There are many things to consider when contemplating how to handle the care of a loved one. The choice whether to opt for Live-in Care or to place your loved one in a Care Home really comes down to choosing a greater level of independence and flexibility or a more fixed regimen.
Live-in Care offers independence
Whilst there are many positives to Care Homes, they cannot offer bespoke one-to-one care assistance in your own home on your own terms. Due to the nature of caring for a large group of individuals, they need to have fairly strict rules that keep the home running efficiently.
They can’t always offer the flexibility of simple things like eating what you want, going to bed when you want, watching what you like on television. These simple things are important when considering the mental well-being of your loved one; beloved pets get to stay home too! The benefits of allowing the elderly to retain their individuality and independence in their later years cannot be underestimated; this is particularly true for dementia conditions where maintaining continuity and familiarity of routine is especially important.
With the flexibility of Live-in Care, the family can visit on their own schedule and can have more hands on involvement if they choose to. A bespoke care plan, delivered on a one-to-one basis, is a level of personal care that Care Homes cannot compete with. Whilst the costs of Live-in care and Care Homes are comparable, the level of personalised care certainly isn’t.
Live-in Care – The choice for the 21st Century
With traditional family values being eroded due to the complexity and pace of life in the 21st century, many families no longer have the option to take on the task of caring for the older generation. Consequently difficult, emotive decisions have to be made; decisions that have financial as well as emotional consequences. One such financial question you have to ask yourself when facing this decision is ‘Is this is the best time to put an empty house on the market?’
As the UK population gets older and life expectancy continues to increase, the pressure on residential care homes will also continue to increase. Many private homes have faced closure due to reduced funding, spiralling costs and new regulations. Even government legislation (the NHS and Community Care Act 1990) favours home care packages over nursing or residential home care.