What Is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care encompasses support services tailored to meet a person’s ongoing needs over an extended period, typically months to years, due to disability, chronic illness, or ageing. These services are designed to enable people to lead meaningful and independent lives, particularly when they require assistance with daily tasks that they cannot perform without support.
The support is provided in an ethical way by support workers, nurses, carers or social care staff helping people with their long-term care needs, known as activities of daily living, including:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Eating
- Toileting
- Transferring (e.g., moving from bed to chair)
- Continence care
Long-term care and support can be provided in various settings, such as one’s own home, a nursing home, residential care homes or within the community. It primarily benefits people who require complex care, have disabilities, or are older people who require assistance. Preserving independence while upholding human rights and dignity remains a fundamental principle in providing long-term care.
What Are the Different Types of Home-Based Long-Term Care Services?
Home-based long-term care services are an alternative to institutional care, since people feel most comfortable and happy while in their homes, surrounded by the people and things they love. When there is no necessity to stay in institutional care, home care-based support is the best option for people who need personal care, respite care, adult day services, etc. The benefits are endless, and people get to live a more fulfilling life in their homes and communities.
The most important aspect of home-based long-term care is that healthcare professionals are present to provide safe and consistent health and social care, maximising one’s quality of life. There are different types of home-based long-term services:
Home Health Care includes skilled nursing care (medication administration, wound care, and disease management) and rehabilitative support services provided by highly trained professionals such as nurses and therapists.
Personal Care Services focus on assisting people with activities of daily living (ADLs) important for maintaining personal hygiene and mobility, such as bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, mobility, transferring (from chair to bed), and medication reminders.
Supportive Services involve assistance with chore support, home-delivered meals, transportation services, companion care, home safety assessments, nutrition and wellness services to maintain a safe living environment.
Respite Care allows caregivers to take a break while a trained professional takes over caregiving responsibilities for a short period.
Live-In Care ensured a caregiver lives in the person’s home, providing 24/7 support, everything from personal care and household tasks to companionship, emergency help and overnight presence.
Variations include:
- 24‑hour live‑in care
- Companion live‑in care
- Convalescent/Intermediate live‑in care
- Complex care (for dementia, Parkinson’s, etc.)
- Respite and emergency live‑in
- Palliative/end‑of‑life live‑in
Supported Living for people with disabilities who live independently but require varying support, such as house adaptation, PA services, and emergency alerts.
Telehealth Services enable people to receive medical care, consultations, monitoring, and support remotely through video, phone, or other virtual platforms.
It’s important to note that these services are just some of the different types available. Some of them can be combined to match the evolving needs of the person. The specific types of home-based long-term care services can vary depending on specific care needs.
Who Needs Long-Term Care?
People who, due to disability, complex challenges, chronic illness, mental health conditions, are terminally ill, or are ageing, can no longer manage everyday tasks independently, are in need of long-term care. According to the NHS and local authority data, around 1 in 6 older adults (aged 65+) receive some form of social care, and people with a learning disability are one of the largest groups supported by long-term care services.
The need for long-term care can also occur suddenly, such as after an injury, heart attack or stroke. Long-term care can benefit families, as a dedicated professional can support loved ones and provide various care services.
Read more about the role of support workers have for learning disability support.
Long-Term Care After Hospital Discharge
After a hospital stay due to surgery, injury, illness, or worsening of a chronic condition, some people:
- Still need support with medication, mobility, or wound care
- Cannot manage daily living tasks like bathing or dressing
- Are at high risk of rehospitalisation or falls
When people get discharged as soon as they feel medically stable, their long-term needs are assessed at home or in a home-like environment. This ensures faster discharge, reduced pressure on hospital beds and more accurate assessment in a home setting.
What type of support and care people may need varies depending on their needs, including:
Home-Based Domiciliary Care
- Ongoing care visits by carers to assist with daily tasks
- Funded privately or through means-tested local authority support
- Suitable for people who need help but wish to stay at home
Live-In or 24-Hour Care
- A carer lives in the home to provide round-the-clock support
- Ideal for those with high support needs who want to avoid care homes
Palliative or End-of-Life Care
- If the person is not expected to recover, care focuses on comfort, dignity, and pain management
- Delivered by district nurses, GPs, and palliative specialists
Read all about why choosing private home care over institutional care is the best option for people who need after-hospital care.
Assessing Long-term Needs
As a crucial step in ensuring that people receive the right level of support to live safely, comfortably, and with dignity, this is a free evaluation carried out under the Care Act 2014. The key principles:
- Person-centred: The person’s views, wishes, and strengths must guide decisions.
- Holistic: Covers physical, emotional, social, and environmental needs.
- Rights-based: Underpinned by the Care Act 2014 and the Human Rights Act.
It assesses many segments of daily living such as personal care needs, mobility and safety at home, health and medical needs, mental health, emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, communication, social support, housing situations and risks, and the ability to manage money, medication, and appointments. The outcome is creating a care and support plan detailing eligible needs and proposed services.
Additional assessments may include:
- Occupational therapy assessment (home safety, equipment, adaptations)
- Mental capacity assessment (for decisions about care, finances)
Goals of Long-Term Care
Long-term care recognises the importance of supporting family caregivers who play a vital role in caring for their loved ones. It considers the person’s human rights and dignity when reaching desired outcomes.
Here are some common goals of long-term care:
- Promoting independence to the greatest extent possible
- Deliver consistent and coordinated care
- Enhancing quality of life for people by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs
- Managing chronic conditions effectively and preventing complications
- Preventing functional decline in people by helping them to maintain their physical strength, mobility, and cognitive abilities
- Provide comfort in End-of-Life care
- Ensuring a safe and secure environment
- Facilitating transitions between different care settings, such as hospital to home
- Support families and carers
Long-Term Care Planning
Planning can benefit people who will likely require long-term care in the future. And why does it matter? Care needs can arise suddenly (e.g. after a stroke) or develop gradually (e.g. dementia). Planning ahead ensures that wishes are respected and resources are in place, and helps avoid last-minute decisions during a crisis or hospital discharge.
For one, planning to be effective needs to consider an assessment of current and future needs, exploring care costs and options, involving the right people, considering financial planning, and making legal and advance care plans. If the person does not their own home, there should be a plan for housing and accessinility. And at the very end of the process, there should be a review and update of the plan by care professionals.
With planning, people maintain control and ensure that their care aligns with their values and preferences. Additionally, long-term care planning often encourages people to have a proactive role in their care and provides peace of mind for themselves and their loved ones.
Benefits of Long-Term Care
Long-term care provides compassionate, person-centred support for people who may need help with daily living due to age, illness, or disability. It offers a wide range of benefits that go far beyond physical assistance. From personal care and social care to companionship and meaningful routines, long-term care is designed to help people feel safe, respected, and valued in their own homes or in care settings. This support is tailored to individual needs and preferences, promoting independence, dignity, and emotional well-being while reducing feelings of isolation. By offering consistent, coordinated care, it can also help manage long-term health conditions and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
Equally important, long-term care provides reassurance and relief to family members and carers, giving them the time and space to rest, knowing their loved one is in trusted hands. Whether it’s short-term help after a hospital stay or ongoing support for more complex situations, long-term care enables people to live with comfort, confidence, and as much independence as possible. It honours each person’s story and choices, and when needed, can also offer gentle, dignified end-of-life care in familiar surroundings. Ultimately, long-term care is about enhancing quality of life, not just for the person receiving care, but for the whole circle of support around them.
How to Choose Long-Term Care
Choosing the right long-term care is one of the most important decisions you can make for yourself or a loved one. It’s about meeting physical needs and about finding care that is humanised, delivered by people who truly understand the value of compassion, respect, and consistency. When exploring your options, look for a provider that offers person-centred care, has a reputation for reliability, and employs well-trained support workers and therapists who are not only qualified but passionate about what they do.
Choosing long-term care is a complex process that requires careful consideration. To make an informed decision, several steps can be followed. The first is to assess the specific needs of the person, including the level of assistance required, medical necessities, and cognitive abilities. This evaluation sets the foundation for identifying suitable care options.
Next, conduct thorough research and gather information on local providers. Reviewing licensing, accreditation, and staff qualifications also helps ensure that the chosen care provider meets appropriate standards. Considering the financial aspect is essential as well. Consider the costs associated with different care options, seek input from professionals and other trusted individuals, and carefully review contracts and policies before deciding. It is also important to plan for regular assessments to ensure the chosen care remains appropriate and to allocate enough time for research and decision-making.
By following these steps, people requiring long-term care can make a well-informed choice that caters to their specific circumstances.
Long-Term Care with Unique Community Services
At Unique Community Services, we understand that no two people are the same. That’s why we focus on building personalised support tailored to each person’s needs, preferences, and long-term goals. Our multidisciplinary team includes experienced PBS specialists, occupational therapists and nurses who are dedicated to encouraging people to live more independently and with dignity in their own communities.
When choosing long-term care, it’s important to partner with a service like Unique, where high-quality care and human connection come first. Take a look at William’s care journey:
To learn more about our services, contact us today or visit our offices in Manchester and Leeds.
