The contribution of homecare support is to be celebrated across the UK
Home Care Day aims to celebrate what home care services do, the people that work in them and the achievements of those supported at home. The day also seeks to facilitate wider discussions on the future of home care and what services should look like.
The day is supported by two leading care bodies, Scottish Care and United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA), who are calling for organisations and individuals across the UK to join them on social media in raising the profile and value of home care support using the hashtag #homecareday.
Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care, said:
“Throughout the pandemic thousands of women and men have left their homes every dayto go out and care for and support others. They are the heart of our homecare sector and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. This day is an opportunity to recognise their dedication and professionalism every day of the week, regardless of weather, risk or fear. Homecareservices allow people to remain independent for as long as possible in their own home. This years’ theme highlights the way that through such professional work homecare helps to foster and create real community. The homecare sector shows us caring and compassion at its best. It is the responsibility of all of us from government down to individual to recognise this contribution and to adequately resource and reward this dedication.”
Jane Townson, CEO of UKHCA, added:
“Homecare workers have demonstrated outstanding care, kindness and dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to their hard work, homecare has proved itself a relatively safe option. Many people have been supported to live well at home which has given families peace of mind when they were restricted from visiting themselves. Investing in homecare improves lives and saves money for the health and care system. We will continue to press governments in all of the UK administrations to recognise the value of homecare to society, including its direct and indirect contributions to the economy, and fund it adequately.”