The face of care for the elderly as we know it has been changing rapidly over the last decade. Traditional care or residential homes were once the only option available to many people needing more help. But the care sector has begun to undergo a rather quiet revolution. But like most revolutions this one is becoming louder, stronger and demanding to have its own voice. The name of this revolution is live-in-care, and the evidence of the benefits of a live-in carer are irrefutable.
Care at Home
There is an increasing body of evidence that indicates the best place for care of the elderly is in their own homes. Nursing homes and care homes were once the only real option available. But this model of care is, at best, inflexible and institutionalised. Carers, despite their best efforts, cannot provide safe, dignified care for residents.
The Covid pandemic exposed many of the flaws in the care system in its current state. It laid bare the shocking failings that the most common approach to elderly care has. Of course the pandemic alone was not entirely responsible for the shocking shortfalls in staffing levels. Brexit led to huge changes in staffing for adult social care. In 2019/2020 the staff turnover rate in adult care was staggering with a 30.4%. This is the equivalent of 430,000 people. With many people filling the voids in the care system coming from abroad, this situation is likely to get worse.
Statistics on live in care
The Live in Care Hub, a not-for-profit organisation have commissioned a new report. The report uses proprietary research and published data from the world-renowned Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU). This is a collaboration between the London School of Economics and the University of Kent. Analysis of the report clearly indicates that elderly people are healthier, and safer, when cared for by professional carers in their own homes.
The Live-in Care Hub are calling on the UK government to reach into the coffers and ensure local councils can offer person-centred care. It is time that serious consideration be given to care at home.
The way forward
Going back to the Live-in Care Hub’s report, it contains some startling statistics. These highlight what should almost certainly be the way forward for the care sector. If we want to ensure that our elderly are offered the quality of life that they so rightly deserve in their twilight years, then it is worth delving deeper. The report found that 39% of those in residential care homes never actually leave the home. This compares to the 14% with professional live-in carers who don’t leave their home. This statistic gives a great deal to ponder about. Life shouldn’t end when someone becomes elderly. Opportunities to enjoy life should not simply vanish. Regardless of illness, fragility or even proximity to end of life, the elderly have shown that they still want to enjoy a quality of life that they have worked hard for, and rightly so. Of those people with live-in care an incredible 97% are able to enjoy many of the activities they value. Whilst 98% of that group reported that the care they received in-home allowed them to have a better quality of life.
Making changes for the better
Sadly, this is not a picture that is echoed across the board for the elderly. The report also found that 5% of those in residential care and 11% of those in nursing homes believe that they don’t do anything or value or that they can enjoy with their time. Quite frankly these are statistics that are unacceptable. If the small change in the way in which we look at the care provisions in place for our elderly people can have such a significant difference, then it is inconceivable that we should not ensure that this is the majority approach for everyone. Each and everyone of the elderly people in the UK deserves to have their voice heard when it comes to the care provisions that are available to them. If there is a way, and there is, that means that they can live longer and happier lives then we should grasp it with both hands.</p></p>
&lt;p>Extensive studies, funded by groups such as Alzheimer’s UK has been undertaken to understand why people with Dementia and Alzheimer’s cope better the longer, they stay in the familiar surroundings of their own hom</p></p>
es. With the help of an in-home carer they are able to maintain a more mobile lifestyle for longer and this of course includes visiting those places outside the home that offer a sense of the familiar. Live-in care is a viable solution to long term care for many of the elderly, offering them a quality of life that gives them greater freedom, whilst still keeping their best interests firmly under consideration. Live-in care is not simply about offering a better quality of life to those elderly who are in good health, but to the majority.</p></p>
View or download our Better At Home Report here.
