Why Is Live-in Care Increasing In Popularity?

We ask why is live-in care increasing in popularity and look at how it could benefit you and your loved ones in relation to future care options.

The population is booming and we are all living longer than ever before. According to this year’s  statistics from The Office Of National Statistics, there are currently over 300 people of a pensionable age to every 1,000 people of working age. By 2037 there will be 365 people of a pensionable age to every 1,000 people of working age.

In the UK there are currently over 300 people of pensionable age to every 1,000 people of working age

This means that there are more and more people needing care in later life. With this in mind, it is so important for care options to be clear and for each and every person to consider all options and plan ahead. The likelihood is that people will continue to live for longer and longer, and so the need for good quality care is constantly increasing.

Care homes or residential homes have always been the most common option for a person needing care but they aren’t the only option.

Residential care homes can be very high quality, but they aren’t the best option for everyone and statistics show they certainly aren’t the preferred choice for most. There are also issues with the NHS over bed blocking, which is where the hospital is put under extra strain because they have no choice but to keep a person in hospital because there isn’t somewhere for them to go which provides adequate care.

With this in mind, live-in care is becoming a popular choice for families who want the very best for their loved one. It is a really good alternative to residential care, and in many cases it is preferable for a number of reasons. Here are some of the reasons people prefer live-in care:

• 1 on 1 Care – The person has 1 on 1 care from their caregiver, ensuring their needs are consistently monitored and met. Whether it is health needs or emotional needs, the person is looked after all the time.
• Staying With Pets – A high number of people have to give up their pets when they go into residential care. This can be extremely upsetting for most people, and even cause depression in others. With live-in care people are able to stay with their beloved companions.
• Independence – Carers are there to help their client retain independence. Whether that is going shopping, going to local hobby clubs or visiting friends, a person is able to maintain their independence and sense of self in later life with live-in care.
• Staying With Partners – Live-in care helps partners who have been together for many years stay together. Residential care can cause partners to be separated which can be incredibly distressing for those involved.
• Staying With Memories – A home is not just bricks and mortar, it holds memories, as do the possessions within them. Live-in care enables a person to stay close to all that they hold dear to them.
• Combating Loneliness – A high percentage of elderly people suffer from loneliness. Live-care helps to combat loneliness because a person remains near friends and family, and has constant companionship plus a sense of self.
• Maintaining Control – A lot of people feel they have lost control of their lives when they go into care homes because they don’t have a say in when they get up, go to bed or eat; sometimes not even what they wear. Live-in care helps them maintain that level of control over their lives.
• Staying Healthy – Live-in care has many health benefits including helping people avoid falling, helping them avoid dementia, and helping them stay active. This makes for a better quality of life long-term.

It’s really not surprising that live-in care is becoming so much more popular, especially as it becomes more widely known as an option. It provides an excellent quality of life for a person, enabling them to maintain control, health and happiness. It also gives much greater peace of mind for family members who are unable to care for their relative themselves.