What can a home carer do and what can’t they do?

A home carer visits you in your own home to help with everyday tasks, such as washing, dressing, preparing meals and getting out and about.

The support is based on a care plan agreed with you, so it can look different for everyone.

If you are considering home care for the first time, you may want to know whether a carer can help with shopping, medication, personal care and tasks outside their usual role.

Because there is no single list that applies to every provider, what a carer can do depends on your needs, care plan, their training and the services the provider offers.

This guide explains the support home carers commonly provide, where the boundaries can be, and what to ask when comparing providers.

What does a home carer do?

A home carer, sometimes called a domiciliary care worker, comes to your home to help with daily tasks and support your independence.

The type and amount of help you receive depends on your care needs and care plan.

People may arrange home care after a hospital stay, because everyday tasks have become more difficult, or because they need ongoing support with a long-term condition.

Unlike residential care, you remain in your own home and keep your usual routines.

The level of support can also change over time.

Someone might start with a few visits each week and need more frequent care as their needs change.

Level of support	What it typically looks like
A few hours a week	Help with shopping, light housework or appointments
Daily visits	Personal care, meals and medication support
Live-in support	A carer lives in your home and provides support throughout the day

The exact duties will always depend on what has been agreed with the provider.

If you are new to home care, you can also read our guide on what to expect when you start receiving home care.

What personal care can a home carer provide?

Personal care covers everyday tasks that can become difficult to manage alone.

Depending on your care plan, a home carer may help with:

• Washing, bathing and showering: helping you wash safely, including getting in and out of the bath or shower.
• Dressing and undressing: helping with clothes, buttons, zips and other tasks that have become difficult.
• Toileting and continence: providing discreet support with the toilet, commode or continence products.
• Oral hygiene and grooming: helping with brushing teeth, shaving, hair care and other everyday grooming.
• Getting in and out of bed: helping you move safely at the start and end of the day.
• Mobility and transfers: supporting you when moving around the home or transferring between a bed, chair or wheelchair, where this is part of the care plan.
• Eating and drinking: helping at mealtimes and encouraging you to drink enough throughout the day.

Your preferences, routines and the level of help you want should be reflected in your care plan.

Can a home carer do housework and shopping?

A home carer may help with everyday household tasks and shopping, but this is generally intended to support your care and wellbeing rather than provide a full cleaning service.

Depending on your care plan, this may include:

• Grocery shopping: doing your weekly shop or accompanying you to the shops.
• Collecting prescriptions: collecting medication from the pharmacy where this has been agreed.
• Washing up and laundry: washing dishes, doing laundry and putting clothes away.
• Changing bedding: helping keep bedding clean and changed regularly.
• Light cleaning: wiping surfaces, vacuuming and keeping frequently used areas tidy.
• Putting out rubbish: helping with household waste and collection days.

Heavy cleaning, gardening and home maintenance are usually outside a standard home care package. If household support is important to you, check exactly what is included when comparing providers, as this can vary.

Can a home carer give medication?

A home carer may be able to prompt you to take medication or administer it, depending on their training, the provider’s procedures, your care plan and a risk assessment.

Prompting means reminding you to take your medication, while administering means the carer actually gives it to you.

These are different responsibilities, and carers must be appropriately trained and assessed before administering medication.

Type of support	What it involves	Who can provide it
Collecting prescriptions	Picking up medication from the pharmacy	Carers where this is agreed in the care plan
Prompting	Reminding you to take medication at the right time, without physically giving it to you	Carers where this is part of their agreed duties
Administering	Giving tablets, creams, drops or patches	Carers trained, assessed as competent and authorised to do so
Specialist administration	Injections, tube-fed medication or similar	Carers with appropriate training and where the task has been appropriately delegated

Not every carer can provide every type of medication support.

More complex medicines or procedures may require additional training or involvement from a healthcare professional.

PS: Rules and arrangements can vary across the UK, so ask the provider what their carers are trained and authorised to do.

Can a home carer take you shopping or to appointments?

A home carer may be able to accompany you to shops, GP or hospital appointments, social activities and other outings, depending on your care plan and what the provider offers.

This support might include:

• Shopping trips: accompanying you to the shops.
• GP and hospital appointments: helping you get there, wait for your appointment and remember what was discussed.
• Social activities: accompanying you to clubs, classes or events.
• Visiting friends and family: helping you stay connected with people who matter to you.
• Walks and outings: providing company while you get some fresh air or take part in local activities.

Transport arrangements vary between providers.

A carer may use their own vehicle, your vehicle, public transport or a taxi, so check what is available and whether any additional costs apply before arranging care.

Can a home carer provide companionship?

Home care is not only about practical tasks such as getting out of bed, dressing or grooming.

Companionship can also be an important part of support, particularly for someone who spends long periods at home or lives alone.

Regular contact with a familiar carer can provide conversation and company, while helping someone maintain their usual routine and stay connected with others.

For families, regular visits can also be reassuring when they live far away or cannot check in as often as they would like.

Companionship might include:

• Conversation: talking about the day, catching up on news or sharing stories.
• A cup of tea together: enjoying simple, everyday moments.
• Hobbies: doing a puzzle, reading, watching a favourite programme or enjoying a shared interest.
• Walks and outings: having company while going for a walk or taking part in local activities.

For many people, companionship alongside practical support can become an important part of staying socially connected and maintaining a familiar routine.

Can home carers help with dementia?

Living with dementia can make everyday routines more difficult, but the right home care can provide steady support while helping someone remain in familiar surroundings.

Making changes to the home can also help someone with dementia stay safe and comfortable.

See our guide to the top 10 ways to make your home dementia-friendly.

The type of support available depends on the provider, as not every home care service offers specialist dementia care. Ask about a carer’s experience and training before deciding.

This support may include:

• Routines, meals and hydration: helping maintain familiar patterns throughout the day and encouraging regular meals and drinks.
• Personal care and medication: helping with washing, dressing and other daily tasks, as well as providing medication reminders or other agreed support.
• Companionship and activities: spending time together, having conversations, enjoying familiar hobbies or taking part in simple activities.
• Getting out safely: providing company during walks, appointments or outings while considering safety.
• Reassurance and orientation: offering gentle reminders about time, place or people without creating unnecessary pressure.

In England, the Code of Conduct for Adult Social Care Workers sets expectations around dignity, communication, privacy, safety and professional behaviour.

If dementia support is an important part of your family’s care needs, ask the provider about their carers’ experience, training and approach to dementia care.

What can’t a home carer do?

There isn’t one universal list of things a home carer cannot do. Generally, carers cannot diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medicines or change prescribed doses. Other tasks, including clinical procedures, medication administration, handling money and higher-risk activities, depend on the carer’s training, competence, care plan and the provider’s policies. Understanding a carer’s duty of care can also help explain why some tasks may be outside their role.

Read our guide to what duty of care means in health and social care to learn more.

Area	What a home carer may not be able to do
Clinical procedures	A home carer may not be able to carry out clinical procedures unless appropriately trained and delegated to do so.
Diagnosis and medication	They cannot diagnose conditions, prescribe medicines or change medication doses.
Heavy household tasks	Heavy cleaning, gardening, DIY and other high-risk household tasks may also fall outside their role.
Routine toenail care	Routine toenail care may be included as personal care, but people with diabetes, poor circulation, reduced sensation, wounds, infection or other foot problems may need a podiatrist.
Financial and legal matters	Carers should only handle money or support financial transactions where this has been formally agreed and appropriate safeguards are in place. They should not make financial or legal decisions on someone’s behalf unless there is appropriate legal authority, and must follow their provider’s policies on gifts and loans.
Complex care	Some providers have specially trained staff who can provide more complex care, so ask what support they can offer.

If you need support not listed in your care plan, ask the provider whether they can offer it or arrange additional support.

What if I need help with something my carer can’t do?

If you need support that your carer cannot provide, speak to your home care provider.

They may be able to review your care needs, adjust your care plan or arrange a carer with additional training.

For some needs, another professional may also be involved.

This could include a district nurse, occupational therapist or another healthcare professional, depending on the type of support required.

How is it decided what my home carer will do?

Your home care should be based on your individual needs, preferences and what is safe for you and your carer.

Before care begins, the provider should discuss the support you need and use this information to create your care plan.

You may discuss:

• Daily routines: when you usually get up, eat and go to bed, and how you prefer things to be done.
• Personal care: whether you need help with washing, dressing, using the toilet or other everyday tasks.
• Medication: whether you need reminders or other agreed support with your medication.
• Mobility and safety: how you move around your home, any risks that need to be considered and whether you need help going out.
• Preferences: your interests, communication needs, cultural preferences and anything that helps you feel comfortable.
• Changes in your needs: what should happen if your health, mobility or circumstances change.

Your care plan should set out the agreed tasks, visit times and frequency.

Review it if your needs change, and involve yourself in care decisions wherever possible.

How do I find a home care provider that offers the support I need?

Start by writing down the help you need now and anything you may need support with in the future.

When comparing providers, ask the same questions so you can see how each service would meet your needs.

Check out this home care services comparison checklist:

• Care needs: Can you provide everything in my care plan? Are there any tasks you cannot provide?
• Dementia or complex care: Do your carers have relevant training and experience if specialist support is needed?
• Medication: Can carers provide medication reminders or other agreed medication support?
• Visits: Can you offer the days, times and visit lengths I need?
• Going out: Can carers accompany me to appointments, shopping or activities?
• Changing needs: How would my care plan be reviewed if my needs change?
• Carer continuity: Will I usually see the same carers, or will this vary?
• Costs: What will I pay, and are there any additional charges?
• Care standards: Is the provider registered with the relevant regulator, where required?

The answers can help you compare what each provider offers, rather than choosing based on cost or availability alone.

You can find home care providers near you on homecare.co.uk and use these questions when making your shortlist.