Homecare vs. care home: Which is the best option for you?
It can be challenging for anyone who needs assistance with their daily routine to choose between homecare and a care home in the UK because it is a big decision that takes consideration, planning, and time. Even though both offer benefits and drawbacks, it can be challenging to decide between the two, especially if you're in a crisis and require immediate assistance, as might be the case if a loved one has recently been released from the hospital.
In this article, we will be discussing what homecare and care homes are and their differences in the UK. If you are looking for a care service, this article will help you decide which of the two is best for your parents.
What does homecare entail in the UK?
Homecare is where a professional carer visits clients in the comfort of their own homes to deliver tailored care support. Many homecare providers provide assistance for anyone aged 18 and upward, while some specialise in delivering support to certain age groups, e.g., over 65s. Homecare services range from personal assistance, shopping, and meal preparation to the administration and management of medicine.
What is a "care home" in the UK?
A care home is a residential building where residents are provided 24-hour care by trained healthcare professionals. Usually, residents of care homes are elderly and require assistance due to deteriorating health conditions associated with ageing.
Difference between homecare and care home in the UK
There is a wide range of differences between homecare and a care home in the UK. The main differences are listed below:
1. Flexibility:
The service provided at homecare can be tailored to the individual's needs in the UK. As a care provider in the UK, Nurse Group Homecare is well-known for providing exceptionally customised services by creating a care plan with the input of patients and their families. We can provide as little as a weekly visit from a carer to help with the shopping, or it could mean having a live-in carer who provides 24/7 support.
We can also provide medication support for people who need special medical support. Moreover, we can alter your care plan according to changes in the situation, such as increasing the number of visits, providing additional help, and so on. On the other hand, when considering a care home, flexibility is the last thing that comes to mind because you must adhere to the facility's schedule. There will be little to no flexibility, as you will be given the same assistance as the other residents.
2. Personal touch:
Most homecare services in the UK, including Nurses Group Homecare, work hard to find the right carer for you. You can make special requests to help you find a carer that can serve your needs, such as a carer who knows sign language or who can handle pets, and so on. The personal touch is one of the key factors in homecare. A care home will have many residents with different illnesses. You will be provided support like any other resident, as there will be a set of common support workers who will be looking after all the residents.
3. Greater independence:
Adults may not admit that they are struggling with something due to the fear that they might lose their independence. One of the primary benefits is that it helps seniors continue to carry out their tasks, such as walking, bathing, etc., in the comfort of their own homes. They can remain independent at home in this manner for the longest time. Once a person is moved to a care home, they might feel reluctant to carry out their routine tasks due to the unfamiliarity of the surroundings. This will gradually reduce their independence and eventually make them rely on the carers in the care home.
4. Safety, comfort, and convenience:
Adults will recover faster and with fewer complications in the comfort of their homes than in any healthcare facility. With the help of carers from a reputed care provider like Nurses Group Homecare, who can help you manage your medications, the elderly will have a timely intake of the right medications, which will help them in their speedy recovery. Older individuals can maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives by sticking to their routines in comfortable circumstances when they are at home. As a person moves out of their home and into a care home, where they share a room with other residents, they feel less safe and comfortable. This will also cause them inconvenience as they have to leave the comfort of their home for unfamiliar surroundings.
5. Socialisation:
Even though you get to stay in the comfort of your own home with homecare, you might feel less social because your carer will be handling the majority of your tasks. Chances to meet new people and socialise are less in the case of homecare. Meanwhile, moving into a care home gives you a chance to meet new people and stay social.
6. Stability:
The best care option is homecare for people with particular needs and conditions, like dementia, where they become upset and frustrated by changes. Nurses Group Homecare offers dementia care right from the initial to the final stages, providing the patients with maximum comfort and happiness. Whereas in a care home, you will be given a stable routine, which will be much more beneficial for people who like predictability.
7. Routine:
In the case of homecare, your loved one can follow their daily routine with little assistance from the carers who make visits. Meanwhile, in a care home, your loved one may have to adjust to a new routine.
8. Care service:
When availing of homecare services, support will be provided during the hours of visits, unless live-in care is requested. However, in a care home, round-the-clock support will be provided as the facility will have nurses, doctors, and support workers all the time to support and assist you.
9. Cost:
The hourly charge for homecare services offered by care providers in the UK typically ranges from £15 to £30 per hour, with an average rate of roughly £18–20 per hour. This means that if your hired home help costs £18 per hour and you need 14 hours of assistance per week (2 hours per day), you should expect to pay about £1,100 per month or £13,200 per year. However, depending on the type of care service, care type, number and hours of visitation, and care plans the person requests, this charge may change.
The cost of care homes varies depending on where in the UK you reside and the kind of assistance you require. According to research, the average annual charge for a residential care home is between £27,000 and £39,000. If nursing care is required, care expenses rise from £35,000 to £55,000 annually.
These are some of the basic differences, based on which you can decide which service suits you or your loved one the best.
With highly trained and competent carers who can give your loved one individualised care, Nurses Group Homecare is the top care provider in the UK. We provide assistance without hindering the privacy and dignity of our clients and their families.