiciliary care job description may include helping with grocery shopping or other essential errands. Whether the client needs someone to collect prescriptions or support them with paying bills, domiciliary care workers can help to make daily life easier. 

Accompanying clients to appointments

Getting to medical appointments, social gatherings, or other outings can be difficult. A domiciliary care assistant can provide transport and accompany your loved one, ensuring they can continue to access essential services and enjoy social activities. This additional support is invaluable.

Supporting with prescribed routines

If a doctor or physiotherapist has recommended specific routines, such as exercises, a domiciliary support worker can help your loved one follow these. They provide encouragement and assistance as outlined by health professionals.

Monitoring and reporting

The job description of a domiciliary care worker should always include accurate record-keeping. Care workers must maintain clear and accurate records of the care provided.  This ongoing support ensures your care plan remains up-to-date and responsive to your needs. 

When might someone need a domiciliary care assistant?

There are many situations where a domiciliary care assistant can provide much-needed extra support. If you or your loved one is finding certain aspects of daily life more challenging, it might be time to consider domiciliary care services.

Home care can be useful for a broad range of circumstances, including:

• Elderly people: As people get older, they may need additional support with daily tasks like personal care, meal preparation, or household tasks. Domiciliary care allows elderly people to remain in their own homes rather than moving to residential care.
• People with physical disabilities: People with physical disabilities may require assistance with mobility, personal care tasks, or other activities to live independently. A domiciliary carer provides tailored support to meet these specific needs.
• People recovering from illness or surgery: After a hospital stay or illness, you might need temporary support workers to help with recovery at home. This could include help with personal care, light chores, and ensuring a safe environment.
• People with different conditions: Domiciliary care can provide structured support for people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions, helping them with their daily routine, social engagement, and managing their homes. The focus is always on support and assistance, with guidance from their GP for advice.
• People who usually receive care from family or friends: Family members often provide significant care. Domiciliary care services can offer respite, giving unpaid carers a much-needed break, knowing their loved one is receiving quality care.
• Those with sensory impairments: People with visual or hearing impairments might need help with tasks that have become difficult due to their condition.
• Anyone needing ongoing support: For people with long-term conditions, domiciliary care offers consistent and reliable ongoing support, adapting as needs change over time. This allows for continuity of care within the familiar environment of home.

If you recognise yourself or your loved one in these examples, it might be time to think about home care. Exploring domiciliary care could help to maximise your independence and well-being. 

It’s about getting the right level of support at the right time, in the place you feel most comfortable.

How does domiciliary care support independent living at home?

One of the primary aims of domiciliary care is to help people continue living independently in their own homes. By receiving personalised care in a familiar environment, your loved one can retain a sense of control and comfort, and improve their quality of life.

Here’s how domiciliary care services foster independence:

Staying in familiar surroundings

Staying in your own home, surrounded by personal belongings and memories, is incredibly important for many. If they live with a partner or family member, or have pets, they might want to stay with them. Domiciliary care makes this possible, avoiding the often stressful move to residential care or nursing homes. 

Not only that, but staying at home means a client can continue to see their usual GP, optician, and other local healthcare providers. 

These familiar surroundings and people contribute to emotional well-being.

Personalised support

Domiciliary care is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Care plans are developed around the specific needs, preferences, and routines of each person. Clients don’t need to follow the schedule of a care home, and can follow their own routines. 

This tailored support ensures your loved one receives help exactly where they need it, promoting their ability to manage other aspects of their life independently. You get your own carer who understands your needs.

Maintaining routines and hobbies

Living at home means your loved one can continue with their established daily routine and hobbies. Whether it's gardening, reading, or socialising with neighbours in the local area, domiciliary carers can provide the support needed to continue these enjoyable activities.

One-to-one attention

Unlike in many group settings, domiciliary care provides dedicated one-to-one support from a care assistant. This means the paid carer can focus entirely on your loved one's needs, offering consistent and attentive care.

Maximising independence

The role of a domiciliary care worker is to assist, not take over. They encourage service users to do as much for themselves as possible, providing help only when necessary. This approach helps maintain existing skills and confidence.

Emotional well-being and companionship

Companionship domiciliary care can help combat loneliness and promote positive mental health. Regular social interaction and having someone to talk to can make a huge difference to overall happiness and independence.

Flexible and adaptable care

Needs can change over time, and care plans are reviewed regularly. Domiciliary care services are flexible and can be adjusted, from several visits a week to live-in care if required. This adaptability and person-centred care means your loved one always has the right level of additional support. 

If you manage your funds via a personal care allowance, you often have even more say in choosing your private carers.

Cost-effective solution

Often, domiciliary care can be a more cost-effective option than residential care. 

You only pay for the specific services and time you need, which can be managed through a personal budget or direct payment from the local council or local authority after a needs assessment. 

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to use benefits like Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

Support for the whole family

Knowing your loved one is safe and well-cared for at home provides peace of mind for the entire family. It allows families to enjoy quality time together without the primary focus always being on care tasks.

All the benefits of domiciliary care work together to create an environment where your loved one can thrive independently, enjoying life in the comfort and security of their own home. 

Conclusion

Domiciliary care workers are vital for people who need extra support at home. 

From assistance with personal care and household tasks to providing vital companionship care, a domiciliary care assistant helps to maximise independence and quality of life for those they support, allowing them to stay in their familiar surroundings.

At Tiggo Care, our domiciliary care services are built around your specific needs and preferences. Our award-winning care assistants provide compassionate and professional support, ensuring you or your loved one can continue to live a fulfilling life at home. We offer a broad range of assistance, always with a focus on personalised care and helping you to live your life your way.

If you're considering domiciliary care jobs or seeking quality care for a loved one, we are here to help. Contact us today to speak with our friendly team and find out how our domiciliary care services can support you or your loved one to live independently, safely, and comfortably at home