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Care home or home care?

Care homes, home care and nursing homes are all different and all come with their own plus points.

The benefits of home care

Everyone relies on a social network of some kind, be it talking to neighbours over the fence, or going to church, maintaining contact with friends and family is vital.

For these reasons, most older people in the UK wish to remain living at home within their community. The thought of having to move from an area they have happily lived in for many years, in a house shared with family, can be distressing.

Radfield Home Care Professional with client

Home care versus care homes

To retain well-being, quality of life and remain connected, we believe that encouraging independence at home is best for older people. With the support of home care services, many people are choosing to live at home for longer. It can be more economical and helps a person to maintain their dignity and sense of control as they age.

What are the differences between home care services and a residential care home?

Living in your home

Pets

Flexibility

What you choose to eat

One-on-one care

Independence and dignity

Loneliness

Support for the future on your terms

By gradually introducing home care and increasing it over time, you can maintain control while growing older. You’ll know that you have support for unforeseen events or if you become ill and it’s a gentle way to integrate care on your terms, rather than the shock of a new environment and life change.

Cost comparison: residential care home vs home care services

As the cost of care homes increases, remaining at home can be the most cost-effective solution. More local authority funding can be available for home care, as a property is not considered in means-testing – unlike for a residential care home (June 2017).

A care home will on average cost from £600 up to £1,500 per week – depending on the level of needs and exclusivity.

Home care, for three visits per day, is an average of £460 per week – depending on additional mileage and weekends.

If care needs increase or there becomes a need for more than one carer at a time, a residential care home becomes more economical, but this doesn’t factor in the emotional benefits of remaining at home.

What are the differences between home care, care homes and nursing homes?

Home care is when a qualified Care Professional comes to your home to support you and helps keep you living independently at home. They can cover specialist conditions and illnesses such as Parkinson’s, dementia, multiple sclerosis and palliative care. All carers are specially trained.

A care home is staffed 24 hours a day with qualified care assistants but the home does not need nursing requirements. Care homes are not able to meet the demands of someone who needs specialist care for dementia.

Nursing homes provide the same service as a residential care home with qualified care assistants but who are supervised by registered nurses and are equipped to provide care for specialist conditions and illnesses. Some nursing homes offer specialist care for dementia, with specially trained staff.