How to choose the right type of care as you get older
Knowing what sort of care is going to be best for you as you get older can feel a little bit like staring into a crystal ball. Will you need to move to a care home or would you have a better quality of life staying at home, close to friends and family? Without Mystic Meg to predict the future, it can be easy to get lost in the many possible pathways.
The good news is you’ve already begun to think about it, and that means you’ll be better equipped to make the right choice for you – even if your circumstances change. So what care options should you consider as you begin to plan for the future?
Independence
For many people, the thing that concerns them most about growing older is the loss of independence. Nobody wants to stop doing the things that bring them pleasure in their daily life – and just because you are getting older, that doesn’t mean you’re suddenly unable to work in the garden, take an exercise class or have a friend round for dinner.
Before you look to the future, it’s best to think about the present. Think about your current arrangements and consider whether they are going to allow you to maintain independent living. Would it be better to downsize? Or could a retirement village or sheltered housing serve your needs for longer?
Adjustments
If you want to stay in your own home, there are things you can do to adapt to your changing needs. From quick fixes like grab rails in the bathroom, to more permanent fixtures such as stair lifts, or converting a downstairs space into a bedroom and bathroom. There are many alterations that will improve your living arrangements and extend the time you can comfortably stay in your home.
Care Home
If you’re struggling to live independently, or have a chronic health condition, then a nursing home may be the best option. There’s comfort in knowing that your needs are going to be met around the clock by a dedicated care team. Most care homes come with en suite bathrooms and offer access to a ready made community with whom you can share meals in communal areas, or socialise during the day.
As you are thinking about this ahead of time, there’s no need to rush into a decision – why not ‘try before you buy?’ Many care homes offer a trial period, allowing you to spend a couple of weeks getting to know the place, without the need to commit to staying long term.
Companion Care
If you feel you’re going to need more help with housework, shopping or personal routines, you might want to consider some sort of live-in care. Their role is to assist you in your day-to-day life, keeping you doing the things you love – or even the things you don’t particularly enjoy! Housework may be a chore, but when those simple tasks that form part of your daily routine are taken away, it’s surprising how much you can miss them.
A more positive way to think about a live-in carer is as a companion – someone who’s there to provide a little extra support. Promedica24’s Companion Care service is tailored specifically to your needs.
Making Plans
Our carers always begin by sitting down and having a conversation with you. This will involve thinking about your current needs, but also your future aspirations. They’ll work with you to formulate a care plan that will form the basis of your relationship – and it’ll go a lot deeper than you expect.
Companion caregivers can go out and pick up shopping or a prescription, take you to an appointment or plan an evening at the cinema or theatre. They’re there to make sure you get about safely and keep your social life ticking over.
In good company
Of course, inviting someone new to live with you can be a big deal – particularly when you may not know that person. You might have lived alone for some time and have a set routine. You may have no routine at all and just like to take each day as it comes. Knowing that everyone is different, at Promedica24 we aim to pair our clients with carers they’re going to click with. We use the word ‘companions’ because we believe carers should be more than just a helping hand.
Care for your finances
Along with worries about losing your independence comes the fear of how you’re going to afford the additional care. In the UK, personal care, unlike health services, rarely comes entirely free. So how can you ensure that you are paying the right price and accessing any sort of financial assistance available to you?
First of all, contact your local authority and arrange a needs assessment and financial means test. This will look at your income, savings and assets and show you how much you will need to pay towards your care.
There are also various benefits you can claim depending on your situation. This ranges from benefits such as the Attendance Allowance to reductions in Council Tax payments, even a £10 Christmas bonus!
Changes
The great thing about choosing live-in care is that it allows for maximum flexibility. You don’t have to make a decision that will change your life overnight, such as selling up and moving away from home. Our carers work flexibly with your changing needs and will adjust the levels of care to suit your needs at that moment.
Accepting assistance doesn’t have to be a one way street – you may find yourself in need of more personal care at certain times, such as after a fall or operation. And when you recover, we can discuss changing our service to allow you to take on more. It all comes back to your independence – what will allow you to get the most out of your life?
More from our blog
Is residential or live-in care better for my grown-up SEN child?
There are fewer more emotive topics than that of how the future will pan out for your special needs child. As parents of disabled children, or those with severe educational needs or mental health conditions, you want nothing more than to ensure a safe, stable home environment. One that offers the best possible chance of […]
Read More
Why Live-In Care is vital to the social care ecosystem
In 2018, then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Hunt, said: “How we care for our most vulnerable citizens is the true litmus test of whether we are a civilised society.” And that rings as true today as it did then. Not just for older people, but also for younger people with […]
Read More
Why Live-In Care work is perfect for medical students
If you’re a student who has recently begun studying for a clinical degree, such as medicine, nursing or physiotherapy, it may be tricky to find a job that fits around your studies. After all, these types of medical courses can be extremely intense, expecting many hours of study both within the classroom and in a […]
Read More