Home Help - A little bit of help at home
This might include:
- Help at home with domestic tasks such as housework, cooking, shopping and gardening
- Elderly care services such as delivery of meals
- Shopping
- Small maintenance jobs and independent living services such as changing light bulbs, replacing a tap washer, doing small repairs, making your home safe and secure, and keeping equipment in working order
- Company and social activities. Choosing the right home help can in itself provide company as well as help at home
- Transport to and from shops, doctor, hospital and so on
- Walking your dog, and keeping it healthy and clean
- Installing security equipment such as an emergency alarm, entry phone or key box
There is no single source of information about elderly care services and independent living services providing home help for the elderly and, in many cases, the only solution is to find a reliable independent provider. However the following may be of help:
Housing and care options for older people, FirstStop's own comprehensive Guide to help at home including elderly care services and independent living services
Meal delivery services factsheet
FirstStop Factsheet 6 : Care and Support at Home
Handypersons services are often run by Home Improvement Agencies
Help the Aged’s HandyVans deliver a free service in some areas to older people of limited means. They can install security equipment, change locks on doors and windows, and fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
To talk to someone about home help
call the Advice Line which is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
on 0800 377 7070 or
request a call back at a time that suits you.