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Residential vs home care: understanding your options

Are you in the process of choosing between residential or home care for yourself or a loved one? Choosing the right care solution is often one of the most stressful times in an individual’s life and can be made more difficult by all the jargon and confusing differences you may encounter during your research.

When many people start to consider care for an older adult, they may believe that care homes are the only option available. This is not the case as receiving care at home is a valid, and often preferable, solution for an older person with care needs. With the help and support of a home carer, people with care needs can remain in their much-loved homes while avoiding the distress and disruption of having to move into residential care.

In this short guide, we will explore residential vs home care in more detail, including the benefits and drawbacks of both, to help you make an informed decision about your care.

WHAT IS RESIDENTIAL CARE?

Receiving residential care involves leaving your treasured home and moving into a long-term accommodation where round-the-clock care is provided. Residential care can vary greatly in price range, location, facilities, or care provided. Some care homes allow their residents to leave the facility as they wish while others provide a more structured environment.

WHAT IS HOME CARE?

Home care describes a wide range of care services all of which involve receiving support from a carer directly in your own home. With home care, an individual with care needs can receive the dedicated support they need without having to leave their much-loved homes. Home care is available for as little as 30 minutes per visit with hourly care up to round-the-clock live-in care.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL AND HOME CARE

HOME CARE
  • Although there are many good care homes, they simply cannot provide the same level of dedicated one-to-one care as receiving professional care at home.
  • Contrary to popular belief, home care is comparable to or even more cost-effective than a residential care home. This is especially true for couples who would have to pay for two rooms in a care home.
  • Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in particular benefit from home care. The familiar surroundings and memories of the home provide important stimuli for individuals living with memory loss.
  • Home care allows you to maintain a sense of independence as there are no rigid timetables or schedules to follow.
  • With home care, you can continue to lead the lifestyle you love. Staying at home allows you to remain in your much-loved home surrounded by all your treasured possessions. You’ll also be able to keep up with all your hobbies and friends in your local community, something that is difficult to do in a care home.
  • Couples can stay together as a loving couple – something that is not always available in a residential care home.
  • You have more direction over your care. By choosing home care, you can have a say in the person that will be looking after yourself or a loved one.
  • Home care allows you to continue living with your beloved pets.
RESIDENTIAL CARE
  • Nurses and trained staff are always on hand to provide care and support. This is especially helpful for those with acute or complex care needs.
  • Your accommodation, meals and activities are all planned for you, offering relief from the burden of day-to-day planning or chores.
  • While the best care homes help you live as independently as possible, you may still feel as if you have lost some of your independence or privacy.
  • While some people appreciate the structure and organisation that a care home provides, such a structured environment may feel stifling for some older adults used to living independently at home.
  • Care homes provide ample opportunity for social contact and group activities, which can help older adults that experience isolation or loneliness at home.
  • Care homes are often restricted by availability so you may have to travel far from home to find an available room.

HOME CARE SERVICES FROM PRESTIGE NURSING & CARE

At Prestige Nursing & Care we know that it is never easy making care decisions for yourself or a loved one. Taking the time to learn about your options will make you feel more comfortable with your decision, whether you ultimately choose residential or home care.

If you are considering home care, know that we offer hourly, 24-hour care, respite care, and live-in care. For over 75 years, our clients have trusted us to provide outstanding and bespoke care right in their own homes. This allows our clients to receive the day-to-day support they need without having to deal with the upset and disruption of moving into a care home.

We offer a variety of flexible care arrangements that can be suited to meet your unique care needs. Care can be provided for as little as 30 minutes a day up to as many hours/visits as you need throughout the week to continue living happily and independently in your own home. For those with complex care needs, we can provide care 24 hours a day.

If you are living with a condition such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementias that limit your ability to live independently at home, condition-led care is also available.

Staying at home to receive the care you need means you will be able to continue living life your way, all the while benefiting from the one-to-one support and companionship a professional carer provides.

RESPONSIVE LOCAL TEAMS WITH NATIONWIDE COVERAGE

We are providing care and support to those needing cancer care in over 30 locations in the heart of communities across England and Scotland.  The fully managed service we provide is highly responsive and our experts local to you can put care packages in place quickly, working in collaboration with local healthcare professionals, multidisciplinary teams, therapeutic care providers and other community support services.  We know this holistic approach ensures our clients get the best out of life, for all of life.

FIND A CARE SERVICE NEAR YOU

Find out why our clients choose Prestige Nursing & Care for a high quality, responsive home care service.

Home Care FAQs

We are here to take your call and will provide impartial support and guidance – contact our friendly care experts today to discuss your care needs.


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