How to get help at home for elderly loved ones?

Finding the right help at home for your elderly loved one can feel like a big step, often coming at a time of stress or uncertainty. You might be reacting to a sudden illness, a hospital discharge, or a growing concern that your family member is struggling to cope alone.

It is natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. You want what is best for them, ensuring they are safe, happy, and able to live their life to the fullest in the comfort of their surroundings.

This guide is here to walk you through the process. We will explain the different types of home support available, how to arrange them, and what funding options you can explore. Whether you are just starting to consider care or are ready to make arrangements, this article will provide clear, straightforward advice to help you make informed decisions for your loved one.

What does ‘help at home' mean?

‘Help at home’ is a broad term for any service that provides support to a person in their own house. It allows your loved one to remain in a familiar and cherished environment while receiving the assistance they need. This type of care is also known as domiciliary care or, sometimes, home help. It is a flexible solution designed to adapt to a person's changing needs.

The support can be temporary, perhaps for a few weeks to help your loved one recover after an illness or a stay in the hospital. It can also be a long-term arrangement, providing ongoing assistance with daily life. The goal is to maximise independence and quality of life. From a home care visit to help with meals and medication to live-in care, the service is built around the specific requirements of the person receiving it.

Signs your loved one might need extra help

It can be difficult to recognise when the time is right to introduce extra support. The changes can be gradual, and your loved one may be reluctant to mention they are struggling. Being aware of the common signs can help you start the conversation in a sensitive and supportive way.

Here are some things to look out for:

• Changes in appearance: You might notice your loved one is looking unkempt, is wearing dirty clothes, or has poor personal hygiene. This could indicate that tasks like bathing and dressing have become difficult.
• An untidy home: A house that is unusually cluttered, messy, or dirty could be a sign that domestic tasks like cleaning and laundry are becoming too much to handle.
• Poor diet or weight loss: Look for out-of-date food in the fridge, a lack of fresh food, or noticeable weight loss. Your loved one may be finding it hard to go shopping or prepare regular meals.
• Forgetfulness: While some memory loss can be a normal part of ageing, repeated forgetfulness, such as missing appointments or forgetting medication, can be a cause for concern.
• Unexplained injuries: Bruises or scrapes could suggest your loved one has had a fall or is unsteady on their feet, increasing their risk of a more serious injury.
• Social withdrawal: Have they stopped participating in hobbies or seeing friends and family? A loss of confidence or difficulty with mobility can lead to isolation.
• Difficulty with mobility: You may notice them struggling to get up from a chair, navigate stairs, or move around the house safely.

If you recognise any of these signs, it may be time to discuss the possibility of arranging some professional support at home.

What types of home help services are available?

When you begin to explore your options, you will find a wide range of services available to support your loved one. The key is to find the right level and type of assistance to suit their specific circumstances. At Tiggo Care, we offer a full range of flexible homecare services designed to meet the unique needs of all our clients. This is often an excellent alternative to moving into a residential care facility.

The main types of support include:

• Personal care: This is one of the most common forms of support. A carer can provide dignified and respectful assistance with washing, dressing, using the toilet, and other personal routines. Good personal care helps your loved one feel fresh and confident each day.
• Companionship care: Loneliness can have a significant impact on mental and physical health. A companion carer can provide friendly company, share a cup of tea and a chat, or accompany your loved one on social outings, helping them stay connected to their community.
• Help with domestic tasks: A carer can lend a hand with day-to-day household chores like light cleaning, doing the laundry, and changing bed linen. This ensures your loved one’s home remains a clean, safe, and pleasant place to live.
• Meal preparation: Good nutrition is vital. Our home care support includes assistance with grocery shopping and preparing healthy, delicious meals, ensuring your loved one is eating well.
• Medication assistance: Remembering to take the right medication at the right time is crucial. While a carer cannot prescribe medicine, they can provide reminders and help your loved one stick to the routine set out by their GP.
• Specialist care: Many homecare agencies, including Tiggo Care, provide carers with specific training to support people with complex conditions like dementia care. This specialised knowledge ensures your loved one receives understanding and effective support.

How to get help at home in the UK?

Once you have decided that your loved one could benefit from extra support, the next step is knowing how to get a home carer. In the UK, there are two main pathways you can follow to arrange care. You can either go through your local council or arrange it privately.

1. Arranging care through your Local Council

If you think your loved one might be eligible for financial assistance, the first step is to contact the adult social care department of their local council. You can ask them for a needs assessment.

• The Needs Assessment: A care needs assessment is a free evaluation carried out by the council to understand your loved one’s care needs. A trained professional, often a social worker or occupational therapist, will talk to your loved one about their daily life, what they can manage on their own, and what they find difficult. It is a good idea for you or another family member to be present to offer support and contribute to the conversation.
• Eligibility for Support: After the assessment, the council will decide if your loved one is eligible for support based on national criteria. If they are eligible, the council has a duty to help them get the necessary care and help. They will work with you to create a care plan outlining the type of support needed.
• Arranging the Care: The council can then arrange the care on your behalf, typically using one of the homecare agencies they partner with in the local area. Even if your loved one is not eligible for funding, the council must still provide free information and advice on where to find help and support locally.

2. Arranging care privately

Many families choose to arrange care directly with a private agency like Tiggo Care. This route offers more choice and control over the type of care and the specific carer your loved one receives. This is often the preferred option if your loved one is not eligible for council funding or if you want to top up the support the council provides.

• Finding a Provider: You can search online for home care providers in your area. It is important to choose a reputable agency that is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC inspects and rates all care services in England, and their reports are available online. This helps ensure you are choosing a provider that meets national standards of quality and safety.
• The Tiggo Care Approach: At Tiggo Care, we believe in a personal match. We take the time to understand your loved one’s needs, personality, and preferences. We then pair them with a carer who we believe will be a great fit, not just in terms of skills but also in companionship. Our goal is to build a trusting and supportive relationship from day one. When you are looking for how to get care at home, a private agency can offer a swift and tailored solution.

Funding help at home – What are your options?

Understanding the cost of care is a major concern for most families. The amount you will need to pay can vary depending on your loved one’s needs and financial circumstances. Here are the main funding routes.

1. Council Funding

If the council’s assessment determines that your loved one needs care, they will then carry out a financial assessment (or means test) to determine if you're eligible for council funding. If you have less than £23,250 in savings (known as the upper capital limit, or UCL), the local council may be able to help pay for your social care.

This looks at your loved one’s income and savings to work out how much they should contribute towards their care costs.

• The Financial Assessment: The council has thresholds for capital and savings. If your loved one’s savings are above the upper threshold (which changes annually), they will usually be expected to pay the full cost of their care. This is known as being a ‘self-funder’.
• Council Contribution: If their savings fall between the upper and lower thresholds, they will be expected to contribute, and the council will pay for the rest. If their savings are below the lower threshold, the council will fund a larger portion of their care, though they will still likely need to contribute from their income.
• Direct Payments: If the council agrees to fund some or all of the care, they may offer a personal budget to support the individual. You can receive this as a direct payment, which gives you the control to choose and pay for your own care provider, such as an independent agency like Tiggo Care, rather than being limited to the council’s choices.

2. Self-Funding

If your loved one is not eligible for council funding, you will need to arrange and pay for care privately, which we refer to as self-funding. You can do this by contacting private carers or reputable homecare agencies directly.

While this requires you to cover the full cost, it gives you complete freedom to choose the provider and type of service that best suits your loved one, ensuring they receive truly personalised care in their own home. When considering how do I get home care privately, it's wise to speak to several providers to compare their services and costs.

3. NHS Continuing Healthcare

In some cases, if your loved one has significant and complex health needs, they may be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. This is a package of care that is fully funded by the NHS, including any home care help.

Eligibility is based on a person’s health needs, not their financial situation. You can ask your GP or the hospital staff if you think your loved one might qualify. The assessment process is thorough, but if successful, it covers the full cost of care.

4. Attendance Allowance and Other Benefits

Make sure your loved one is receiving all the state benefits they are entitled to. Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of an illness or disability. It can be a significant help with home care costs. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is available for those under State Pension age.

5. Support From Charities

It is also worth exploring support from charitable organisations. While not a replacement for statutory funding or private care, they can offer valuable assistance. You can contact a charity such as the Royal Voluntary Service, the British Red Cross or your local Age UK to see whether they can help (it may not be free).

Conclusion

Arranging help and home care is a significant step, but it can profoundly improve your loved one’s quality of life and provide your family with much-needed peace of mind. By understanding the signs that support is needed, exploring the types of care support at home, and knowing how to navigate the funding options, you are in a much stronger position to make the right choice. The goal is always to maximise maintaining independence and ensure your loved one can continue to live a happy and fulfilled life in the place they feel most comfortable.

At Tiggo Care, we provide compassionate and professional home care services across London. We understand that every person is unique, which is why we create a bespoke care plan for all our customers. Our dedicated carers are trained to assist with everything from personal care and meal preparation to simply providing companionship and helping at home. We can help with home adaptations and ensure the right equipment is in place.

Contact Tiggo Care today to organise personalised support that fits around your family’s life.