There comes a time in everyone’s life when our capacity to do the things we once did and enjoyed doing becomes more strenuous and cumbersome as a result of the ageing process. As a natural part of life, it’s a given that our abilities will deteriorate with time. And if you have an elderly loved one who is in this situation, you may be considering live-in care for them. But what is live-in care and what are some of the reasons you might consider it? Let’s take a closer look.
What is live-in care?
When it comes to live-in care, its meaning may sometimes be confused with domiciliary care. However, the two are quite different. Live-in care is provided by a live-in care provider who, in turn, is appointed by a live-in care agency, which has thoroughly vetted the carer and is certain that they’re up to the task. LIve-in care is 24-hour care in the client’s own home. It is usually much more comfortable for an elderly person to remain at home, where they’re surrounded by a familiar setting and can reminisce over the many memories they’ve made there.
As a result of the 24-hour care provided by a live-in carer, the client can rest assured that their lives won’t be disrupted or have to face the unnecessary stress of moving into a nursing or residential care home. Live-in care is also a tailored service with no compromises made, which ensures that every client’s unique needs are met. The carers provide quality care, establishing healthy routines and they can be as proactive or as discreet as the client requires.
What are the benefits of live-in care?
If you’re still unsure about whether you need live-in care for your loved one, here are some reasons that may convince you that this is indeed the route to take.
Practical and household needs are met: live-in carers provide practical help by ensuring that the house is in order and well cared for. This may include cleaning tasks, laundry, taking out the rubbish, getting the mail, etc.
Personal care is addressed: due to increasing physical demands, some elderly members of the community may struggle with basic personal care tasks. This is why a live-in carer can help with aspects such as dressing, bathing and toileting.
Enjoy familiar surroundings: a huge benefit of live-in care is the fact that your loved one will enjoy living in familiar surroundings. Moving to a residential or nursing home can be disruptive, cause stress and be generally unpleasant. However, by being in their own home, your loved ones can enjoy more peace of mind and have more security.
Daily tasks are taken care of: daily tasks such as cooking, administering medication and others are also taken care of by the carer, thereby providing the family members with relief that all their loved one’s needs are met.
Assists with health-related benefits: by ensuring that your loved one takes their medication on time every time and that they visit doctors on an as-needed basis, the live-in carer ensures that your loved one’s health is taken care of.
Retain independence: because the live-in carer will be there to socialise with your loved one, take them out for walks (if required and needed) or even to community events where they can see and spend time with friends, your loved ones can enjoy the same levels of independence as before. It’s also possible to maintain hobbies and interests, which is not only a source of fun but motivation and a way of spending quality time with loved ones.
Stick to established routines: live-in care services also ensure that the carer will adhere to and respect your loved one’s daily routines. The purpose of this is to ensure that they face minimal disruptions in their lives.
A source of comfort and care: live-in care for elderly further provides a source of comfort and care to your loved ones. The carer can ensure that there are no accidental falls or slips which can lead to medical complications. Furthermore, having a friendly face around can help with loneliness and curb depression.
Stay close to friends and family: staying close to friends and family is another possibility with live-in care because the carer can always update the family on any new developments regarding their loved one. They will be kept in the loop with everything that happens and the family can rest assured that their loved one is in good hands, is enjoying a better quality of life and can enjoy more peace of mind.
What should your live-in carer know?
Once you’re ready to proceed with live-in care service for your loved one, you should ensure that the carer that is appointed knows several important things. These may include, but are not limited to, their favourite meals and medical requirements, dietary and nutritional information, details about their daily routines, access to their social calendar, general likes and dislikes, the rules of the house and importantly: medical, family and emergency contacts numbers.
Why live-in care is the option?
Elderly home care may seem like a tricky area to navigate but with the right partner at hand, you can rest assured that your loved one will be expertly taken care of. Their immediate and long-term needs will be addressed and by forming a relationship with the carer, they won’t feel lonely. Live-in care is an affordable alternative to nursing or residential care homes and it’s a great way of ensuring that your loved one enjoys the comfort of their own home. If you’re ready to make the call, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
