Home is Where the Heart Is: Helping You Choose between Home Care or a Care Home?
For many families the day comes when they need to make a decision about the best way to care for their elderly loved ones. We know that this is a big decision for many, and that they are often confused about whether to choose Home Care or move their relatives to a Care Home. In this guide we cover some of the benefits of choosing Home Care and how it can help with you relatives overall wellbeing as well as discussing the kind of care that can be covered at home.
Home Sweet Home
One of the greatest advantages of opting for home care is the familiarity it offers. Ageing can sometimes lead to cognitive decline, and for those experiencing memory loss, being in familiar surroundings can be incredibly comforting and beneficial. The smell of their garden, the family photos on the walls, and their own bed can make a world of difference in their daily lives.
Completely Personalised Care
Home care services like ours generally offer a more personalised approach to care. Since our Carers are only caring for one person at any given time, they can focus on the unique needs and preferences of your loved one. Whether it’s preparing their favourite meals, remembering and administering their medication, or even taking them on short walks or trips, home care professionals are there to cater specifically to the needs of your elderly family member.
We have found time and again that once we have found the perfect Carer match for our clients, the relationship that quickly develops between them and their clients allows for a really deep understanding of their personality, wants and needs. Our Carers work hard to find the right balance in terms of offering safe, effective and caring support, while allowing for personal space and independence.
What Can Home Care Support You With?
One of the concerns that is often expressed by families enquiring about home care, is that they are worried we won’t be able to support their loved ones with their particular condition. However, Home Care offers support for a range of conditions. These are just some of the types of Care we offer:
- Supporting those with dementia
- Supporting those who have physical health needs or mobility needs
- Complex care, including specialist areas, such as Epilepsy, PEG feeding, skin integrity, stoma care and tracheostomy care, amongst many others
- Supporting those who want some company
- Respite care to relieve family members or other full-time Carers
- Live-in care services
- Palliative / end-of-life care
If you’re not sure if this covers your particular needs, please do contact us anytime for a chat.
Continued Independence
For many elderly people, the fact that they need support doesn’t mean that they want to give up their independence. Domiciliary care services, whether they are daily support visits or complete live-in care, enable seniors to maintain that independence in their own home. They can still make choices about their daily activities, meals, and leisure, which has a positive impact on their sense of dignity and self-worth.
Family Support
With home care, family members can continue to be very involved in the care of their elderly relatives. This is often not as easy when the loved one is in a care home. We actively encourage regular family visits and involvement, since we have found from experience that this, combined with the support of our home care services, create a more cohesive care plan and ensure that our clients really feel supported and loved.
Financial Benefits
In many cases, home care can be more cost-effective than Care Home fees. Care Homes charge large fees to cover a whole range of services and facilities that your loved one may not necessarily use. For example, they may not be interested, or may not be able to take part in group craft activities or they may be at the stage where they don’t need care over night. With home care, you are paying specifically for the services your family member needs at that time.
Flexible Care that Can Change Over Time
Home care offers a great deal of flexibility. Services like ours can be easily adjusted to suit the changing needs of your loved one. As their health and abilities change, the care plan can be updated without the need for moving to a different facility or location.
Reduced Infection Risk
Sadly, as we have seen in recent years, when there are infections amongst residents in Care Homes, these can spread quickly. This also means that whenever there is a risk of serious infection, Care Homes must close their doors to all visitors, even family members whose relatives are well. Home care reduces this risk of infection and allows for continued family contact.
Benefits to Overall Wellbeing
Another significant advantage of home care is its positive effect on the mental health of seniors. The combination of being in familiar surroundings, close contact with family members, and personalised care from the same Carer, can drastically reduce feelings of loneliness and depression. We often find that a real friendship develops between our Carers and Clients, offering companionship as well and physical support.
Happy at Home
Ultimately, the choice of home care can significantly enhance the quality of life of elderly individuals. The freedom to stick to their own routines, engage in existing or new hobbies, and receive visitors without restrictions promotes an overall sense of well-being and happiness.
And knowing that your loved one is in their own home, receiving specialised care and still being part of the family’s daily life, can offer you immense peace of mind.
We offer high-quality, compassionate, person-centred Home Care in Stevenage and Home Care and Complex Care in Harlow, and surrounding areas. Please do contact us anytime if you have any questions about care for you or your loved one, or if you would just like some expert advice on Home Care.