There are many advantages and disadvantages to a residential care home in the UK. Here we look at the advantages.
Residential care homes in the UK are places where elderly people go to live and receive basic care such as help washing, getting dressed and eating. A nursing home is similar but the person additionally receives more intensive medical care. There are many disadvantages to residential care such as:
- A higher likelihood of falls
- Having to move away from home
- Having no choice over food and drink
- Being forced into new surroundings
- Being forced to move away from neighbours, friends and the local community
- Having to leave pets
These are just some of the disadvantages of residential homes as a solution to care for the elderly but there are also a lot of advantages. When considering whether or not a residential care home is right for you or your loved one it is important to think carefully about all the pros and cons of this option. Here are some of the advantages of residential care homes for the elderly:
Company in a Care Home
Not all residents moving into a care home will feel they want to leave the familiar surroundings of home and have new people around them, but some do. Some people love the idea of living in a home with other people their age who have had similar life experience.
Safety
When a person is in a residential home they will be cared for round the clock by the people who work their. This means that they will be safer than if they were at home alone trying to care for themselves. Although many older people downsize their home to have a smaller place that is easier to maintain, there can still be safety hazards in a small home.
Health
Although statistics in the Better At Home report from the Live-in Care Hub show that care home residents are more likely to fall, overall their health is well cared for in a care home. They are kept clean and dry with the help of care staff, and there are often nutritional advisors working with the home to ensure the meals provided are fulfilling the nutritional needs of the residents. Residents will also go to hospital when they need to, and staff will ensure their medication is taken daily.
Peace Of Mind
The peace of mind for a family member knowing that their loved one is safe is invaluable. When a person is at home without support they may be a danger to themselves. Their health may deteriorate and they may become isolated and unable to cope. A residential care home takes those issues away and ensures the person is safe.
Choice
There are many different kinds of residential care homes, some which extend to be residential communities for older people. Budget does have a huge bearing on where your loved one is able to go, but if there is a flexible budget then there are many great options to consider with this type of care.
Consider All The Options When Looking At Elderly Care
When you and your loved one are considering which elderly care option is best, try to ensure once you have clarified care needs, budget and preference, that you look at all the different care options. A care home is not the only option and professional care in your own home, for example, is becoming increasingly popular. When you fund your own care at home it can involve visiting carers coming at set times of the days for an agreed length of time (unlike the short, basic visits provided by social services). It can also be 24/7 live-in care where the carer lives in the elderly person’s home. Care at home has many benefits, including constant companionship, no need to leave familiar possessions, surroundings and people; and a higher success rate in preventing falls. Considering all the options means that you can all make an informed choice together so that the type of later life care you choose is right for everyone.