Information on Care Options is detailed
below. Please note that every individual's situation is unique.
For advice tailored to your specific needs it is suggested
you speak to an Independent Care Adviser.
Most older people would prefer to stay
in their own homes for as long as possible. At home they are
independent and in familiar surroundings. However, staying
at home may not always be appropriate or practical. There
are other options available to older people, including Sheltered
Housing and Care Homes. The advantages and disadvantages of
each are considered below.
Care in Your Own Home
This is usually the preferred option
when an older person starts to struggle with the tasks of
daily living. Care provided at home can be Domestic, Personal
and Social or Nursing and is intended to enable the individual
to live in his or her own home for as long as possible.
Advantages
Own choice of routine.
Familiar surroundings.
No need to downsize
Own choice of how much help is provided (within
financial restraints).
The older person can receive domestic assistance
and/or help with personal and social care and /or support
by the community nursing team.
If and when needs increase, so can
the level of care.
Disadvantages
May not have one regular carer.
Timekeeping of visiting carers can be unpredictable
Long-term expense.
Being at home can sometimes be lonely.
The house must be maintained and bills
must be paid in addition to care costs.
Sheltered Housing
Sheltered Housing typically comprises self-contained
flats or bungalows within a complex. There is a Scheme Manager
who will keep in regular contact with the residents and will
call for help if needed, but will not offer day to day assistance.
Sheltered Housing is for those who want to remain independent,
but like to have the security of someone close at hand.
Advantages
Retain independence
Gardens and property maintained by someone
else
Regular contact with scheme manager
Emergency alarm call system fitted in each
flat or bungalow
Communal facilities sometimes available
Properties usually available for rent or
purchase
Disadvantages
No domestic or personal care provided.
This would have to be arranged privately or through social
services
Accommodation can sometimes be small
Meals not usually provided
May have upheaval of another move if more
care is needed in the future
Service charge usually applicable
Limited social contact with other residents;
usually dependent on charisma of scheme manager and motivation
of resident to get involved
Extra Care Housing
Extra Care Housing is very sheltered housing
with a range of additional facilities and support, i.e. there
is 24 hour care to meet the needs identified in individual
care plans with the flexibility to respond to fluctuations
in care needs. Some meals may also be provided.
Advantages
Promotes independence
Part of a community
Own front door
Support/care available at predetermined
times, 24 hours per day
Meal services
Assisted baths
Launderette
Disadvantages
Likely to have specific admission
criteria
May not be able to provide a home for life
Not widely available
Largely rental schemes subject to joint assessment
by housing and Social Services
Not easily accessed by those with private
funds or property to sell
Assisted Living
This is fundamentally the same as Extra Care
Housing above. However, while Extra Care Housing is generally
only available to rent following a joint assessment by Social
Services and Housing, Assisted Living Schemes are generally
available for purchase or rent on a private basis.
Close Care
Close Care is similar to sheltered housing
in that residents retain their independence. However, close
care flats/bungalows are situated within the grounds of a
care home so care may be available, if required.
Advantages
Retain independence
Can usually use the facilities of the main
house, e.g. communal areas and join in activities and outings
Meals are sometimes provided either as part
of a package or at a small extra charge
Domestic help and personal care may be available,
subject to prior agreement with the Care Home
Close Care properties are usually available
for rent or purchase
Possibility of moving into main house if
more care is needed
Disadvantages
Properties can sometimes be small
Close Care is not widely available
Value of the property can be affected by
the success of the whole complex
The category of care provided in the home
may differ from that required
A room may not be available at the home when
required
Domestic help and personal care not always
available via the care home
Care Homes (otherwise known as Residential
Homes)
Good Care Homes should provide care and security
within a comfortable setting. Assistance with personal care
is generally provided by experienced and trained carers. Limited
nursing care, if needed, is provided by the community nursing
services. Care and community spirit within a Care Home may
vary. In some homes, residents are encouraged to have an active
role within the home. To some extent this depends on the type
of residents at the home and the attitude of the Manager and
his/her staff.
Most residents have their own room, furnished
as they wish, often with their own toilet and sink. There
may be a choice of communal areas and a garden for residents
to enjoy.
Advantages
24 hour assistance available
Help with personal care if needed
Activities/outings organized
Company and companionship
Safe environment
Meals provided
No worries about maintaining house/garden
and paying household bills
Disadvantages
Some loss of independence
Rooms sometimes small, therefore, not able
to take many personal belongings/items of furniture
The home ownership may change or the home
may close
Other residents may not have similar abilities
or interests
Would have to move to a Care Home with
Nursing if care needs increase.
Care Homes with Nursing (otherwise
known as Nursing Homes)
Care Homes with Nursing provide care for the
more frail elderly who are experiencing poor health. Residents
usually require a high level of care and medical attention.
The homes are usually bigger than care homes and are often
purpose built.
Advantages
24 hour assistance available
Qualified nurses on duty at all times
Assistance with personal care
Safe/comfortable environment
Stimulating activities organised
Meals provided
No worries about maintaining house/garden
and paying household bills
Can provide a home for life
Disadvantages
Loss of independence
Rooms can sometimes be small
Expensive
Not suitable for active alert older people
who need very little assistance
May be in company of those significantly
more mentally or physically frail.
Dual Registered Homes
Some homes have dual registration, which means
that they are able to provide both Residential and Nursing
Care. The main advantage to this is that if an older person
does not need nursing care now but may in the future, there
will be no need to face the upheaval of a further move.
Viewing Care Homes
Whichever setting is most appropriate to the
older person, they are advised to view a number of homes and
to discuss their requirements with the Manager.
Whilst the majority of homes provide general
residential or general nursing care, many also specialise
in a particular category of care e.g. dementia or other type
of mental disorder. The skills and experience which come with
such a specialism can make a significant difference to the
older person's experience of the care provided.
An assessment by a member of staff at the care home will be
required to ensure that care needs can be met, prior to acceptance
into their home. The older person or their representative
should consider any personal criteria, such as location, accommodation,
facilities offered, and of course any budgetary constraints,
before entering into an agreement either directly with the
home or via Social Services or the NHS.
Call Grace Consulting on 01483 203066 for further
information or complete the e-mail
enquiry form.
If you require further assistance or would
like to speak to the Independent Care Adviser this site recommends
please call 0800 137 669
