Deciding to arrange live-in care for an elderly loved one is a big decision, but nowhere near as big a decision as planning to move them into a care home, with all its trauma and upheaval. So if you’re thinking your elderly loved one could do with more help at home and they are not willing to consider moving to a care home, then perhaps now is the right time to consider live-in care as an option.
When to start arranging Live-in care
The exact moment when the decision to consider live-in care becomes a priority will be different in every case, but it usually arises from a growing concern about a person’s safety and well-being. As a family member you may worry that your loved one is becoming increasingly vulnerable, prone to mishaps and accidents and would therefore benefit from live-in care to support their physical needs. If they live on their own, you may also be concerned that they are becoming increasingly lonely and isolated and ever more anxious about venturing out at all into their local community. All these concerns are perfectly natural and understandable.
Equally, if you are reading this as an older person living on your own and you if you are finding it ever more difficult to cope with basic everyday tasks or with your personal care, then now may be the right time to consider live-in care. What we wouldn’t recommend, though, is leaving it so long that you are barely able to look after yourself properly, because this might leave you at serious risk of suffering a fall or other accident at home, which could result in you having to endure a prolonged stay in hospital.
Complex Care Conditions
Those with a complex care condition might consider moving to a care home, but this would inevitably mean having to leave the home they love. It would probably also mean being separated from their spouse or partner and perhaps also the family pet. Going to live with a family member and relying on them for care may not be a realistic alternative, either, for many older people, especially if that family member has a demanding job, significant family responsibilities of their own, or lives a long way away.
Providing care for someone with complex needs is a full-time job and, assuming it is safe for them to do so, in our experience, staying at home in familiar surroundings will be better for the person’s physical and emotional wellbeing. This is where live-in care can help.
Some indicators the time is right to start thinking about arranging live-in care
Live-in care is likely to be the preferred option for a wider range of people than just those with a complex physical or medical condition. So when is the right time for live-in care if someone does not have a complex care condition? Here are some signs that might help you.
- Your loved one is less physically able than previously and is struggling with day-to-day tasks; they may have had a number of small accidents or incidents at home that could have been avoided with the right support.
- Your loved one is coming home to recover from an operation, or other treatment and would benefit from expert and caring support for a time until they have fully recovered. This is not to suggest that you or another family member would not be willing to help them, but simply that you might not be in a position to do so, or that your loved one might not want you to.
- A couple living together needs support because one has become full-time carer for the other and this is starting to take its toll on their physical and mental health. (full-stop)
- An individual living on their own is becoming more withdrawn and isolated, causing their family to feel concerned about their physical and mental welfare. If this is you and you are experiencing strong feelings of loneliness and depression, then the companionship of a live-in carer will undoubtedly help you.
In summary, if you have concerns that either you or an elderly loved one is not coping, or soon won’t be able to, then now might be a good time to talk to us and discover the benefits of live-in care. Chesterford Homecare is a small independent company that has been looking after clients in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Herts and Cambridgeshire for nearly 10 years now. We will gladly come to visit you and assess your needs and if it turns out you’re not ready for help right now, no problem, you will know who to call when you are ready.
Many of our clients and their families like to take their time and mull over their options before making a decision and so it’s perfectly understandable if you feel the same way. However, we do urge you to start doing your research and drawing up a shortlist of providers as soon as you become aware that the need for full-time care is approaching. This will enable you to make a more informed choice when the times comes, rather than having a hasty, last-minute decision forced on you because a sudden crisis has arisen. Click Supported living services – Social care and support guide – NHS (www.nhs.uk) if you want to learn more about Live-in care.
