It’s essential that you choose the most appropriate care provider for yourself or relative or loved one, so you know that the highest standards of support are delivered no matter what.
It’s often the case that residential care homes are the first port of call and, of course, they are a highly trusted option, giving you peace of mind that there will always be someone on hand to help, no matter what.
However, if you or someone you know has a long-term chronic health condition, requiring help with daily tasks, it’s important to remember that there is another avenue you can consider for support… live-in care.
What is live-in care?
Simply put, live-in care involves the delivery of high-quality compassionate care within the individual’s home, with full-time supervision provided for ongoing medical or personal care needs, overnight assistance where required and companionship and emotional support.
What’s particularly beneficial about this kind of service is that it’s based on the understanding that every person is different, with their own specific needs. Care programmes are tailored to suit the individual and they can evolve over time to account for changes in need.
This level of flexibility ensures that people are able to continue living independently for as long as possible within the comfort of their own home and within their local community, enjoying a sense of familiarity and helping to prevent social isolation and loneliness.
How do care homes differ from live-in care?
While care homes do ensure that high standards of care are provided, with nurses and trained staff on hand to help, note that you will not always be able to enjoy one-on-one care. Live-in care, meanwhile, ensures that care and support is available around the clock.
You may also find it difficult to find a good residential care service in your area, with limited options available because there are significant numbers of people looking for the same service.
If you use a registered care agency, you will be able to enlist the services of competent and compassionate carers without any problem.
It’s also worth noting that care homes may not be equipped to deal with specific health conditions or provide the appropriate level of support for complex needs, such as dementia or Parkinson’s.
By using a live-in carer, you can make sure that your provider has the relevant skills and experience to provide the level of care you require.
How do costs compare between care homes and live-in care?
Interestingly, while many assume that live-in care is significantly more expensive than residential care, this isn’t often the case.
In fact, you may find that the two are comparable in terms of cost – or even that live-in care is less expensive, with the additional benefit of receiving tailored one-on-one support. Furthermore, if you need support for couples within the home, it can be even more cost effective.
If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of live-in care and how to go about having a needs assessment carried out, get in touch with the Concept Care team today.
