As our loved ones age and experience the challenges that come with growing older, it is important to remember that there are a variety of care options for elderly individuals available.
Considering care options for elderly parents becomes all the more difficult when you are faced with urgent situations. This could be due to a fall, a medical diagnosis or illness, which means that finding the right type of care is an immediate issue.
In this guide, we will cover all the different types of care options for the elderly, so that you can make an informed decision for the benefit of your loved one. From 24/7 live-in care to assisted living and more, many options are available to ensure that individuals receive the most suitable care for their unique situation.
Understanding options for care for the elderly
To make an informed decision about care options for your elderly loved ones, it’s crucial to understand each form of care completely. Once you have this knowledge, you can weigh the pros and cons of each against the needs and wishes of your elderly loved one.
What are the options for the care of an elderly person available to you?
Here are the main options for care for the elderly and what each form of care includes:
Care Homes
Care homes, also referred to as nursing or residential care homes, provide round-the-clock care for older adults who need daily assistance with living tasks and medical needs. These facilities offer various services, including help with personal hygiene, medication management and recreational activities. Care homes are staffed by professionals, including nurses and carers, to ensure residents receive proper care and support.
Assisted Living and Sheltered Housing
Assisted living and sheltered housing offer a more independent living environment for those who require some assistance with tasks like housekeeping and transportation.
Residents typically have their own apartments or rooms within a community setting, with access to communal facilities and social activities. These facilities balance independence and support, allowing residents to maintain their autonomy while receiving assistance as needed.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is a form of care for individuals living with serious long-term health conditions or life-limiting illnesses. Its primary objective is to offer assistance with care, pain management, and emotional support.
A common type of palliative care is a hospice. Individuals being cared for in a hospice setting typically stay for the last stages of their lives. Here, they receive support in their last months, weeks or days to live comfortably.
Home Care
Home care services, including both live-in and visiting care, enable the elderly to receive personalised care and support in the comfort of their own homes. Live-in carers provide round-the-clock assistance with daily tasks, companionship and medical support, allowing older adults to maintain their independence while receiving the help they need in the comfort of home.
Options for elderly care at home also include visiting care services that offer scheduled visits from carers to assist with specific tasks or provide companionship and support as required.
For more information on live-in care, read our guide, which offers comprehensive information on our live-in care services and how to access them.
Day Care Centres
Day care centres offer a supportive and engaging environment for elderly individuals during the day while their family members are at work or otherwise occupied. These centres provide social activities, meals and assistance with daily tasks, as well as opportunities for interaction and companionship with peers.
Day care centres can be particularly beneficial for the elderly who may feel isolated or lonely at home, providing them with stimulation and socialisation in a supervised setting.
Living with Family
Living with family is another example of a home care option for elderly parents who prefer to remain in a familiar environment surrounded by loved ones. Family members can provide care and support tailored to their elderly loved one’s needs, ensuring they receive personalised attention and companionship.
While living with family can offer emotional and practical benefits, the individual’s specialist healthcare needs must be considered. It’s essential to understand the level of support available and whether additional assistance or resources may be needed to ensure well-being and quality of life.
How to choose the right care
Ultimately, choosing the right care options for elderly loved ones is dependent on their individual situation, health status and preferences. There is no one size fits all and it is important that the type of care chosen reflects your loved one as an individual.
To help make an informed decision about care options for the elderly, there are a few points to consider:
- Talk with your loved one: start by having an open conversation with your loved one about their preferences and needs. Understanding their desires and concerns will help guide your decision-making process and ensure their wishes are respected.
- Assess safety and comfort: evaluate your loved one’s living situation to determine if it provides a safe and comfortable environment for them. Consider factors such as accessibility, fall hazards and the availability of support services.
- Consider medical needs: take into account any medical conditions or health issues your loved one may have. Determine if they require specialised care or assistance with activities of daily living, such as medication management, mobility assistance or therapy.
- Evaluate financial resources: assess your loved one’s financial situation and explore the cost of different care options. Consider factors such as government assistance and out-of-pocket expenses to determine what is affordable and sustainable in the long term.
- Research available services: research the various care options available in your area. Compare the services offered, quality of care and reputation of each provider to find the best fit for your loved one’s needs.
- Visit potential facilities: if considering residential care options, schedule visits to potential facilities to tour the premises, meet staff members and observe the quality of care provided. Pay attention to the cleanliness, atmosphere and overall environment to ensure it aligns with your loved one’s preferences and standards.
- Seek input from professionals: consult with healthcare professionals, such as doctors, social workers or geriatric care managers, for guidance and recommendations based on your loved one’s medical and social needs. They can provide valuable insights and referrals to appropriate care providers.
- Involve family members: involve other family members in the decision-making process to gather input and support. Consider their perspectives and discuss how everyone can contribute to the care and well-being of your loved one.
- Plan for future needs: Look for flexibility and scalability in services to ensure continuity of care as your loved one’s condition progresses. For example, live-in care can be scaled up or adapted to suit your elderly loved one’s changing needs.
- Trust your instincts: ultimately, trust your instincts and intuition when making decisions about your loved one’s care. Ensure that you check out reviews and testimonials of the care services you opt for. Overall, consider your loved one’s preferences, safety and well-being and choose the option that feels right for them and your family.
Why the elderly love home care
Entering your later years, surrounded by home comforts and beloved pets, is what many of us envision for ourselves as we grow older. The majority of adults are in agreement, revealing when polled that receiving in-home care would be preferable over other types of care.
It is no wonder that the elderly love home care, where they can receive additional support and care at home with minimum disruption to their daily routines. With live-in care, elderly individuals can remain in their homes, in their local areas and close by to their loved ones, who are free to pop by and visit.
With the support of a live-in carer, individuals can continue with their everyday lives all in the comfort of their own homes. In addition to retaining independence, home care options for the elderly, such as live-in care, are flexible and personalised, providing as much care as needed.
To explore these and the many other benefits of home care, download our free guide to how live-in care works.
How Trinity Homecare can help
Trinity Homecare is here to help find you a perfectly matched carer who will support your loved one in this next stage of life, all in the comfort of their own home.
At Trinity, we provide:
- CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ rated live-in care services
- One-to-one full-time care at home
- Completely bespoke live-in care that is tailored to you
- Specialist care for a variety of conditions
- Home carers carefully matched to your needs
With over 25 years of experience, Trinity Homecare provides the highest standards of personalised in-home care services. We appreciate that everyone is unique with different circumstances and therefore offer you the most comprehensive range of in-home care, including both live-in and visiting care.
Talk to us today
If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.
Get in touch today on 01908 183 4648 . Lines are open from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm every day. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form, and we will be in touch very soon
