Reasons to Choose Live-in Care in Comparison to Residential Care

Many of us will find ourselves in the position of needing to choose the right type of care package for a loved one, and the decision can be a challenging one. It's not something I want to think about but the day, sadly, arrives for us all at some point. Should you opt for residential care for an elderly or disabled relative, or choose live in care ? Here are some of the reasons why home care can be an excellent option. Find out if the Council might pay for your care.

The ability to remain at home

I know for my Gran in Ireland, remaining at home was extremely important - she was a proud woman who'd raised 7 children and run a successful retail business with my Granddad for several decades. Both a shop beside the house and a travelling shop. Doing all of the duties that came with it, whilst raising a large family. Yet each time we went on holiday to Ireland she rustled up a banquet for sometimes upwards of 20 people for breakfast lunch and dinner with ease.

When a person goes into a residential care facility, they are forced to leave the home that they have loved and made their own for years. This can be hugely stressful and upsetting and make any existing health conditions worse. However, with care at home packages, the individual can remain within their beloved home and have the safety and security that they need in the shape of a live-in carer, who is there to support them with their everyday life and to ensure that they can continue to live at home in a safe, well manner.

The option my Gran chose was to live in accommodation designed for the elderly, which she made her new smaller home, with her own front door, where she had the best of both worlds. She made it like a palace and it was like a tiny version of her former family house, with all the family memories still on the walls. Independent living on a small scale that she could cope with in her later years. With neighbours of a similar age who became firm friends.

A flexible service

With care at home, your loved one can have the right care package built around their needs. They may just need a professional carer to pop in daily to assist with meal preparation and certain household tasks. Or they may need a live-in carer who is permanently on-hand to support and help with all aspects of day to day life. Whatever the need, a home care service can provide it.

Cost-effectiveness

Residential care facilities can be highly expensive and don't offer tailored packages that are bespoke to individual needs. Live in care can be far more cost-effective because it requires no accommodation overheads. Instead, the care recipient remains within their own home, comfortably and happily, but with the expert and professional companion and live in care professional that they need to get the most from life.

Wellbeing and social

A live-in carer can help your loved one to remain as well, as active and as social as possible. They can encourage your loved one to remain mobile and to retain the confidence that they need to attend social events and classes and to be part of the community. This is vital to feel healthy and happy and to get the most out of life; something that isn't always available in a residential care facility where staff are spread across a large number of patients.

When I think of a Carer living in, for some reason thoughts of Frasier immediately spring to mind, as initially Daphne moved in to provide Physio for Martin.

Martin (Mahoney), a retired Seattle Police Department detective, has mobility problems after being shot in the line of duty during a robbery.Frasier hires Daphne Moon (Leeves) as Martin's live-in physical therapist and caregiver, and tolerates Martin's dog Eddie. 

Personal care

Your loved one will have individual care and attention from the home care professional and companion that they feel happy and safe with. This provides a vital and one-to-one relationship that isn't available in a residential home. The carer will be able to get to know your loved one and their own unique needs and keep the family updated with things that they need to know, as well as to liaise with other agencies such as doctors or healthcare professionals to ensure that a seamless service is provided.

In conclusion, although live in care is less well known as an option for independent living, it can offer a range of benefits.

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