10 advantages of home care

When it comes to understanding the benefits of home care vs residential care, there are practical things to think about including costs. It is good to weigh up home care advantages and disadvantages before you decide what type of care is right for you or a family member.

Advantages of home care

There are many advantages and benefits to home care but when it comes to deciding between home care and residential care, you may be unsure which option is best for you or even what each really offers. To help you decide whether care at home is the right option for you, we have compiled a list of the top 10 home care benefits.

1. Home care lets you remain in familiar surroundings

A big advantage of care at home is that it allows you to continue to live where you are the most safe and comfortable, in your own home surrounded by friends and family.

This is something that’s important to most people, but may be particularly relevant for older people and those living with dementia. It is common to have lived in the same place for a long time, collecting memories and personal items which can be difficult to separate from. Care at home enables you to keep sleeping in your own bed and relaxing in your own garden.

Receiving care at home also makes it possible to stay close by to the people you love. For example, if only one person in an elderly couple needs care, choosing to receive care at home rather than in a residential setting avoids separation. Separation can cause anxiety and worry for everyone involved.

2. No need to uproot and sell your home

If you choose to move into a care home, it may be necessary to sell your home to cover the fees. Selling your home and all the complications that come with it is a stressful event at any stage of life. And when the need for care occurs suddenly, selling your home alongside trying to find care can be extremely challenging. 

Choosing home care over residential care removes the worries of everything that selling your home involves. Such as what to do with all your things, estate agent fees and the emotional toll that comes with moving away from a space where you feel safe.

3. Home care is flexible to suit your needs

Another benefit of home care is that you will receive a personalised care plan fully tailored to your needs, preferences and lifestyle.

Home care can be arranged on a temporary basis. For example if you require reablement following a hospital stay or an injury, or it can be arranged for the longer-term. You will have the option of short visits all the way through to 24-hour live-in care if this is what you require.

How carers assist you will also be based around what you need. 

For example, they can offer assistance with general activities such as:

• Housework
• Planning and preparing meals
• Getting in and out of bed each day
• Accompanying you for trips out
• Companionship at home

Carer workers can also support you with medical tasks including:

• Managing and taking medication
• Changing stoma bags
• Treating and caring for wounds
• Attending medical appointments

There are various types of home care available, such as personal care, dementia care and nursing care.

4. You only pay for the care you need 

Another advantage to home care is that when you receive home care, the fees involved are only for the time that you are being cared for as opposed to in residential care where costs often also cover things like utility bills. For example, if a care worker visits you three times per week, and each visit is one hour, you will only pay for those three hours.

Do bear in mind that care providers offer different minimum care visits, some will offer an hour as minimum where others will offer 30 minutes. You should consider this when choosing your provider and weighing up the costs. 

How much does home care cost?

As of 2025, the cost of home care in the UK is between £23 to £34 per hour. Live-in care fees start at around £900 to £1,400 a week but can go up to £2,000. It is important to note that fees vary depending on your needs as well as the provider you choose. 

Please visit our home care fees guide for more information.  

5. Retain independence and lifestyle

Although the need for care can inevitably impact some parts of your life, it shouldn’t be detrimental to your independence. Home care can be provided to fit around your lifestyle and schedule. This empowers you to continue living life the way you choose.

The extra home care support might even make it possible to return to the things you love doing, where your health may have previously prevented you from doing so.

A good home care provider will empower you to live a fulfilled and active life, whatever that means to you. 

6. Maintain relationships

Receiving care at home also means that you can continue to welcome visitors whenever you choose. Perhaps you are a part of a club or organisation that meets at certain times or your family has regular Sunday dinners. With care at home you can continue to spend your time with others as much as you wish. 

With home care, you’re able to maintain relationships with your family, friends and people in your community. You can continue to spend the same amount of time with them as you usually would.

7. Person-centred, one-to-one care

Home care services are highly personalised, and you will receive one-to-one care each time a care worker visits you. This means that for the duration of their visit, the care worker will be fully focused on just you. This allows them to be more dedicated to get to know you as a person. They can understand your needs and provide care and support to suit you.

This also makes it easier for you to become comfortable with receiving additional care. In a residential care setting, you’ll see a number of care professionals each day. For some people, this can be overwhelming to begin with. With care at home, you will usually have one or two care workers assigned to you, so there are less people to get to know. You can build on those relationships much more quickly whilst adjusting to your new routine.

8. Your family can be more involved

When you move into residential care, sometimes a suitable care home for your needs may be further away from your family. This is particularly difficult if they provide regular support and companionship.

The benefits of home care allow your family member to continue to be involved in your care and play a larger part in your care plan. They can advocate for you if it’s ever necessary to do so.

9. End of life and palliative care in your own home

Being diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or nearing the end of your life does not mean that you have to move away to receive care. 

Although the same services may not be available at home (compared to a hospital or care home) receiving end of life care at home allows you to spend your last weeks or even years in the comfort of your own home. This can be reassuring for you as well as your family and friends.

Anyone approaching end of life is entitled to high-quality care, wherever they wish to be cared for. You can read more about receiving end of life care or palliative care at home.

10. Pets allowed

The tenth great advantage of receiving home care is keeping your pets close. Some care homes do not allow pets and it can be difficult to come to terms with leaving them.

Pets provide comfort and companionship and can have a hugely positive impact on wellbeing. For many people, pets are an extremely important part of their life. Having pets around can make a big difference, especially if they’ve lost loved ones. 

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Starting to receive home care will come with some changes to your daily life. You can read more here about what to expect when you start receiving home care