As you or your loved ones get older, it may be hard to decide which type of care they need. The type of care they need may change over time and so finding out about the types of care will help the transition go smoother and easier.
What types of care are available?
Companionship
This is a great choice for someone who lives alone and someone who may need assistance with tasks such as shopping and help with the daily household tasks. It is understandably very hard having loved ones who live further away, and so having companionship will prevent the feeling of loneliness as well as having peace of mind that there is someone to check up on your loved ones regularly.
These could range from hourly calls, or long day calls to spend a full day with your loved one doing activities they once used to enjoy doing.
Short cover care calls
These range from 30 minute to 1-hour care calls, from one to four times per day. These care calls typically include help with personal care and getting ready for the day/bedtime. They can also be used to help with meal preparation, medications administration and general housekeeping.
This is ideal if you prefer to stay at home and maximise independence as much as possible. These care calls can vary with the amount of home care help you require from your carers, from individuals who need help with daily tasks to bed bound individuals who require more complex care or people living with Dementia.
We do try to keep the same carers with each individual, in order to build a trustful relationship and familiarity which is understandably a need during this difficult transition.
Live-in care
This is a good option for those who still wish to remain in the comfort of their own home, whilst having the peace of mind that there is always someone present in case of an emergency. The live-in care option is great for companionship, help with daily tasks and to help getting ready for the day.
This option allows your loved one to build a relationship with one consistent carer, who has the opportunity to get to know them and their needs more. During this process, you are able to meet with a carer prior to the commencement of the care, to establish if they will be a right fit for your loved one.
Care Home
If you find that you or your loved one is struggling to live independently and requires more complex care, this option provides reassurance that your loved one will receive anything they need at any time.
It is understandable that this would be the last option for some people, as they would like to preserve their independence as much as possible and remain in the comfort of their own home. This is why trying any of the other options mentioned above may be a good idea, depending on the needs of the individual.
Choosing the right care for you or your loved one is a challenging time. This is why we have a team of dedicated professionals to help you during this difficult transition. Contact us to enquire about any of these options and advice on the next step forward.