where to start
Five steps to finding the best care out there.
Are you currently caring for family member and unsure about what care they need? How do you find out what care is right for them? Find answers to these questions and more below.
STEP ONE
Talking about care
Talking about care with an elderly loved one can be an emotional time for the whole family. But when is the right time to talk about care with an elderly relative? How do you introduce the topic of care? These are some of the questions answered below.
Why talk?
Don’t be afraid to talk about care. It can be a difficult subject to discuss but if you have genuine concerns for their safety and welfare, a conversation about their future care options is a necessary one to have.
When to talk.
Talk while there’s time. The sooner you talk about it, the sooner you can identify the problems and help your family member or friend to do something about them. This also gives them time to consider all the available options, rather than having to make a rushed decision because their living situation has become critical.
Who's involved?
Don’t forget to include your siblings and other family members in the decision to ensure the whole family in involved if possible and the responsibilities are shared.
Your loved one ultimately needs to be included in any care decisions in order for them to enjoy the best quality of life and truly feel safe, happy and comfortable with any care-related changes that may take place. If they’ve agreed to life in a care home and you’ve shortlisted care homes in your local area, perhaps you can go through the homes’ brochures with them. Ask them which one they like the look of, which one they think they’ll feel most comfortable in.
What to say.
It is often family members or friends who notice the change in an elderly loved one’s care-related needs. You may have to talk about care for many reasons, some of them may be because:
- there’s a decrease in their mobility or the increased need for accessibility aids
- they’re struggling to conduct everyday tasks
- you’re unsure about their finances and whether they have substantial living costs
- you’re concerned they may have dementia
- you want to understand and find out what’s involved in end of life care
What if..?
What if my family member doesn’t want to talk about care?
Be patient. They may not be inclined to have a conversation about their care. If they are reluctant to talk on the subject, maybe try and kindly ask why they don’t want to talk about it or whether they would rather talk to a friend about this or maybe a medical professional. You can even request a free care assessment.
What if a family member is in denial about needing care?
Ask them how they feel. They may be in denial that they need any help or increased care. One reason for this may be a fear of losing independence. Try to understand their situation and reassure them you’re only trying to help them and make life easier for them.
STEP TWO
Care home or Home care?
Here you can see the difference between home care and what life is like at a care home. Then you can work out which one is better suited to you or a family member.
Care & Wellbeing
care home
- 24-hour care from trained staff
- Dedicated carers that spend time with residents
- Help with booking GP, hospital, chiropody and hair dressing appointments
- Tailored care plans to suit the unique care needs of each individual
home care
- Care is billed by the hour
- One to one care provided by different carers each visit
- The scheduling of appointments to the GP or hospital will need to be arranged by family members
- Additional costs will be needed if nursing or dementia care is required
Activities & Environment
care home
- Lounges and dining areas allow for socialisation and companionship
- Providing secure, homely environments in which care, well-being and comfort come first
- Dedicated Activities-Coordinators engage with residents daily, keeping them active & healthy
- Visits of any length from family & friends are welcomed at any time
home care
- Staying at home can provide a familiar and relaxing environment for the individual
- Support aids are often required to minimise risk of injury and increase their accessibility
- Feelings of loneliness and isolation can arise due to limited mobility and interaction with others
- Carers’ visits are often time-limited & task-focused, with little time for meaningful interaction
Daily Living & Costs
care home
- Residents receive a varied menu provided and home-cooked by our dedicated team of in-house chefs and kitchen assistants
- Anyone with assets over £23,250 does not qualify for help with funding. In most cases homeowners will have to cover all care home fees
- All meals, housekeeping, laundry, outings and activities are included in the initial cost
- All costs are presented clearly, reviewed regularly with updates sent of any changes in cost
home care
- Those living at home will need their meals delivered or they’ll need to prepare them, often favouring expediency over nutritional value
- Money will have to be set aside to cover a live-in or visiting carer as well as all other daily living expenses such as laundry and cleaning etc.
- Those requiring home care often qualify for financial help from their local authority
- Some costs are not always presented up-front leading to hidden or additional charges for care
STEP THREE
Finding local care
Here is a list of directories where you can find the best local care in your area.
STEP FOUR
Assessing a care home
What’s the best way to compare care homes? Here is a handy checklist you can use to weigh up the pros and cons of each home you visit.
STEP FIVE
Paying for care
How much do care homes actually cost? How do you pay for care home life? Find answers to these two very common questions and get some financial guidance when it comes to paying for care.
How much does a care home cost?
The cost of care at a Southcare Home differs depending on the type and level of care required (nursing or residential etc.), the location of the home and its facilities, as well as the size of the bedroom. The weekly cost of living in a Southcare Home ranges per home, so please feel free to speak to us.
Contact Accounts
Tel: 0203 004 8251
Fax: 0208 642 9953
How do I pay for a care home?
Figuring out how to pay for care doesn’t have to be a challenge. Here you’ll find some helpful resources on how to finance care home life.
Age UK Factsheet
The Money Advice Service
UK Care Guide
Independent Age
Alzheimer’s Society
