As people get older and require more assistance with their daily tasks, home care is often considered as an option.
But is home care worthwhile?
Home care (also known as domiciliary care) is help provided to ensure the activities of daily living (ADL’s) can be met.
New research found no consistent evidence that older people live longer or lead more independent lives lives as a result of home care.
The study – Preventive Home Visits for Mortality, Morbidity and Institutionalisation in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – reviewed research conducted over the past twenty years, looking at outcomes for older people who used home care services.
Researchers at Oxford University and University College London looked closely at 64 randomised control trials in the UK, US and Canada.
These studies involved over 29,000 people over the age of 65 who were living independently. Researchers looked at the impact of home care on mortality rates, falls, the risks of injury and illness, rates of hospitalisation or institutionalisation, and the overall quality of life.
Despite receiving home care, the researchers found no robust or consistent evidence that home care services provided any measurable benefit to the elderly.
This was largely due to the poor quality of data, leaving researchers to admit they could not rule out the possibility that some forms of home care might be effective.
For those requiring care in later life, a choice often needs to be made between home care and residential care.
Carefully considering both options, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, and the costs associated with both is essential.
Here at Informed Choice, we are neutral when it comes to either home care or residential care as the most worthwhile approach in terms of improving longevity, independence or quality of life.
Studies such as this one from the Oxford University and University College London researchers will provide useful information for individuals and their families to consider when thinking about the most suitable options for later life care services.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about care fees funding, or download our free guide to care fees planning:
The Informed Choice Care Fees Guide 2013-14
