Home Care FAQs
The questions families actually ask us — answered honestly.
Getting Started
How quickly can home care start?
For urgent cases — hospital discharge, sudden carer breakdown, post-fall recovery — we can begin care within 24–48 hours of your first call. For non-urgent planned starts, typically 3–7 days from initial enquiry. Complex clinical cases (PEG feeding, tracheostomy, ventilator) may take 48–72 hours to staff appropriately.
What happens during the free home assessment?
A senior Care Coordinator visits your loved one at home for around an hour, ideally with family present. We discuss what’s happening, current routines, medical needs, what care visits would look like, and any preferences. Within 24 hours you receive a written care plan and a fixed quote with no obligation. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll tell you so — and often suggest someone who is.
Do you have a minimum visit length?
30 minutes for visiting care. Companion visits typically work better at 1+ hours so the relationship can deepen. Live-in care is 24 hours, with one carer rotation usually being a minimum of one week.
Will my parent see the same carer every visit?
As much as possible. We build small consistent care teams of 2–3 carers per client. Single-carer coverage isn’t always possible (holidays, sickness) but continuity is non-negotiable for us — especially in dementia care, where rotating strangers accelerates confusion.
Can we trial care before committing long-term?
Yes. Many families start with 1–2 weeks of “respite” care to see how it works before committing. For live-in care, this is often the most sensible introduction. No long contracts, no exit fees beyond reasonable notice.
Costs & Funding
How much does home care cost?
Hourly visiting care: £22–£26/hour depending on region. Live-in care: from £1,200/week, rising for dementia or complex clinical care. Complex care: bespoke quote based on clinical needs. Exact rates per region are on our private care pages.
Do you accept Direct Payments and personal budgets?
Yes, across all six of our regional offices. We invoice managed accounts directly. See our Funded Care page for how this works.
Do you accept NHS Continuing Healthcare?
Yes. We support both directly NHS-commissioned CHC packages and Personal Health Budget arrangements. We can also help with the Decision Support Tool assessment and appeals if a CHC application is refused.
Is live-in care cheaper than a care home?
For most situations, yes. Standard live-in care from £1,200/week vs typical UK residential care home at £1,200–£1,700/week. Nursing homes are even more (£1,500–£2,200/week). Live-in care is dramatically cheaper for couples (one carer for both partners, often only ~20% more than for one).
Are there any hidden costs?
No. Every quote is written, fixed, and itemised. No weekend surcharges baked in unless explicitly listed. Bank holidays and Christmas/Easter carry a modest premium that’s clearly stated up front. Carer break cover and equipment are quoted separately if needed.
Can I claim Attendance Allowance alongside paid care?
Yes. Attendance Allowance is non-means-tested and can be claimed alongside any other funding. If your relative is over 66 with care needs and not yet claiming, apply — £73.90–£110.40/week is meaningful contribution.
Private Care vs Council Care
What’s the difference between private and council-funded home care?
Private care: you arrange and fund directly, no waiting list, choose your provider, full flexibility. Council-funded: means-tested, takes 4–12 weeks to start, council picks the provider. Full guide here.
Can I use council funding with a private provider?
Yes, through Direct Payments. The council pays the budget into a managed account, you commission us directly. You keep the choice and continuity of private care, paid by the council. Direct Payments explained.
Why would I pay privately when I might qualify for council funding?
Three reasons: (1) Speed — council assessments take 4–12 weeks, private starts in 24–48 hours. (2) Choice — you pick the provider, not the council. (3) Continuity — small consistent care teams aren’t standard with council-contracted providers. Many families pay privately initially while a council application proceeds in parallel.
Hospital Discharge
Can you take a hospital discharge tomorrow?
For most discharges, yes. We do an assessment on the ward or at the home within 24 hours, and care can begin on discharge day. For complex clinical needs (PEG, tracheostomy, ventilator), we may need 48–72 hours to ensure carer training is in place.
What’s the difference between NHS-funded discharge care and private discharge care?
NHS-funded reablement (Discharge to Assess) typically lasts 2–6 weeks and is council-contracted. After that, you need to arrange ongoing care. Many families use the NHS-funded weeks while lining up a private provider to take over — or skip to private from day one for continuity.
Which hospitals do you work with?
We regularly take referrals from Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, Hinchingbrooke (Cambridgeshire); Basildon University Hospital, Southend Hospital (Essex); Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead, Royal Victoria Infirmary (North East); West Suffolk, Ipswich Hospital (Suffolk); King George Hospital, Queen’s Hospital Romford (East London); and QMC, Nottingham City Hospital (Nottinghamshire). See our Hospital Discharge page for the full list.
Difficult Situations
My parent refuses any care. What do we do?
Common, especially with dementia. Our approach: introduce the carer gradually, often as “a helper for the family” rather than a formal carer. Start with short low-stakes visits with you present. Build trust before adding personal care tasks. Full guide for refusing parents.
Can you handle dementia with challenging behaviours?
Yes. Our dementia carers are specifically trained in managing sundowning, wandering, refusing personal care, and de-escalating distress. We use life-story work, validation techniques, and small consistent care teams — not restraint or sedation.
Can you support PEG feeding, tracheostomy, ventilator?
Yes. Our complex care service is nurse-led, with carers receiving condition-specific training before they work unsupervised. We support PEG/RIG feeding, tracheostomy, ventilator (invasive and non-invasive), suction, catheter care, stoma care, MND, advanced Parkinson’s, and end-of-life care. Complex Care details.
We have a current provider but want to switch — how does that work?
Most home care contracts can be ended with 7–14 days’ notice. We can run alongside the existing provider for the handover week if needed, ensuring no gap in care. We do this regularly for families dissatisfied with rotating carers, missed visits, or poor communication.
Do you take Power of Attorney arrangements?
Yes. We work regularly with attorneys under Lasting Power of Attorney (Health & Welfare and Property & Financial Affairs) and court-appointed deputies. Happy to liaise directly with your solicitor or IFA where helpful.
About Oath Healthcare
Are you CQC registered?
Yes. We’re fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and rated Good. Our latest inspection report is publicly available on the CQC website.
Where do you operate?
Six regional offices: Cambridge, South Essex (Canvey Island), Gateshead, Suffolk (Newmarket), Redbridge (East London), and Nottingham. Each has its own local team, local phone number, and local Care Coordinator.
How are your carers vetted and trained?
Every carer passes enhanced DBS, reference checks, face-to-face interviews, shadow shifts, and ongoing training. Specialist carers (dementia, complex care) receive additional condition-specific training before working unsupervised.
Can I read independent reviews?
Yes. We’re rated 8.9/10 on Homecare.co.uk with 14 verified reviews. See the full set on our Client Reviews page.
Question Not Answered Here?
Just call us. The first conversation is free, with a senior care coordinator — not a call centre.
Available 24/7 for urgent enquiries