Homecare vs Care home A guide to choosing what’s best for your loved one WORDS BY EMILY MILLER
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hen it comes to deciding whether your loved one would be better suited to receiving care in their own home or in a residential setting, there are many things to consider. it’s not a competition between what’s better but rather an assessment of what’s best to suit an individual’s needs. When we reach an age where we need additional help, many of us would wish to stay in our own homes in our own familiar surroundings, able to have visitors as and when we choose. This can work for some but with the increasing demands around many potential family carers and their own busy working and home lives, the reality today for too many people is that they are isolated and lonely with inadequate levels of support. There are options of course, it’s just about finding the most suitable one.
CARE HOMES In residential care, staff are able to build long-term relationships with their residents getting to know them and understanding their changing everyday needs. Care homes work hard at creating an environment that is stimulating and social for their residents with activities and friendship opportunities – no one feels lonely or isolated, a common ailment at reaching an older age. Care homes can provide round-the-clock care and often have specialist equipment and resources to ensure their residents are as comfortable as they possibly can be. Over the years, care homes have received a certain degree of negative press, but now, with many independent bodies regulating them, they are thankfully few and far between. HOME CARE Residential care homes aren’t the only answer to an increased need for care. From care delivered at home on a drop-in-and-out daily basis through to residential carers, there are a range of options for those who would really rather stay in their own home.
THE REALITY TODAY FOR TOO MANY PEOPLE IS THAT THEY ARE ISOLATED AND LONELY WITH INADEQUATE LEVELS OF SUPPORT
Of course, care in the home doesn’t allow for the community elements that you find with residential homes, but good relationships with an individual’s home care worker can do a great deal to combat loneliness. In addition, care at home allows your loved ones to remain in their own homes and retain their sense of independence and dignity, and for them to have visitors whenever they choose. Live-in care also ensures that people’s loved ones are given specialist one-to-one attention throughout the day by professional and highly trained carers and is a viable option for those who require more than a daily drop-in. There are of course costs to consider, but both good care homes and good care-at-home providers will work with you and your family to find the best solution for your loved ones; taking in all the considerations of the individual and what will best suit them. Homecare.co.uk is a great resource for checking independent reviews and feedback for both residential care and home care packages. NICHE | 97
