Coming to the conclusion that yourself or a loved one is in need of full-time care is a journey in itself. Once that journey is complete, however, you face another one. Which type of care best suits your needs? There are many specific types of care, but two of your main options for full-time care are going to be live-in care or residential care.
What are the differences between the two? Understanding each one, in turn, should give you the tools to make a decision about which type of care is best for your situation.
Live-in care
Live-in care is essentially care you receive at home. That means a qualified care professional will live in the home of the care receiver on a full-time basis. The level of care required can vary, but full-time live-in care is generally required for more serious health issues or end of life care. Otherwise part-time care options are a much more practical solution.
With live-in care, all things related to your particular care plan will be attended to by the care professional living at home. So what is the benefit of that? The primary benefit is that the care receiver is able to stay in their own environment. Quality of life is often improved by allowing someone to stay in surroundings that are familiar to them.
People also tend to form a more lasting relationship with a single caregiver as opposed to a constantly revolving team. If the patient is nervous about their care, this will help to relax and reassure them.
Residential care
Residential care involves the care receiver moving to a particular care residence. There they’ll have their own room and, if their condition allows, be able to associate with other patients. With residential care, it’ll be a team of care providers actually administering the care. There are many different types of residential care homes, many of which cater to patients with specific needs. So, finding the right home is essential.
The benefit of a residential care home is that, compared to a domestic home, there is going to be a much larger pool of available staff ready to help administer the care. If any specialist equipment is needed, that too will be easier to procure and may even be on site already. Care homes are often designed with ease of use in mind, so patients with mobility issues might find it easier to get around a specific care facility.
Residential care also has a convenience benefit for the family of the patient. They get the peace of mind from knowing that their loved one has a team of professionals on hand to cater for their needs as and when they arise.
Contact a professional
Deciding on the right choice between live-in and residential care is not a decision you can make in isolation. Reach out and speak to as many people as possible to get the feedback to allow you to make the right choice. Care providers, doctors or health workers – always consult specialists before you commit.
Have you ever had to make the decision to put a family member into care? How did you decide what was best for you and your family member?
This is a collaborative post
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