When to Consider Moving into a Care Home?
There comes a time when living independently is no longer possible and moving into a care home is the safest and most suitable option. The difficulty many people have is knowing when moving someone into a care home is in everyone’s best interests.
Unfortunately, there is no set time, date, or specific signposts to signify when someone should consider going into a care home, as individual circumstances will heavily influence the decision.
However, knowing what the advantages of residential care are, and ensuring you are aware of the signs of where additional support may be required should help ease the difficult decision.
Signs Someone May Need a Care Home
Is your loved one struggling to cope with simple day-to-day tasks? Perhaps they have suffered falls within their home or aren’t eating or drinking properly. Each of these factors signifies that they could benefit from additional help and support, which care homes can provide.
Many elderly people rely on medication to keep them well. These can be vital for their health and well-being, so if at any point they begin forgetting to take these, this can be a clear sign for you to begin looking at moving into a care home.
If you begin to worry about your loved one for any reason, it is important to seek help from a GP and enquire about a care needs assessment. This will help to gain a thorough understanding of the type of care and support they may require and help with the decision of whether putting someone in a care home is the most suitable option.
Advantages of Residential Care
The main benefit of moving into residential care is safety. There comes a point where living daily tasks, which may seem insignificant to most, are a very difficult task for the elderly, which can often lead to accidents. By moving someone into a care home, you are removing some of this vulnerability, with access to care 24/7 your loved one has access to help with day-to-day tasks such as washing, dressing, and eating.
Another of the key advantages of residential care is companionship. According to Age UK, more than two million people in England over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million people say they can go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour, or family member.
Although moving into a care home can feel like you are taking away independence, they will be gaining company and companionship which can hugely improve overall mental health and well-being.
Types of Care Homes Available
Now we’ve considered the signs which indicate it may be time to consider putting someone into a care home, along with the advantages, the other factor to consider is the type of care homes available.
Upon initial research into the topic of care homes, it can be confusing and daunting. Generally, the main types of care homes are:
Many care homes offer multiple care services, however if your loved one requires more substantial care such as dementia nursing care, it’s important to ensure the care homes you are looking at offer this type of care.
For more information and advice on finding a care home near you, please contact us today to speak with a friendly advisor or find a care home now to book a visit.
