In home care vs nursing homes
Many seniors and their loved ones realise at some point in their lives that they could benefit from some extra assistance, whether they want to age in place with homecare or move to a nursing home. Such decisions are never easy, especially when many people prefer to stay at home as they age. Others would prefer more socialisation as well as round-the-clock access to medical care and services provided by nursing home facilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic, mandatory quarantines, and deaths in nursing homes have families and healthcare professionals rethinking their approach to caring for senior citizens. Nursing homes was once thought to be the only option for the sick, disabled, and elderly.
For some, this will remain the case, but for others, given the pandemic problems with nursing homes and the number of people who have died from COVID-19, nursing home placement is not a choice they feel comfortable with. Many people have reconsidered this and have begun to remove their loved ones from nursing homes in order to manage care at home, where they have more control over visitation and support.
In some cases, your loved one may be too sick or disabled to be accepted into an assisted living facility. In home care presents its own set of challenges, and there is no perfect solution. The turnover rate in the in home care industry is high, so agencies and companies compete for the best caregivers.
Here are some of the distinctions between in home care and nursing homes:
Comparing in home care and nursing homes will give you a better idea as to which care option suits your needs best.
What is in home care?
In home care is where an agency or company pairs carers with clients. There is a great deal of flexibility with hours and day care, with overnight and 24-hour availability. The decision to transfer an individual from nursing homes to in home care will totally depend on what the carer can do or not do for the client.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing home care is the highest level of medical support outside a hospital. In home care costs can equal or exceed nursing home care costs, especially if private nursing is involved. However, families that can afford it and want to keep their loved ones at home will do anything to make it possible.
Pros and cons of in home care vs. nursing homes
When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of in home care and nursing homes, there are some situations where you must choose one. Cost, safety, and the availability of family carers can all sway your decision.
You can choose between the two based on your loved ones' needs.
What are the pros and cons of in home care?
1. As people age, they prefer to be at home rather than in a nursing facility. Seniors who can "age in place" among their friends and surroundings feel more secure and happy, which improves their mental and physical health.
2. In home care services are adaptable, so your loved one may have more extensive needs one day and less the next. Furthermore, you have control over the type of assistance you receive and are much more self-sufficient. Depending on the care provider you approach, you can contract for as little as 2-3 hours per day up to live-in, 24-hour care. A live-in carer can be the ideal form of elderly support for couples, especially if one person needs dementia care.
3. If you are dissatisfied with a particular carer, you can request a change, unlike in a nursing home, where you may not be able to select a carer.
4. Your loved one's freedom is important to them as they age. Allowing them to live at home allows them to do as much or as little as they want on their own schedule. They are not "scheduled" to do anything at any particular time. They are free to make their own decisions as long as they are able.
5. If your elderly loved one does not require extensive medical assistance, they can live at home while receiving daily assistance. You can hire a professional homecare agency to help your elderly loved one with daily chores.
Cons
1. If you find a carer you really like, they may leave due to the industry's high turnover rate.
2. Costs can go through the roof if your loved one needs help with a lot of different tasks or care throughout the day or week.
3. You will most likely have several different carers come into your home, not just the one you prefer.
4. If you live alone and only have a few hours of in home care per week, it can be lonely in between visits. Even if you have an alarm system, you may become ill or fall while alone.
Pros and cons of nursing homes
Pros
1. Due to the availability of 24-hour nursing and medical support, your elderly loved one will get almost everything they need.
2. Nursing homes have a variety of medical professionals on staff, including nutritionists and dieticians, who can address your loved one's nutritional needs or swallowing problems.
3. Transfer assistance is available to the greatest extent possible.
4. With your loved one being cared for by professionals 24/7, you as the carer may feel less stressed knowing that when you're tending to your own family or career, your loved one is safe.
Cons
1. Nursing homes in the UK had to deal with infection control even before the pandemic.
2. Nursing homes face high turnover and understaffing. These issues contribute to a lack of care and an increase in infection rates. You will need to be heavily involved in your loved one's care and supervision to ensure proper and safe care.
3. Nursing home care is costly, and your loved one will almost certainly share a room with another resident. If you choose a private room, the cost will be even higher.
Cost of nursing homes vs. in home care
A variety of factors influence the cost of care. Rates for both in-home care and nursing homes will differ across the UK.
Cost of in home care
Care agencies usually charge between £15 and £30 per hour for private nursing care at home. The average hourly rate is between £18 and £20.
This equates to an annual cost of £13,200 for in-home care services (if hired for 2 hours per week). Special care, such as dementia support or care for an elderly person with multiple needs, is required, but the cost varies.
Cost of nursing homes
In the UK, the average cost of a nursing home per week is £888, and the total cost of nursing care per month is £3,552.
This means that the annual cost of nursing homes will range between £35,000 and £55,000. Rates will rise if dementia care, elderly care with complex needs, or other specialised support services are required.
Nurses Group Homecare has efficient and dependable carers who can provide in-home care to elderly people and older couples who are struggling to live alone. Visit our service page to learn more about the assistance we offer to our clients.