When it comes to providing care for the elderly or individuals with physical and mental disabilities, domiciliary care can be a viable and smart option. 

What is Domiciliary Care?

Domiciliary care, also known as home care, is a form of care provided to individuals within their own homes. It is delivered by trained professionals and includes a wide range of services, such as personal care, medication management, meal preparation, and companionship.

Importance of domiciliary care in the UK

For many individuals, moving into a care home can be a daunting and distressing experience, and domiciliary care provides a comfortable and familiar environment of their own homes. Domiciliary care also enables individuals to maintain their daily routines and social connections, which can have a positive impact on their mental and emotional wellbeing.

With an ageing population, there is a growing need for more quality care services. Also, domiciliary care can be quite expensive for around £20 per hour on average and many struggle to afford the care they need. This results in a number of individuals relying on unpaid carers (family and friends), which can lead to increased stress and pressure on their families and carers.

Advantages of Domiciliary Care

Enables seniors to remain in their own homes

Their homes become a source of comfort and familiarity for seniors. Moving away from their homes can be a stressful experience, especially for seniors who may require assistance with their daily living activities or with dementia. Domiciliary care enables seniors to remain in their homes while receiving the necessary support to maintain their quality of life.

Increased independence and control over daily activities

Domiciliary care promotes independence. Seniors are encouraged to participate in their care plan and are provided with assistance only where needed. This approach empowers seniors and enhances their self-esteem and allows seniors to maintain control over their daily activities, which is crucial for their overall well-being.

Personalised and flexible care

Domiciliary care plans are personalised to meet the specific needs of the senior, and are flexible enough to accommodate any changes in their condition. This level of personalised care ensures that seniors receive the care they need, when they need it.

Cost-effective compared to residential care

The cost of residential care can be prohibitively expensive, and is often beyond the financial means of many seniors. Domiciliary care, on the other hand, can be provided at a fraction of the cost, while still ensuring that seniors receive high-quality care.

Supports family caregivers

Family caregivers often struggle with balancing their caregiving responsibilities with their work and personal lives. Domiciliary care can help alleviate some of this burden by providing respite care to family caregivers, allowing them to take a break and attend to their own needs. This ensures that both the seniors and their caregivers receive the support they need to maintain their overall well-being.

Read our guide on arranging and accessing domiciliary care services.

How PCL Connect can support Domiciliary Care?

Even with domiciliary care in place , caregiving can be challenging for the family and caregivers. However, technology can be of useful help to improve the quality of care and the overall caregiving experience. Here are 4 ways in which PCL Connect can support domiciliary care.

• Remote health monitoring with PCL wellness watch

  One of the biggest challenges for domiciliary care providers is ensuring the health and safety of their patients. The PCL wellness watch is a wearable device that monitors vital signs and provides caregivers with real-time health data. The device can track blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation levels. The PCL wellness watch ensures that patients receive timely care and enables caregivers to track their patients' progress and adjust their care plans accordingly.
  
  

• Reduce Social isolation and loneliness

  Many elderly and disabled individuals suffer from social isolation and loneliness. PCL Connect offers a solution to this problem through voice calling and a digital photo album. Patients can connect with their loved ones through video calls and share photos with them using the digital photo album. These features help to improve the mental and emotional well-being of patients, reducing the risk of depression and anxiety.

• Improve oversight

  The PCL caregiver app allows family members to monitor their loved ones' care from a distance. The app provides real-time updates on their health vitals, medication reminders and appointment schedules. Family members can also communicate with the domiciliary care provider and receive updates on their loved one's health status. The PCL caregiver app helps to improve oversight, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
  
  

• Make caring efficient

  The medication reminder feature ensures that individuals receive their medication on time, reducing the risk of missed doses. Since all the caregivers get relevant information and can communicate with each other based on that whenever needed, this ensures better care coordination. Ultimately it helps to streamline the caregiving process, and make it more efficient.

Conclusion

In summary, domiciliary care offers numerous advantages for seniors who require assistance with their daily living activities. From enabling them to remain in their own homes, promoting independence and control, to providing personalised, flexible, and cost-effective care, domiciliary care is an excellent option for seniors who wish to maintain their quality of life while receiving the care they need. Additionally, it also supports family caregivers by providing respite care, which is essential for their well-being as well.