Many of our members have elderly parents and other relatives who require some form of care. Most people would prefer that this happen at the person’s home for as long as possible, but this isn’t always practical or the best option.
Our Family team is able to put you in touch with people that can advise on the best action for you and your family. A care consultancy will meet with you and your relative and objectively discuss all of the possible options. Relations can sometimes be too close to the issue to make the right decisions.
Using a consultancy will also give you peace of mind if you are living abroad with dependent elderly relatives in the UK. They can make regular visits on your behalf and ensure the level of care is both acceptable and consistent.
There are often mixed messages about finances and what you’re entitled to from your local council, but consultancies will be able to clarify everything for you. Most will recommend a number of options, so we’ve outlined what these entail. Contact the Family team to speak to a specialist and discuss planning care in more detail.
Care in your own home
This form of care can be medical or simply assistance with day-to-day tasks. Your relative will be able to keep to their daily routine within the familiar surroundings of their own home for as long as possible. However, you cannot always guarantee a regular carer and it can be a very expensive option in the long-term.
Sheltered housing
This is usually accommodation in a flat or bungalow within a complex. There will always be a scheme manager who stays in regular contact with the residents. It’s a good way of keeping independence, but with access to 24/7 support, and allows the person to still have their own property and garden without having to maintain it themselves.
Sheltered housing has many advantages but it doesn’t provide domestic or personal care – this would have to be arranged separately.
Close care
Also known as very sheltered housing, this form of care is similar to sheltered housing but accommodation is situated in the grounds of a care home. Residents enjoy a level of independence, with access to 24-hour care, and will in most cases be able to use the facilities of the main house and take part in activities. However, these individual apartments can be small and both the cost and the quality will be dependent on the care home itself.
Care homes
A good care home will offer support and security in a comfortable setting. Trained carers will provide assistance with personal care and a limited amount of nursing can be provided by the district nurse. The amount of interaction with other residents varies from home to home, with many encouraging residents to play an active role in the community. Ultimately this depends on the type of residents the home looks after and the attitude of the manager. Usually residents will have their own en-suite rooms, which come with use of the home’s communal areas and gardens.
Care homes don’t offer as much independence as the other options but in many there is a great community spirit and many opportunities to meet new people. There are also care homes that specialise in nursing, for those who require high levels of care and medical attention. As well as this, there are combinations of both, so if your relative doesn’t need nursing now, but might in the future, there won’t be any dramatic changes.
It is advisable to visit a number of homes before making a decision and always meet with the manager for peace of mind. An assessment will then be carried out to ensure that care needs can be met, prior to admission into care. When considering the options, location, accommodation, facilities and budget should always be factored in.
Call us to discuss any of these forms of care in detail or for more information about how the Family team at lifestyle concierge can help you.
