Moving a loved one back home after a period in a care home can be a rewarding decision, offering them the comfort of familiar surroundings, closer family connections and a sense of independence.
However, this transition requires careful planning and support to ensure it is safe, comfortable and sustainable for everyone involved. As you explore the options for bringing your loved one home, it’s helpful to understand the distinctions between home care and care homes and the considerations needed to make this shift as smooth as possible.
Below, we’ll outline the differences between home care and care homes, highlight the benefits of each, and provide guidance on the steps to prepare a loved one’s return home.
The difference between home care and care homes
When it comes to supporting individuals with advanced care needs, two main options often come to mind: home care and care homes. Each offers unique benefits and suits different lifestyles and preferences.
Care homes
Care homes are designed for those requiring full-time accommodation alongside support for daily living tasks.
There are two primary types of care homes:
- Residential homes: These provide residents with personal support for daily activities like eating, bathing and dressing. Residents typically have a private bedroom and bathroom but share communal spaces. Residential homes follow set schedules for meals, social events and other activities. Although some medical assistance is available, residential homes are not always equipped for complex medical care.
- Nursing homes: Nursing homes offer the same amenities as residential homes but must have at least one registered nurse on-site to support residents with more intensive health needs. Registered nurses oversee care plans, while care assistants provide hands-on support.
Home care
Home care enables individuals to receive support from a professional caregiver within their own home environment. This support ranges from occasional weekly visits to full-time live-in arrangements, based on the client’s needs. Home carers help with day-to-day activities, including personal care, domestic tasks and even pet care.
Why might someone return home after a care home?
Many people decide to return home after a stay in a care home due to a desire for more independence, the comfort of familiar surroundings, or to be closer to family and friends.
While care homes offer safety, structure and support for daily living, some people find that the routines and communal living arrangements don’t fit their preferred lifestyle. The ability to maintain a sense of control over daily routines, have personal belongings close at hand and be surrounded by familiar environments can all contribute to a person’s emotional and mental well-being.
In-home care presents an attractive alternative, as it offers dedicated support tailored to the individual’s unique needs. This allows them to experience the best aspects of professional care while remaining in the place they feel most comfortable. The benefits of home care also extend to family members, who can be more directly involved in their loved one’s daily care without the constraints of visiting hours or structured schedules.
For many, returning home with the support of personalised care offers an ideal solution, blending professional assistance with the comfort and familiarity that only home can provide.
Benefits of home care vs a care home
Opting for home care offers a host of advantages, particularly for those who prefer a more personalised approach to care. With live-in care, individuals benefit from a dedicated carer who can provide consistent, one-on-one support tailored to the unique needs of both the individual and their family.
In contrast, care homes often have a higher staff-to-resident ratio, with carers responsible for multiple residents, which can make it difficult to establish deep, familiar connections.
Beyond the personalised attention, research by The Live-In Care Hub highlights several significant benefits of home care:
- Lower risk of hip fractures: People receiving home care are three times less likely to experience a hip fracture than those in care homes, where mobility and fall risks can be greater.
- Reduced incidence of falls: Home care clients have one-third fewer falls compared to care home residents, thanks to tailored assistance and a familiar environment that reduces risk factors.
- Greater freedom and mobility: In care homes, approximately 30% reported that residents are unable to leave the grounds without a visitor’s assistance, which can feel restrictive. Home care allows individuals to maintain greater mobility and independence within their own communities.
- Pet companionship: Many residential care homes (up to 71%) do not allow pets. This can lead to difficult decisions for pet owners, with 20% of elderly individuals indicating they would risk their own health to avoid losing their pets. Home care, by contrast, enables clients to keep their pets, preserving the comfort and companionship they provide.
- Enhanced quality of life: An impressive 98% of individuals receiving live-in care report an improvement in their quality of life, as home care promotes comfort, familiarity and independence.
Home care offers a viable alternative for those who value the comfort of their own homes, the companionship of pets and a level of freedom that can sometimes be challenging to maintain in a traditional care home setting.
How to move a loved one back home
Transitioning a loved one from a care facility back to their own home can be a positive change, bringing them closer to family, a familiar environment and greater independence.
Here’s how to make this process as smooth as possible:
- Assess their needs
Start by evaluating your loved one’s specific care needs. Consider their physical and medical requirements, as well as any support they’ll need with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meals and medication management. Consulting with their healthcare provider can help outline a comprehensive care plan. - Set up home modifications
Preparing the home for safe and easy mobility is essential. Assess for modifications like grab bars in bathrooms, ramps for wheelchair access, slip-resistant mats and improved lighting. These changes can reduce fall risks and help them feel secure. - Organise In-home care
Consider hiring professional home care services to assist with daily tasks and personal care. Whether you need live-in support or occasional respite care visits, a dedicated caregiver can ease the workload on family members and ensure that your loved one receives consistent, compassionate care. - Arrange medical and therapy Services
Coordinate any necessary medical or therapy services that can be delivered at home, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or nursing visits. Many healthcare providers offer home-based care options to maintain health and mobility. - Establish a routine
A regular daily schedule can help ease the transition back home. Structure the day around meals, activities, medications and personal care, so they know what to expect and feel more comfortable with the change. - Stay connected with support systems
Moving home doesn’t mean leaving behind the community of support. Keep in touch with their former caregivers or friends from the facility if they’d like and involve family and friends in visits to maintain social connections and mental well-being. - Check in regularly
After the transition, schedule regular check-ins to monitor how your loved one is adjusting. This can also be a good time to adjust the care plan as needed to better support them in their home environment.
How can Trinity Homecare help?
Trinity Homecare is a fully managed care agency with an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, placing Trinity amongst the top 4% of all nationwide care companies in England. With this in mind, you can rest assured that your loved one will receive the highest standard of care and specialist support.
If you have any questions about arranging nationwide live-in or visiting care, simply get in touch with our care team.
Arranging home care with Trinity is straightforward.
Simply follow these five steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A well-suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
