The development of domiciliary care: What does the future hold?

Abstract

Domiciliary care provides the vital support to over two million people in Britain enabling them to remain living independently in the community. It is of enormous importance to disabled and older people. This paper details the evolving development of domiciliary care from its early beginnings in district nursing and the home help service right up to the present day. It discusses important issues likely to affect future provision and considers whether domiciliary care is about to come full circle.

Key Words:

• domiciliary care
• older people
• disabled people
• care standards
• recruitment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janet Leece

Janet Leece is a qualified social worker and practice teacher currently working for Staffordshire Social Services as a Commissioning Officer. She is also a part time PhD student with the Open University researching into the relationship between direct payment users and their personal assistants.