When a loved one is struggling to live alone, a move to a residential care home may be the best option. Residential care homes are devoted facilities where care recipients live in their rooms with dedicated staff on-site. Each care home differs, so it is important to research different homes, but each one will usually provide personal care (help with hygiene, meals and organising their time). They will skid usually provide medical supervision (helping with administering certain procedures and monitoring medicine intake) and routine for care-recipients (with many homes offering scheduled visits, activities and special events for residents to partake in).
If your loved one is finding it hard to live at home, even with the help of their friends, family and carers, it may be time to consider moving them to a residential care home. Care homes help with personal care, such as washing and dressing, cooking meals, providing company and offering activities. They can also offer medical care, with some offering very specialist care for certain ailments and issues, such as dementia care or caring for injuries.
Times to consider a care home
If the person you are supporting has recently had a serious change in health, suffered illness or a fall, for example, causing their physical health and mobility to deteriorate, it is a good time to consider a care home for their safety.
Furthermore, if their mental health is showing signs of deterioration, for example, signs of dementia, this can also cause a potential care-recipient to be very vulnerable and therefore a care home should be seriously considered. A loss of a partner, neighbour or relative that previously provided help and care is a good indication that a care home may be needed. Signs of loneliness or depression are also a clear sign, as homes can provide a community of others in a similar situation for the care-recipient to socialise with, and dedicated staff to help address these problems.
The person you are supporting may have trouble with personal care but are safe and happy in their home. In situations like these, you may find having a live-in carer a better option. However, this will require the home of the care recipient having a spare room and may require modifications to the home. Live-in care assistants also cannot administer as many medical procedures as staff at care homes, so if the care-recipient has any issues leaving their bed or has a medical issue that needs attention a care home may be the safer option. Long term nursing is often not provided by live-in carers, home services or sheltered housing, so if medical needs are a concern that is a clear indication a care home may be necessary as they can offer 24/7 medical attention and supervision. If this sounds like something the person you are supporting needs, why not try this care home in Devon.
A care home isn’t the only option but is often the safest and the best solution when the person you are supporting may be struggling or feels unsafe in their own home.
