What’s the Difference Between Live-In Care & a Care Home?

Often, making the decision to find care for a loved one is a painful and difficult one. You want to do what’s best for them, and ensure they are – above anything else – happy and healthy. The choice of care often comes down to live-in care or a care home, but what’s the difference between the two?

Care Home Pros

There are many benefits of opting for a care home for your loved one, especially if they have specific or complex care requirements. Care homes are a safe, and secure environment – staff are usually on hand (or at least on call) 24/7 – which can provide you with peace of mind.

Care homes will provide regular meals, supervise any medication, and will provide residents with a room of their own. Care homes can also provide companionship, with your loved one able to socialise with others and take part in organised activities.

Financially, you don’t have to worry about household bills or upkeep, which can sometimes be a burden on family members.

Care Home Cons

You might not have to worry about household bills, but care home fees can be very expensive – particularly if your loved one has to fund their own care. Local authority funding is available, but this is provided on a case-by-case basis.

As such, the choice of care home could be limited. Your loved one may need to move further away due to cost, specialist care requirements, or simply due to a lack of space at local care homes. There are also variations in care. All homes must meet a minimum standard, but the quality of care can vary.

This can result in them feeling isolated, cut-off, and rejected by their loved ones. They may lose contact with neighbours and old friends, and distance may make it difficult for family to visit regularly.  Care homes can also see your loved ones lose their independence as they become reliant on their carers, especially if they are in an unfamiliar location and are cut-off from their friends and family. 

Care homes will give your loved one their own room, but the small space means they won’t be able to take all of their possessions; something which can be unsettling and upsetting. The lack of privacy in a communal living space can also take some getting used to.

Live-In Care Pros

Live-in care is a great care home alternative as it allows your loved one to stay at home. They are in a familiar, safe environment, with friends, neighbours and family close by. There’s no upheaval, which makes the transition easier, and couples can stay together. 

They can even keep their pets! With a home carer, you know that your loved one is getting completely tailored care by someone who understands their needs. Live-in carers can take the strain by helping with everyday tasks as well as offering the support and care your loved one needs.

They provide companionship for your loved ones to stop them feeling isolated, and a live-in carer is someone they can enjoy day trips with or just a chat over a coffee. This can boost self-esteem and take the pressure off you and your family. They also give you peace of mind that your loved one is safe, secure, and happy.

Live-In Care Cons

If you have complex requirements, you may struggle to find the right person however the right live-in care company should be able to assist. You will need to find someone you’re all comfortable with, as live-in carers will be staying in the home with your loved one. If the property doesn’t have a private bedroom, live-in care isn’t an option.

Live-in care can also be costly – but is often cheaper than care home costs. Live-in care can be more cost effective for couples as they pay for one carer, but would need to pay for two care home spaces.

Finally, you do need to consider the needs of the carer. They will need annual leave, which means the personnel will change occasionally. Using a managed service can make this easier and organise short-term cover for you.

To find out more about live-in care in Birmingham provided by Four Oaks Healthcare, or to speak to someone about your home care requirements, call us on 0333 772 0156 or email [email protected] today.