Preventative Home Care: Common Sense at Last?
Vicky Haines, Kingsway Care's Managing Director and Social Care Champion recommends preventative home care for our ageing population.
For those of us working in social care, the recommendations in the most recent version of the Better Care Funding (BCF) Policy Framework feels like a long-overdue ‘hallelujah’ moment. A shift towards preventative home care is finally being recognised as a priority, rather than an afterthought. But will the funding and mindset truly follow?
Prevention is Better Than Cure
But Currently Only for Those Who Can Afford It
At Kingsway Care, we see every day how a little regular support can make a huge difference. Our self-funding clients in Brighton, Hove & Worthing, already enjoy the benefits of preventative home care. They invest in regular home care visits to help them stay well, independent, and safe in their own homes.
They realise the benefits of ageing well at home with support rather than waiting for a crisis. They see the unwanted consequences of a broken hip or a sudden hospital admission and take action to avoid it. Instead, they choose support with:
Personal care – help with washing, dressing, and feeling fresh every day
Light domestic tasks – keeping on top of household chores
Social interaction – companionship to combat loneliness and continue activities they love
Mobility assistance – preventing falls and injuries with walking aids and home adaptations
Local Authorities – Stuck in a Reactive Mindset
While self-funding clients have the option to make practical, forward-thinking choices, the same option isn’t available to everyone. Local Authorities (LAs) still operate in a crisis-driven system, funding care only after a serious incident.
If I walked into a Local Authority office today and asked for funding for preventative home care, I know exactly what response I’d get:
- “Come back after the crisis.”
- “Wait until there’s a hospital admission.”
- “We’ll step in when they can no longer walk.”
This approach is not only illogical and discriminatory but also costly—for individuals, the NHS, and the care sector as a whole.
The Better Care Funding Policy: A Step in the Right Direction?
The updated BCF’s focus on preventative care, early intervention, and home-based support sounds promising. But will social care commissioning teams truly embrace this shift?
If prevention is the goal, Local Authorities must rethink what they are willing to fund. Small, regular home care visits should be seen as an investment—keeping people independent and reducing the strain on hospitals and care homes.
The Challenge Ahead
The funding is there, albeit focused on crisis resolution. The logic is there. The preventative home care success stories are there. Now, we need action.
Home Care CostsAgeing Parents
