As our parents and relatives get older, their needs change and the idea of living independently becomes more difficult. As a child of an ageing parent, you would want to provide them with the support that they need. An important decision to make when considering elderly care is to decide whether your loved one is able to stay in their own home or if they have to go into a care home.

Residential care is a big step and it is often very scary for your parents or loved ones, but is it the only option? In this blog, we explore the difference between residential care and home care and help you with this important decision.

Choosing the right care can also be difficult and stressful for you, as a relative and next of kin, you would always want what is best for them Residential care as important as it is, it means that your loved one will leave their home and their belongings. There is another option where your loved one can be cared for by a professional and dedicated team of carers in the comfort of their own home where they can be happy, independent and stay with their family or on their own.

What is the difference between a care home and home care?

There are different types of care homes to consider alongside with different alternatives to care homes. Let’s have a look at all of the options which will help inform your decision.

Elderly care homes/residential homes

All Care homes or residential homes provide accommodation and personal care for people who are unable to live independently in their own homes and who need extra support in their daily lives. Personal care might include help with eating, washing or taking medication. However, there are also certain types of care homes that offer more specialised services if you wanted more information.

What are the benefits of a elderly care home?

If your parent or elderly loved one needs extra support and she/he is no longer able to live alone, then residential care could be the right solution.

5 benefits of moving into a elderly care home:

  1. Care home staff on duty 24/7.
  2. Some care homes offer entertainment and activities for residents
  3. Companionship- there will be opportunities for your elderly loved one to socialise with other residents.
  4. You don’t have to worry about house maintenance costs because a residential home will arrange this within their care homes
  5. Your elderly loved will get a room of their own or they can share a room with other lovely residents.

Need more support or advice about the possibility of moving your elderly loved one into a care home? Read this informational guideline from Age UK.

Elderly Care Home

What is elderly home care?

Elderly home care allows your loved one to stay at home, in a familiar environment being connected to their community, family and friends. They can still receive high quality care without moving at all. With a home care option, your parent or relative will get to remain in the comfort of their own home and receive regular visits from a home caregiver (with us, they can choose their own caregiver in most of our clients call them Angels to help with their normal routine such as running errands, personal care, assisting with medication and companionship.

Elderly home care generally allows you, your parent or relative to have complete control over the kind of care and support your loved one needs. In addition, choosing domiciliary care as a first step will make it easier for your parent or relative to accept the help and support that they need. In some cases, it is not just the first step but the only step.

What are the benefits of home care?

Although people can still be happy in a residential home, home care could be a better option because your loved one is not leaving their home and their safe environment, this can disrupt their routine and affect their mental health.

Home care is definitely another alternative to a care home and there is variety of home care packages that you can choose from, you can choose packages as little as 1 hour a day to a live-in carer. Your parent or relative can have help with light housekeeping, companionship, personal care, medication support and much more.

6 benefits from having home care:

  1. Comfort in your own home and a familiar face – Being at home is more comfortable than being in an unfamiliar place. Your loved one will have all of their belongings such as photographs at home which could actually be an effective emotional healer especially for people suffering from mental health conditions.
  2. Independence – Just because your elderly parent or relative are slightly older, it doesn’t mean that they cannot be independent. They will just have a spare pair of hands to do tasks that might be difficult to do on their own. They can have support at home and a familiar face who can provide companionship, take them to appointments and help them to stay active.
  3. Family & Friends – Unlike the restricted visiting hours in elderly care homes, you can still visit your loved one at any time. In addition, you can be part of their care experience, at Visiting Angels, we do quality assurance and involve relatives and provide updates on regular basis.
  4. Recovering – People who have experienced falls or have any conditions in general have a much better quality of life when they are in a familiar environment this is also true with the elderly living with Dementia. For more information, take a look at an informational guide on Dementia Here.
  5. Cost –home care support can turn out to be more cost effective than residential homes.
  6. Covid 19- PPE is provided and robust infection control measures are in place that ensures Care Givers always adhere to meticulous standards of hygiene and cleanliness when delivering care and support.

How do i know which type of elderly care is right for my parent or relative?

caring for the elderly

The decision between home care or a care home depends on your loved one’s specific needs and preferences.

When you see that your parent or relative needs support and you have the conversation about care, you can book a free assessment visit with us. Another option would be to do some research on local residential homes.

Having a conversation about it with a company like Visiting Angels or any other local organisation can help you to make the most informed decision. You can explore options, find out about funding and what is best for your loved one, yourself and your family.

Give us a ring today: 0203 143 8878

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