Is home care safer than a care home?

Statistics indicate that as many as 97% of individuals do not want to move into a care home. Fortunately, there is another option; care in the home. The question this raises for many concerned family members, however, is which will be the best option for their elderly relative?

Read on as we take a look at both options in some detail and consider the benefits and drawbacks of both options to help you make an informed decision.

What is the difference between home care and a care home?

The two options do sound very similar, but they are in fact rather different. Home care means that you can remain in your own home and a care professional will support you there with tasks like dressing, medication, cooking and even shopping.

The term care home is a rather broad one that includes both residential and nursing homes. This is somewhere that the person needing care moves to when they need the extra help. This can sometimes be a temporary move, for example after a period in hospital, but it is more commonly a permanent move.

What are the benefits of home care?

Many individuals prefer the idea of being cared for in their own home and, sadly, worry about being forced into a care home when they need extra help. Fortunately, home care is becoming an increasingly popular choice with elderly people as they become more aware of their care options.

Studies have, in fact, shown that home care is better for both wellbeing and health. This style of person-centred care within the home can have a significantly improved impact on happiness, wellbeing and can even lead to a reduction in hospital admissions over being in a care home.

This is a positive step and one that has resulted in the NHS working to keep individuals in their own homes and out of residential care for as long as possible. The World Health Organisation has home care as an important part of its 2020 strategy.

• More cost effective – typically home care if cheaper than a care home. The value of your property isnt included in a means-test asset calculation if you are living in it, this may help in the decision to see if you qualify for public funding.
• Better for dementia patients – being in familiar surroundings with the memories that place holds is beneficial to those with dementia. Studies have shown that those who remain at home experience greater quality of life, activity levels and social connections and as such home care should be the first choice.
• Maintaining independence – being supported in your own home helps promote greater independence.
• Designed to meet needs – home care is tailored around the needs of the individual and can easily be changed over time to suit growing needs. The option to move to a care home is still there should it no longer be possible for these needs to be met in the home.
• You have more control over the care – When it comes to self-employed caregivers, you will have more opportunity to select the individual who will be a good fit for your loved one, this will help to create better bonds and offer an overall more positive experience for everyone.

What are the drawbacks of home care?

• Finding the right care professional – Unfortunately it can be hard to find the right caregiver on your own. If you are doing this through personal recommendations, you will need to carry out all of the relevant checks yourself.
• Your home may need alterations – where there are mobility issues it may be necessary to make extensive adjustments to your property in order to make home care a safe and practical option. This work can be stressful and expensive.
• Your property will need maintaining – all of the usual upkeep and maintenance will need to continue if you remain in your own property. This can be more complex if the individual has dementia and cannot cope with dealing with this unless there is a Lasting Power of Attorney in place.

What are the benefits of a care home?

There has been an increase in the number of older people who are living with frailty, or some form of mental health or long term physical condition. Care homes can play an important role when it comes to caring for older people. If you don’t think that home care is a viable option, or there is a reason the person may no longer remain in their home then this can be an option.

• Provide constant care – care home residents get round-the-clock care, and this can include medical professionals (round-the-clock care is also available with home care).
• Provide social contact – older people are around their peers which can help them feel less isolated. Activities are often organised that can help them keep engaged and active whilst still getting the support they need.
• External standards are used to measure care homes – care homes are regulated and regularly assessed, helping to ensure confidence.
• Reduces administrative burdens – this removes the need to maintain a private residence and all the bills and paperwork that entails.
• Care homes often offer flexibility – the amount of care needed can be adjusted to each person’s needs as there are always staff available.

What are the drawbacks of care homes?

• Care homes have a bad reputation – whether this is through articles in the media or outdated information, this poor press can mean people don’t want to try care homes. Residents can experience declining health – being in unfamiliar surroundings may possibly cause a decline in health.
• Care homes are not cheap – as a long term option care homes are expensive; the cost of nursing homes is even higher.
• Dementia care is not always as it should be – access to specialist dementia services may not be as readily available in care homes. Being in unfamiliar settings can be more stressful to those with dementia particularly when there are other dementia sufferers with challenging, conflicting, behaviour.
• Options are limited – There can be limited care home availability in an area, and there may be a waiting time for a space to become available.

• Care homes have strict rules – Whilst rules are to be expected for the smooth running of a care home these rules can have a negative impact on those who value their freedom. These rules can often exclude couples from sharing a room or from people having their pets with them.

The decision you make on the care you choose, either for yourself or a loved one, should be one taken with care. Assessing the impact of moving out of somewhere comfortable should always be balanced with the level of care you or your loved one needs.