What is the future of elderly care in the UK?
The UK's population is ageing very rapidly, and it is predicted that in the next 25 years, the number of people older than 85 will quadruple. Though the ageing population might lead to the presumption that there will be an increased need for health and social services, the reality is more complicated. However, reports show that the number of people depending on social care in the UK has reduced, and are now preferring homecare services.
Homecare services allow older people to live independently in the familiar surroundings of their homes while receiving elderly care. As per research, 97% of people in the UK would choose to stay in their own homes to be cared for if they could. The proportion of older persons over 75 with a long-term ailment has increased, and their demands are likely to become more complex, necessitating the support of homecare and NHS services more.
In this article, we will be looking into the rising demand for homecare services for elderly care in the UK and the possible reasons for the same.
As the UK's population ages, it is more important to consider their elderly care plans, because once they are older and begin looking for possibilities, it is no longer possible for them to research, comprehend, and select the finest care for themselves. So it is better to encourage them and start a conversation about their elderly care plan, their needs, goals, and all other aspects. Choosing the care a person needs is crucial and personal, as it might depend on their medical conditions, financial circumstances, or the type of environment in which they would like to live. If a senior requires elderly care, they have various options, such as a residential home, a nursing home, homecare, or any other assisted living facility.
If you prefer the community feel of a residential home, analyse the facilities in your location, shortlist the ones you would like to check, inspect, get opinions from the residents, and meet the staff and management to understand how they operate and what healthcare services they provide. In case you are someone who prefers to stay in the comfort of your home, you can check out all the homecare facilities in the UK. For example, if a person is seeking elderly care in the southwest region of England, the best option is Nurses Group Homecare.
Demand for elderly care in the UK
It has been accepted for a while that the UK population has an ageing profile, and as such, the demands on the elderly care sector could be substantial. Many experts predict that both capacity and demand for elderly care will grow for several decades to come. Such an increase in demand for elderly care will not only mean a greater level of occupancy but also rising demand for homecare facilities, nursing homes, and various other support facilities throughout the UK.
Standard of elderly care in the UK
Currently, in order to provide reassurance to communities, elderly care in the UK is highly regulated, and care providers (whether residential, nursing homes, or homecare services) are rigorously inspected to ensure clients are comfortable, safe, and healthy. In the case of live-in care, providers may be members of the United Kingdom Care Association (membership in the UKHCA is required if they are members of the Live-In Care Hub), and if the provider manages carers and oversees service provision, they must be subject to Care Quality Commission regulation.
Regulation is important because it offers peace of mind to individuals and their families. With this aim, the CQC rigorously inspects elderly care providers. Though there is unregulated live-in care, wherein an introductory agency matches an individual or a family with a carer, the individual becomes the employer. This is cheaper than regulated care, and the person seeking care is subject to employment rules. It is important to ascertain what is important to you before choosing.
Why is live-in care becoming popular in the UK?
According to research conducted by Live-In Care Hub (a non-profit group of live-in care providers championing 24/7 homecare in the UK) titled Better at Home in 2019, people in the UK prefer to stay at home as they age. This is because it allows people to maintain their independence, avoid or reduce hospital admissions, and stay in the place they love the most with their families and friends. Through live-in care services, the elderly person gets a much more personalised service, among other benefits.
Homecare over hospital care for the elderly in the UK
Researchers at the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford led a recent NIHR-funded study that found that caring for a small number of frail older patients at home can improve patient outcomes while reducing hospital pressure. According to the report, one of the major issues encountered by NHS UK prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was the increasing number of older people brought to the hospital due to a fall or sudden sickness.
Aside from putting strain on hospital resources and costs, it is also proposed that this may not be the best place for elderly care. Moreover, it is evident that hospital admission can only cause acute confusion, reduce mobility, and accelerate the transition to residential care.
An alternative to hospital admission is a "Hospital at Home" arrangement in the UK, where hospital-standard care is provided to patients in their homes. In this arrangement, elderly people have access to all the services, such as oxygen, intravenous treatment, and many others. Along with this, they can be transferred to a hospital if necessary. The hospital-at-home model is already operating in a few areas of the UK, but there is no evidence on whether this affects patient outcomes.
Furthermore, such care will ultimately relieve pressure on hospital beds, avoid unnecessary stress and disruption for elderly people, and increase patient satisfaction. The hospital-at-home model is designed to offer complete, holistic care support, with a multidisciplinary team of professionals drawing up a personalised care plan.
Nurses Group Homecare in Yeovil, UK, provides individualised geriatric care to people in their golden years. We dispatched skilled and certified carers who could provide the necessary care for our customers. Visit our service page to discover more about how we can help you.