When families start looking into support for a loved one, two options often come up: day care and home care. They are different things, and understanding the distinction helps you choose what fits — or whether a combination works best.
What is Day Care?
Day care means attending a centre for the day, taking part in activities and socialising with others, then returning home the same day. It includes:
- A structured, sociable day outside the home
- Group activities and companionship
- A freshly prepared meal
- Supported transport options
- Flexible attendance (for example, 1–5 days per week)
What is Home Care?
Home care means support delivered in the person's own home, usually through scheduled visits. It typically includes:
- Personal care and help with daily living
- Companionship and one-to-one support
- Staying in familiar surroundings
- Support fitted around the home routine
Key Differences
Where support happens
- Day Care: at a centre, then home again
- Home Care: in the person's own home
Social interaction
- Day Care: group setting, friendships, community
- Home Care: one-to-one, in private
Routine
- Day Care: a structured day away from home
- Home Care: support woven into the existing home routine
Cost
- These are charged differently and depend on individual circumstances. See our costs & funding guide for how funding generally works.
When Day Care Tends to Suit
- The person would benefit from social connection and a change of scene
- A predictable, structured day is helpful
- The family needs reliable, planned daytime respite
When Home Care Tends to Suit
- The person prefers, or needs, to remain at home
- One-to-one personal support is the priority
- Leaving the house is difficult or unsettling
Why Many Families Use Both
Day care and home care are not mutually exclusive. A common, effective arrangement is home care for personal support and day care for social connection and routine — together giving the person variety and the family more consistent respite. Our carer support guide explores planning respite around your own wellbeing.
Speak to Our Team
If you are weighing up the options, we are happy to talk honestly through what might suit your loved one.
Get in touch today for friendly guidance — at your own pace, with no obligation.