Reading Time : 6 Minutes

Word Count : 1050

Date : October 20, 2025

What Is Considered Good Preventative Care?

We believe that good preventative care is about more than meeting needs — it’s about anticipating them.

When older adults begin to struggle with daily activities, medication routines, or mobility, timely support can make all the difference. Preventative care helps people stay safe, independent, and well for longer — reducing the risk of accidents, hospital admissions, or sudden health emergencies.

Article Contents List

In this article, we explore what “good preventative care” looks like in a home-care setting, why it matters, and how small, proactive steps can protect long-term wellbeing.

What Preventative Care Means in Domiciliary Care
Why Good Preventative Care Matters
What Does Good Preventative Care Look Like?
The Goal: Independence, Not Dependence
Real-World Examples of Preventative Care at Home
Measuring the Impact of Preventative Care
Need Guidance on Preventative Care? We’re Here to Help
Preventative Care FAQ’s

What Preventative Care Means in Domiciliary Care

Preventative care in a community or domiciliary setting focuses on reducing the risk of decline or crisis through consistent, early support.

It’s not about waiting until something goes wrong — it’s about identifying early signs of risk and acting before a situation escalates. Examples include:

Helping with personal care and daily routines before these tasks become too difficult.

Ensuring medication is taken correctly to prevent health complications.

Encouraging gentle exercise and mobility to maintain strength and balance.

Supporting hydration and nutrition to reduce risk of illness or falls.

Monitoring wellbeing and spotting changes in mood, mobility, or cognition early.

Reducing loneliness and social isolation through companionship and meaningful conversation.

In essence, good preventative care means having the right support at the right time, before it becomes an emergency.

Why Good Preventative Care Matters

The benefits of preventative care reach far beyond the individual.

How It Helps Clients:

Greater independence at home.
Fewer falls or medication-related incidents.
Better overall health and confidence.
Reduced hospital admissions or crisis interventions.

How It Helps Families:

Reassurance that their loved one is supported.
Peace of mind that risks are minimised.
Early alerts if anything changes — allowing timely decisions.
Confidence that their loved one’s well-being is being regularly monitored.

For health and social care systems, preventative care saves significant resources. According to NHS data, there were over 219,000 emergency hospital admissions due to falls in adults aged 65+ in England (2023/24). Half of those were aged 80 or over. (fingertips.phe.org.uk)

The earlier support begins, the more effectively it protects both wellbeing and independence.

What Does Good Preventative Care Look Like?

Every person is different — but the best preventative care shares several qualities:

Early, Consistent Support:

Preventative care works best when it starts early — before daily tasks become unsafe or unmanageable. A small amount of help with dressing, meals, or mobility today can prevent hospitalisation tomorrow.
Medication and Health Monitoring:

Medication prompts and oversight ensure doses aren’t missed or doubled. Carers who notice side effects, changes in appetite, or swelling can raise concerns quickly with family or health professionals.
Fall Prevention and Mobility Support:

Simple measures such as checking trip hazards, assisting with walking aids, and promoting light movement can significantly lower fall risk.
Encouraging a Healthy Lifestyle:

Good nutrition, hydration, and gentle activity (like chair exercises or walking) maintain strength and energy. Preventative care is about enabling ability, not taking it away.
Emotional Wellbeing and Social Connection:

Preventative care addresses loneliness — a major risk factor for cognitive decline and depression. Having regular company and conversation is just as important as physical support.
Identifying Early Signs of Change:

Trained carers are often the first to notice subtle changes — in memory, appetite, mobility, or mood. Reporting these promptly allows early medical review, preventing bigger problems later.
Reducing Risk and Creating Safer Homes:

Regular risk assessments help identify hazards like cluttered walkways, poor lighting, or slippery floors — simple fixes that make the home environment safer.
Partnership with Families and Professionals:

Good preventative care is joined-up care. It involves regular communication between carers, families, district nurses, and GPs — ensuring everyone works together to prevent decline.

Smiling elderly woman preparing food with the support of a young female carer in a bright kitchen, showing healthy living and preventative home care.

Independence, Not Dependence

Preventative care isn’t about taking over — it’s about empowering independence.
When carers provide just the right level of help, people can continue doing as much for themselves as possible, safely and confidently.

This balanced approach delays the need for more intensive care and helps individuals maintain dignity, purpose, and choice in their daily lives.

Real-World Examples of
Preventative Care at Home

Elderly woman and homecarer together and smiling, highlighting companionship and emotional support for those coping with dementia.

Daily visits to support meals, hygiene, and medication before these become overwhelming.

Carer assisting elderly woman with mobility support at home following hospital discharge

Fall-risk reviews and practical adjustments (grab rails, decluttering).

Observation of health changes — such as swelling, shortness of breath, or confusion.

visual impaired home carer helping client

Encouragement to stay active, even through small movements.

carer and client talking about home care quality score

Companionship calls or visits to reduce loneliness and maintain engagement.

Smiling elderly woman sitting at a kitchen table while a young respite caregiver pours tea into her cup.

Hydration and nutrition reminders to prevent fatigue or urinary infections.

Each of these interventions may seem small, but together they form a powerful safety net — preventing emergencies and promoting long-term wellbeing.

Measuring the Impact of
Preventative Care

Good preventative care shows its value through outcomes such as:

Fewer hospital admissions or A&E visits.

Reduced falls or medication errors.

Improved mental well-being and social engagement.

Higher satisfaction and independence among clients and families.

Regular reviews, documentation, and feedback ensure that care plans evolve alongside each person’s needs — keeping prevention at the heart of care delivery.

Need Guidance on Preventative Care? We’re Here to Help

Good preventative care in domiciliary settings is proactive, personal, and protective.
It’s about preventing problems before they start — not waiting for a crisis to act. By supporting daily living, promoting healthy habits, monitoring well-being, and maintaining social connections, we help people live safer, happier, and longer lives in their own homes.

At The Great Care Company, our mission is to make sure support is there when it’s needed most — before challenges turn into emergencies.

Preventative Care FAQ’s

What is preventative care in domiciliary care?

Preventative care in domiciliary settings means providing early, consistent support to reduce risks and maintain independence — such as help with daily tasks, medication prompts, fall prevention, and wellbeing monitoring.