Definition

Noun: A person who is employed to provide domestic assistance and support within someone else's private residence. This role typically involves tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and basic care, and is often arranged or provided by a social or local government service to aid individuals who are elderly, infirm, or otherwise in need of help to manage their household.

Examples

• The local council arranged for a home help to visit Mrs. Jenkins twice a week to assist with cleaning and laundry.
• After his surgery, he relied on a home help to prepare his meals and do the shopping.
• She works as a home help for several elderly clients in the community.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun.
  • The agency provides home-help services to those in need.
• It can refer to the service or provision itself, not just the person.
  • Qualifying for home help can make a significant difference to an individual's independence.

Variants and Related Words

• Home helper: A less common variant with the same meaning.
• Care assistant / Carer: A broader term for someone who provides care, which may include medical or personal care in addition to domestic tasks.
• Domestic worker / Domestic help: General terms for someone employed to do household work; these do not necessarily imply a social service context.
• Home care worker: Often used interchangeably, sometimes with a stronger emphasis on personal care duties.

Synonyms

• Domestic aide
• Household helper
• Support worker (in a domestic context)

Related Phrases

• To have home help: To receive this service.
  • Since her mobility decreased, she has had home help.
• To employ a home help: To hire someone for this role.
  • They decided to employ a home help rather than move to a care home.

Noun

1. a person hired to help in another's home (especially one employed by a local authority to help the infirm with domestic work)