The advantages of around-the-clock care

At certain points in the lives of your loved ones, you may start considering getting them some extra assistance for their daily tasks. Families typically turn to live-in when their loved one(s) are in need of timely and around-the-clock attention to ensure that they are able to live to their fullest, no matter their condition or medical issues.

The difficulty here is that applying for care is a very emotional experience. It’s important for both the family and the individual who requires the extra care to understand that live-in care is supposed to be about helping not hindering. When an individual realises that they need help to get through their day, it can have a huge toll on their wellbeing. The best course of action to take here is to reassure the person that it’s truly a minor change, and that the care they are going to be receiving will help them do everything they used to do during their day.

This is where live-in care comes in. With live-in care, the person in question who requires extra help and support, as well as their close family members, can avoid the upheaval that other kinds of care would require – such as choosing a care facility for your loved one’s needs, and consequently moving them into that care facility.

What is live-in care?

Live-in care refers to an individual who requires extra help remaining in their current living situation but gaining the assistance and care of a professional carer who will spend the day with them.

Unlike other care options, a live-in carer will actually stay with your loved one. This means a better relationship between the carer and your loved one, which leads to a better understanding of your loved one’s care needs.

With live-in care, your loved one will experience a better standard of care in the comfort of their own home, from a fully qualified carer who is able to assist with everything from daily needs to emotional companionship, personal care to domestic chores that need to be completed. Live-in carers very much become part of your loved one’s family, because even in a short amount of time, a bond will form if there is a good match of personality and technique from the carer to your loved one.

Why staying at home can be the better choice

If you believe that your loved one may struggle if they were to be cared for in a care facility, then having them stay in their home with a carer can be a choice better suited to them. Not everyone benefits from facility care in the same way, and the sudden move may upset your loved one if they aren’t properly prepared for it.

By keeping your loved one at home with a carer, you’re allowing them to keep a sense of individuality, as well as letting them retain their current lifestyle and access to absolutely all of their belongs and treasured memories. Of course, that isn’t to say that they wouldn’t have their belongings in a care facility, but some individuals feel much more comfortable in an environment that they feel safe and at home in.

Remaining in surroundings that your loved one recognises will surely help them adjust to having a carer, especially if the person requiring care suffers from any illnesses or diseases that affect memory. Having physical reminders makes it easier for someone to recall events, after all.

With live-in care, your loved one already knows their home like the back of their hand, so there won’t be any sudden issues or accidents due to them being in unfamiliar surroundings.

Why choose live-in care over a care facility

As mentioned, live-in carers are able to provide a better standard of care to your loved one. Having a carer in the home allows them to react much more quickly if there is an emergency, which can prevent unneeded hospital trips to A&E, as well as undue panic. Live-in carers typically adopt a person-centred approach which can help your loved one retain their sense of dignity, independence, and even push them in the right direction to keep them happy and healthy.

There is also a lower risk of infection when your loved one remains at home for their care. This is because there’s no risk of bacteria, germs, or illnesses that they could contract from other people.

Live-in care is also much more cost effective than residential care in a care facility. Your loved one will receive one-on-one care at a fraction of the cost, because only the carer needs to be paid, rather than several staff members who work in shifts.

How to explain to your loved one that they need assistance

There will come a time when you, yourself, will realise that you are struggling to maintain your own life while looking after your loved one. It is at this time that you should start looking for care options if you haven’t considered it before.

Explaining to your loved one that they need a carer is never an easy conversation to have, but you just need to remember that they are likely very aware of their current condition. A lot of what stops a person asking for help is pride and the need to feel independent. Therefore, ensure that you mention how much more independent they would feel if they could go about their day without feeling like their body is stopping them. That extra human assistance will go a long way because they’ll have more energy to put towards the better part of their day.

Other benefits

We’ve mentioned a lot of benefits so far, but here are some that you might not have considered yet:

• More flexibility for all parties. Your loved one’s live-in carer will take care of everything they can.
• Constant companionship for your loved one.
• Your loved one will retain their independence while still receiving any help or care they need.
• Your loved one and their carer will have a better relationship and trust will be built quickly.

 

If you have any questions and wish to get in touch with us, then you can either call us on:

01494 917344

or you can email us at:

info@ashridgehomecare.co.uk