Visiting care
Find compassionate visiting care with Elder. Get tailored support from just one hour a week to help your loved one live independently at home.
To help us find you the right carer, we just need to ask a few questions
2 minutes
What is visiting care?
Visiting care (also known as hourly care) provides professional support to your loved one at home, with a carer visiting at pre-agreed times. Unlike live-in care, the carer does not reside in the home. It is a flexible solution for individuals who need a little extra help with daily tasks but do not require round-the-clock support.
Visiting care can include help with a wide range of tasks, from assistance with bathing and dressing to medication management, light housekeeping, and preparing meals. It’s also about providing companionship and emotional support, which can be invaluable for an individual’s wellbeing.
When do I need to consider visiting care for my loved one?
There is no “right time” to get help at home, but people often consider hourly care when a loved one is experiencing:
- Mobility or balance issues: After a fall or when they are becoming unsteady, a regular carer can help prevent future accidents and provide peace of mind.
- Difficulty with daily tasks: You may notice a change in personal hygiene, or that they are struggling to stay on top of household chores or meal preparation.
- Memory problems: When a loved one starts to forget to turn off appliances or is missing appointments, a carer can provide regular check-ins and reminders.
- Leaving the hospital: After an operation or illness, visiting care can provide the support needed for a smooth recovery and can prevent a loved one from having to stay in hospital unnecessarily.
- Feelings of loneliness: A carer provides a consistent, friendly face and much-needed companionship for those who feel isolated or are at risk of becoming withdrawn.
What visiting care services does Elder offer?
Our visiting carers are experienced in providing a wide range of services, all tailored to your loved one’s specific needs. We’ll match you with a carer who has the right skills and experience for the tasks your loved one needs support with.
Personal care
Support with personal tasks to help your loved one stay safe and comfortable, including:
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Help with using the toilet.
- Medication reminders and prompting.
Companionship
A friendly face and a helping hand to combat loneliness and provide emotional support:
- Engaging in hobbies, conversation, and activities.
- Accompanying your loved one on outings or appointments.
- Assisting with meal preparation and eating.
Household help
Practical support around the home to maintain a clean and organised living space:
- Light housekeeping, such as tidying and vacuuming.
- Laundry and ironing.
- Running errands, including grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions.
Why choose Elder for visiting care?
More Choice
Choose from carers tailored to your loved one's requirements and speak with them to ensure they're the right fit. Easy to change if you're not satisfied.
More Support
Our family support specialists ensure you get the right care for your loved one, whilst our clinical teams ensure their needs are safely met.
More Control
With our custom-built app, you can manage and set your care hours, as well as collaborate with your family so everyone stays informed and connected.
Where can I find Elder's visiting care service?
Elder's visiting care service is available in a growing number of locations across the UK. We have a network of trusted, compassionate carers ready to provide support in the following areas:
If your loved one's location isn't on the list, please call our Care Advisors to find out if we can help.
How much does visiting care cost?
With Elder, costs for visiting care can start from £30 per hour, depending on the services your loved one needs. It is highly recommended to explore all available funding options before they start paying for care.
Local authority funding
Your loved one may be eligible for financial assistance from their local council to help with care costs. The first step is to request a care needs assessment and a financial assessment to determine their eligibility. If they are found to be eligible, the council will provide you with a personal budget which can be managed directly by you as a direct payment, giving you full control over your care provider.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
If your loved one is living with an on-going health condition, they may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. This form of funding will cover every penny of their care costs, but is reserved for complex conditions which may fall outside the scope of what a self-employed carer can provide.
How do I arrange visiting care with Elder?
Arranging visiting care with Elder is a simple, three-step process:
Share your care request
Tell us your care requirements using our request form, including the type of care you’re looking for, any specialist skills you need, and what daily life looks like.
Select your carer
You’ll start receiving profiles of suitable self-employed carers within 24 hours. Chat to them online or arrange a phone or video call, before choosing who you like best.
Manage care
Once your agreement with your carer begins, use your MyElder account to chat with them and the Elder team, manage your schedule and care information, and find respite cover if you need it.
What our customers say
All carers on Elder pass a rigorous screening which includes a background check, character and skills assessment, and verifiable professional references. Only 2% of applicants are successful. As a result, 9 out of 10 customers are very satisfied with their first carer.
Explore other care options
At Elder, we provide a full range of home care services to suit every need. If your loved one requires around-the-clock support or your primary carer needs a temporary break, these options may be more suitable:
Live-in care
- A carer moves in with your loved one to support them 24/7
- Suitable for people living with conditions like dementia and reduced mobility
- For long-term care needs
Respite care
- A carer moves in for a few days to provide 24-hour support
- Suitable for covering a regular carer’s break or short-term care needs
- Minimum duration of 3 days
FAQs
Still have questions?
0333 920 3648What are the benefits of visiting care?
A visiting carer provides a number of key benefits, allowing your loved one to live more independently:
- Tailored and flexible: You get support precisely when you need it, for as little as one hour at a time. This flexibility means you only pay for the care you receive.
- Promotes independence: By providing support with daily tasks, visiting care helps your loved one remain in the familiar comfort of their own home.
- Provides peace of mind: Knowing your loved one has a regular, trusted carer provides reassurance for both them and you.
- Consistent companionship: Regular visits from the same carer help to build a strong, familiar relationship, which is vital for wellbeing and emotional support.
- Cost-effective: Visiting care is often a more affordable option compared to full-time residential or live-in care, as you only pay for the hours you book.
What is the difference between visiting care and live-in care?
The main difference is that with visiting care, a professional carer visits for a set number of hours per day or week and does not live in the home. Live-in care is for those who need 24/7 support, as the carer resides with them in their home to provide constant assistance and companionship. If your loved one requires a large number of hours, live-in care might be a more suitable and cost-effective option.
Is there a minimum number of hours I need to book?
No, you can book as little as one hour of visiting care. Our service is designed to be completely flexible, allowing you to create a care schedule that works for you and your loved one.
What does a visiting carer do?
A visiting carer provides tailored support to help your loved one with daily tasks. Their role is flexible and can include personal care, companionship, household help, and medication reminders.
Can the visiting carer administer medication?
Our carers can assist with non-controlled medications, including prompting and reminding your loved one to take their drugs. They are not permitted to administer controlled drugs or injections. If this is a hard requirement, it might make financial sense for you to have a nurse visit in addition to the main carer, rather than hiring a clinically-trained carer.
How quickly can visiting care be arranged?
We can usually get a carer in place within 24 hours for urgent needs. Our large network of independent carers means we have availability in many areas and can respond quickly to your request.
How do I prepare for the first home visit?
To ensure a smooth first visit, we recommend having a brief chat with your new carer beforehand. It's helpful to discuss your loved one’s care plan, preferences, and daily routine. You can also prepare a simple list of tasks and ensure any necessary items, like cleaning products or personal care items, are easily accessible.
Can I use local authority or NHS funding to pay for visiting care?
Yes, many of our customers use funding from their local authority or the NHS to cover all or part of their care costs. You can use a direct payment from the council, which allows you the freedom to choose your own care provider, rather than the council picking one for you. Learn more about local authority funding.
What does a home visit nurse do?
A home visit nurse performs advanced medical tasks that a standard visiting carer cannot. These tasks are typically arranged by a medical team and can include:
- Wound care: Managing and changing dressings for wounds or drains.
- Medical monitoring: Checking vital signs like blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Specialised procedures: Assisting with stomas, catheters, or other complex medical equipment.
- Administering controlled drugs: Safely giving injections and other controlled medications.
Home nursing care can be arranged to work alongside hourly home care services.
Should I choose visiting care or a care home?
Choosing between visiting care and a care home is a personal decision. While care homes are a good option for people with mid-to-high-level needs who require 24-hour support, they may feel too restrictive for those who can still manage some independence.
Visiting care allows your loved one to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. It provides a flexible solution tailored to their specific needs, without the need to adjust to a care home's routines, fixed meal times, or rules around pets. Ultimately, the best choice depends on what is most important to your loved one.