It can be overwhelming when faced with the range of care options out there. To help out here’s a simple ‘How to’ guide to choosing the right type of care to suit you. There’s no right or wrong choice here, it really depends on your specific situation, needs and preferences. The key is to take your time to explore all options and discuss them with a friend or family member so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.
We could just sing the praises of how great care and support at home is over other alternatives but that’s not what we’re about. Here we give you a balanced view including the advantages and disadvantages of all options so you can make your own choice.
Of course if you do decide care and support at home is right for you then we’d love to hear from you!
1. Care and Support at Home
Care and support services including personal care, companionship, relief visits and daily domestic help within the comfort of your own home.
Advantages:
Keep your home comforts: stay in your own home surrounded by the things and people you love.
Flexible service: you can have as little, or as much, help as you need. Care can be tailored to fit your needs.
Maintain your independence: carers don’t take over; they support you to do more for yourself just with a helping hand.
Cost effective: receiving care at home can be a lot cheaper than moving into a care home, see our price comparison blog here.
Stay connected: you can maintain contact with friends and your local community.
Peace of mind: for you and your family that you’re being supported and aren’t alone.
Stay mentally stimulated: keep up with hobbies, stay connected to your local community with companionship support. Live a fulfilled, happy life rather than ‘just existing’ day by day.
Enjoy your pets: if you have pets, you can continue to enjoy their company in the comfort of your own home.
Continuity of care: we are responsible for recruiting, training and developing our team of carers and ensuring any absences are covered so you always receive the care and support you deserve.
Expect high standards: we are regulated by the Care Quality Commission who check that we are working to set standards which are regularly monitored.
Live longer: studies show there is a link between living in your own home and greater life expectancy when compared to going into a care home. Age & Ageing Journal studied 10,000 care home residents and 350,000 people living in the community aged 65-104 and found that mortality rates were higher for care home residents than for those that had chosen to live at home.
Download your Guide to Care at Home to discover how, with a little support, you can continue to live happily and safely at home.
Disadvantages:
Carers aren’t around 24/7: unless you have a live-in carer. However, our on-call team are available out of hours so they’re on hand if you need them. You could also consider an alarm system and perhaps other devices such as a fall detector or bed sensor which give extra reassurance.
Geographical limits: your choice may be limited by what’s available in your area. However, if you do have care at home services available it does mean that by being local to your community your carers will be knowledgeable about the area, what’s going on, what’s available locally.
2. Residential Housing
Specific housing for elderly residents with additional services provided ranging from help with daily tasks and personal care.
Advantages:
Make new friends: opportunities to socialise with other residents of a similar age.
Enjoyment of communal areas: with no responsibility to maintain gardens or facilities.
No house maintenance: no hassles with repairs or maintenance although be aware that there will be on-going service charges for this privilege.
Safety and security: you may feel safer than living alone.
Reassurance: an alarm system in case of emergencies, and some schemes offer daily checks on residents.
Part independence: you still have some independence whilst being in a safe environment, help and advice is available if needed.
Choice of ownership: there may be the option to rent or purchase through shared ownership.
Financial help: if you’re on a low income, Housing Benefit may cover some or all of the rent. For those eligible for Pension Credit, some support with meeting the cost of service charges may also be available.
Live with your partner: you may have the option to remain with your husband/wife/partner, which might not be possible with a care home.
Disadvantages:
Unfamiliar surroundings: you’ll be moving into a completely new environment which can take some getting used to or not suit you at all.
Service charges: if you’ve bought a property, you’ll have to pay service charges on top of usual ongoing housing costs. Service charges can be higher for residential care housing than for other leasehold properties, to cover the cost of services such as the scheme manager and an alarm system. See our care cost comparison here.
Set rules: residents have to live by the rules, which may, for example, restrict noise or forbid pets.
Bills: as a resident you still have to pay the bills for your own property (such as council tax, water, gas and electricity), which might make it more difficult to budget.
Quality can vary: it’s important to be aware of its limitations and ongoing costs, too.
Limited choice: there may be a limited choice of residential care housing in your local area.
Reduced space: if you are downsizing from a larger property, there may not be space for all your personal possessions and furniture.
Variations in services: scheme managers (wardens) rarely live onsite, some may only be there part-time so it’s important to check what's on offer.
3. Care or Nursing Home
Accommodation with personal care services. They may also offer social activities. Nursing homes offer additional care from qualified nurses.
Advantages:
Staff on duty 24/7: there is always someone around.
A room of your own: you can usually personalise your room with your own furniture, pictures and ornaments although space will be limited.
Regular meals: daily meals are cooked for you.
Companionship: you can socialise with others and join in organised activities or outings if available.
Peace of mind: for you and your family that you are being taken care of and aren’t alone.
Supervision of medication.
No household bills or upkeep: no worries about maintenance etc.
Safe living conditions: the environment will be safe, warm and clean.
Disadvantages:
High cost: care home fees can be very costly, see our care cost comparison here.
Unfamiliar surroundings: moving to somewhere completely new can be unsettling.
Loss of independence: although a good home should encourage you to be as independent as they can be, often this isn’t as possible as with care at home for example.
Limited choice: there may be a limited choice of homes with a vacancy in your area.
Lack of homely touches: care homes can often have specific rules on what decorations and furnishings are allowed.
Loneliness: loss of contact with neighbours, old friends and your community can be unsettling.
Lack of privacy: this can be difficult to adjust to.
Small living space: you won’t be able to take all your furniture and personal possessions with you as you are likely to just have a single room.
Variations in care: all homes have to achieve a minimum standard to ensure they can be registered, but the quality of care may vary from home to home.
We hope you have found this information useful, knowing what to expect can help you make realistic decisions so it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of your care options.
If you’d like to speak to us more about care and support at home do contact us using the details below and we’ll get back to you.
Call 0333 043 4880 or email enquiries@abneyandbaker.com
Sources: NHS.co.uk, Which?.co.uk, CHS Healthcare, Age & Ageing Journal.
Helping you to continue living independently and confidently in your own home.
By providing a range of support at home, we’re helping many clients across Bath & North East Somerset and West Wiltshire retain their independence and stay in control in the comfort of their own homes.
Remember we’re always here if you want to chat about your care options. Just get in touch:
Bath: 01225 536300 or email bath@abneyandbaker.com
West Wiltshire: 01225 536400 or email westwiltshire@abneyandbaker.com