Why the Traditional Care Model Is Failing Families

What does good care actually look like?

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Across the UK, families seeking support for aging loved ones often face the same frustrations: rushed visits, inconsistent staffing, and a lack of continuity. At Gladys, we hear these stories every week. Families tell us they want care that feels personal, while carers explain that minimum-wage rota shifts make it impossible to build real trust.

In testimonials, one daughter recalls, “We wanted help that felt personal, not rushed or random. Gladys matched us with someone who changed everything.” - Bath family

One of our carers commented, “When you're on minimum wage with rota shifts, you can’t build real trust. Families deserve better, and so do carers.” — Gladys carer, Bristol

This blog explores why the traditional care model is falling short, the real cost of minimum-wage care, and what truly effective support looks like,  from the voices of families, carers, and people in the sector.

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Why the Traditional Care Model Is Falling Short

For decades in the UK, home care has been dominated by agency-based staffing characterised by low wages, short, fragmented visits and high turnover. The outcome? A revolving door of carers that can be confusing, unsettling and unsafe for older adults, particularly those with dementia or complex needs. This reflects a broader industry reality: when carers are underpaid and overworked, the system cannot deliver the consistency families actually need.

According to research by Homecare Insight, staff turnover in the care sector remains high because of low pay and insecure conditions. This directly impacts the quality of care experienced by families. This is why so many families searching “home care vs care home” find that standard home care simply replicates the inconsistency of residential settings, without the benefits of being at home.

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The Real Cost of Minimum-Wage Care

A minimum-wage model leads to more than just low pay; it results in higher recruitment costs and less experienced staff. For families, this translates to constant introductions to strangers and increased anxiety for their loved ones. As George, Co-Founder of Gladys, puts it, “Great care isn’t about ticking boxes on a rota. It’s about matching personalities, values, and routines.”

When care provision is built on a minimum-wage staffing model, the cost implications extend beyond pay rates. When carers are paid fairly and choose who they work with, they stay longer — and families benefit from long-term relationships rather than strangers rotating through the door.

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What “Good Care” Actually Looks Like - From Families & Carers

If the old model is breaking, what’s working?

At Gladys, families consistently describe good care with phrases like:

“She knows my morning routine.”
“He waits while Dad finishes his coffee.”
“We don’t have to explain things twice.”
“She feels like part of the family.”

These experiences align with research showing that continuity and relationship-based care are the top predictors of positive outcomes for older adults. Journal of Aging & Social Policy & Research from The Open University highlights that relational continuity in care delivery improves wellbeing, social engagement and safety outcomes.

Here are the core elements of good home care:

- Consistency: The same familiar face and a predictable schedule.

- Personalised Matching: Selecting carers based on skills, personality, and shared understanding.

- Flexible Support: Care that adapts to daily needs rather than a rigid checklist.

- Respect for Routine: Honouring established meal times and personal patterns.

This is why families who come to Gladys after experiencing agency churn are often relieved: “We didn’t know good care could feel like this.” - Family in Bournemouth

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Why Self-Employed Carers Are Reshaping Home Care

One key shift in the industry, and one Gladys champions, is the rise of self-employed carers. This model empowers carers to:

- Set competitive rates
- Choose clients that match their strengths
- Build sustainable schedules
- Stay long-term with the families they love supporting

Because carers are treated as professionals, not rota resources, they stay in roles longer, and families benefit from meaningful continuity. This model also answers caregiver concern and fatigue:n“We want to make a difference, but not at the cost of burnout.” - Carer feedback from Bristol panel In contrast to the traditional minimum-wage agency system, this approach:

✔ Improves carer retention
✔ Strengthens family trust
✔ Enhances safety and predictability
✔ Reduces anxiety for older adults

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The Future of Caring in the UK

Industry bodies such as Skills for Care stress that recruiting and retaining talented care workers requires fair pay, training and autonomy, not just managerial oversight. This aligns with Gladys’ core values: to treat carers as professionals and to honour the emotional as well as practical side of care. When society recognises that care is a skilled profession, families get better support and carers thrive in careers that value their contribution.

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Final Thoughts

The traditional care model is failing families because it was designed around convenience, not relationships. Good care respects individuality, supports independence, and prioritizes connection over checklists. At Gladys, we believe the right care is carefully matched, consistent, and built on trust.

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Want to explore more?

Read this: How to know when your parent needs care at home
Learn about funding: Navigating home care costs in 2026
See what families say: Gladys' real testimonials

Everyone deserves care that feels familiar, thoughtful and right.