Difference between Private homecare service & community care
When your senior parent's health and independence decline, it is time you step in and provide care. However, this job can be extremely demanding. It takes a great deal of time and effort to take care of a senior's requirements while still managing your own health, family, and work. Moreover, it is also uncomfortable for both you and your parents.
Perhaps this has led your family to start considering various care options. Choosing the right care for your loved one is important, as both private homecare services and community care have their own advantages. In this article, we will be looking in detail at difference between private homecare services and community care.
Private homecare vs. Community care
Although there are healthcare choices for any type of medical issue, generally speaking, care falls into two categories:
Private homecare services:
In private homecare services, qualified carers or registered nurses visit patients in their homes to provide the suite of care services that they need. The type of care provided can range from non-medical tasks, including personal care and household chores, to more intensive caregiving tasks like supporting clients with dementia round-the-clock or helping clients after surgery or an injury. Typically, private homecare services are customisable based on the needs of the client and are provided on a one-on-one basis.
Community care services:
Seniors are provided care in assisted living or nursing home facilities that are publicly subsidised. Depending on where you live, this can be an affordable alternative to private homecare services. At community care, patients will be sharing rooms, so it is ideal for people who like being social.
Private homecare service vs. community care
Now let's look at the major difference between private homecare services and community care.
1. Type of service:
Private homecare typically involves non-medical services like taking care of the client's personal hygiene, assisting them with simple household tasks, cooking for them, and so forth. Usually, private homecare services can be personalised based on the needs of the patients.
In community care, patients are taken into nursing home facilities that run on public funds and subsidies. Community care patients will share a room with other patients, so it's absolutely fitting for someone who likes being social.
2. Quality of service:
The quality of care is the first and foremost factor to consider when choosing a service. Whether you choose private homecare services or community care, you wouldn't compromise on the quality of nursing at any cost. The goal of both care services is to meet the recovery needs of the patient, even though both services vary in various ways. Nurses Group Homecare's carers provide the best quality care to help your loved one heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. In the case of private homecare, patients can choose the care provider they prefer as well as the kind of care they want.
At community care, clients enjoy and heal with other patients with whom they share the room and facility. A therapist, doctor, and team of nurses are also available for them 24/7 to find the right balance between physical and emotional well-being. At community care, there is a care team looking after each individual admitted to the common room. All the physical and mental necessities are taken care of with the right assistance and reassurance.
3. Consistency:
When choosing a support service, it is always important to look into the quality and consistency of the service. At Nurses Group Homecare, we match the right carer to the client so that they can build a bond. Getting to know a patient will also help carers have the ability to spot mood changes and catch early signs of deteriorating health. Seniors who feel more comfortable discussing personal medical issues are better able to receive timely, appropriate care from carers.
In a community care service setting, you or a loved one may encounter many members of a care team on a weekly basis. They take on tasks that range from supporting your medical needs and providing meals at a scheduled time to planning social activities within the facility. However, since COVID-19, nursing homes in the UK have suffered, as residents accounted for almost a third of all coronavirus deaths in England and Wales up to January 2021, according to news reports. Meanwhile, staff sickness and problems with personal protective equipment (PPE) supply increased pressure on the care system.
4. Flexibility:
For families looking for care providers for their ageing seniors, it is important to find an agency that suits their schedule as well as a company that can work around their needs. Flexibility is built into the service offered by Nurses Group Homecare, a private care provider. We provide service based on the schedule of the client, so whether you need someone to visit once or twice or round-the-clock service a week for companionship and to help around the house, we are the best choice. And if the situation changes? We will assist you in adjusting your care plan accordingly.
Flexibility is not usually the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to community care. The client has a strict daily routine where staff serves meals, set activities, and perform check-ups as per the schedule. Some seniors enjoy this predictability, while others like the freedom to be cared for based on their own schedule.
5. Safety and carer qualifications:
When thinking about going to a care service for your parents, questions about safety are inevitable. It's crucial that your loved one receives care from professionals and feels secure in their surroundings. In the case of private homecare, carers are typically hired privately or through a private care provider like Nurses Group Homecare, where they conduct all interviews, background checks, billing, insurance requirements, and staff training. Hiring through a private homecare provider is much easier if families wish to avoid all the hassle.
Depending on their position within the facility and how they help residents, community care professionals often come from a range of diverse backgrounds. To work in the facility, carers must submit to background checks, go through an interview procedure, and, in some professions, supply credentials. The number of residents a nurse is responsible for caring for throughout a shift will depend on how many qualified professionals are working in the facility at any particular time. Your loved one may have a harder time feeling secure and at home in the facility as a result of this.
Whether to hire a private homecare provider in the UK or opt for community care is a personal decision, and the right choice can vary based on your loved one's goals and needs. However, being aware of both choices will enable you to have a fruitful conversation and assist your loved one in making the right decision. Prior to making a decision, take the time to visit facilities, speak with a homecare provider, and conduct research.
Nurses Group Homecare is the best care provider in Yeovil, UK, with highly qualified and trained carers. We provide personalised service based on the needs of the client after involving them and their loved ones in decision-making. To learn more about the various homecare services we provide, visit our care service page.