When the time comes to start considering moving into a care home, or if you’re helping a loved one make that decision for themselves, the prospect can be daunting. Everyone has different needs, and will require different levels of care and attention, so choosing the right care home for them where they will get the care they need is key.
With an ageing population, care homes are a lifeline for many families with elderly relatives, helping loved ones feel comfortable in a homely setting while receiving the care, assistance and support they need. However, not all care homes offer the same levels or types of care, so doing your research is key.
There are private care home groups, such as Oakland Care, which have homes across the south that offer all levels of care, NHS-funded care homes, and specialist care homes that focus on specific areas of care, such as rehabilitation, end-of-life, or respite care. More specialist homes can be the right choice if someone has an existing need – but homes with broader offerings can offer adaptive support as a resident’s needs change
Residential Care
Residential care is one of the most common types of care, suitable for those who could use some help from time to time and can no longer live in their own home. Residential care offers a lifeline of support for people who might not necessarily need nursing care, but do require help day-to-day with things like dressing or moving around their homes, and would benefit from being in a safe and secure environment.
Residential care is the minimum level of care you or your loved one will receive once they transition to living in a care home full-time. Staff are on hand in the home to deliver support and care in the mornings, mealtimes and evenings when residents may struggle the most with daily activities, but they live independently in the home for the majority of the time they are there. Care is delivered by a trained team who work with residents and activities co-ordinators in the home to create a safe and comfortable home environment with a community feel.
If a resident’s needs change over time, residential care homes often have additional levels of care available, allowing them to stay in the comfort of their new home and receive the support they need going forward.
Nursing Care
Nursing care is designed for residents who have more complex medical needs that require regular supervision and medication, which can only be given by a Registered Nurse. Homes which offer nursing care have Registered Nurses working alongside highly trained care teams to provide round-the-clock care for residents.
Homes which offer nursing care utilise call bell systems, similar to those in hospitals, which allow residents to alert staff if they need help at any time of day or night. Having access to a Registered Nurse within the care home setting gives residents peace of mind knowing they can be cared for fully in a place which is familiar to them and avoids lengthy hospital stays.
Nurses in the home can assist carers with mealtimes for residents who need specialist medical equipment, such as PEG lines to eat and drink, as well as being on hand for any medical emergencies or accidental injuries.
Memory Care
Almost everyone will become a little bit forgetful in their old age, but if you or a loved one starts to become increasingly confused or disoriented, it may be due to an underlying condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Memory care is for individuals who are living with dementia or other memory-related conditions and need a little extra support throughout the day to remain comfortable. Care teams are trained and experienced in supporting residents, using helpful techniques to manage these complex conditions.
Music, movement or pet therapy sessions are often used in tandem with specialised care plans to allow residents with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s to feel relaxed in their care homes and part of the community. Care homes which specialise in memory care often support the families and close friends of residents, as having a loved one with these conditions can be difficult, even when they are being expertly cared for.
Respite Care
Respite care is for residents who only need to be in a care home setting for a short period of time. These respite residents are usually people who receive full-time care and support at home, either by a loved one or a part-time carer. Having a short stay in a respite care home allows family members and carers to have a break from the demands of being a full time carer, and gives the resident time to socialise and a sense of independence.
Respite care can also be used for patients coming out of hospital if they need extra time to recover. They can have a brief stay in a care home with 24 hour nursing care on hand to support their recovery and ease them back into their own home when they are feeling better.
A short respite stay can also give your loved one a taste of care home life. A respite stay means they get to experience what it’s like to live in a residential home, take part in activities, and socialise with their peers before making the move to full-time residential care.
Palliative or End of Life Care
End-of-life care is designed to provide comfort, dignity, and peace in the final stages of a person’s life, while also supporting their families and loved ones. Comfort-focused care allows carers to look after their residents with compassion and keep them as comfortable as possible while in the care home. Some care homes also offer tailored family support where carers offer the resident and their families emotional and spiritual support throughout the process and even after their loved ones have passed on.
End-of-life care is often a subject most residents and their families don’t want to think about until the time comes, but knowing that a care home is able to support you and your loved one throughout the process can make it a less daunting experience when it is required.
Person-centred care
While the style of care delivered differs between homes, care should also be tailored to each resident, often called person-centred care. Depending on the level of care they require, which oftentimes changes as the resident ages or they become unwell, a person-centred care plan allows all residents to remain in control of the level of care they receive. Care homes which provide multiple care options are best suited so that your loved ones can become comfortable in their home, and the level of care transitions with them and their condition.
