How care at home can improve quality of life for people with disabilities

Care at home helps people stay connected to their routines, families, and communities while receiving the support they need each day. Home care services can improve physical health, mental wellbeing, independence, and social inclusion. They also provide practical support for families and carers.

As Ireland continues to invest in community-based healthcare, more people including those living with disabilities are choosing to age in place.

The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People guides how housing and supports are delivered for those living independently in Ireland with a disability. The key themes in the strategy include:

• Accessible Housing and Communities

• Interagency Collaboration and the Provision of Supports

• Affordability of Housing

• Communication and Access to Information

• Knowledge, Capacity and Expertise

• Strategy Alignment

 The main vision for the strategy is ‘to facilitate disabled people to live independently with the appropriate choices and control over where, how and with whom they live, promoting their inclusion in the community’  

What Is Care at Home?

Care at home provides support services to people in their own homes. These services are tailored to each person’s needs, goals, and level of independence.

Home care may include:

• Personal care
• Medication support
• Mobility assistance
• Meal preparation
• Household help
• Companionship
• Respite care for families
• Support with appointments and community activities

For people with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, neurological conditions, or long-term illnesses, home care can make daily life safer and more manageable.

Why Quality of Life Matters

Quality of life means more than physical health. It also includes emotional wellbeing, social connection, dignity and choice.

People with disabilities should have the opportunity to live fulfilling lives within their communities. Home care supports this by helping people remain active and engaged in everyday life. Ireland is actively putting measures in place to help support those living with disabilities to live independently, like this Housing for All Government plan.

It’s estimated that there is a requirement for approximately 33,000 new homes each year to meet the requirements laid out in the Housing for All Government plan for 2030. The aim of the housing plan is that every individual in Ireland should have access to a home to purchase or rent that is at an affordable price, built to a high standard and offers the highest quality of life.

This plan will also depend on external support, including home adaptations and care at home services, to help people with disabilities live independently.

1. Home Care Supports Independence

Independence is one of the biggest benefits of care at home.

Many people prefer staying in familiar surroundings where they can keep their normal routines and maintain control over their day. Even small levels of support can help someone continue living independently for longer.

Examples include:

• Assistance getting dressed
• Support preparing meals
• Help with mobility around the home

2. Familiar Environments Improve Emotional Wellbeing

Home environments can reduce stress and anxiety.

People often feel more relaxed in familiar surroundings with their own belongings, routines, and support networks nearby.

Being at home can also help maintain:

• Family relationships
• Community connections
• Personal identity
• Daily routines

Isolation can have a serious impact on wellbeing. Care at home providers often play an important role in providing companionship and social interaction alongside practical support.

Support with emotional wellbeing could look like:

• Setting up a family group chat for sharing photos and updates
• Arranging a daily call with your loved one
• Having a shared calendar to discuss events or appointments

Care at Home providers like HaloCare, often offer additional services that focus on emotional well-being as well as physical safety. The HaloCare solution includes a daily comfort call from the Care Hub team to help tackle social isolation, especially for those living independently.

3. Care at home can be more personalised

Care at home services can be built around the individual’s goals, routines, and preferences. This may include support for education, hobbies, employment, or social activities.

This helps people remain healthier and more comfortable while reducing pressure on hospitals and healthcare services. It’s reported in the HSE Home Support Report issued September 2024 that a record 22.1m hours of HSE-funded home support was delivered in 2023, an increase of 1.3m hours from 2022, that has brought waiting lists down by 12% to 5,863.

Personalised care could include:

• Ensuring the right support is available for loved ones to be able to manage their own finances and budget
• Shared decision making around aspects of the individual's care plan which is supported by health professionals
• Creating a daily routine that incorporates the individuals' hobbies and interests
  

4. Support for the Circle of Care

Family carers play a major role in disability support across Ireland with an estimated 500,00 people providing unpaid care across the Island.

Professional care at home services can provide respite care for those caring for loved ones, support with personal care, prevent social isolation and provide peace of mind that loved ones are safe and comfortable at home.

• Respite care
• Overnight support
• Assistance with personal care
• Emotional reassurance
• Reduced stress for family members

This support helps families maintain balance while ensuring consistent care for their loved ones. Support comes in many different forms, at HaloCare we offer the Circle of Care Companion App, a dedicated app to easily stay up to date on your loved one's wellbeing and ensuring they are safe and comfortable at home.

5. Care at Home Encourages Community Inclusion

People with disabilities should have equal opportunities to participate in their communities.

Home care can support access to:

• Education
• Employment
• Social groups
• Sports and hobbies
• Community events

Remaining connected to local communities improves confidence, independence, and mental wellbeing.

Choosing the Right Care at Home Provider

For people with disabilities, care at home offers more than practical support. It provides dignity, independence, and a better quality of life.

When choosing a home care provider, families should look for:

• Flexible care plans
• Person-centred support
• Clear communication
• Reliability and consistency
• A strong understanding of disability care

The right support can make a major difference to daily life for both individuals and their families.

At HaloCare, we understand that every person’s needs are different. Our goal is to provide compassionate, personalised support that helps people live safely and comfortably at home.

If you would like to know more about HaloCare and our support for those living with disabilities, you can read more here.