State of Care 2024/25: What the report means for older people and how Homeshare can help

What the CQC report says about older people

1. Care and support are harder to access

The report states that many people, especially older adults, are finding it increasingly difficult to access social care when they need it. Delays, strict eligibility criteria and long waiting lists mean more people are left to cope alone.

Homeshare is not care. But it does help fill the gap for people who don’t meet the threshold for formal services but still need support, reassurance and connection.

2. More older people are reaching crisis before getting help

Because of delays and stretched services, the CQC reports more people are only accessing help when they are already struggling badly, with falls, confusion, loneliness or poor health.

With Homeshare, older people receive early, everyday support:

• company

• shared meals

• reminders

• light tasks

• someone around overnight

This support helps people stay well and prevents decline, reducing the need for crisis intervention.

3. Loneliness and isolation are rising

The report highlights that many older adults feel invisible, disconnected and unsupported. Loneliness has become a silent health risk affecting mood, memory, sleep, mobility and even life expectancy.

Homeshare directly tackles loneliness. A matched Homesharer brings daily social interaction, friendship, and meaningful connection back into someone's home.

4. Families are under significant pressure

Carers and families are struggling under the weight of caring responsibilities, with limited help available. The CQC reports this is taking a toll on family mental health and wellbeing.

Homeshare offers families peace of mind. Knowing someone kind, DBS-checked and supported is living with their loved one relieves worry, reduces pressure, and gives family members breathing space.

5. The system cannot cope with rising demand

Staff shortages in care services, increased complexity of needs and budget pressures mean local authorities cannot meet the growing needs of an ageing population.

Homeshare is cost-effective, human-centred and preventative.
It reduces pressure on:

• GPs

• Social care

• Crisis response teams

• Carers

• Hospitals

It works with the system, not against it, by helping older people stay well at home for longer.

How Homeshare helps address the challenges highlighted in the report.

The CQC calls for “more community support, more preventative approaches, and more ways to help people stay independent at home.”

Homeshare does exactly this:

• Companionship for those living alone

• Daily reassurance and presence

• Light practical support that reduces risk

• Improved wellbeing and confidence

• Stronger communities through intergenerational living

• A safe, fully supported model with DBS checks, references, interviews, trial periods and ongoing support from the Homeshare North East team.

Homeshare is a community-based solution that helps people live well before they reach crisis.

A call to families, professionals and communities.

If you work with older people, or care about someone who lives alone, the report makes one message clear:

We cannot wait until people are in crisis to support them.

Homeshare offers a gentle, dignified, relationship-based way of improving quality of life, safeguarding independence and reducing pressure on health and social care.

If someone you know could benefit from companionship, reassurance or light help at home, Homeshare may be the perfect fit.