Country Cousins, a live-in care provider, has developed a guide detailing some of the care options available in the UK for elderly people
Sometimes elderly people are unable to care for themselves from home so need to take advantage of the many care options that are available in the UK. Sometimes it can be hard to find the right care that you need. This guide will help you through the process, showing you some of the benefits of each type of care.
Care Homes
Care homes are one of the most popular forms of care. With care homes, you live in a residential home with a number of other residents in your own private quarters. You can be rest assured that you’ll be fully looked after from a carer. Here are some of the main benefits of care homes:
- Safety, you can be confident that there will always be someone around to look after you.
- Regular meals are provided with nutritional needs met.
- Your family can be rest assured that you’re receiving the care that you need.
- Taking of medication will be supervised ensuring the right medication is taken at the right time.
- There is the opportunity to socialize with others in the social areas during the day.
- You don’t have to worry about household bills as all this is covered in the cost.
If you need more information, Age UK has a dedicated page which looks at everything you need to know about care homes.
Live-in care/Home care
Live-in care, otherwise known as home care takes place from the comfort of your own home. A carer will visit your home on a regular basis or as regular as is required. This comes with a number of different benefits.
- Maintaining independence is important and you ensure that you keep your own space and freedom from your home.
- You can stick to your own routines and if there are any jobs you enjoy doing around your home, your carer can leave them to you.
- Pets can be kept as a companion. In most care homes you cannot keep pets but because you’re in your own home.
- Loved ones can visit on a regular basis and aren’t restricted by a visiting schedule.
- Each client gets tailor-made support dependent on your wants and needs.
- Live-in carers provide emotional support which is beneficial for mental health and gives you a companion to talk to.
If you’re looking for more advice or details on live-in care, experts and live-in care providers Country Cousins have a number of useful guides about live-in care and its benefits.
Moving in with family
This is care with a difference because it takes place from your families home. This does come with a number of benefits including the following:
- Bills and household expenses are reduced because you will all be living under one roof and naturally bills will be cheaper.
- You’re still able to maintain a certain level of independence, you just need to work around your family and ensure that it’s working.
- You’re surrounded by the people you love and can be comfortable amongst your family and they’ll be the one providing you with the care you need.
Living with your family isn’t the top-recommended care but if cost may be an issue, it’s definitely the cheapest form of care.
Retirement villages and sheltered housing
Retirement villages and sheltered housing are very similar. They allow you to downsize from your current setting if you own a larger house. Here are some of the main benefits:
- You’re likely to be in close proximity from shops and local amenities.
- You can socialize with peers in the designated communal areas where residents can gather to eat meals or socialize.
- Wardens remain on-site in case of an emergency such as a fall or accident with residents given a personal alarm to alert the warden.
These are just some of the options you have for care in the UK. It’s important you do your research before making your decision because this can be a life-changing choice to make.
