There is an alternative to care homes called Live-in care.
As we reach our eighties, it’s predicted that one in three of us will experience difficulties when carrying out five or more everyday tasks, without receiving aid whilst doing so; with an increasing aging population, the rise in the demand for living in care services is unsurprising. In order to help with these tasks, there are a range of solutions available, with live-in care and nursing homes being the most popular. Live-in care is a relatively unknown concept however it tends to be favoured by a number of individuals, of which we have unpacked the reasons below to help you in your decision making.
Changing environment
One of the biggest drawbacks of care homes is the necessity to relocate. Unlike live-in care, the carer only operates within the care home, rather than traveling to the individual. This shift in a familiar environment can be unsettling, especially for those already showing symptoms of dementia such as anxiety and agitation. These unfamiliar surroundings can exacerbate such issues, making the process of relocating a stressful one for both the individual and their family.
Shared care
Although staff working within care homes are trained to administer care to multiple patients at once, this can sometimes have its downfalls. Due to the staff having to spread their time and attention across a number of residents, there can often be a lack of ‘personal’ care, meaning the individual can be left feeling unimportant. With living in care you are only dealing with one person most of the time; sometimes two depending if a couple are requiring care. If possible, discussing this factor with your loved one can help to determine whether this is something that will impact them negatively.
Loneliness
Similar to the issue that arises from relocating, those living in care homes can often experience loneliness. Being removed from their home means that their existing relationships and connections with friends, family members and the outside world can be affected. This can also be worsened if they are already finding communicating quite challenging without having to then enter an environment where they are surrounded by strangers and an unfamiliar routine.
Costs
It is common knowledge that care for the elderly can be relatively costly; this is especially reflected in the price often associated with care homes. If your loved one is funding their own care instead of receiving assistance from the local authority, choosing to move to a care home can be particularly expensive. On average, the cost for residency in a home can be around £975 per week whereas live-in care costs start from £695 per week. Although both are reasonably large amounts of money, accommodating the individual’s needs, level of comfort and quality of life is essential.