A nursing home isn’t always the best option — when it comes to in-home care, there are many crucial advantages
In the UK, people are living longer than ever before. This is great news for many reasons — you have the chance to build more memories with your loved ones and relive old ones. There are other societal advantages to an ageing population, too, according to IIASA research.
However, as we and our loved ones grow older and are faced with limitations, we eventually need to find help. For some, the decision is made to go into a nursing home but for others, the option of paying for care at home is the right way to go.
We’ve listed the most important reasons why home care services might be right for you or your loved one.
1. You Don’t Have to Give up the Familiar
At a time of such profound change, the comfort of the familiar should not be undervalued. If you want to spend nights sleeping in your own bed and using your own bathroom while continuing your usual daily activities in familiar surroundings, home care services are certainly for you. Such familiarity is extremely useful for those suffering from dementia or other progressive memory conditions. In situations such as these, new environments or routines might cause unnecessary confusion or frustration, which might exacerbate the symptoms of the disease.
2. You Get One-on-One Attention and Support
When you have specialised home care, you develop a personal relationship with your carer and they make your life more comfortable. The personalised, one-on-one support means you are the primary focus of your caregiver’s attention — there’s no need to worry about them getting distracted by other patients. Your needs will always come first and be met quickly and with compassion.
3. Home Care Clients Have Better Health Outcomes
Research has shown time and again that clinical results are generally better when in-home care is given to individuals with chronic conditions, like COPD, diabetes and pneumonia. In-home care also results in fewer complications. Research shows that patients recover from surgery and illness in a much faster manner when they are in the comfort of their own home with a decreased risk of developing infection. This is certainly something to consider if you have an impaired immune system, or have a condition that requires attention on a regular basis.
4. You Benefit from Personalised Care
Living in a retirement home or care facility requires a huge shift in routine. This can add unnecessary stress and strain to your life, particularly if you have certain activities you enjoy or societies you want to attend. When you live in a care facility, you have to adjust to a new schedule, but with in-home care, a plan is created that fits your personalised needs. You might only need assistance for a few hours a day, or require permanent in-home care — whatever the case, we can find someone who fits perfectly with your lifestyle. In-home care offers this great flexibility.
5. You Get to Maintain Independence
As we age, loss of independence is a huge concern. A big advantage of home care — you maintain control over the aspects of your daily life that are important to you. You get to create and direct your own schedule and decide when and where you want to eat and sleep. You have a say in when you go out or socialise. Great carers know the importance of independence and will know when to step back and simply offer assistance when they are needed — while allowing their client to carry on living their lives in the most fulfilling way possible.
Companions of London specialise in expert home care, providing first-class carers who are dedicated when it comes to making their client’s lives as comfortable as possible.
To find out how London’s premier home care company can help you, call us on 020 3519 8001 or email us on info@companionsoflondon.co.uk today.