Live-in care vs care home: what’s right for me?
If you think you may need full-time care, there are two main options to consider for your quality of life: moving to a care home or hiring a live-in carer from a company like Promedica24. There are advantages to both and whatever you decide will be informed by your personal situation and the level of care that you need.
To help choose the right type of care for you, here are some of the things you might want to consider, starting with some definitions:
Live-in care
As the name suggests, live-in care involves a specialist care provider moving into your home full time. They offer 24-hour care that’s tailored to your particular needs. A live- in carer will typically help with domestic tasks, personal care, shopping and managing your medication.
Care home
Also known as a residential or nursing home, this is an environment where you live full time in the care of a team of people who are there to support your medical and social needs. Care homes provide a fixed routine, and residents often share meals and take part in social activities with other residents.
No place like home
Many people draw comfort from their home and would ideally prefer to stay in familiar surroundings with a lifetime of personal effects and memories. Moving to a care home is an upheaval that may result in feelings of anxiety and confusion as you adjust to a new environment.
A live-in carer allows you to stay in the place you know best, with an expert there for support. Although it may not be possible to live alone any longer, your carer is there to help navigate any risks of living alone, while maintaining your sense of independence and preventing loneliness.
Social scene
Moving to a care home offers a ready made community of people, often of a similar age and with shared interests. Care homes organise regular social activities, including musical events, movie nights, gardening clubs and games, allowing you to create a bond with new friends. As well as this, you will be surrounded by friendly staff who provide a regular point of contact throughout the day.
But staying at home could be best if you already have a close network of friends, family and neighbours who you socialise with regularly. A live-in carer will make sure you are able to keep on seeing those friends, assisting when you entertain at home or escorting you to other people’s houses or social activities.
Happy together
If you are still living with a husband, wife or partner, live-in care can be a great solution as it allows you to stay together, potentially for years to come and continue to enjoy the same quality of life. Another pair of hands around the home will benefit you both, as your carer comes to understand your needs as a couple and allows you to spend more quality time together.
If your companion isn’t human, but a dog, cat, bird or other animal, moving to a care home will could mean leaving them behind. With live-in care, you should be able to keep your pet and continue to enjoy the companionship and comfort they bring – with the added bonus of having someone around to help look after you both.
Specialised care
A major reason for choosing a care home is because your own home has become unsuitable for your needs. The effects of a medical condition such as dementia can lead to you becoming confused about your surroundings, no matter how familiar they once were. A care home removes these problems from the equation, and can be the most suitable place should you require more complex care.
Residential care homes can offer specialised support, along with regular access to nursing staff and medical supplies. However live-in carers can also be trained in the particular skills needed for working with people who have dementia or a long-term illness. If you stay at home you will still have access to professional nursing care, palliative services and end of life care, it just won’t be available 24/7.
Companion carers
While you may build a bond with the staff in a care home, you won’t always be guaranteed one to one care with your daily living needs. With live-in care you’ll see the same person day in day out and are more likely to build a stronger bond with that person. Promedica24 makes a great effort to ensure that you are paired with someone who can meet your specific needs, but also someone you’re going to get on with. It’s often the case that our carers become companions to their clients, particularly important when that person might be isolated or struggling with memory.
Food for thought
Mealtimes are about much more than the food on your plate. In a care home setting you’ll receive regular, nutritious daily meals and the opportunity to sit down and eat with the other residents. A live-in carer will work with you to ensure the food on your table is exactly what you want, when you want it. If you like to have breakfast for dinner – no problem. Sunday lunch on a Wednesday afternoon – why not? Your carer will assist in food preparation, shopping and will even make the time to sit and eat with you where appropriate.
Cost of care
There’s no denying that care costs can be expensive. If you’re looking at moving to a nursing home, possibly for a number of years, then you’ll be eating into those savings and may potentially have to sell a property to pay for care home fees. Live-in care can be a less expensive option, depending on your particular needs. There are options for choosing the right type of care plans for you.
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