Care homes aren’t right for everybody and many people don’t want to go into a care home. Find out 3 key reasons you are right to seek alternative care in later life.
Care homes are the most common form of later life care here in the UK, and yet many of us don’t want to go into residential care if we lose the ability to care for ourselves – a massive 97% of us, actually, according to statistics from our independent research. Fortunately, there is another option: care in your own home as either regular daily visits of live-in care.
You may already feel strongly that you don’t want to go into a care home, or you may think that it’s a worrying time thinking you might be forced into a care home. Perhaps you’re simply in denial about needing care. While all care homes are different and some better than others, actually, you might be right not to want to go into residential care.
Here’s what one of our live-in carers Elspeth had to say:
I work as a live in carer and love my job. I have a great relationship with my lady and we have a lot in common and share a similar sense of humour and outlook. I know how she likes her toast, which of her neighbours she finds irritating, how she likes to be assisted in the shower and countless other things. If I worked in a care home, I could not possibly have that kind of relationship with all the people. More importantly, I have time to care for her with friendship, dignity and respect and am not rushing around trying to meet efficiency targets.
Read on to discover the 3 main reasons a residential care home may not be the right choice for you:
Life Enjoyment
Being handed food and drink that you have no choice over in terms of what it is and when it is served, does not contribute to happiness and general well-being.
Even more worrying, is the statistic that 37% of those in residential or nursing homes never leave their care settings – even if they are able to. Life enjoyment has a lot to do with visiting friends and family, getting out to do hobbies, and generally seeing the world. This is an isolating and depressing experience that nobody would choose.
Health
Mental health is another major consideration which can become a problem when a person is taken away from all they know and love and placed somewhere they feel they have lost their independence.
Finances
Many people assume that residential care is the cheapest care option, usually because there is government help available for those who do not have a large amount of capital to pay for care. The truth is it can be the cheapest option for some, but not everyone. If you really don’t want to go into residential care it is worth looking into alternatives like visiting carers or live-in care.
Read more in our article “What Is Live-in Care?“
Live-in care can compare favourably to residential care not only in costs, but in many other aspects like happiness and life-satisfaction. At the very least it is certainly worth checking out costs to see how your care needs could be met in a better and more cost-effective way by live-in care.
Nobody should ever feel forced into a type of care they don’t want and many people don’t want to go into a care home. The key to ensuring your later-life is content and within your control is to start planning as early as possible. The sooner you have the research and processes in place for when you do eventually need some help, the more able you will be to enjoy your life now, and look forward to the adventures to come during the next stage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
14 Comments. Leave new
I have seen so many people deteriorate on their move into a care home. This has mainly been because they have had to say goodbye to their life long home and community. If only more people knew about live in care….
A neighbour of mine aged 73 looked forward to moving into a care home. He was reasonably healthy, enthusuastic, sociable but felt lonely. Aftef he moved in, I never saw him again, it was if he had just vanished. That was about 10 years ago.
too right – who would want to go and live somewhere else?
Some interesting points! It’s important for everyone to get to live their fullest life!
Hi, completely agree with Aaryanna. It’s frightening how quickly people’s whole wellbeing can deteriorate in a residential setting. It might be right for some but definitely not everyone!
Three things everyone should keep in mind
Regarding health, I’m sure I read somewhere that those in care homes are 3 times more likely to suffer from serious injury due to a fall compared with those who have live-in care.
I would want my relatives to be able to remain safely in their own home live in is a really sensible cost effective option
I believe that home is best, individuals are more comfortable in their own home with their memories around them. As long as they are able to live safely and comfortable why shouldn’t they have the choice to stay at home.
I would want my elderly relatives to remain at home.
Absolutely agree Lottie why would you not want to stay in your own home as you become less able to care for yourself? Providing the elderly person is safe, which they would be with a live-in carer, then it is the best place to be.
Even the very best care homes cannot compete with live-in care because they are simply not home.
I am a close friend of a dementia sufferer who may be forced into a care home, but if it came to that I should like to move in to be her live in carer so that she would not have to.
I know this comment was last year but what a generous offer to move in and care for her. I hope that she is ok.
I was taken because a docs secretary forced it on me. I am surprised I didnt have another stroke. All I needed was antibiotics. I havent got over it yet.
I do have experienced working in care home as consultant have found from service users, their relatives and other related bodies that most service users enjoy been in care home rather been alone, also care home do paly activities, music celebrate service users birthday, socialise and meet new peoples, rather than stay home alone and have care worker visiting few hours a day