When you share your home with an elderly loved one, it can be hard to know when they may need a bit of help with their daily tasks. It can feel like a daunting topic to approach with them, and it may cause them to worry that you are eager to send them off to random care homes.
We know that’s not the case, so we are here to offer a solution.
At StellarCare NW, we know that home care is better than a care home, but why is this the case? We have seen the top reasons in practice, and here, we will look at why it is better and safer to keep your loved one at home, rather than placing them in a care home.
Familiarity
If you have ever moved home, you know how unsettling and disorienting it can be to navigate the new space. Now, imagine that you are an older person who may be having memory issues, and you are placed in a brand-new space with new people. To say it would be overwhelming is an understatement.
At StellarCare NW, we firmly believe that the best care home alternative Cheshire families can choose is one that keeps their loved ones exactly where they belong: in a home that they know.
This helps them abundantly, as remaining in a familiar environment surrounded by cherished memories, family members, and even beloved pets provides an irreplaceable sense of safety and security. The last one, especially, has been linked to better long-term psychological well-being. According to a 2023 study, it states how “older adults reported that their pets reduced feelings of loneliness and helped them meet other people (social aspects).”
Independence
Another thing to consider is how independence may be impacted if someone moves into a care home.
As we wrote about familiarity earlier, they may feel that they have lost their sense of autonomy as they are now outside of their own routines, what they know and even the area they are familiar with. This, which has been linked to poorer long-term health outcomes, as found in a study featured in Nursing Ethics from 2021.
So with that in mind, here’s what our team of professionals will help with if a person receives care in their own home:
- Stay in Their Routines: If someone likes to go out with their friends, walk their dog or go shopping once a week, then by helping them stay in their homes and creating a daily routine (especially for individuals with dementia!), our team can help them to keep the ways that they love or find comfort in.
- Retain Autonomy: When an older person is moved into care homes, it can feel to them as though all of the control that they had over their lives is now being dictated by nurses, doctors and care staff. By staying at home, we aim to help all of those in our care to keep their autonomy.
- Keep Financial Independence: Retaining control over personal finances is deeply tied to a person’s sense of independence and dignity. By choosing personalised care at home, older adults can continue managing their own day-to-day choices. Whether that’s budgeting for weekly groceries, paying for a favourite hobby, or simply enjoying a trip to the local café. This continued autonomy is vital for preserving mental well-being and keeping them actively engaged in their community. Thus, also reduces mental and physical health issues from loneliness and social isolation.
Cost-Efficiency
Speaking of money, we understand that one of the many things that can cause worry for families and even the individuals who may need additional help is how much it may cost.
While residential care homes are absolutely the right choice for some, they do involve paying for round-the-clock facility costs and accommodation. In many cases, receiving tailored home care from a team like StellarCare NW offers a highly flexible alternative.
Because you only pay for the specific care and visiting hours required, it can often be a much more manageable way to keep your loved one safe and comfortable at home. Therefore, helping to alleviate the financial worry and guilt that families sometimes experience.
Personalised Care
In a care home, it can be hard for staff to spend a prolonged period of time with a person that they are caring for. On the opposite end, home care is highly personalised and allows the support staff to focus solely on each person. Hence, creating an all-around better care.
Plus, you and your family members will likely have the same roster of carers there to care for you, so there’s a possibility of making a few new friends!
Family Involvement
When you choose home care, you and everyone else in your home are also involved in the support that is offered to your loved one. You will have more oversight over what happens, you will be able to advocate when you need to, and most importantly, you will have peace of mind that your loved one is receiving the care that they deserve.
So no more feeling carer’s guilt, stress or strain.
If you want some help in your home that goes above and beyond for your loved one, call our team at StellarCare NW, and we can discuss how our nurse-led team can keep you and/or your loved one in the place they feel the most comfortable: home.
Contact our team today and let’s see how we can help!