Live-in Care vs. Residential Care: Choosing the Right Fit for You
Finding care for your loved one – someone who has always been there for you but now needs extra support – is no easy task.
You want them to feel safe, respected and comfortable, but navigating the world of care can feel daunting. We know first-hand the difficulties of making these sorts of choices and the whirlwind of emotions they generate – so where do you start?
In the UK, there are two main options for care: live-in care and residential care. Both offer valuable assistance, but understanding the key differences is crucial for making the best choice for your unique situation.
Here at Eximius, we are committed to empowering you to make an informed decision between live-in and residential care that prioritises you or your loved one’s well-being and happiness.
Live-in care offers a host of benefits such as familiarity and personalised care, while also encouraging ongoing social participation and independence.
Ultimately, our goal is to empower you to make an informed decision that prioritises well-being and happiness. So how does live-in care differ from residential care?
Residential Care
Residential care, aka care homes or nursing homes, is where people live and receive care in a semi-communal setting.
It’s a fantastic option that can help them stay social, as there are other residents to swap stories and share experiences with. It’s also great if they require a more stimulating environment as residential care homes will have a regular events and activities’ schedule for residents as most have a dedicated activities coordinator.
Residential care homes have multiple members of staff to assist but, of course, this support is shared between several residents. Families and friends of those needing extra support may find this comforting, especially in specialist care settings as all members of staff will be trained in the home’s specialism.
It’s also an option for those needing a change of scenery – for example, after the passing of a spouse or moving to a home closer to other family members.
A point to note is that a move to residential care can be challenging for some individuals. In 2020, it was found that 80% of older people would prefer to remain in their own homes.
Moving to a new environment can be difficult for some, especially when factoring in other new experiences like losing a sense of independence and control over routines and having less privacy due to communal spaces.
Live-in Care
This leads us on to live-in care; a type of care which allows older people to stay in the comfort of their own homes and involves a dedicated carer. This person – or companion – lives in the client’s home and is on hand for all their care needs.
Investing in live-in care means that your loved one can continue living their usual life, with the benefit of increased safety. They can stay comfortable, surrounded by their keepsakes and memories and free to enjoy their creature comforts – from keeping their pets or vegetable gardens, to socialising with friends from the local community.
It also allows for more individualised care that’s tailored to specific needs, as well as more contact time with a carer with one-to-one support (or one-to-two in the case of couples remaining at home together.)
Once thought to be ‘the expensive choice’, live-in care is more affordable than ever and can help maintain independence and identity for those who need extra support.
Finding the Right Choice
So now you know a little bit about the main types of care, here’s what else you need to consider when choosing between residential and live-in care:
- The specific level and type of care required (for example, basic assistance vs. complex medical; do they need specialist care for a condition?)
- Mobility and level of independence
- How stimulating or social does the environment need to be? (Do they want a quiet environment or would it be beneficial for them to be around more people? Are they interested in having activities organised for them?)
- Financial implications
- Individual preference as well as the input of loved ones (involving loved ones in the process not only makes everyone feel valued, the additional input can help with decision making)
Eximius: Live-in Care Specialists
Eximius Live-In Care was founded by Kate in 2016, inspired by her own fiercely independent mother. We aim for our clients to enjoy a full, safe and happy life, and for their families to enjoy peace of mind that their loved ones are well cared for.
Our vision is to provide bespoke care services focused on helping elderly and vulnerable people live their lives to the fullest. We hope that our clients feel empowered to be able to carry on doing the things they enjoy, with the support of an Eximius companion or carer to make sure they are supported and looked after.
All our carers and companions are fully vetted and trained. They also work directly for us, which means friends and family do not have the added stress of hiring an external carer.
Carers are matched with clients based on experience, training and personality to ensure that they are the best companion, expert carer and friend to them.
Ultimately, the decision between live-in care and residential care depends on your loved one’s individual needs and preferences.
Remember, the most important factor is your loved one’s well-being and happiness. We encourage you to have open conversations with them, involve them in the decision-making process as much as possible, and don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance if needed.
If you or a loved-one would like to understand more about the different care options available, please contact us for further information. We’d love to help.