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Practical Help
at Home
Caring at home can involve practical tasks that many people have never had to manage before. You may be helping someone wash, dress, move around, take medication, eat, drink, use the toilet, or get comfortable.
This can feel daunting, especially if their needs are changing or you are worried about doing something wrong. You do not have to work it all out alone. GPs, district nurses, community nurses, occupational therapists, social care teams and hospice teams may all be able to help, depending on the person's situation.
This page explains some of the practical support that may be available at home, and when to ask for more help.
Day to Day Care
Day-to-day care means the ordinary things someone may need help with at home. This could include getting washed and dressed, eating and drinking, using the toilet, moving safely, taking medication, or settling comfortably.
Some of these tasks may feel manageable at first, but they can become harder as someone's illness, frailty or symptoms change. It is common for carers to feel unsure, especially if they have not had any training.
Ask for advice if you are worried about safety, lifting, medication, personal care, falls, pain, breathlessness or confusion. The person's GP, district nurse, community nurse, hospice team or social care team may be able to explain what support is available and how to manage care safely.
Keeping Care Safe
Care at home needs to be safe for both the person being cared for and the person providing care. Trying to lift, move or support someone without advice can put you both at risk.
It is also important to ask for help if care needs have changed. For example, the person may be falling more often, eating or drinking less, becoming more breathless, missing medication, seeming confused, or needing more personal care than before.
If something no longer feels manageable, that is a valid reason to ask for a review or more support. If there is an immediate risk to someone's safety, call 999.
Health Care at Home
If someone is being cared for at home, their GP will usually remain an important point of contact. The GP may also coordinate referrals to other professionals, depending on the person's needs.
Support at home might involve district nurses, community nurses, healthcare assistants, palliative care nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers or hospice teams. These professionals can help with different aspects of care, including symptoms, medication, mobility, comfort, emotional support and practical planning.
You can ask who is involved in the person's care, what each service does, and who to contact if something changes.
Equipment and Adaptations
Equipment can make home care safer, easier and more comfortable. It may also help someone stay independent for longer.
This might include walking aids, grab rails, a raised toilet seat, bathing equipment, a commode, pressure cushions or mattresses, ramps, or a specialist bed. The right equipment will depend on the person's needs and the layout of their home.
An occupational therapist may be able to assess what is needed and help arrange equipment or adaptations. Small changes can make a significant difference, especially when someone's mobility, strength or comfort changes.
Coming Home from Hospital
If someone is coming home from hospital, it is important to understand what support will be in place before they are discharged.
Ask whether there is a discharge plan, whether medication has changed, who will provide care at home, whether any equipment is needed, and who to contact if there is a problem. You can also ask whether follow-up appointments are needed and whether carers need any information or training.
A clear plan can make the move home feel safer and less confusing. Do not be afraid to say if the proposed arrangements do not feel manageable.
Breaks and Respite
Respite means support that gives carers a break from caring. A break does not have to mean going away. It may simply mean having regular time when someone else takes responsibility for care.
Respite might involve someone coming into the home, a sitting service, support from family or friends, a day centre, an activity group, overnight care, or a short stay in residential care.
Breaks matter. They can give you time to rest, attend appointments, shop, work, see a friend, or simply be off duty for a while. If caring is becoming too much, ask for help before things reach crisis point.
Useful Resources
You may find it helpful to speak to your GP, district nurse, community nurse, occupational therapist, hospice team or social care team if you need practical support at home.
Useful sources of information include:
Important note
This information does not replace medical advice. If someone’s symptoms, pain, breathing, confusion, mobility or safety changes suddenly, contact their GP, NHS 111, their care team, or emergency services if there is an immediate risk.