Advantages of Home Care
- Personalised Flexibility: Home care is highly adaptable to your unique needs. Whether you need occasional visits for tasks like grocery shopping or round-the-clock assistance from a live-in caregiver, home care can be customised to fit your lifestyle. If your needs change, adjusting your home care plan is straightforward compared to relocating to a care home.
- Individualised Attention: At Ashwood Care, we focus on matching you with a caregiver who fits your preferences and needs. Whether you require a caregiver who drives, knows sign language, or has a specific skill set, we strive to find the perfect match for you.
- Comfort and Well-being: Research indicates that many seniors prefer staying in their own homes due to the emotional and physical benefits it provides. Studies show that home care often leads to fewer hospital admissions compared to care home settings. Staying at home helps maintain a sense of independence and comfort.
- Familiar Environment: Remaining in your own home means you’re surrounded by familiar belongings and routines, which can be particularly beneficial for those with conditions like dementia. Staying local also allows you to stay connected with family, friends, and your community, reducing feelings of isolation.
Considerations for Home Care
Home Adaptations: Depending on your needs, you might need to make adjustments to your home, such as installing grab rails or a stairlift. Various grants and financial aids are available to help with these modifications, so don’t be deterred by the potential costs.
Finding the Right Caregiver: While we work diligently to match you with the right caregiver, adjusting to someone new in your home may take time. Whether you opt for live-in care or scheduled visits, establishing a new routine can require some adjustment.
Advantages of Care Homes
- Social Opportunities: Care homes offer a chance to socialise with other residents and participate in organised activities. This can be a great option if you’re feeling isolated and want to engage in community activities.
- Structured Routine: Care homes provide a stable environment where meals, chores, and medications are managed by staff, ensuring a consistent routine without the need for daily decisions.
- Regulation and Oversight: Care homes are regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which evaluates their safety, effectiveness, care quality, responsiveness, and leadership. Checking the CQC rating can help you assess the quality of a care home.
Things to Consider for Care Homes
- Location: Finding a care home that meets your needs and is located near your current home can be challenging, especially if you require specialised care. High-quality care homes often have waiting lists.
- Daily Life: In care homes, daily routines are set by staff, which may differ from your usual habits. It’s important to understand how care homes operate and visit them if possible to get a sense of daily life.
- Cost: Care homes can be expensive, with costs averaging £2,816 per month for residential care and £3,552 for nursing care. Financial support options are available, including council funding and NHS assistance, but many individuals still contribute to their care costs.
- Adjustment Period: Moving to a care home involves significant change, which can be stressful. Studies suggest that adjusting to a new environment can impact both physical and mental health, with some residents experiencing depression.
Making Your Decision
Ultimately, the choice between home care and a care home depends on your specific needs and preferences. We recommend discussing options with family and friends to gather support and insights.
At Ashwood Care, we provide a range of home care services in Suffolk, Essex, and Norwich, including live-in care, domiciliary care, and temporary respite care. We offer a free Needs Assessment to help you find the best solution tailored to your requirements. To schedule your Needs Assessment or learn more about our services, call us on 020 3375 9403.
