Homecare comes in many forms and has many names used to describe it, including home help, care attendants and "carers" (not to be confused with unpaid family or friends who care for you).

Homecare can suit you if you need:

• personal care, such as washing or dressing

• housekeeping or domestic work, such as vacuuming

• cooking or preparing meals

• nursing and health care

• companionship

Homecare can be very flexible, in order to meet your needs, and the same person or agency may be able to provide some or all of these options for the duration of your care:

• long-term 24-hour care

• short breaks for an unpaid family carer

• emergency care 

• day care

• sessions ranging from 15-minute visits to 24-hour assistance and everything in betwee